Viewpoint: Googling Your Shop
Go and enter the name of your shop at www.google.com. Try putting “quote marks” around the name of your shop, like “main street auto care.” Now try entering the city where you are located with the name of your shop. I don’t care if you’re a two-bay operation, or have multiple locations. What did you
Google Links
Google: GO HERE FIRST AND ENTER YOUR SHOP’S NAME. www.google.com Google Maps: Are you on the Map? If not, get a Google Account and put your Shop on the Map. www.maps.google.com Article On How Google Works in Simple Terms http://www.google.about.com/od/searchengineoptimization/qt/improverank.htm Crash Course on How To Improve Your Ranking www.soswebdesign.com/articles/googlecrash.cfm More Extensive www.courtneytuttle.com/you-blog/how-can-you-move-up-in-googles-rankings/ Great Article On
Viewpoint: Pricing Out Fear
For 2008, I changed my health care insurance from a traditional plan to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Basically, it means that the first $2,000 (pre-tax) of medical expenses are on me. I was scared at first, but I soon found that it did have some entertainment and educational value. I have found myself pricing
Viewpoint, Quality not Price
Last month, I offered up 50 tips to improve your business in 2008. Tip 31 was “Ask suppliers for better pricing. The worse they can say is no.” I received an email from a reader about it: I’m the third generation in a parts jobber/warehouse. We specialize in fleets, especially cab fleets that experience rough,
Viewpoint: 50 Tips to Improve your Shop in 2008
Increase the labor rate. Chances are your customers will not notice. Send fewer cars to the dealership. Buy better uniforms. Secretly shop the competition. Attend more training. Take down all the old, dirty or out-of-date “push/pull” or “we install” stickers off your front door. Use your shop management system more effectively. Explore all menus and
From Rivets to Hooks: The Changing Brake Attachment Market
Relining and Rivets In the early days of BRAKE & FRONT END, the brake job was known as a reline. The technician would pull the drum and attach fresh friction material to the shoes at the shop. In 1931, a complete reline with adjustment could be had for $10.00! The shops could buy friction material
Viewpoint: Can Your Retirement Meet the Reserve Price?
For the past five years, I have been a shopper of eBay Motors. I not only shop for parts for my project cars, but for tools. It is almost an addiction for me to find the best deal or rarest tool. In the automotive tool section, I have been noticing a disturbing type of listing.
Brake Fluid Q & A
Mike Evangelo of Dynamic Motorsports and Rossion Automotive e-mailed me with six questions about brake fluid. I like a challenge, so here are my answers. 1. What are the fundamental differences between synthetic fluid and conventional DOT 3 and 4? Simple, it all comes down to the base stock. Both synthetic and conventional brake fluids
Alignment Update: Consider Long-Term Value of Equipment
Alignments are an equipment-intensive business. Purchasing this equipment is often done with the state-of-mind of “who is the least expensive.” But, “least expensive” is a relative term that can be narrow or broad in definition and scope. Least expensive can be looked from two different perspectives. Short-term is looking at just the one-time purchase price.
Tech Update: The 10 Commandments for Selling Shocks & Struts
“143” alt=”” align=”right” /> Look for signs that the units might be leaking oil, such as the accumulation of road grime or the presence of oil inside the boots and dust shields. Also keep an eye out for “witness marks” that indicate the suspension might have bottomed out recently. Make sure all bushings and hardware
Viewpoint: Human Resources Opening Up at Work
Hiring, firing and quitting are unavoidable tasks in the automotive repair industry. Everybody hates to deal with these aspects of the business because it can be risky on both sides of the table, and not just monetarily, but emotionally. I have seen war veterans more open to talk about the most bloody battles than some
Viewpoint: The Future of Brakes
How stability and traction control systems will change the industry as we know it. I hear all of the moaning and groaning out there about how new cars are better made, require less maintenance and break down less often. But, they still need to stop and this means they will always need brakes. Brake pads