How’s Business?…Gas Prices Aren’t Helping
After a robust 2004, optimism among repair shop owners was extremely high when we surveyed readers in January 2005. Three months later, with gas prices consistently above $2 per gallon, the mood is changing. During the first week of April, we faxed a survey to 3,000 automotive service and repair shop owners across the country
Perspectives: How Global Issues Can Dictate Your Bottom Line
One of the vital tasks that shops must undertake is managing the expectations of their customers. This is really a job for anyone who sells a product. When I complain about the price of a pair of jeans that my wife buys for herself, she always says, “They don’t cost the same amount as they
Perspectives: How Global Issues Can Dictate Your Bottom Line
How Global Issues Can Dictate Your Bottom Line
Publisher’s Perspective: How’s Business?
All the Indicators Look Good
Publisher’s Perspectives
I was reading the newspaper and came across an excerpt from a new book by Michael Crichton called “State of Fear.” Crichton also wrote “Jurassic Park” and “The Andromeda Strain,” and is the creator of the TV series “ER.” His new book reflects on fears that are created but never turn out to be as
Take the High Road
Did your choice for President win the election?
Perspectives
I was reading my local paper and came across the headline that read, “black boxes” are urged for automobiles. With all the political sparring in the news this election season, my skeptical mind has been in overdrive. Seeing this headline, I read on to find “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday recommended for
Perspectives
I was reading my local paper and came across the headline that read, “black boxes” are urged for automobiles. With all the political sparring in the news this election season, my skeptical mind has been in overdrive. Seeing this headline, I read on to find “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday recommended for
Perspectives: How’s Business?
Looking at the automotive market from a macro perspective, all of the major indicators are moving in the right direction. The total number of miles driven continues to increase, approaching 2.8 trillion miles per year; cars and trucks are lasting longer, therefore requiring more service over the total life of the vehicle; the average age
Perspectives
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tool and equipment shows – and seeing a lot of cool tools, such as a pneumatic oxygen sensor remover, a magnetic socket holder and all kinds of flashlights and work lights. It seems that all the equipment is well-built, more powerful and user
Perspectives
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tool and equipment shows – and seeing a lot of cool tools, such as a pneumatic oxygen sensor remover, a magnetic socket holder and all kinds of flashlights and work lights. It seems that all the equipment is well-built, more powerful and user
Perspectives
What do you get when you cross Las Vegas and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week? A working vacation worth taking this fall. You’ll find so much to see and do, you may not even go near a slot machine. In addition to coinciding with CARS, AAIW – which includes the AAPEX and SEMA shows – will