Greener Grass Could Be In Your Own Backyard
You’re washing up after a long, hard day. Your shirttail hasn’t stayed tucked in since lunchtime, and everywhere you look there are oil stains and dirt on your clothes from working on that last engine. Then, the service manager shows up wanting to know why that last job isn’t finished, and asks if you can
An Auto Shop’s Guide To Handling Web Leads
In today’s world, your customers have 24/7 access to the web. Whether it be on their home computer, work computer or their smartphone, no matter where they are they can be online within moments. This is just one of the many reasons today’s consumers are turning to the web for answers, and more and more
The Best-Kept Secret To Generating More Referrals
As we all know, the most powerful form of advertising always has been, and always will be, word of mouth. Although every shop owner would like to believe the majority of their customers are songbirds, the reality is, they’re not. I am not suggesting that you don’t have some customers who love to sing your
What Every Shop Owner Needs To Know About Accountants
In order to build a successful auto repair shop, there are a number of things you will have to do. You will need to have clearly defined goals, a plan, and you will need to surround yourself with successful people. You will need gifted techs and advisors, a great support staff, the help of marketing
Amateurs and Hacks Provide Job Security For Automotive Service Professionals
Two cars pull up in front of my shop. The drivers didn’t come in, but I heard the commotion from my office window. The boyfriend opens the hood of his girlfriend’s car. They both stare at the engine; she tells the boyfriend that she was supposed to drop off the car for an engine misfire
Auto Care Marketing: Price Sensitive vs. Fear Sensitive
For 2014, I changed my health care insurance from a traditional plan to a health savings account (HSA). Basically, the first $2,500 (pre-tax) of medical expenses are on me. I was confused at first, but soon found that it did have some entertainment and educational value. I have found myself pricing out certain medical procedures
Are You Ready For Some Auto Repair?
A game is being played every day that doesn’t have many fans filling the bleachers. It’s a battle between man and machine. Yes, on playing fields across the country — whether it be one-bay garages, 12-bay shops or maybe just some far-off farms — the combatants line up, vehicles on one side and techs on
GM Recalls: The Death Of The TSB As We Know It?
The recent onslaught of recalls and investigations will have repercussions for years and they will impact your shop. After looking at recent Technical Service Bulletins (TSB), I think these recalls may have scared some OEMs from issuing TSBs, or any corrective action, because they could be the start of a lawsuit, bad PR and maybe
Second-rate parts mean second-rate results
When it comes to diagnosing a problem, one of the biggest mistakes is thinking that the problem is gone after you’ve installed a new part. I’ve had vehicles brought in countless times with the same old story attached to them. The customer will say: “I’ve changed this part, and that part and this one over
Why Chasing The Cheapest Brake Job Costs Your Shop In The Long Run
Ever since the 1930s, there has been a war on the price of brake jobs. Eighty years ago, shops were advertising low-priced brake relines on sandwich boards for $19.99, but they complained about “gyps” selling brake jobs for $9.99 on the side of the road. We see almost the same situation today. This time the price point is around $150. Instead of gyps, shops are complaining about some guy on Craigslist who will perform a brake job for around $40 if he is provided with the pads.
Editor’s Notebook: Time On Your Side, Averting Typical ‘Time Stealers’
Time could be your biggest ally at the onset of the new year as you think about ways to increase your shop’s profitability and productivity. But how many times have you said, “If I only had more time?” While you have good intentions of making the best use of your time during the course of your busy day, there are inevitable distractions that prevent you from doing just that.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Real Or Reality TV? Our Profession Is Greatly Underestimated By The ‘Big Screen’
Have you noticed how many automotive reality programs there are on TV these days? I take the time to sit down and take in a few of them here and there. But from my side of the wrench, I have a completely different perspective when watching them.