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Identifix Direct Shop


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Hey gang, was wondering if anyone has taken the new Identifix Direct Shop, shop management system for a spin? I am a Direct Hit subscriber, and got their promotional email for their new shop management program a couple of days back. I signed up for a demo/test drive. Was wondering if anyone here had already done it, and could provide some insight and feedback. I will soon as I get set up.

 

Currently, I use the good ole paper invoice method, and ShiftMobility from my mobile device. I was never a fan of Mitchell, or Shop key. I do like RO Writer, but it was just too much money I felt for the product.

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Well I went ahead and purchased the program, or add-on if you will. Basically, Direct Shop is the same as Direct Estimate with more added features, and the ability to convert an estimate into an invoice and cash out. Anyone who uses Direct Hit many be familiar with Direct Estimate. Direct Shop works identical. It was just a natural jump for me, and I use Direct Estimate a whole bunch, as it it clear, concise, and very simple to interpret.

 

As for cost, Identifix has always been "one price fits all". That has never changed. I pay 128.00/ for direct hit which is basically what the service costs everyone. There are cheaper alternatives out there, namely through Napa, and Carquest. I believe if you sign up for the service through those two you get a 15.00 discount. The Direct Estimate cost 59.00 for the core version which is what I use. They have an Elite version which caters more to the bigger shops that runs inventory, and employee times etc. At the moment, my two man operation will suffice with Core.

 

In closing I am running Direct Hit/Direct shop for 187.00. I think that is a bargain for what I am getting.

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  • 5 months later...

Also interested in this info. Has anyone transferred from Mitchell to Identafix shop management program? Been using Mitchell for 20+ years and looking into switching. I'd appreciate any reviews you could offer.

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  • 2 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

We are in Michigan and pay 179.00 for Direct Hit and 59.00 for Direct Shop. The Direct Shop Elite was way out of our price range. I can't remember exactly, but just for the Direct Shop Elite I believe it was over $200 by itself not including the Direct Hit. For both I want to say it was in the $350 range, because they give you a small discount for both. We are just a small 2 guy shop and the Direct Hit and Direct Shop work good for us, for now. I just don't like how the invoices print out and they are not very customizable.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”
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