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Increase Sales, Repair Shop Solutions, Multipoint Inspection Process

Joe Marconi
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Scott Osborn Apprentice

Scott Osborn

Posted
Posted

Joe, Thanks for the kind words. It was my pleasure to show you the program & I'm sure that you will make good use of it. If you have any concerns or words of wisdom to help make it better, I'm all ears! Thank You!

HarrytheCarGeek Experienced

HarrytheCarGeek

Posted
Posted

Harry, It's happened before....... May happen again. The place to find out is on on the Repair Shop Solutions Facebook Page . When we came out of beta testing, we offered a 30 day free trial. I may run another promotion in a month or so.

Great stuff Scott,

 

I will give it a go. It looks very promising and your reporting capabilities looks phenomenal. As they say though the proof is in the pudding, so I will have to prepare my senior techs to use this new technology.

 

Thanks!

Scott Osborn Apprentice

Scott Osborn

Posted
Posted

I've found the best way to get started is to get your advisors prepped and then take one of your techs, usually the youngest and most computer literate, and get him using the system. Before you know it, each of your techs will have an Amazon Kindle in their toolbox that they use to do inspections with. I know if I told my techs that I was no longer going to use the system, there would be kicking and screaming to deal with and my advisor would try to have me put to sleep....

 

I'm happy to give you an online demo with live info from my shop if you'd like. Just let me know and we can set up a time that works for us both.

GobblesAuto Contributor

GobblesAuto

Posted
Posted

I've been using this program for three months now. It works great! Customers love it and it is helping us close more sales on needed services. This is definitely worth taking a look at. It will pay for itself from day one. Give it a try!!!!

  • Like 1
HarrytheCarGeek Experienced

HarrytheCarGeek

Posted
Posted (edited)

I signed up a couple of days ago. Like any new software that you have to learn, it will take you time to learn the quirks of it. But it looks promising, I can"t wait to get enough data to see how the reporting works out.

 

I had some issues in having to use multiple email addresses to be setup as a owner and then a manager, but once Scott cleared that up I was able to get going.

 

The next thing I am dealing with is one of my tech's told me that you can only save an inspection my marking it complete. This brings up an issue for us as the service writer is the one that inputs pricing into the recommendation worksheet.

 

On another note, I was expecting the VIN to be decoded automatically, the shop software that we use Bay-masteR does it for us, this is really a very valuable feature. This application does not do it yet, you have to manually input the VIN details yourself for the first time.

 

But like I said, I am beginning to learn the software, once we get it going I can tell the information gathered will be very valuable.

Edited by HarrytheCarGeek
Scott Osborn Apprentice

Scott Osborn

Posted
Posted

Harry, I'm going to make your day. First of all remember that I'm only a phone call away if you need help. (424) 262-1580. I just ask that you remember that I'm on the left coast, 3 hours behind you.....


Even though a tech marks an inspection as complete by clicking the save button, you can still open it and make changes, it is not locked for editing. If you're having your S/A put the pricing into the system (I don't think you have it turned on, go to "SHOP INFO" to turn on pricing), it's much quicker if he goes right into the "RO Completion Report" and makes his changes/updates there. Just click the little plus sign on the left to open it up:
rocomplete.jpg

Second, a VIN decoder is only going to save you a few seconds as you select the year/make/model. Since we're not getting engine info, trim info or much else, there wouldn't be much time saving. However, I hear you, and I can do one better. I will upload your shop's data to the site and all you have to do is drop in the VIN and the software will pull out the year/make/model/license/customer name & email for you if the customer has previously been in your shop. You will only have to input the new customers you get. And, I will work on putting a VIN decoder in the software for you. Contact me and I'll get you the info I need to get your data uploaded.

  • Like 1
CARMandP Proficient

CARMandP

Posted
Posted

hmm. Thinking about doing something like this right now. Will check out this site with interest. New doesn't scare me or the shop anyway.

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...
phynny Community Regular

phynny

Posted
Posted (edited)

Just purchased it and what an awesome program with fantastic support. I didn't realize it can be used with your phones too.

Edited by phynny
  • 4 weeks later...
phynny Community Regular

phynny

Posted
Posted (edited)

So I've implemented this program and have been using it for a month now and just wow. It easily paid for itself the first use and has continued to impress all of my customers and has made many many sales.

 

I hate gimmicks and such but this program has made life easier in me and sells a ton of work by itself.

Edited by phynny
phynny Community Regular

phynny

Posted
Posted

Do you actually show the customer on an IPAD the service review? Is this just an electronic copy of the service review that is normally on paper?

 

I print every customer a copy. You can email them a copy with pictures if you prefer.

  • 1 month later...
mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

Posted
Posted

This looks really promising and i have been looking for an inspection sheet that can be based off a tablet. There is another company AutoVitals that does something similar. My question is there any plans on integrating this with existing shop management software? My understanding is you have to manually input customer info such as name, phone number, email address and VIN correct? That would mean that info would have to be entered twice, once in the shop management software and then again into the inspection sheet database.

Scott Osborn Apprentice

Scott Osborn

Posted
Posted

mspecperformance, on 03 Sept 2013 - 7:22 PM, said:

This looks really promising and i have been looking for an inspection sheet that can be based off a tablet. There is another company AutoVitals that does something similar. My question is there any plans on integrating this with existing shop management software? My understanding is you have to manually input customer info such as name, phone number, email address and VIN correct? That would mean that info would have to be entered twice, once in the shop management software and then again into the inspection sheet database.

 

 

 

The software was designed to run independent of any management system so that everyone could use it. It's extremely fast, less than 20 seconds, if ALL of the information needed to be typed in. When you look at the time savings for the tech's and the advisors from getting complete information, that 20 seconds can save you easily 5 minutes or more.

 

 

HOWEVER........ We realized the need to integrate with the management systems and are now installing a very small program on the users PC that will allow a single click to generate an inspection with all of the data filled in. We have also added the VIN decoder for those that do not have one of the major management systems as well as the system will fill in the data for returning customers.

 

 

On a side note, we've seen some interesting new inspections popping up that shops are designing. The system lends itself very well to making "Checklists" for getting a tech to do testing in a specific order and not jumping to conclusions. Think of "Starting and Charging System", "Air Conditioning", "Cranks but No Start", and other checklists... I'm sure it's happened to almost every one of us, a 2005 Tahoe gets dragged into the shop and the tow truck driver has told the customer that the fuel pump needs to be replaced, the tech spends 5 minutes looking at it and tells the advisor to get him a fuel pump. Two hours later, with the new pump installed, the tech say's the coil must have burned up during all that cranking and now it needs a coil too. This embarrassing and very expensive problem could have been avoided if the tech had used a "No Start" checklist that asked some of the questions like "Fuel Pressure", "Cranking Amps", "Spark Quality", "Fuel Level", "Cranking Vacuum", etc.

 

I'd be happy to set up a webinar for the users of this message board, then you can see it working with live data. Let me know if you're interested.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

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