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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog13 commentsMost shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.
Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
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By carmcapriotto
It's time to shift your mindset on comebacks! Consider comebacks as a second opportunity to learn, make it right with the customer, have a training moment with your employees, and document and discover ways to improve your quality control. Aaron Woods, X-tra Mile Auto Care, Stillwater, OK. Listen to Aaron’s previous episodes HERE
Clint White, Service Advisor Coach & Shop Consultant with CWI and currently holds multiple ASE certifications. Clint’s previous episodes HERE
Jim Fleischman, Automotive Alley, Arcade, NY. Listen to Jim’s previous episodes HERE. Deidre Parker, Chloe's Auto Repair, Woodstock, GA.
Show Notes:
It's your second opportunity! Address the issue promptly: When a customer returns with a complaint or problem, the repair shop should address the issue promptly and efficiently. This includes communicating clearly with the customer about the problem and what steps will be taken to resolve it. Re-diagnose as a Team: The original technician and another technician/manager/Forman should thoroughly verify and diagnose the issue TOGETHER to determine the cause of the problem and the appropriate solution. Another misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis will damage the repair shop's reputation and further destroy the client’s trust. Prioritize the repair: Comebacks should be prioritized over other work to ensure the customer's vehicle is repaired immediately. This demonstrates the repair shop's commitment to customer satisfaction. Analyze the root cause: When a comeback occurs, the repair shop should analyze the root cause of the problem to identify any areas for improvement. This includes reviewing the repair process, technician training, and parts selection. Implementing changes to address the root cause can help prevent future comebacks. It may not be your fault, but it is your problem- empathy, resolve, and quickness. Evidence will be the evidence, but there is an opportunity to have integrity. Establish a healthy culture of accountability. Assume derived from the individual, but what about your processes? Communication error? What is your definition of a comeback at your shop? Documentation of the initial visit What is the greatest prevention tool? Final QC process “Cherish the Customer” allowance for customers Aaron Woods: We define comebacks as any reason a customer has to return due to an error in communication or workmanship. Each technician is responsible for ensuring their comebacks are at or below 2% of their total car count. We display each technician's scorecard at our weekly Monday morning production meeting and discuss all numbers as a group. This also helps establish peer-to-peer accountability as well. Hunt Demarest- Accounting for Internal and Warranty Work
QC CHECKLIST:
Test drive the vehicle and verify that the PRIMARY CONCERN has been resolved. Visually check that all other work has been completed according to the repair order. Inspect the vehicle to ensure that there are no new scratches, dents, or other new damage (See Intake Pictures in the DVI for reference) Verify that the vehicle has been cleaned and is free of any debris or grease marks/stains. Verify that all peripheral components that were removed during the repair have been reinstalled and are functioning correctly (i.e. Engine Covers, Air Filter Box, Oil Caps, Lids, etc) Check that all fluids have been topped off to the correct levels whether they were serviced or not. NO FLUID LEAVES LOW Inspect the tires to ensure they have been properly inflated. Manually retorque lug nuts if wheels were removed for any reason. Check that all warning lights and error codes have been cleared and are not displaying unless previously declined by the customer. VERIFY ALL MONITORS HAVE RUN/PASSED Verify the LOF sticker is present and ACCURATE Reset the Oil Life Monitor -or- Maintence/Service Reminder. Vacuum floors, clean windshield inside and out, and refresh wipers if not replaced. Park vehicle in Launch Pad, remove seat cover & floor mat and place “gift” for customer on the dash or in plain sight.
Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com
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By carmcapriotto
Erich and Lauralee Schmidt went to a 4 day work week during COVID and haven't looked back. They also have an app for their shop with benefits to customers.
Erich and Lauralee Schmidt, Schmidt Auto Care, Springboro, OH Show Notes:
4 day work week- exhaustion during COVID, started cutting Fridays with three day weekends. Prefaced it as summer hours and would go back to 5 days in the fall. They never went back to 5 day work week. Revenue, productivity, and efficiency increased. 8-7 pm work hours. The check-in process includes 4 day work week schedule. 40 hours of training a year minimum- observing efficiency, open communication, partnering with employees with their training. Training is a requirement when hiring employees. “Where are your interests?” Service Advisor=Serice Specialist Free Schmidt Auto Care App- started 6 years, App Fueled is a customizable garage for clients and a bevy of services outside of just communication. Special pricing, birthday specials, loyalty touch points. 30% of the customer base has the app. Had ADAS for 3 years, one of the first in the area to get it. Program and calibration.
Thanks to our Partner, Dorman Products. Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
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By Joe Marconi
I was talking to a shop owner at the Elite Fly with the Eagles course this past week, and said that he feels that his service advisors do too much, and sales are suffering. Between answering phones, scheduling customers, checking in customers, building estimates, finding the parts, car delivery, on and on, it's a whirlwind of tasks.
I tend to agree. I know is may be hard to do, but how can we get the help the advisor needs, or redefine the position?
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By carmcapriotto
How has Matt Lachowitzer been able to expand his multi store business while maintaining the culture within it? How did his team support each other through the sudden passing of a key manager? It all starts with building better people. So how do you do that? How do you find those unicorns that want to grow with your company and lead better lives themselves? Matt Lachowitzer, Matt’s Automotive Service Center, Fargo-Moorhead, North Dakota and Minnesota. Listen to Matt’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes
Lost a key manager that passed away in the shop- 43 years old. Got the shop back together with the help of the other shop managers. Paid everybody for the day off for the funeral and for the day that they closed. Promoted within and already had potential employees in the wings- always be recruiting. A new hire must read 2 books (Customer Service Revolution- John DiJulius and Unstoppable- Dave Anderson) and will spend 30 days in training before they're really set loose. Multiple different layers of managers- district managers, store level managers, shop foreman, and a lead tech that oversees all the shop foremen. Don't just build better team members, but rather build better people. Focus on hospitality training. Rip off and duplicate- nothing's new, you just have to make it yours. FORD - family, occupation, recreation, and dreams. Acquisitions- owners retiring, consolidation. What is your exit strategy? Pay attention to Opportunities- little things that matter. Do research and homework on the company before investing in or buying them Advice if you want to grow to multi shops- have a phenomenal team before starting a new shop, people who want to grow with you. Share your goals with your team. Be transparent. Have your finances in order. Solid systems and processes. Keep the career path aligned so they're growing and seeing the value and the work they're putting in. Connect, build a relationship and have a coach. You learn from every interaction, every moment of everything you do if you allow yourself to be able to be open to it. Launched ‘Hammer Consulting’ Coaching
Thanks to our Partner NAPA AUTO CARE Learn more about NAPA AUTO CARE and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com Connect with the Podcast: Aftermarket Radio Network Subscribe on YouTube Visit us on the Web Follow on Facebook Become an Insider Buy me a coffee Important Books
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By carmcapriotto
Guest host and shop tour with Niko Sougias, Charlie's Foreign Car, Encinitas, CA. Niko says customers want explanations about their car repair and he has found a way to connect with them on his YouTube Channel. Find out how he does it.
Niko Sougias, Charlie's Foreign Car, Encinitas, CA
Show Notes:
Building was built in 1988- waterless car wash on every car, 17 bays, 16,000 square feet in total (with showroom) People want explanations- make videos; technical education should have a time limit (60 seconds) Most watched video of 2023- control arm bushings Full-time employee (Jax) is the editor of videos Audio- quality is important with wireless mics Pre-Covid work- maintenance Post Covid work- boom of work, customers are authorizing more work to be done, almost doubled ARO Challenges- keeping loyal customers happy while being booked 2 weeks out Future think for 2023- monitoring new car sales with interest rates rising Lead technician is moving to the foreman position
Connect with the Podcast:
Aftermarket Radio Network
Subscribe on YouTube
Visit us on the Web
Follow on Facebook
Become an Insider
Buy me a coffee
Important Books
Check out today's partner:
Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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