Hello from Northwest Ohio!

[defiancetire]

Hi I am a new member here. I am a 24 year old master certified tech. I opened my own shop Last May in a single car garage in my hometown. I am now leasing a 4900 square foot warehouse/shop. I discovered quickly that it is alot of work! Between legal and paperwork, customers, overhead, it is more and more everyday. I am glad to find this forum, i havent stopped looking at topics since I found it, what better way to learn then from someone who is doing the exact thing you are. Anyways I am still a one man operation, I do alot of wholesale cars for 4 dealerships currently, while less profitable I have found that it is a good rainy day fund! So anyways I am looking forward to learning, and growing with the rest of you in this business. One goal of mine is to remain profitable, I see alot of shops around here with way too many cars in the lot, yet they close within 6 months of being open.

[Vince]

Good Job opening your own store! I'm hoping to expand and open my another for our company that I can call my own soon. Accounting! Track every dollar that comes in and out of the business. That way you can fine tune your expenses and push for more sales when you need.

[defiancetire]

Good advice! I have found that i am way too nice on price (Used to my garage prices after hours) So I have hired a service writer, Who has experience, To weed out the bottom feeders that keep me running back and forth to the office as well as stay firm on pricing!

[Vince]

I've been there too. We have a fear of losing the customer so we sell ourselves out by being the cheapest. Stick to other selling points like quality and expertise. Most people take the cheap road the first time then quickly realize it was a mistake and they will 180 back to you in the future anyway.