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Posted

All of us have, or will have an abandoned vehicle. Here it is easier to get an abandoned title than place a lien against a vehicle. So what are you charging for storage? I am currently $25 a day.

  • 5 weeks later...
Posted

Curious, how many of folks are actually enforcing these fees? I know I had a customer who couldn't make it to pick up their car on Friday, so they are coming in Monday. Obviously I don't think anyone in their right mind would charge that customer. However, I also have one that a customer agreed to ~$1400 worth of repairs and it's been sitting out back, finished, for about 3 weeks. He's made one $300 payment about 2 weeks ago.

 

At what point to do you decide you're gonna start charging?

Posted

Curious, how many of folks are actually enforcing these fees? I know I had a customer who couldn't make it to pick up their car on Friday, so they are coming in Monday. Obviously I don't think anyone in their right mind would charge that customer. However, I also have one that a customer agreed to ~$1400 worth of repairs and it's been sitting out back, finished, for about 3 weeks. He's made one $300 payment about 2 weeks ago.

 

At what point to do you decide you're gonna start charging?

In NYS we are required to notify the customer in writing. It can be on the RO or in a letter. We typically have no issue with someone leaving the car for a few days if they notify us. Most of the time I'll send a letter giving them 10 days to pickup the car before storage will begin to accrue. Most of the time that does the trick. Even for nuisance customers we often don't charge the complete amount but try to get something unless there is a reasonable excuse.

 

In your case I would send him a letter, hope he comes in. If not you can seize the car depending on state regulations and send it to auction and hope to break even.

Posted

"$65/day, mostly there for insurance companies and motivating nuisance customers." I'm the same. I have zero interest in stockpiling peoples junk. I don't charge regular customers, if they need to leave the car here a few days no problem. Deadbeats that want to fix it themselves need to get it out of here asap. I hate plowing around cars. I am very frank when people suggest long term parking on my lot "It's too expensive to park here"

Posted

We charge $25.00 per day after the 2nd day of completed repairs. I have only had to enforce once and I did collect. Every customers know the amount and the length of time we will need before the repairs are completed. With that being said I usually will give a couple of days, but if they tell me it's going to be more than that then I inform them of the storage fee.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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