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Posted

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to find out how all of you other shop owners handle situations where a repair job will need a special tool but none of the technicians have this tool. Do you as shop owners purchase the tool or do you have your technicians purchase the tool and deduct it from their pay? I understand that larger tools (A/C Machine, Trans Flush Machine, Brake Lathe etc.) are the responsibility of the shop owner to purchase but how do you all handle the smaller special tools required for repair? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Posted

I ask my techs if they think they want to own the tool, now I use this only in cases where I know I will buy the tool and inventory it. Like a special tool for holding timing ect. If its a set of sockets that are made to make the work easier, thats on them to buy. Its a gray area between myself investing in my shop and my techs investing in their future and I try to be a nice guy and help them out. I also will pay on their tool accounts for a job well done, they always love that.

 

I get an impression that this is a new topic for you, if so definitly some things to consider:

-seperate place for special tools

-A inventory in your parts system with seperate group so you can run inventory.

-Tag system for signing tools out, I'm lax with this, but when something goes missing or misplaced, all of my guyys are inconvienced enough to not make the same mistake.

-Label tool with an engravor(sp?).

 

If your just asking around, I like to be reasonable with my techs, I don't want them to spend their hard earned money on every tool for the job. My guys have been working for me for a long time so I don't mind buying tools for them that I will own but are available for them to use to maintain a level of feeling like I'm there for them, not working against them.

 

Hope that helps!

Posted

I ask my techs if they think they want to own the tool, now I use this only in cases where I know I will buy the tool and inventory it. Like a special tool for holding timing ect. If its a set of sockets that are made to make the work easier, thats on them to buy. Its a gray area between myself investing in my shop and my techs investing in their future and I try to be a nice guy and help them out. I also will pay on their tool accounts for a job well done, they always love that.

 

I get an impression that this is a new topic for you, if so definitly some things to consider:

-seperate place for special tools

-A inventory in your parts system with seperate group so you can run inventory.

-Tag system for signing tools out, I'm lax with this, but when something goes missing or misplaced, all of my guyys are inconvienced enough to not make the same mistake.

-Label tool with an engravor(sp?).

 

If your just asking around, I like to be reasonable with my techs, I don't want them to spend their hard earned money on every tool for the job. My guys have been working for me for a long time so I don't mind buying tools for them that I will own but are available for them to use to maintain a level of feeling like I'm there for them, not working against them.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

That's the way we see it. B)

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I only have one mechanic so it may be different, but I own the special tools and don't expect him to buy them. I have the Digital Multimeters, the Scantools, the ball joint presses, the special sockets, the torches, welders, air hammers, diagnostic equipment. I only expect my mechanic to have basic hand tools needed to complete most jobs, ie: sockets, wrenches, ratchets, breaker bars, screw drivers etc...

 

If a specialty item is needed it comes out of the shop account and I try my best to decide whether we can take on this job or not (depending on whether or not we expect to do more of these repairs).

Posted

Hey guys,

 

Wanted to find out how all of you other shop owners handle situations where a repair job will need a special tool but none of the technicians have this tool. Do you as shop owners purchase the tool or do you have your technicians purchase the tool and deduct it from their pay? I understand that larger tools (A/C Machine, Trans Flush Machine, Brake Lathe etc.) are the responsibility of the shop owner to purchase but how do you all handle the smaller special tools required for repair? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

As the shop owner I am the one who usually buys all of the special tools after talking to the techs to see if there is a way around buying the special tool to complete the job. But even better then this is we have about 10 shops that will work with each other when a special tool is needed and borrow that tool from each other. We are careful to not duplicate a tool another shop has unless it becomes one that is used on a consistent basis.

 

I recently had a Mini Cooper in that needed a special oversize insert for the cylinder head, after being quoted $5000.00 from the dealer she called me and after some research I was able to find a special tool for $450 to complete the job the customer was more then willing to pay for the tool for us to keep knowing that if the problem ever happened again we could take care of her. She considered it a blessing to be able to save that much money and was more then willing to give us the tool afterward.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      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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