Quantcast
Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

Hello all! I am fairly new to ASO and its been a great resource, Thank You!

 

I am part way into my third year of business and looking to continue development and progress of my business. The first year was a lovely rollercoaster full of the perils and victories many of you have faced. The second year saw some traction and althought not a lot of profit, an understanding of what needed to be done to make it. Now for the third year, starting to make some money and run the business rather than that clawing on for dear life I experienced earlier.

 

So, I am seeking opinions and advice from the community on the idea of creating some specialties within the full service scope of my shop.

 

Some background. We are very full service, Domestic, Euro, and Asian. Good selection of scan tools, info, programming, etc. I do have a niche that we have been developing-- hybrid cars. We are one of the only shops in the state that does any serious work to them, battery rebuilds, transmission, inverter, etc. I plan to continue chasing these customers and giving them an alternative to the dealers. But! I also have a decent base of euro customers and I like those cars and customers, both profitable niches on there own.

 

I just made some moves with my techs and I have in place a team that could specialize in both with some investment in tooling for the german cars.

 

How do you guys go about courting a specific group without losing the other?

Is it worth specializing in one area versus trying to be everything to everyone?

 

I initially was shooting to be a hybrid specific shop, but the german cars followed me as well as all the general repair work, and I'm grateful, but I would like to define who we are and be the best at that.

 

I appreciate the comments and advice given.

 

Thanks! Josh

Posted

Nothing wrong with pursuing the German cars. You might see if it is possible to buy a list of German car owners within a 20 mile radius of your shop and market to them with direct mail. By the way we are glad you are on the forum.

Posted

It's hard to be everything to everyone. It's not bad to specialize, but you must know your market and have the image and look that will attract people from that market .

 

General repair has an advantages and disadvantages. Working on multiple cars lines means you have to tool up for many different makes and models, which can be more costly and more training is needed. The up side is that your potential market is much greater and have a greater potential to make more sales. Also, a customer may own a VW today and buy a Honda next year.

 

Whatever you decide, make sure you take care of the customers. Cater to them, not just their cars. Understand that people do business with people, no matter what car they own. Hope this helps and good luck.

  • 3 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • 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.
  • Similar Topics

    • By champtires
      Champtires has started to add new Hankook tires to its available inventory. Multiple sizes and models are now available, and more will be added soon. Examples of current Hankook tires in stock now include:
      Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 225/40-18 92 Y
      $159.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV 235/60-18 103 W
      $139.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 HRS 275/40-18 103 Y
      $179.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 HRS 245/45-17 95 W
      $149.99/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 245/40-18 97 V
      $148.00/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 235/50-17 96 V
      $140.00/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 225/50-18 95 W
      $119.99/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 215/45-17 91 W 
      $133.59/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 195/60-15 88 V
      $88.00/tire
      More sizes and models will be added to www.champtires.com daily.
      To search for new Hankook tires, shop by size, then filter by Hankook brand and new as tread level. Free shipping is included on all website orders.
      Prices and availability are accurate as of publication date.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
      Tariffs might sound like a foreign concept—until they hit home. In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt breaks down the real-world impact tariffs can have on your auto repair shop, using a powerful shop-vs-shop analogy to explain rising costs, disappearing jobs, and economic ripple effects. Whether you're in the weeds of part pricing or just trying to make sense of the news, this episode gives you the context you need.
      Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
      Why tariffs are making headlines—and how they could impact part costs in your shop What the “free market” really looks like when safety and environmental regulations aren’t equal The economic chain reaction that can crush local businesses and communities How tariffs influence pricing, profits, and technician availability in the long term A breakdown of how the U.S. tax system evolved from tariffs to income taxes—and why that matters now
      Thanks to our partner, NAPA TRACS
      Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
      It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it.  After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
      Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business.  Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
      Thanks to our partner, Promotive
      It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
      Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
      Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
      Email Hunt: [email protected]
      Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413
      Download a Copy of My Books Here:
      Wrenches to Write-Offs Your Perfect Shop 
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By nptrb
      April 15th has come and gone, and you missed the tax deadline for your auto repair shop. 
      It can be so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of managing your customers, your shop, and your staff that the tax filing deadline just slips away.
      If you find yourself skipping the date, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to minimize late fees and potential consequences from the IRS. 
      So, relax your shoulders, take a deep breath, and dive into this blog post full of tips to help you with your next steps.
       
      Step #1: File a Tax Extension
      Before you do anything else, head to the IRS website and file a tax extension. Click here to get the form. 
      This buys you time to gather the necessary documents and prepare your return. 
      Important note: An extension only gives you more time to file, not to pay. If you owe taxes, you’ll still need to make estimated payments by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
      Step #2: Determine Why You Missed the Deadline
      Once you’ve filed a tax extension, take some time to figure out why you missed the deadline. 
      Were your records disorganized?
      Did you stumble across unforeseen circumstances?
      Or was it simply an oversight? 
      Figuring out why you missed the deadline – and taking action to fix it – will help prevent it from happening again. If you need help simplifying the process for next year, here are some tips!
      Step #3: Collect Your Records
      Now that you have more time from your extension, start gathering all the necessary documents for your tax return. 
      This includes tax forms such as W-2’s, 1099s, and other forms. You’ll also want to gather and organize receipts, mileage records, social security documents, bank statements, income statements, expense records, payroll records, tax deduction records, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, financial statements, and any other relevant or requested paperwork. 
      Step #4: Calculate Your Taxes
      Once you have all your documents in order, calculate your taxes as accurately as possible. If you’re not working with a tax professional, your best plan of attack is to invest in tax filing software such as Turbo Tax. QuickBooks Online also features a tax preparation service.
      Once you determine if you owe taxes, make sure to make estimated payments on time to avoid penalties and interest.
      Step #5: File Your Return
      Once you’ve calculated your taxes, file your return as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you can put the stress of the missed tax deadline behind you. Lesson learned!
      Step # 6: Pay Any Taxes You Owe
      If you owe taxes, make sure to pay them as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more interest and penalties you’ll accrue.
       
      Disclaimer:
      This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax advice. Tax laws are subject to change, and business circumstances vary. It’s important to get direct advice from tax professionals who know the specifics of your situation.
       
       
    • By Joe Marconi
      As I make this post, the stock market is down again, and the off again, on again tariffs are enough to drive me nuts.
      If imposed, will tariffs have an impact on our business and/or industry? 
       
    • By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.
      Contact Information
      Email Matt: [email protected] Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      The Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...