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I have recently started my own mobile auto repair business and I am doing very well. Still not making much money, mind you, but I have more customers than I can even keep up with and I have only been in business for about 8 months!

 

Anyway, I am wanting to purchase an a/c recovery machine but what I am wondering is if anyone has any experience using the smaller, less expensive, portable a/c recovery machines and what your experience was? Do these type machines have any sort of filter that would allow me to re-use the r134a from vehicles and charge it directly back into the vehicles a/c system? I assume I would have to purchase a refrigerant scale seperately.

 

Essentially I am just looking for ANY way whatsoever to be able to do my own a/c work without having to pay $3000.00 or more dollars for one of the full scale robinair type fully automatic digital display recover, recycle, recharge machines! For one I just don't have that kind of capital to play with at this point and for another thing I was hoping to find something a little more portable as I am running a MOBILE auto repair business.

 

ANY advice?



  • 2 months later...
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
  On 7/3/2013 at 5:12 PM, IntegrityAutoCare said:

I have seen that one, just can't really find much info from anyone who has actually used it for automotive application.

 

The ability to measure how many pounds you have pulled out of the system is a powerful diagnostic tool. This will tell you if the system was overcharged/undercharged or maybe even charged perfectly and you've got a completely different issue. I do not believe that mobile tool shows that information ... but maybe you could have a scale to weigh the tank on?

 

Some of the mobile mechanics that I know in Atlanta service a particular group of office buildings and have made deals with mechanics in the area to use their equipment and/or sub-contract to completely them for stuff requiring the equipment. This would allow you to keep your customers, still make a little cash, and not have to invest all that money on the big equipment.

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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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