we are dead

[Pjauto]

I just opened my shop six weeks ago. Six bays, busy street. We were progressively doing more and more business every week and we even broke even last week! But then the well went dry this week. We've done two oil changes all week. That is all! Can someone please talk me back from the ledge here? I want to go puke.

[HarrytheCarGeek]

Take this chance for you to work on your marketing, you will be busy once the children return back to school.

[Gonzo]

LOL You should read my latest article. It says it all. Look under Gonzo's toolbox heading.

[Pjauto]

LOL You should read my latest article. It says it all. Look under Gonzo's toolbox heading.

Yup. I guess maybe the down's would not hurt so bad after we had a few ups. Drawing a pay check from this place is an all too distant dream but to pay off the over head this month would be the bee's knees. Thank you though, it is good to know that it is not just this shop. And that there is hope for next week.

[Jeff]

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[Gonzo]

It's always busy getting slow or slowly getting busy... ya just never know which it is from one day to the next. After 30 years of this... it's never changed. Hang in there...

[mspecperformance]

when I get slow (or what I percieve as slow), take the time to evaluate your marketing. You'll come to see how poorly you are doing in that area and how much more you could be doing! If nothing else, there is always another person that doesn't have your card, go hand out some cards!

[Joe Marconi]

Welcome to the world of business. Ups and downs are to be expected. As you grow your customer base, the downs won't be as bad.

 

Perhaps the best thing you can do is to make sure you take care of each customer. Speak with them about any future services. Make sure they are coming back to you. Every car in your shop will need a future service, the question is where will they be going? Do all you can to book the next appointment and follow up with any recommendations. Make sure you do a complete multipoint inspection on all cars. And one last thing, do not try to be everything to everyone. To build a solid business will take understanding your key profile customers. Take care of them, they will become loyal and bring more of the same customers.

 

Hang in there! We all go thru the same things. All of us had to pulled from the ledge more than once in our careers.

[Pjauto]

Thank you all for the encouragement I am going to go around the neighbourhood this morning and pass out some cheap oil change flyers. I am still getting used to this being a business owner thing and having to talk with people. I am a total introvert who gets along with machines much easier than people so it is a big step for me, but it must be done. Cheers you guys and may your bays be full today!

[xrac]

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[nmikmik]

Thank you all for the encouragement I am going to go around the neighbourhood this morning and pass out some cheap oil change flyers. I am still getting used to this being a business owner thing and having to talk with people. I am a total introvert who gets along with machines much easier than people so it is a big step for me, but it must be done. Cheers you guys and may your bays be full today!

I know it will be another judgment call, but... If you are an introvert as much as you think you are, maybe hiring a kid better yet a girl to distribute the fliers first, then stop buy and introduce yourself, so it does not seem like you are begging for business. Offer them the pickup/drop off - if you can. Coming from experience, it's a big benefit to a business owner

GL

[phynny]

I know it will be another judgment call, but... If you are an introvert as much as you think you are, maybe hiring a kid better yet a girl to distribute the fliers first, then stop buy and introduce yourself, so it does not seem like you are begging for business. Offer them the pickup/drop off - if you can. Coming from experience, it's a big benefit to a business owner

GL

I was thinking the exact same thing. For $60 you can have some passing out cards or flyers for a good 4 hours.