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Just had a issue with a customer. Typically as a business owner in try my best to avoid confrontation and in the case my wife handled it. Customer has owed $700.00 for 7 months and never paid. Has truck towed to shop for knocking then no start. Motor had low compression, no oil pressure, full of metal. Priced a motor job with a used motor and previous bill at $4700.00. Customer comes in tonight and swears I said he could take it without payment? Then pays $410.00 on a card and $800.00 cash and demands his truck. When denied he demands he gets his money back. Threatens to call the local law enforcement, trys to butter everyone up and it just keeps going and going. Offers to leave title and all the money he has. I feel bad for not trying to help the guy but also feel if I had helped him I would have just screwed myself. Any input?

I take issues like this personally and have tried to avoid doing so but can't seem to stop.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Posted

I've fallen for it a half dozen times or so and I've been burned a half dozen times or so. If it's under $100 and they forgot their wallet or something, fine, but anything else NO.

Posted

This goes on all the time. Take it as a lesson that everything needs to be documented and payment must be paid in full before the car is released. Speak to your accountant about uncollectible debt. It's a shame, but there are people like this out there.

Posted

I have a business owner next to me who is a 'nice guy'. He can barely pay the bills because he lets people go on payment plans and 'promises'. The quicker you realize that you didn't open up a charity, but a business, the better off you'll be. If you feel like helping someone out financially, go donate to your local church or the wounded warrior foundation...

 

No vehicle is released until payment is made in full........ Simple as that.

 

It really is simple as that. No if's, and's, or but's.

Posted

If they need a loan...go to a bank. You need your car fixed...go to a shop.

I'm not a loan officer, I'm a mechanic.

 

I'll bet if they did get a loan, and they missed a payment, and the collateral you put up was the car in for repair. Now... who owns the car? Not you! ! !

 

As long as I have the car I have reason to collect. If the car is gone so is most of the chances to get paid.

 

Years ago I had a guy who wanted to "work" off his car bill. I told him as long as I keep the car while your paying it off no problem. Come to the shop in the morning I've got some work for you to do.

 

Of course, he never showed up. 3 months later I filed on the car for title and sold the dang thing.

 

Oh, one more thing... you want to see one of these types of people jump through hoops to get their car back? Charge them storage after 3 working days. That usually gets them to cough it up.

 

Like I tell them, "You said do it, you agreed to the price, now pay for it or lose the car."

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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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