The True Cost of Comebacks-Revisited
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog13 commentsMost shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.
Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
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By carmcapriotto
It's time to shift your mindset on comebacks! Consider comebacks as a second opportunity to learn, make it right with the customer, have a training moment with your employees, and document and discover ways to improve your quality control. Aaron Woods, X-tra Mile Auto Care, Stillwater, OK. Listen to Aaron’s previous episodes HERE
Clint White, Service Advisor Coach & Shop Consultant with CWI and currently holds multiple ASE certifications. Clint’s previous episodes HERE
Jim Fleischman, Automotive Alley, Arcade, NY. Listen to Jim’s previous episodes HERE. Deidre Parker, Chloe's Auto Repair, Woodstock, GA.
Show Notes:
It's your second opportunity! Address the issue promptly: When a customer returns with a complaint or problem, the repair shop should address the issue promptly and efficiently. This includes communicating clearly with the customer about the problem and what steps will be taken to resolve it. Re-diagnose as a Team: The original technician and another technician/manager/Forman should thoroughly verify and diagnose the issue TOGETHER to determine the cause of the problem and the appropriate solution. Another misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis will damage the repair shop's reputation and further destroy the client’s trust. Prioritize the repair: Comebacks should be prioritized over other work to ensure the customer's vehicle is repaired immediately. This demonstrates the repair shop's commitment to customer satisfaction. Analyze the root cause: When a comeback occurs, the repair shop should analyze the root cause of the problem to identify any areas for improvement. This includes reviewing the repair process, technician training, and parts selection. Implementing changes to address the root cause can help prevent future comebacks. It may not be your fault, but it is your problem- empathy, resolve, and quickness. Evidence will be the evidence, but there is an opportunity to have integrity. Establish a healthy culture of accountability. Assume derived from the individual, but what about your processes? Communication error? What is your definition of a comeback at your shop? Documentation of the initial visit What is the greatest prevention tool? Final QC process “Cherish the Customer” allowance for customers Aaron Woods: We define comebacks as any reason a customer has to return due to an error in communication or workmanship. Each technician is responsible for ensuring their comebacks are at or below 2% of their total car count. We display each technician's scorecard at our weekly Monday morning production meeting and discuss all numbers as a group. This also helps establish peer-to-peer accountability as well. Hunt Demarest- Accounting for Internal and Warranty Work
QC CHECKLIST:
Test drive the vehicle and verify that the PRIMARY CONCERN has been resolved. Visually check that all other work has been completed according to the repair order. Inspect the vehicle to ensure that there are no new scratches, dents, or other new damage (See Intake Pictures in the DVI for reference) Verify that the vehicle has been cleaned and is free of any debris or grease marks/stains. Verify that all peripheral components that were removed during the repair have been reinstalled and are functioning correctly (i.e. Engine Covers, Air Filter Box, Oil Caps, Lids, etc) Check that all fluids have been topped off to the correct levels whether they were serviced or not. NO FLUID LEAVES LOW Inspect the tires to ensure they have been properly inflated. Manually retorque lug nuts if wheels were removed for any reason. Check that all warning lights and error codes have been cleared and are not displaying unless previously declined by the customer. VERIFY ALL MONITORS HAVE RUN/PASSED Verify the LOF sticker is present and ACCURATE Reset the Oil Life Monitor -or- Maintence/Service Reminder. Vacuum floors, clean windshield inside and out, and refresh wipers if not replaced. Park vehicle in Launch Pad, remove seat cover & floor mat and place “gift” for customer on the dash or in plain sight.
Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com
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By Joe Marconi
Joe Marconi will be speaking at the upcoming virtual conference Amplify 2023, hosted by AutoLeap, with an exciting session to help shop owners be prepared with their business! Joe's session is titled "You Can & Will Survive an Economic Downturn". For most repair shops, the recent years have been smooth sailing for business. Although it's impossible to predict our economic future, does that mean you shouldn't always be prepared for what's next? The COVID pandemic brought a variety of challenges, and while it didn't bring significant negative impact to the repair industry, it does offer the opportunity to reflect and properly prepare for a time when an economic event could. Join Joe in this live session to dive deeper into this topic, happening at Amplify 2023 on March 24th, 1:00pm ET! Book your complimentary, virtual ticket today. https://bit.ly/3XSdY8b -
By Joe Marconi
If you are going to Vision in March, please stop by the Elite booth and say hello to Kevin Vaught, Tom Amero and the new Owner of Elite, Darrin Barney!
Also, two great training sessions by Elite...
High Impact Service Advisor Sales Course - Tom Amero and Darrin Barney
March 2nd, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
People buy from people, not companies. As a Service Advisor, what you say and HOW you say it has a huge impact on whether or not people move forward with doing business at your shop! In this class, we will help you generate higher profits through increased sales, more repeat business, and more referral business. We will talk about how to ethically build relationships with your customers and how you can help them view you as a trusted credible expert. This course will be led by Tom Amero, an Elite Certified Sales Trainer. With over a decade of sales, sales training, and leadership experience, he will help Service Advisors build their confidence and gain the tools they need to create more success. Come to this training and let's get your Advising skills to the next level!
The Care and Feeding of your Superstar Techs and Advisors - Darrin Barney
March 3rd, 8:00 am - 11:30 am
Everyone knows how important your team is for the success of your business. But in reality, how many people are able to find and most importantly, keep those superstars once they get them on their team? Darrin Barney will show you a road map that will allow you to find, keep and grow your most important asset.. Your employees. Darrin and his team have grown his shop to one of the largest independently owned auto repair facilities in North America, and they have customers, literally around the world. His unparalleled success quickly caught the attention of the industry, and it’s brought about his being featured in countless podcasts and nationally published articles, he’s been on the cover of Auto Inc. magazine, and he’s spoken at number of the industry’s largest events. He is also currently the President of Operations at Elite. Here are a few of the topics that Darrin will be discussing.
ELITE WORLDWIDE
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By carmcapriotto
This episode is sponsored by AutoLeap. AutoLeap is a cloud-based all-in-one automotive invoice software that helps you supercharge your mechanic shop. Their customers have experienced:
30% increase in revenue by improving transparency and trust 50% reduction in time spent researching and ordering parts 10% increase in profit margins through robust reporting
Click here to learn more about AutoLeap and schedule a demo:
AutoLeap Link: http://bit.ly/3GRgO88
During Today's episode #99 I’m going to be talking about: Tracking & Measuring, Different Levels of Both, What to Track
Can’t Measure What You Don’t Track!
Top to bottom
SMS/POS System for a real time look, Make sure it matches your Income Statement as closely as possible.
The actual Income Statement/P or L
Scorecard for Success
Productivity for Technicians
Your Bank Account!
To listen to more episodes make sure and go over to itunes and or Spotify.
Don't forget to rate and review us!
Connect with Chris:
[email protected]
940.400.1008
www.autoshopcoaching.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching
Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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