Quantcast
Jump to content


Help! New to shop management

uniqueauto

By uniqueauto
in Human Resources, Employees

 Share

Recommended Posts

uniqueauto Newbie

uniqueauto

Posted
Posted

Hello guys,

 

First I want to say thanks to all that post such great thoughts and ideas! I just recently(within the last few months) took over my dads shop. He started a dealership about ten years ago and started the shop mainly to service his vehicles. We have had several people run the shop with absolutely no success. I am very new to the shop business. I currently farm with my brother and also buy cars for the dealership so I can't put all my time into the shop. I just have a few questions and would appreciate any and all advice!

 

First off, what is decent pay for a tech? I have two flag hour techs that I think I pay very well. One gets 22.50 and the other gets

$25 per hour, plus they get a 15% raise if they flag so many hours. What do you think? I also have an hourly guy (who is the best bang for the buck!) and a service writer/ shop manager who takes care of the daily shop business.

 

Secondly, I've been reading about policies and procedures, which this shop has never had, and I was wondering where would be a good place to start.

 

I guess I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites
flacvabeach Community Regular

flacvabeach

Posted
Posted

Sounds like you are well grounded in the business. We went the other way and started a shop them added the car lot. I would strongly advise getting some business coaching. You can learn the fine points the hard way or have a coach tell you what is working well for other shops. Attending training with other shop owners is a real eye-opener.

 

For technicians' pay, you need a system that lets you retain your labor margin if they go into overtime. This has been by far the most complex issue we have faced in our ongoing education.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
uniqueauto Newbie

uniqueauto

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I appreciate the response. Does anyone have any recommendations on some good shop training? I've also been thinking about some training for my service advisor/ manager. Any recommendations on a program that would work well for both of us? Thanks for any and all input!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tires Too Collaborator

Tires Too

Posted
Posted

AVI out of Ft Meyers Florida has a number of DVD and/or on-line training courses for both techs and service advisers. Check with the local parts suppliers for training they might have available locally. NAPA provides a very comprehensive on line library for their Auto Care Centers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      Raising Labor Rates and Prices May Not Achieve Profitability
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         13 comments
      Most 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.

  • Similar Topics

    • Ruben Van Zenden
      Why are so few car repair shops making use of social media marketing?
      By Ruben Van Zenden
      Today, we simply cannot ignore social media, everyone is using it whether you are a fan or not. Personally, I think it has its negative and positive sides. 
      I have been looking at 100+ car repair shops and noticed that only a hand full are using social media marketing, for example, Facebook advertising. 
      Why are so few car repair shops making use of this, in my opinion, great opportunity to increase car count? 
    • ASOG Podcast
      Opening a Shop? Don't Make This Critical Mistake!
      By ASOG Podcast
      Opening a Shop? Don't Make This Critical Mistake!
    • carmcapriotto
      Vision2023 Shop Marketing Pros - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
      By carmcapriotto
      During Today's episode #104 The crew from SMP and I Talk About:
      What is a Chicken Flicker? Behind-the-scenes dirt on Kim & Brian from SMP What's the best part of your work day? What's the difference between a successful client and one that isn't? What would your advice be for a shop starting out that isn't able to hire someone like SMP? How cute is Dutton? Favorite Cartoon Character? What did you want to be when you grew up? What book are you reading now, if any?  
      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: http://bit.ly/3GRgO88
       
      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
    • carmcapriotto
      First Ever General Service Technician Academy at Vision KC [RR 832]
      By carmcapriotto
      Recorded Live at Vision 2023, Al Wright and Travis Troy discuss the benefits of joining MWACA's S.O.S. (Shop Owner's Support) Group. When we can support and learn from other shop owners, we continue Advancing the Aftermarket and raising the bar for the industry. Travis also gives us an overview of Vision's newest class for general service technicians.
      Al Wright, John’s Automotive, Cedar Rapids, IA. Al’s previous episodes HERE
      Travis Troy, Honest Wrenches, Akeny and Des Moines, IA. Listen to Travis’ other episodes HERE
      Show Notes
      Travis Troy- 21 team members attending Vision 2023 MWACA SOS Shop Owner’s Support- What is an S.O.S. Group? Think of it as your advisory board. Our S.O.S. Groups consist of no more than 10 shops that meet on a monthly basis. Meetings are similar to “twenty groups” without the intense financial focus or expensive monthly commitment. Groups meet monthly at a participating shop to discuss relevant issues, set and review goals, and evaluate the hosting shop.    Be vulnerable, and be transparent, not as a business owner but as a friend. We are not each other’s competition.  Learning from others, raising the bar for the Automotive industry  FTI- failure to implement, the number one failure for shop owners. Debrief after the SOS meeting with a list of items to work on and change.  Elevate before you grow. GSTA General Service Technician Academy - 2-day course. This program benefits the technician and the shop with increased efficiency, knowledge, and safety, as well as cost-savings by helping prevent beginning mistakes. Certifications will come from Tire Industry Association (TIA), Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), and Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS).  GTSA will cover- Tire Safety – hands-on mounting and dismounting, repair procedures and balancing, Tire pressure monitoring basics, Lift safety – Including Information access for proper lift placement, OSHA and shop safety training, Alignment basics, Intro to Air Conditioning, Electricity Fundamentals, Introduction to Digital Vehicle Inspections - a systematic approach to test drives, inspections, photos and videos and the benefits to the tech and to the shop of performing the DVI. Surviving a Health Scare [THA 316]
      Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS. Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 - Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at AAPEXSHOW.COM NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com Connect with the Podcast: -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections      
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • carmcapriotto
      Carm Tribute – Eight Years and Counting [CC 109]
      By carmcapriotto
      A surprise taping of a tribute to the eight years since starting the service aftermarket’s premier podcast. We also want to express gratitude to the hundreds of guests that have enriched over 1,100 episodes of the collection of Remarkable Results Radio, the Town Hall Academy, and Aftermarket Weekly podcasts. We thank them for sharing their wisdom so we all rise to new levels of success. We will continue to provide the industry's widest range of topics, both in audio and video formats. And along with the 1 ½-year-old Aftermarket Radio Network, we are there for every aftermarket professional to Advance the Aftermarket.
       
       
      Featuring:
      Rena Rennebaum Tracy Capriotto Bill Nalu Chris Cloutier Chris Cotton Clint White Brian Walker Kim Walker Matt Fanslow Aaron Woods Dwayne Myers Cecil Bullard Hunt Demarest Tim Shaffer
      Episodes for all Aftermarket Radio Network Shows:
      Remarkable Results Radio HERE. This includes the Town Hall Academy, Aftermarket Weekly and CarmCast’s Matt Fanslow HERE. Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Hunt Demarest HERE. Business by the Numbers Chris Cotton HERE. The Weekly Blitz Kim and Brian Walker HERE. The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast  
      Connect with the show:
       
      Aftermarket Radio Network
      Subscribe on YouTube
      Visit us on the Web
      Follow on Facebook
      Become an Insider
      Buy me a coffee
      Important Books
       
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Similar Tagged Content

  •
    nptrb

    Facing Your Financial Fears

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    0 comments 794 views
    nptrb

    Tricks for Tax Season

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 171 views
    nptrb

    Your Business Finances in 2023

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    0 comments 800 views

  • Our Sponsors



Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...