Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Ok here is a new one on me. Usually when a customer approves a repair large or small we either get verbal approval over the phone where we list the time and method of call (whether we called them or they called us) or written approval through a signed estimate, whether in person or by email.

 

Well a new customer brought us a 2001 F150 with severely worn timing chains and guides that turned out to be broken as well as leaking valves from kissing the pistons. Of course this led to a replacement engine.

 

After going back and forth for about a week with the options of a used engine (which did not last long) or a reman engine (which he chose) he finally approved the work. He brought in his deposit for the engine along with a contract for me to sign basically stating all that is getting replaced and the warranty involved. Nothing above what we agreed on but a little out of the ordinary.

 

Now the customer is an electrical contractor by trade so I'm assuming this is where this comes from. I signed the agreement since nothing was out of order and I wanted to make him feel comfortable since he is a new customer.

 

What are your thoughts on this?

 

PS- The main frustration with the customer comes from having to go through explaining what I could research as to the pros and cons of different brands of reman engines, only to end up ordering a Jasper unit like I quoted at the beginning. I have always had good luck with Jasper products and the one time I had an issue it was resolved quickly and painlessly.

  • Like 1
Posted

Sounds to me like a contractor that has gotten burned and learned to put everything in writing. We use to do mechanical/environmental contracting and there were a few times that a contract saved us with a dispute with a subcontractor.

Posted

So, he brought you a contract/warranty to sign? That is a first with me. I would rather the shop create its own documentation and not be subjected to someone dictating to me the terms. It's my business, and I determine the terms. This contractor must not trust others, would he accept a contract from you, if he does work for you?

Posted

To me it almost seems like what Frank said, he's been burned before. Everything was as we discussed it. He was actually surprised when I pulled out my own itemized repair order for him to sign. It seemed to ease his mind.

  • 11 months later...
Posted

It was my privilege to meet Ben Davis from Davis Auto Repair and Performance in Woodstock, Georgia today and to see his shop. He has a nice large shop and several classics in various states of repair. He started this thread and is the third participant I have met in person but hopefully not the last.

  • Like 1

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
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      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.
  • Similar Topics

    • By Changing The Industry
      Bonus Episode - Creating Chaos Through Impulsive Business Decisions With Tannar and Kassiady Markham
    • By carmcapriotto
      Summer’s heating up and so should your marketing! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, hosts Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand get real about what actually works for shop owners when it comes to June marketing.
      From summer travel prep and cooling system services to creative promotions for Tire Safety Month and celebrating your hardworking team during Automotive Service Professionals Week, this episode is your go-to guide for planning ahead and filling those bays.
      You’ll also hear how to make the most out of offbeat holidays (like National Donut Day or World Juggling Day), how to promote community involvement without sounding like you’re bragging, and why some services (like AC repair) don’t need a discount to sell like crazy.
      Packed with fun ideas, real-life shop stories, and actionable tips, this episode is everything you need to kick your June marketing into high gear. 
      Don’t miss it, hit play and get inspired! 🚀
      Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. As shop owners we were part of RepairPal’s Certified network and you can learn more at RepairPal.com/shops 
      Revolutionize Your Shop
      Want to revolutionize your marketing? AppFueled does it all—email, text, app notifications, and even call center integration. Stop guessing and start connecting with AppFueled.
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)


      Show Notes with Timestamps
      Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal’s Certified
      Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at
      RepairPal.com/shops.
      Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for professional auto repair businesses. Visit Appfueled.com to get started today. Keep your shop top of mind on the mobile device they love.
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Panhandle Eurotech
      Show Notes with Timestamps


      How To Get In Touch
      Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
      Meet The Pros
      Follow SMP on Facebook
      Follow SMP on Instagram
      Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book
      Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics 
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By champtires
      Champtires has started to add new Hankook tires to its available inventory. Multiple sizes and models are now available, and more will be added soon. Examples of current Hankook tires in stock now include:
      Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 225/40-18 92 Y
      $159.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV 235/60-18 103 W
      $139.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 HRS 275/40-18 103 Y
      $179.99/tire
      Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 HRS 245/45-17 95 W
      $149.99/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 245/40-18 97 V
      $148.00/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 235/50-17 96 V
      $140.00/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 225/50-18 95 W
      $119.99/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 215/45-17 91 W 
      $133.59/tire
      Hankook Kinergy 4S2 195/60-15 88 V
      $88.00/tire
      More sizes and models will be added to www.champtires.com daily.
      To search for new Hankook tires, shop by size, then filter by Hankook brand and new as tread level. Free shipping is included on all website orders.
      Prices and availability are accurate as of publication date.

    • By Joe Marconi
      Take if someone who has lived through many uncertain times, this is the best time to bump up your customer experience. Show confidence and and show that you appreciate your customers. This also means showing appreciation for your employees - Happy employees create happy customers.
      While there is a lot of uncertainty these days, there is one thing you can take to the bank: With the right positive mindset, staying strong and driving forward, you will be better off in the good times. 
       
    • By carmcapriotto
      Want to create marketing that actually excites your customers and keeps them coming back for more? In this episode, host Brian Walker and co-host Kim Walker sit down with Robert Morton from Panhandle Eurotech to uncover how a simple treasure hunt turned into a marketing powerhouse, boosting website traffic, improving SEO rankings, and creating a stronger connection with their community.
      Robert shares how his shop designed a treasure hunt that got people actively searching for clues, engaging with their website, and following their business more closely than ever before. From increasing customer interaction to enhancing their shop’s online visibility, this strategy has proven to be a game-changer.
      You'll hear wild stories from past treasure hunts, how people got hooked, and why this strategy keeps working time and time again. Plus, we dive into the impact of gamification, creative ways to engage your audience, and how to build a marketing strategy that actually works for your shop.
      Don't miss this episode, tune in now and start thinking outside the box with your marketing! 🚀
      Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal’s Certified
      Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at
      RepairPal.com/shops.
      Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for professional auto repair businesses. Visit Appfueled.com to get started today. Keep your shop top of mind on the mobile device they love.
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Panhandle Eurotech
      Show Notes with Timestamps
      How To Get In Touch
      Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
      Meet The Pros
      Follow SMP on Facebook
      Follow SMP on Instagram
      Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book
      Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics 


      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...