sparkerauto

mspecperformance, Can you send me your matrix as well i would like to compare with what I'm using now. Thanks! ([email protected])

I also would like to know what people are doing for new customers or just to check in customers. Do you guys have a customer check in form ? Does anyone have a copy of this form so I can get an idea if so? thanks!

I am just looking to see what people are charging for maintenance items like flushes, fuel service, oil changes ? I read an article on ratchet and wrench saying it might be a good idea to make a complete fluid exchange package. Does anyone do package deals? Would you be willing to share pricing on these things? thank you !

I have a chance to buy a fully refurbished road force machine for 5500 but I was still considering the coats v200. You think I should go with the road force ? The coats is 6300 and has a 10 year warranty on the motor though.

I am in need of a new wheel balancer. what do you guys have in your shop ? Looking for options. I was thinking of a coats v200 but still not 100 percent sure.

I feel as though that's what a top tech would be making at a car dealer. When I was working for the Lincoln dealer before I opened my own shop, I was taking home about 1,000 a week. That was flat rate so my hours were much more than 40 but it was still my weekly pay.

Oppie, nice looking website!

I was just thinking of what type if pay plan I could do. Something like over certain amount of hours pay him different hourly rate or what not. What type of pay plan is everyone else doing? I have only been in business for about two years I opened up my own shop after being a dealer tech for 12 years so this is all new to me.

xrac, what type of pay/plan do you give your top tech? I figured what I was paying was above average. He asked for a review he has been with me for a little over a year, but I mean I am paying him 36 now what more can I do ?

Hello everyone, My top tech came up to me asking for a review at the end of the year which was fine. I am curious to what you guys are paying/how your paying your top techs. Mine is making $36 an hour and 40 hours a week. he makes same pay every week. But I don't not give him any health insurance. I give him a week vacation paid. Is this average ? or high ? please let me know thanks guys !

www.Parkersautodorchester.com

Hey everyone, as we are getting into the Christmas season I would like to know does anyone give out promotional items like, coffee mugs, ice scrapers ect... or do you give out any type of Christmas gifts to your frequent customers?

spence your right i do need some business training, i have never been a busniess owner so im not denying that. Im just trying to learn as much as possible.

What do you mean by 10k of expenses off the bat?

What are you guys charging for your bg flushes?

thanks for the reply spence, Im not actually buying the business im just buying at the equipment. I would be changing the name of the current business since the owner now focused mainly on foreign cars hense name " Foreign Auto doctor". I work mainly on Ford products, i would be working on alot of cabs and livery cars. Im willing to work on any product though. He said he is willing to stick around for a month and introduce me to his customers and so on. I also would be taking over his same phone number too. Hes has his shop open for 32 years in this location. I would not be transfering the lease i would be making my own deal with the landlord. The alignment machine cant be updated anymore hunter told him that was the last update for the machine. He said his average is 30k a month. 10k for expenses, 10k parts and 10k profit. Its just him and one other guy thats been working for him for 17 years. I have never ran a business i am an auto tech trying to move on from the dealer scene and do my own thing.

Ok so im in the process of looking at a shop to start my business. I came across a shop that the owner wants to retire. He has gave me the option to buy all this stuff thats in the shop. So basically i would lease the biulding from the landlord and go to work . There is some stuff thats older and wouldnt be much use anymore, like the alignment machine is snap-on and is really old. only does vehicles up to 2001 or something. And the 4 post rack is older and its only does compact cars an f-150 or bigger wont fit on it so i would have to purchase and new rack and alignment machine. He threw me a ball park price of 40k. The shop is set up really nice, shelving and and cabinets full with assorted nuts,bolts,washers,hose clamps exc. He has inventory as well oil tanks and transmission bulk about half way full. I attached two scanned copies of the basic stuff i will be getting for the price. Let me know what you guys think. thanks

thanks for the replys guys. Looks like i will be buying a coolant and transmission machine.

First off hello everyone i am new here, My name is steve im from boston ma. This is my first post, I am opening up my shop within the next month or so and im trying to figure out maintenance plans to offer customers. like 15k, 30k ,60k and so on. I know alot of the newer cars theres no fuel filter to change and what not. So how are you guys advertising maintenance plans? Also are you guys using bg products? I am a tech at a ford dealer and we use them i personally love them just not sure how many independent shops use them . Do they charge to rent the machine or just lend you it if you purchase there product? thanks for the info.