spencersauto

 We recently started doing courtesy inspections through bolt on technology.   I have one technician that is  being very resistant to writing any vehicles up for any maintenance or problems as he feels we shouldn't be pressuring the customer. Today we had one come in from Goodyear that they recommended upper and lower ball joint's.  I asked him to check it out and to complete the multi point inspection. On the multi point he indicated that there were no problems with the ball joints. I had the owner recheck and he found the ball joints had significant play present. The owner was quite frustrated as this was  $1500 that we could have potential he lost had he not rechecked him. The technician that originally came and checked it out came to me and asked why the owner was being such a dick. based on his resistance to completing the courtesy inspections, not knowing what he's checking out (has recommended fuel filters and timing belts when the car doesn't have one) and hey I'm calling the owner a dick I feel it made to be time to let this employee go. Should I write him up for insubordination or just cut ties with him?

Who are you using for digital inspections? Likes/dislkes? Cost to setup and monthly cost?

We are considering mobil manager pro with bolt on to use the digital inspections on tablets? I wanted to know the pro's and con's you have seen from using the service? Cost to setup plus monthly cost? Is it worth it, has your RO increased enough to cover the cost associated with implementing the program?  Is it functional for those who aren't very technical savvy?

What's your houlr labor rate and where are you located? We're currently at $95 in Texas

We use synchrony as well and I've never had any issues.  When someone asks about paying us out this is always what I use to supply them with an option.

We pay .25 for oil changes

Just wanted to add that I have received 7 new google reviews in a just a few weeks using this service. I have also seen a dramatic decline in customer missings appointments now that I am sending a reminder the day before.

Could we do $1400-1500 a week yes, but I also don't want to be overpaying. I know there is a scale out there what lead technicians are being paid and I want to see what that range is.

I'm currently looking to hire a new lead technician and would like to find out what your paying your lead technicians. We are in a small town, population around 4,000. 4 bay shop with one lead tech and one c tech. My lead is leaving after 15 years because his wife is changing jobs. He's been with us since we opened . He's currently being paid $1100 a week salary and averages 40 hours per week. My c tech has been with me 10 months and is paid $13 per hour. Ive got one that applied asking for $35 a flag hour and another $1500 a week. Either I'm under paying or these guys are crazy.  Would also like to know if you pay per flag hour, working hour, salary, or hourly plus commission. 

I've been using text box for two days. So far the program has been great and saved me a lot of time from having to call customers multiple times. I am sending appointment reminders the day before using it,when we have an estimate ready, when the vehicle is ready, and a follow up the next day. I love that I can use my same number. I was using Pinger but hated the fact that the customers had to remember two different phone numbers. They have been very helpful in helping me with the program and have also offered some great ideas for marketing tools. John sent me a link to include on my follow up message that would link to my Google reviews. Tomorrow I plan on messaging customers in a group message that have not been in in three months and linking a coupon to my website to offer them incentive to come in. This was John's idea and a great one I think. Wish Mitchell would get on board with this company where it would automatically link up your database with text box. Would highly recommend trying this company!!!!!. Would highly recommend trying this company!! Great thing is they are offering free trial until March-no risk!

Are you able to type your own text or use templates only? Are you able to attach pictures?

I would really like to go, but will have to decide as the date gets closer.

I have one I can send if you want to let me know your email address

Oh and it was for one day, however he's going to have to go again in June.

Thank you all for your replies. I have nothing in my handbook about jury duty so I wanted to check. This particular employee wasn't going to court for jury duty but to testify in a case as a character witness.

Do you pay your employees for your jury duty? Or if they are called to court as a witness to a case?

Thank you for the replies. Everyone seems to be in line with what we have done in the past.

I've had a few that werent worth filing a mechanics lien and called a local wrecking yard to pick them up as abandoned vehicles and they handled they paperwork. The ones that were worth it we filed mechanics liens and sold the vehicles. We have it posted that any vehicle left over 2 days afer completed repair a $25 per day storage fees applies and after 30 the vehicle is considered abandoned.

How many of you give Christmas bonuses and if so how much?

Seems to me you've spent most of your time on this forum upset that the shop owners are turning a profit. That being said your post also show that you don't have the shop owner perspective. Why don't you start a shop and see the cost of doing business for yourself. I agree, tech pay is low in some areas, but you seem like you just have a bone to pick. Almost like the world owes you something? If your getting cheated go out on your own!

 

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Well said ncautoshop. Both my lead tech and the one I just terminated are making close to what I do. By no means are we greedy! Like the other post said if you don't like the pay try starting your own shop and then you can see what we're up against.

The employee was paid $16 per hour for attendance and an additional $10 per flag hour. He's been written up twice in the last 90 days. Unfortunately I let him go shortly after this post. He misdiagnosed a blend door and it was a heater core and after all that he failed to let me know the temp. gauge wasn't working. We do not offer health insurance, 23 do supply all tools and scanners, and no saturdays. We also have bonus programs for record months. In regards to having a nice home I in fact do, and I work hard for it. This individual could have had to same if he was willing to work for it, but he wasn't.

We charge $25.00 per day after the 2nd day of completed repairs. I have only had to enforce once and I did collect. Every customers know the amount and the length of time we will need before the repairs are completed. With that being said I usually will give a couple of days, but if they tell me it's going to be more than that then I inform them of the storage fee.

Thank you all for your replies. To top it off this morning his inspector license was revoked for not handling a ticket he was issued earlier this year. The scales are about even when I weigh risk vs reward. It's very hard to find good techs in the town were in. My lead tech is leaving in April due to his wife's job relocating.