HarrytheCarGeek

This may help, think about it this way. What if you had to hire an apprentice just to do the little things all day to keep good customer service. Say you would have to pay him $10/h plus overhear taxes at 40%, 10 x 1.4 = $14/h cost. Marking that up x 3 for the time that he is idle when there are no customers 14 x 3 = $42.00/h So let's say he can change a pair of wipers in 20 minutes $42/60=$0.70 $0.7x20= $14.00 So just add $14 to a pair of wiper blades. Quite simple once you get used to doing it and it greatly benefits your bottom line.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/09/06/stop-and-seize/ I have a customer that runs several hot dogs stands, the cops took his cash, after nine months he has not got his money back. If you don't know about this as a small business owner, check what the cops are doing according to the Washington Post at the above link.

Jrendem, If you can produce high quality leads that would be a great service! BTW, do you have links to any of the sites you have done in the past that you could share here?

Thank you so much, Gentlemen.

I lost a very good friend last week, he passed away in his sleep. Very wealthy man, very generous. He used to tell me, "Harry, it is very lonely at the top, watch out for what you wish for." I feel a tremendous sense of loss, and I didn't realize just how much or close we were. If I needed advise, I wouldn't hesitate to call him, and he wouldn't hesitate to take my call. The same thing with him, he would call me if he needed something that he couldn't do himself. But most important, we would just call each other to shoot the breeze and share ideas.

Hi, Bob K! The guys have given you pretty good answers in my view. For my part, if you mean Average Revenue per Order as ARO, that metric for me does not hold very meaningful value. The reason being that on a weekly and monthly basis my ARO have gone from as low as $180 to $540, and on that peak ARO period I had the lowest profit marging. That left me scratching my head for a few days until I figured it out what happened. As a metric, a low ARO to me signals that the guys may be running through oil changes just to get that service done and are not paying attention to the car's condition, but on the other hand I had months that the ARO was low just to jump up considerable the following months. So like Imcca states, make sure you are running a plan that you have written down and can compare numbers from your metrics. Figure out the gross revenue you expect for the wholes shop, then break it down per bay and then work out the net marging you are looking for, that way from the big picture down to the details you can know what to demand down to the individual techs. I have a shop where one tech runs two bays and is consistently the highest profit center I have, it seems to me that he runs his own business within my business (what I mean by this is that he is happy to be a mechanic and loves to leave the administrative and overhead to us, while all he takes care of fixing the cars and recommending to sell whatever the customer's car will need to stay reliable, he has been with me over 10 years and appears to be happy to keep working with me).

I use Baymaster in my original shops, about two years ago i acquired two other shops that have been running Autotracker, no complaints on both, i plan to migrate the auto tracker shops into Baymaster simply because i have been with them over 12 years.

We are also a Tire Rack installer, and second Xrac's view that their class of customer are above par. I have been able to retain a good portion of those local customers that Tire Rack has sent me. I had a sign made that welcomes Tire Rack customers specifically and tells them to ask us about the special deals that are available to them for being Tire Rack customers. I have a simple menu flyer that lists Tire Rack customer "deals" for example basic alignment for $75. additional work at quoted rate or job. Those are simple tools, but the essence of the sale are in your service writers, they have to be friendly, courteous, respectful, and informative. They must have the ability to show concern for the customer's safety and condition of their car. Once your service writers have developed a solid relationship with your customers, they will keep coming back for service at your shop if they can afford it and if it is within their means. So price your services accordingly and take advantage of the opportunity that Tire Rack affords you to develop new customers coming in through your door. my $0.02 cents.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2015/08/11/mechanic-charged-manslaughter/31466163/ During an Aug. 24, 2014, statement, Jalbert said he replaced one of the rear brake lines and the other three “showed indications of serious rust and corrosion” in April 2012. Jalbert said Ibey didn’t want them replaced, but also could not remember what he used for a reason. Read some of the comments from the above linked article: Janine Cary · Saint Albans, Vermont Alot can happen in 383 miles or 2 months of time.. Everyone needs someone to blame.. and why not take it out on someone paid to do something. Im not sure how it can be "proven" he knew of the problem if it were not on the inspection report. If you fail an inspection they still let you drive your car away too. This is an insane act of placing blame.. and no- i do not know any of the parties involved. Like · Reply · 8 · Aug 11, 2015 12:43pm Cathy Lavelle Ryan · Works at University of Vermont The entire underside of the car and brake lines can't rust out in two months (two summer months, at that). And you're right, if you fail inspection, you can drive it away, but you are TOLD that the car is unsafe. I think if the driver had been told it was unsafe, he would have done something about it. Finally, you say it's not the inspector's fault if he didn't KNOW about the problem (rust). But rust is one of the things inspectors are REQUIRED to look for, before passing a car. So if he didn't know, he should have. Like · Reply · Aug 12, 2015 7:47am Laurie B. SabensCathy Lavelle Ryan you also have to note that Mr. Ibey allegedly stated that he did not want the brake lines repaired. I agree with Katherine Whitley - this WILL set a precedence and one that will change the history of car repair for years to come. Like · Reply · 1 · Aug 13, 2015 7:00am Cameron Chapman · Owner at What's Up VT This is ridiculous. A lot can happen in 2 months, and holding this mechanic responsible is ludicrous. If this guy is convicted, good luck getting any car that isn't brand new inspected in Vermont. No mechanic is going to want to touch an older vehicle. Like · Reply · 4 · Aug 11, 2015 3:44pm Katherine Whitley · Nurse at Everywhere Let me first say that this is the most insane, slanderous, defamatory thing I have ever seen. The State of Vermont, in its quest to find a way to terrorize mechanics, have overstepped themselves and introduced a ridiculous charge to level at a decent working man, as well as his family's business. I want every mechanic in the state to take heed; if these insultingly stupid charges are allowed to stand, it will set a precedent that should not only make every working mechanic halt inspections forever, but every doctor should stop caring for patients... Nurses should walk out of the healthcare fac...See More Like · Reply · 9 · Aug 11, 2015 3:44pm Cathy Lavelle Ryan · Works at University of Vermont Inspectors don't have to worry about this happening to them, if they follow the law and inspect the car the way they should. This guy didn't even look for rust. If you hire someone to check your furnace in the fall to make sure it's safe, and they do an absolutely inadequate job of checking it, and it blows up, yeah, you can hold them responsible. Basically, people can be held responsible if they purposely do a horrible job at their job and someone is hurt or killed. If a doctor does a terrible job and someone dies, yes they can be sued for malpractice. If a doctor does the best that ca...See More Like · Reply · 1 · Aug 12, 2015 7:48am John Searles · University of California, Berkeley WOW - this is incredibly faulty logic! Like · Reply · Aug 12, 2015 8:02am Katherine Whitley · Nurse at Everywhere Cathy, you can follow the law to the letter and get blamed and charged, if someone decides to go after you. Our legal system has ensured that you can be sued for anything, by anybody. This sets a sick precedent, and it is clear. The criminal charges leveled, don't even follow legal guidelines on the definition of manslaughter. It is a propaganda witch hunt. This is the sickest stretch I've ever seen, as far as a state being so determined to issue criminal charges to a mechanic due a car's malfunction, months later. There can be no explanation, other than the fact that the DMV has an agenda...See More Like · Reply · 1 · Aug 12, 2015 8:01am Katherine Whitley · Nurse at Everywhere And Cathy, I have to add that there is a HUGE difference between malpractice suits for doctors who do not accurately treat a patient, or miss an illness that causes death, and a state bringing charges of murder or manslaughter against you. What is missing here is criminal intent. Did the mechanic knowingly and with willful malice take actions that caused death? The answer here is "no." Inspections have many areas that are subject to a mechanic's opinion on whether the item in question is fail able, or should be okay until next inspection. And there is a grey area there. I took a car to AJs wh...See More Like · Reply · Aug 12, 2015 8:36am Brad BarrattWhy did the mechanic pass a car that should have failed? I think it's a stretch to connect the inspection to the accident. Like · Reply · Aug 14, 2015 2:20am Don Jacob · University of Vermont To start with, this should NEVER have been on the front page of the BFP. Next, the root cause of the problem......RUST. Who caused the rust.....the state. They seem to be intent on destroying a new car in 5 years. So, after 5 years, your car won't pass inspection, you must buy a new vehicle or pay way more than your vehicle is worth to fix it. This whole thing stinks.......... Like · Reply · Aug 12, 2015 9:10am Janine Cary · Saint Albans, Vermont The state is responsible for rust? Are you talking about salt and brine put on the road in winter? Who would be responsible for the accidents if this was not done? How about instead of blaming something like rust on the state/state employees/anyone that does not drive or maintain your car.. that you actually maintain your car and hell.. i dont know, get a car wash! Like · Reply · Aug 13, 2015 8:37am Scott Albert · Springfield, Vermont This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. And even if one brake line failed, the master cylinder has 2 ports for safety as shown in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAcRMqCSlCs So why dont we go after the car manufacture and 2 Months later, Come on?? And isnt it law that the driver have control of the Vehicle at all times. I mean come on, the Mechanic wasn't driving the car and who is to say what really happend??? Like · Reply · 1 · Aug 11, 2015 9:00pm Herman Planten · University of Vermont The current VT inspector certification process is weak; applicants merely need to pass a simple true/false quiz. (Page Gen 5) http://dmv.vermont.gov/.../DMV-VN112-Vehicle_Inspection... Many high school kids earn the designation of “inspector” every year. The inspection process could be improved by requiring those inspecting vehicles to be nationally certified by ASE https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx...See More Like · Reply · 1 · Aug 11, 2015 6:22pm T Edward Wetmore · Advertising Sales Manager at Windridge Book Publishing In my experience in the car business, I have often seen a customer fail an inspection, then call around asking friends if they knew anyone that would put a sticker on it for them. Many times they left the dealership, went to a small independant and got a sticker. Soon the state will be able to monitor failed inspections, and if there is a pass at a different shop within a short period of time, they will investigate. Like · Reply · Aug 12, 2015 9:30am

It is easy to believe what the State claims if you do not know how the legal system works and operates. The people are not taugh civics or law in the public schools anymore, i won't speculate as to the reason why but can make a reasonable guess that they want the large majority of the people ignorant so they can be better controlled. Now, if you have mastered this business you can tell from experience who is knowledgeable and who is not, you can basically tell a class A tech from a C class aprentice, the same with those that practice law, they know the vast majority of the people are not even aware of their political status nor their Rights or protections to seek remedy or redress. Having said that, what we don't know is the motive for this Prosecutor to lay charges on that man. Is the prosecutor doing it for political motives, where he sees a benefit to his career or the family of the victim is truly seeking justice? Look at a definition of manslaughter from the old law books:<iframe src="https://app.box.com/embed/preview/p8q1pgd7k65sbizymru426o2xyuady8b?theme=dark" width="500" height="400" frameborder="0"allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://books.google.com/books?id=j1MUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PT449&dq=manslaughter+defined+law&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAGoVChMImoTZtNe_xwIVQjY-Ch3Kwgai#v=onepage&q=manslaughter%20defined%20law&f=false Allegedly, there were two months passed since the date of the inspection to the day of the victims demise. A lot could have happened to that car in between the inspection of the vehicle to the day of the incident, she could have gone through a pot hole that stressed the frame of the vehicle and that may have ruptured the rusty brake lines.. now, does the old definition of manslaughter give you any guide line as to how to see how to judge this incident? I don't know how Vermont currently defines manslaughter, so I couldn't know if the charge as it currently is laid is appropriate. Nevetheless, I hope that man finds a competent lawyer, because in the alternative I suspect he will be pressured to take a plea bargain that is beneficial to the prosecutor and not to the man and his family.

I have not heard the Jury convict him, yet. Nor have seen the facts. So I choose to stay by my principles and believe him innocent until proven guilty. In the mean time, I have been in this business a long time and if he is a working man like the rest of us. I don't mind chipping in for his defense.

Not crazy, sage and brilliant more likely!

A J's Sunoco Gas Station Address: 320 Washington St, Barre, VT 05641 Phone:(802) 479-9494

Help this guy out, at least $20 bucks for his defense. All of us can be placed or charged for anything in this business. Competent legal aid does not come cheap.

That's strange, the ruling in her favor should state the facts that led to the decision in her favor. For those of you that the Law is a mystery, take this course for your own protection. http://www.jurisdictionary.com/?refercode=CH0002 It has been worth every penny to me.

You lead by example. Start with yourself, if they don't follow your lead either they haven't shown the proper way or they need to be replaced. I have the senior guys show the new guys how to work organized and tidy. Messy guys leave strains on customers' cars. They know my pet peeves.

Do you have an AC Delco jobber out there? If you do, ask them to connect you to the AC Delco brakes guy. I have my techs do their course, it explains metallic, ceramic, composites, etc. And how they are matched to the rotors. They even explain how Europeans prefer metallic pads to cut into the rotors for heat dissipation... performance. Been a while for me, but the latest my newest tech told me they are teaching to clean the rotors with soap and water.... P.S. this link may be helpful http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/training/overview/

If the market will bear it, charge a premium. $110 an hour. Nothing give great pleasure than doing the job right and getting paid a premium on it. Plus customers love it when they have a problem and you take care of it with no questions asked if it is a warranty job, which a premium allows you to do.

Happens to the best of us. If your R.O. software can give you a breakdown of daily sales on a weekly basis, plot that and see when are your strongest sales days and weeks. I can do that for the past 10 years on my reports, and the second week of the month tends to be my best time to sell, with march april and may being my best months.

Awesome thread! I stopped selling parts and labor as separate components a long time ago. Went into selling "solutions" after that, which combine the parts and labor, in the invoice I price it as a "kit" or "combo special". I am now selling maintenace as worry free packages. Life is good, cars don't break down as often, so I had to innovate to keep the doors open and profitable. Now as far as discounts? Yes, I offer discounts to customers, but they are customized to what I have been able to distill from that customer's record with us. I teach the service writers how to price those customers to keep them coming back, throwing freebies in there once in a while to keep them on their toes and coming back.

Really nice! Yes, I also want to know what did you use for your floor? Great Job, indeed!

Don't chase those dollars. I had an experience like that, the company has about 75 small pickup trucks that they use to install cable service. After chasing them for over 2 years, I knew I must be doing something wrong. I stepped back, and did some snooping around. Came to find out, the fleet manager owned a share of the gas station/shop where they were servicing the vehicles. My lesson? I know what I am doing, I am very competitive, if something doesn't add up, step back, look at it with fresh eyes and you will see where the kink is at. Don't fail to see corruption if there may be any.

Cognitive dissonance. Hypocrisy. Double standard. In my early twenties I dated a woman that clearly adhered to double standards, glad I figured that one out pretty quick, tough lesson though.

Hey Nick! Having your own business is not the same as having your hobby as your career. The fundamental rule of business is to make a profit. I am in this industry because I really enjoy working on cars, but I havent professionally worked on a car for about 10 years. Most of my time is taken up by planning and running the business to make a profit. So, if you enjoy working on cars, yes this is a rewarding career, but as the owner, you will mostly be dealing with customers, vendors, and regulators on a day to day basis.

The way I explain it to my techs is as follows: "Gentleman, to the great majority of our customers their cars is just a tool for transportation, they are not really car enthusiasts. They don't want to become mechanics to operate their cars, they come to us for our professional opinion as to what their car needs to keep it in top shape. So, it is very important for you to inspect every car that comes into your hands thoroughly noting its condition just as if your wife and children would be riding on it." Then explain to them to note anything remarkable as either Acceptable, marginal or defective in need of immediate replacement... Make it a mantra and sing it to them every chance you get and watch the magic happen.