CAautogroup

Anyone else an absentee owner here? If so, how do you handle employees and daily work when you are not present? Things seem to be the complete opposite when I am not at the shop- cars are not check throughly, no motivation to sell additional services, cell phones used, techs sit around and relax when not busy, messy work environment etc.

Also, what do you do when the cash is short at the close of the day or when a tech renders service on a vehicle but does not charge for it- taking longer on the job than what we charge the customer?

Any thoughts or opinions regarding this matter are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

How do other shop owners charge for shop supplies, hazardous or other waste removal fees? (The cost of rags, cleaners, clips, fasteners, degreasers, silicone, etc.) Do you have a flat rate or is it a percentage of the overall job, parts, or labor?

I find that a lot of customers are outraged when they see on their receipt "Shop Fee / Miscellaneous." Is it best to avoid this and just markup the price of labor or parts to make up for it? Or to keep itemizing it out?

We try our best to satisfy every customer, but these shop supplies were stocked in the shop for free.

Thanks for your input.

I'd like other shops opinion on how they handle pricing. Do you guys display your most common prices in the waiting room? We currently make estimates valid for 30 days, what are your thoughts? Do you give a discount if a customer sets up an appointment that way you know you have a job for the days work?

Thanks

Any thoughts on what to do when tools go missing at the shop? These are tools that I have personally purchased for our employees to use and service vehicles with, but recently I have noticed several tools are missing- pliers, screw drivers, oil filter wrenches, sockets, etc.

Some of our techs might have possibly left them behind while servicing customers vehicles which is a liability on its own in case something were to happen or get stuck. In fact, we have had about two customers coming back to return them to us.

Any opinions on how to handle this matter? Should I forward the cost to replace these tools among the employees equally?

Thanks in advance.

John