ATSAutomotive

"We do quite a bit of indy dealer work, and we've burnt some dealer bridges. We do not offer a budget price with rigged work. We do not take our reputation lightly, you ask me to rig a car or "temporarily" fix it you'll get a warning, then you'll be asked to take you're vehicle elsewhere."

This is one reason we stopped servicing used car dealers vehicles. They never wanted to fix anything, they wanted it rigged or as cheap as possible. They quickly found out, I don't run my shop like many others do. I provide quality work and quality parts. If you don't agree with that philosophy, maybe we aren't the right shop for you.

You tell them the truth. The car they bought is used and can have or develop leaks and other problems. Explain to them what the problem is and the best approach as well as let them know any other repairs or maintenance that is needed. If they can't do it all at once, give them a list by priority.

Too often people buy used vehicles and expect them to be absolutely perfect. When did this begin to happen, does anyone know? I always tell my customers if they plan to buy a new or used vehicle that we are here to answer any questions as well as do an inspection on any used vehicles before they buy. I still, however, have a few good customers who will buy a car on a whim. They bring it in and have me fix it, never questioning anything. I assume they just really wanted the vehicles they buy.

Don't treat them any different than any of your other customers. If they bought a car without an inspection, that was their choice.

 

Sorry, I did not explain this very well. A sharp tech will make GREAT use out of IATN / Identifix and use it to expand on his/her skills and knowledge. A lazier tech will simply use these systems as a crutch and never really critically think through the issue. Did IATN / Identifix make the lazy? No, it is simply a tool.

I can agree to that and it's already difficult enough to find expert technicians.

I think price is harder to get over for shop owners than for anyone else. There are tons of customers out there who are willing to pay for our services as long as we provide them value. I've made a lot of changes in the past year and I couldn't be happier that I did. Changed my labor rate to $64.79 roughly 4-6 months ago. Still much lower than I want to be, but I short handed myself when I started. I figure I still have time to take it up slowly and not do a $10-15 increase all at once. I do well enough now that I keep my 60% profit on labor after techs are paid.

I think we can all agree that regular maintenance is key to keeping a car in perfect running condition. Like I said before, I run Valvoline out of my own personal preference. I've used it in my vehicles since I started driving (I'm 25 so not some old timer) I've read around a dozen or so different wear tests for different oil manufacturers over the years. Valvoline isn't always the #1 victor but it ranks near the top in almost all wear tests. I chose to use Valvoline for my customer's vehicles because I felt if I used something else I would be cheating them. To me, I felt they deserved the same oil I trust in my vehicles. We all have our own preferences and ideas that led to our decisions. We don't have to agree on anything, as long as we agree that we do what we feel is right for our customers. To each their own as long as we keep our customers happy and most importantly, on the road.

For comparison, I am currently paying $9.86/gallon for Valvoline Conventional Bulk.

Side Note: I did read recently (I believe in Motor Magazine or Professional Tool & Equipment) that there was a law passed in California if I remember correctly. Where a shop can be held responsible for not using the correct oil. As a shop you were required to completely identify on the invoice the type of oil you used. Made me think of it as one member was discussing VW, BMW and the DEXOS standards. We even noticed at our shop, one of our fleet companies had a few vehicles requiring DEXOS and we had only been using conventional. Let's make sure everyone does a good job checking the oil standards.

http://www.drewtech.com/technician/products/cdplus.html

"Technicians can use CarDAQ-Plus for Security Key systems/programming on Ford, GM, and Toyota vehicles."

Most of the time I just run in to the issue of needing the PIN which you can only get if you are part of the Locksmith association crap. Maybe I need to do a little more research in to that.

I can only assume the parts department is using that to sell other genuine parts. I mean think about it. How much does the parts department really make on selling oil to customers? Why not sell it at cost and you will end up outselling even the local O'Reillys, Advance Auto Parts, CARQUEST, etc. DIY (Toyota) customers will be coming to you for their oil filter change parts. In turn buying more Genuine parts (air filters, oil filter, wipers, bulbs, etc) because they are already there. Genius in that dealerships pricing plan. I guarantee the Toyota dealership near me would not be cheap for anything.....

Did you know that it's the same principle and law for air bag systems? Have worked at a few places in the past that would let them leave.....I try to keep myself well informed of any laws. Being an independent shop, there would be no one to blame but myself.

I should clarify, if Valvoline doesn't make the correct fluid, then I move to an OEM fluid. Seems like we find that a lot these days. Guess I didn't get to grow up in the Dexron or Mercon days.....

Use Valvoline for everything, Motor Oil, Transmission Fluids, Power Steering, etc. You name it, we use Valvoline. Always used Valvoline in all of my personal vehicles and when I've torn them down. Never find sludge, muck, crap, gunk, you get the point. Typically the price point has changed based on the additives that a company uses. Just like NAPA's house oil is made by Ashland (Valvoline) however they do not use the same formula. Hasn't anyone wondered what the difference was in Conventional and Max-Life oils? Additives.

How did this shop come to offer you a job? Do you know much about this shop? Reputation, etc. I am always leery about telling someone to take the leap of faith when you have a safe paycheck already. For me having dealt with dealership managers, I would never leave a safe paycheck for an unsure thing. The sole reason I started my shop was just to make a living. Couldn't do it working at the dealership so what was the point in staying. Your personal life and situation comes in to play. Just take a step back and look at the BIG picture.

Not only with flashlights but I can't even remember what tools or tool kits I have anymore. I find myself asking my techs if I have this or that kit. Absolutely terrible, but hey, they use my tools more than I do.

I have to disagree with you Wes. I don't think IATN nor Identifix "dumbs" down our techs. In the independent market, techs are expected to understand the systems of multiple cars and mutiple car lines. We have to be the master of everything. I think IATN and Identifix are a wonderful ADDITION, to our already wonderful knowledge and expertise. Where a technician falls short, he has a resource on hand to use for additional diagnostic tree steps. I do feel if you don't know where to even begin with a code, there is an experience/training issue. You should atleast be able to check the basics before checking your resources. Anyone ever had a tech come back after hours and say he found the problem? A blown fuse.........

We typically install Walker replacements and to date we have only had one comeback that was due to a failed converter. Was replaced under warranty and away he went, still hasn't had any issues. Might want to get a closer look at all these jobs and see if there is/was an underlying issue. Hard to believe numerous cats have gone bad for absolutely no reason....

Pjauto, I have an older model of the Ranger tire machine and balancer. I paid roughly $3000 two years ago and I really can't complain. I do a decent amount of tires but not ALOT. I can provide a service to my customer and make a little bit of money. I just couldn't justify buying a coats tire machine and balancer. This ranger machine has served me well. I have had to fix a few things but hey even my BRAND NEW Robinair A/C machine broke. Name brands can fail just as much. Plus Ranger is made by Bend Pak, still a good company.

Not only is that good business but that is also being a great person! Sounds like you have one hell of a staff there!

Charge 8% up to $39.71, its a line item on our system and we call it "job supplies" Use to have a customer or two ask about the shop supplies never had a customer question job supplies. Works well and I think it really better explains what they are for.

I currently have an 8 camera Defender system. It works well but I have seen many others that the DVR software is much better. Do some research and look around, a lot of top name companies (Samsung) make these systems and they are not typically very expensive. If you can work on cars, you can install one of these security systems. Just make sure you buy a DVR that can handle as many cameras as you want. Seen a lot of people buy small hard drives for 8+ cameras, doesn't save for very long.

Steel lines are lined with copper anyway. Using these new copper lines will not increase the rate of corrosiveness.

I recently bought a Snap On PassThru Pro 2 (the cardaq with snapon written on it) Works awesome for me. Keep in mind this is certainly not an all in one. This is for flashing mostly, but you can look at codes and some data on some vehicles. Its a very good pass thru device and couple with our snap on solus, we can do most of what we need. Buy the cardaq from drew technologies as I have to download driver updates from Snap on because they are slightly different. (snap on most likely just wanted control of something....not a big supporter of Snap on...)

_{TABS AutoBiz had a handheld scanner you walked out and could scan the VIN. I never personally used it, just know it was an option.}

_{http://autorepairsoftware.com/Features/HardwareAccessories}

_{Second one down}

^{Have a solid business plan before you start then. I would like to share my story real quick with you. I started my shop in 2009 with a very good friend of mine, best friend in fact. After 3 months, my fiancée and I had to kick him out of the business. Now the problem wasn't stealing or anything like that. The problem was, we didn't have enough work yet to pay both of us. We helped him out as much as we could. Gave him money a couple of times but told him that was it. We had an agreement that while we were getting started we would finance ourselves with after hours jobs, family, etc. Luckily I had a fiancée who could support me. He didn't follow through on his part and it created a rather large rift. Attorneys got involved and in the end he is no longer a part of the company. Moral of the story is even when you think you can trust someone, you can't always trust them. Just know what you are getting yourself in to before you start. Sorry not trying to deter you from business. I just want you to know what you will be getting yourself in to. The things we often think won't be a problem, often are. Write out a business plan and make sure it is SOLID.}

I have never had a pit before so I am biased in my opinion, but I would "think" I'd much rather have lifts or an alignment rack.

I personally have used Alldata and TABS AutoBiz. Currently use TABS and once you pay for it, you own it. However, I have seen Alldata change their pricing structure from when I used to have it. It actually would cost me the exact same to have Alldata Online (labor guide) and the Alldata's shop management system. I know many others use Mitchell as well as RO Writer. Take a look and most companies will offer a demo. That way you can play with it and find one you like.

A lot of good information above, I would also include experience. I have dealt with that exact same car before and do I know how it feels. I warn my customers if we know that we typically have problems with this sort of vehicle and to expect a phone call.

Do keep in mind that a labor guide is a suggestion based on an average. Does not take in to account rust and broken bolts or weather for that matter.