mmotley

world pac offers some for european models, focusing on electrical... they offer a few others, check their site

Not disagreeing, just curious. Where did you get that figure from? Also, is there a rule of thumb given for parts from the same source?

Dymo 450 label printer

OTC Tamer, hands down. I used the Branick at the dealership, and I have a OTC Tamer now in my shop. I cannot express how much better the OTC is, especially the safety aspect of the OTC design... I'll put it this way, if I was a tech in a shop and my boss was buying a new strut compressor and he picked the Branick over the OTC... I'd be pissed. Seriously is that much better. I used to HATE doing struts. Now, I love it.

Wes, in short, the guy would present a customer with a $1000 estimate. To qualify for his credit program, he would require half down ($500), then take 3 checks from the person that day. All the checks would be dated 1 month apart, all amounts being 1/3 of the remaining balance = $200 each. Thus the $500 down + $600 in checks = $1100. Before he would take the checks, he would simply need the customers full name, a pay stub, and one other piece of information (I can't recall), and he was able to see if they had ever written any bad checks in the past or had overdrawn bank accounts. Once he had a current pay stub and saw that they had never written a bad check, he would take the 50% down and 3 checks and perform the repair... Key word here is 'HE'. It's all up to him! If he didn't feel like he was going to get his money, he doesn't have to bother.

The article also covered a woman I think who was using some form of credit card from a 3rd party (I'm assuming that's what you were referring to in your original post). I did like the fact that the cards allowed you to put your business logo on them! Yes, the guy doing it in house is probably making a good bit of extra money charging 10%. Remember, I think he had them pay half up front, then financed the remainder... That should be covering your parts I would think, so essentially you're not taking money our of your own pocket (just labor at that point, which is free if you're the one doing the work). I don't recall that article mentioning what company he used to see if the person had ever written bad checks before though. A strict diet of hot pockets, hungry man tv dinners, and no sodas will help line those pockets with some extra money... Only speaking from experience

Holy cow! All I can say is price shop that neutronics kit!!!! Ebay has quite a few for MUCH cheaper than their website.

Hmmmmm, I've never thought about this type of situation... Can't help but feel you have gone through this before. GRRRRRR, sounds like I need to loosen my grip on my wallet and buy a freaking leak sealant detector kit

There was a good article about this in R&W a while back. I can search it up for you if you would like

You're right, it is a place for shop owners... Perhaps www.autoshopowner.com gave you that idea. Nobody ever said techs don't have valuable information. Most people have valuable information. The guy down at best buy has valuable information (he gave me a heads up that windows 8 sucked). Phynny never said he hates techs or thinks they are idiots. However, we don't need techs giving business advice. It would be like me trying to give you advice on how to run a mobile mechanic business. I've never done that, I'm not currently doing that, so I have no business posting on 'www.mobilemechanicforum.com'... Again, half the owners on here are probably 'used to be techs' so we have that point of view covered. Or could you imagine the CFO of a chain of dealerships coming down to tell the techs who to fix a check engine light? Both the tech and CFO have valuable information, but in completely different areas. As for a forum for techs... www.godaddy.com sells domains all day long. Why do you insist on TECHS having space on autoshopOWNER.com... Sorry, but I'm starting to feel phynny's frustration with all this. I am just a 2 man shop, and I have a deep deep desire to become the owner of a much larger business. I browse THIS FORUM (ASO) daily, participate in the Sunday chats, and PM some of the older, wiser guys on here for business advice that they have from EXPERIENCE. If i want tech input, I'll go to other sites.

It sounds to me then that the main difference is that Kukui will redesign your website (visiting CL website, they seem to offer website design)? They do a very good job at that, I like your site M&P. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't customer link also do google ads, bing ads, yahoo ads and facebook ads (I don't see it now on their website, but I thought they did)? And don't they also handle the customer reviews, retention, and emails too? Again, I think they do a great job with the website design (I'm already wondering if I could give them a one-time payment to design mine), and I'm really impressed with yours, M&P. I'm really not trying to sound like a CL sales rep, and I haven't passed judgment on either one yet. I'm just not far off from being able to budget a service like this, so I'm trying to really understand the differences between the 2. And let's face it, what better way to get an idea for a product or service than through others experience with them. I really feel like I'm missing something here, since 2 guys have left CL and gone to Kukui and like it. I'll try another cup of coffee and re-read. It might have something to do with this 20 degree weather in Texas...

I don't know why, but for some reason I can't seem to wrap my head around this. Maybe I'm missing something, but what does Kukui do that Customerlink doesn't? Also, what does Kukui do extra/better than Customerlink that justifies such a price difference?

As I am just a 2 person shop, no I did not give him the website info so he could join... However, he asks me what I'm looking at on the computer (usually when I'm talking to myself), I tell him "I'm reading on this site for shop owners, where a bunch of them kinda get together and mentor each other and offer experience/advice"... Not saying people other than shop owners don't have any good information, but I would think that roughly have of the shop owners here used to be technicians. And the other half used to be something else. I doubt we have anyone here that has nothing but Auto Shop Ownership experience. That being said, I could do without a technicians input on here, if all he brings to the table is just a technicians point of view... After all, I was one of those for about 8 years, and now I'm just doing it while calling myself the boss.

I'll soon be having meetings with a general contractor about plans for my new shop. I'm trying to avoid the Midas design, but that is more so because of my business model. I wan't a more upscale business front, with a shop in the back. 1 enter door, 1 exit door. I also like this for a heated/cooled shop. Also less door maintenance (not sure how much this equates to in dollars per year). Parking would still be outside, probably behind the shop. "more so because of my business model"... For some reason, after I read that I felt like that may come across as 'snoby' or that I feel Midas design is ugly. Not so. Midas design is quick/fast/efficient and profitable. My business model and clientele simply prefer a 'clean' business front. I think it really comes down to personal preference and what type of business you operate. Quick lube lanes will probably call for a 'drive thru' stall. Custom audio/performance shop probably would do better with big wide open work space with fewer entrances and exits...

http://youtu.be/bWVU2NU-Xkw Hope this helps

Congrats!!!! How exciting! Great job on giving the building a 'face lift'. Even greater job on hanging on to that dream for 2 years and not giving up! Look forward to hearing updates on business

When I worked at the dealer, we never checked... But the type of cars that come into aftermarket/independent shops are probably more likely to have leak sealant vs. those that go to the dealer... That being said, I said a little prayer right after I bought my AC machine, praying that I wouldn't get any cars in my shop with a sealant... That's how I protect mine They have some kits out there that just screw on the the service port and create a real tiny leak. If the leak stops, then you know it has sealant... Pretty simple system, I can find the website again with a video if ya need

When I was at the dealer, we got 2 hours to pads and resurface. So a 4 wheel brake job was 4 hours. Front brakes paid 2 hours. Rear brakes paid 2 hours.

Gotta start somewhere, and this way is a lot more affordable. I agree

I'm also interested in this and had a live demo. I'm not really interested in the email advertising (see Gmail and their new filter system) or their mail outs (Hand addressed envelopes seem to work better and are comparative in cost). But I do like the way they break down your customer database into categories with details, maintain your social media accounts, and actively pursue positive online reviews. They also let you see how you compare to other local shops in advertising and other numbers. Joe, I can tell you this. I have spoke with a customer who used to go to another shop and I asked for her opinion on mail outs (thank you notes and reminder cards). She said she had gotten a reminder card from the other local shop and said it looked cheesy/mass production/not personal at all. She said my hand addressed thank you letter and reminder letters that I personally sign looked way better and came off a lot more personal (she kept it and showed it to her friends). I'm 99% sure the other shop was using customerlink.

There is a big difference between posting advice, and posting a problem or question. I, for one, have been a business owner for less then a year. I was a tech for about 8 years before then, and I still refrain from giving out advice at times on here, due just to my lack of experience as an actual business owner. I know the mentality of MOST technicians... It usually goes something like this 'I'm the one who fixes the cars, and the boss just sits in the office, types on the computer, and makes phone calls. He doesn't even know how to work on a car!' Unfortunately, fixing cars is not even half of what goes on in a shop, and chiming in without actual EXPERIENCE of being an Auto Shop Owner can sometimes water down the quality content that gets posted on here. My first post on ASO would be a great example! I posted some images of my mailers, and they SUCKED(and I think I only mailed out 20 the first week)! I had no experience with advertising at that point and it was a shot in the dark. Now that I have worked with a professional company who has experience in advertising and has shown me examples of good pieces, I have sent out a much better mailer. Back then, I would have been the worst person to give out business advice. Back then, I was just a technician. At least now I can give out personal experiences... And many times I just read postings and wait to post any advice, as I'm sure a more seasoned Auto Shop Owner will come along and offer BETTER advice with EXPERIENCE. By no means am I saying a tech shouldn't be allowed to post. I think it's great if they come here for advice. That's exactly why I came here. And like you said, it will probably make them a better employee. It just makes it a little more difficult to find advice on here if we have a 19 year old, quick lube tech, giving us his opinion or advice on how to operate.

Oh man, I think I'll make some pop corn and sit and wait for responses!!!

I should be clear that I have never run one of these oil change specials. I'm only trying to help you find out if it is being profitable for you or not.

Do you replace rotors more than machining them?

I use Mitchell 1. You can track tickets that used certain coupons. Not sure if it will figure ARO of just the cars with certain coupons, but you could easily figure that number yourself. If you're not following up with you customers, you have no excuse.