juanpablo4219

We've been told by the hunter rep that we're supposed to charge more for the calibration of the steering angle/ connect the code link. The computer tells you at the beginning once you put targets and rolled the car.... but you do the update at the end. My though... we're a fairly new business and we're building a brand and name for ourselves...if we don't calibrate the steering angle of the car will drift or not run straight... we charge a flat fee for the alignment and that's it Now at what time we're going the tell the customer that we have to charge them more since their car's steering sensor need to be calibrate... what if the customer says no update?

I am in Brownsville, TX....down south or the upper part of Mexico if you will.... Lol It has been the same for us....our business is a 3 yr old but we still growing as a new business. Our numbers are very low compare to the numbers you guys mentioned... But it's very similar to you al'.....great in March and April and on the avg for Jan & Feb compared to last year. so far no loses yet and we're braking even. We were setting up to do State Inspection with the idea to increase our sales but the Great State of Texas decided to do away with them... now back to the drawing board and see what we can do to increase our sales,,,, ....and let me say this "Hope is not a plan" Regards

We're down in Brownsville, TX. we're in south Texas border with Mexico and it has been a rare year for us, since our shop is a 3yr old. We have been growing and still have a 7% sales increase yr. to date but from late august till now, our monthly sales have been decreasing. We're doing less than last yr. ....and as Joe said keeping positive is the best way. It's slow but this give us the time to convert one of our bays into an state inspection station. this keep us busy and at the same time allow us to continue to provide services wow, and I thought it was just us

We have that equipment and bought it used from a dealership, so far it has worked for us. ....Then again We're a new shop and started with used equipment to build out clientele. It's really hard to start a new business with no customers and have a monthly payment. Now after a year, we make an average of 32 alignments monthly and totally justified the expense of a new one. At this point, we're looking into updating the computer and software and have code link... According to Hunter Sales rep, we still have support for this machines.... Regards

how is the autelmaxi elite with Mercedes, BMW and VW?

Good Day everyone! We just had our 1st Anniversary, Last November 27th. Our shop is focus on Maintenance, Brakes, Suspension Work, and Minor Eng. repairs. We have not done any advertising other than visit different tire shops, Rent a Tire and Discount Tire. Down here in Brownsville, TX the Auto Industry is very competitive, not to mention that we're a border town and the competition is really Mexico, where the prices on labor are "dirt cheap" what I have learned in this year is "Word of a Mouth" is your best advertising. Discount Tire send us their customers for Alignment. What we do for them in exchange is to remove the broken/striped wheel stud for them at low cost(sometimes free) and it works... JP

amen brother!

This is nice to hear and glad that this was brought up. I recently open an automotive services shop and I want to build the next phase/niche of the shop around the off roader and diesel customer. Why you might ask? Well somebody just mentioned it, the small jobs are the bread and butter but the off roaders and Diesel Customers are the big jobs. I am an Off Roader and use a diesel truck to pull my rigs. I agree with moonlight, with the exception that I just started my shop last year.

This is an interesting question, since I am doing it already. I have an alignment shop in Brownsville, TX and it's difficult to sell alignments only. As it is, it's hard to get traffic even though we offer multiple services and we're next to the a main highway. We do suspension work, brakes, alignments, balance tires, oil changes. You have to do more than just Alignments. There's only 2 of us. I do the administrative, sales and find parts and the other person is the Mechanic that does the work. Everything goes well until we have 2 or 3 clients at the same time, then I become the mechanic too. Here's something that I am still trying to figure out, and I suggest you ask yourself the same question. "What's the unique thing/service of your business?" "Why is it that people would want to come and do Alignments with you?" I believe the success of the business will be the uniqueness and I am sure there are other shops around the area doing Alignments too. In my business plan, I considered one year to build the clientele and then we move to the next step, hire another mechanic that does diesel work. He would be in charge of the commercial size trucks. So far we have done good but what really makes the money is the suspension work and engine work. Hopefully this helps

If you have the customers that drive those cars on your post let me congratulate you! In this part of the country(Brownsville, TX) those are the paying customers but that type of customer is very demanding and also like to invest in their cars. keep in mind, they show them up and the vehicle gives them the looks and the personality. In other words, these customers will pay for repairs in their cars, which makes worth while the investment in the diagnostic equipment. Regards, JP

First thing first, I am not a mechanic! I own an automotive service/suspension/alignment shop. I am more of a service writer than a Mechanic. we have mechanics that do work. ...That doesn't mean that I don't know the work or how a vehicle should function properly. ... a lot of customers call asking for a quote on certain things that another shops/ or mechanics couldn't fix. I usually tell'em that they need to bring it in to take a look at the car ourselves and try to solve the their problem instead of what the other shops said that could not be fix. we like to solve and focus on their problems, what they want fix. An example for instance the owner of a 2010 Toyota sequoia was told that his rear suspension can't be aligned, this is coming from one of the Toyota dealerships. Here's our Lil' humble shop did it for the customer. It leaves a lot to say about the "Mechanics" that the dealerships has, not to mention the rate they charge for them. Here's another one this is from firestone... our Customer went to get an alignment and somehow he ended up with new tires too! The lil' Subaru was still pulling to the passenger side when I test drove it and it wasn't because the tires. The "firestone mechanic" told him that he needed an axel shaft to be replace to solve the issue of the car pulling to the side. Oh, and we saw no signs of that car been touch to adjust the toe. Again, I am not a Mechanic but I know how to do the work, determine what's wrong with the car and sell the job. oh and again the Mechanic does all the work. I am an accountant by profession, held jobs of Dir. of Operations of an International Bridge, Business Consultant and a Mechanic by Hobby. Why not a full time Mechanic? The grease on my hands daily don't go with me. Lol!