Chuy Reyna

One of my goals this year is to "Brand" the shop and really push my marketing! One of the local attorneys in town is using a billboard and he said it's the best move he's made for marketing. My shop is In a small town of about 25k population. There is about 5 large "poster" boards around town, Once you pull into town about 1 mile before our shop there's a billboard, Our shop is on one of the main streets in town behind a gas station(hidden) The land lord will not let me put up a big sign on the road. So the alternative, is billboards?? My question is, has anyone ever used one?? If so, do they work? It's pretty expensive, 800 a month.

I just recently stumbled across this article http://www.ratchetandwrench.com/RatchetWrench/May-2014/Mobile-Marketing-through-Text-Messages/index.php?utm_source=KnowledgeMarketing&utm_medium=RW%20Newsletter%20Emails&utm_term=RCHT%20-%20Monthly%20"In%20This%20Issue"%20Newsletter&utm_content=RW-Monthly-Newsletter-20140501&utm_campaign=This%20month%20in%20Ratchet%20Wrench&eid=221267980&bid=860925& Has any one used a company like this? Do you feel its bombarding customers? I currently use BoltOn Tech, but you cant use their texting feature for mass messages. Looking for new ways to communicate with customers, it seems like "Email" is a dying form of marketing. People get 20-25 Emails a day, and just hit the delete button, including myself.

We can all relate to this

Let's bring some laughter to the forum.

Thanks Joe! Happy new year!!!!

I wish I would had a better coach with ATI, my experience wasn't the greatest. Brian H is who I would've preferred.

That's funny!!! I'll have to sing it to my techs on Mondays meeting... Lol.

I'd be glad to be a part of this group. I love speaking to shop owners! We are the only ones that understand each other.

In my opinion you're never to busy to clean up your work area. The more organized/clean you are the faster you can crank out work.. I was once a tech and I made it a point to clean up after myself. I also have that problem at the shop. I implemented a policy and designated work areas and trash cans for my techs. The policy states- If you're area isn't clean, you will not receive your bonus on Monday. If it doesn't hurt their pocket, they won't change. I also told them that I provide them with a clean restroom, they should provide me with a clean work area!!

Like it isn't hard enough to be a shop owner! A start up company "Otobots" has allocated funds to start "yourmechanic.com." As a shop owner I disapprove of a company like this, we run honest businesses, and this company is trying to cut our throats! How can we unite and take a stand?? The link to the artical I came across. http://www.dailydot.com/technology/otobots-uber-car-repair-on-demand/ Here is a link to the site https://www.yourmechanic.com

I love the proactive approach! I will differently be following this guide line. Thank you for sharing!!

What would you do? Would you keep your shop? Invest in it? Open a new location? Or just sell yours? http://nypost.com/2014/09/05/auto-shop-owner-finds-winning-2-9m-lottery-ticket-in-his-truck/

Richard, That's a great idea, but I tired that. Trust me I've talked to many shop owners about this, I didn't want all this training, uniforms, etc, relationships she built with customers to go down the drain. I truly now believe the "selling high" has to be in you! If you don't get up and jump, and have a smile across your face when you make a great sale, then your not fit for the position.

Thanks!!!

This will not affect how I pick my new advisor. I have a list of potential advisors, I always have a active ad for techs and advisors.. I just feel like I need to step in, bring the shop moral back up. I miss my customers, and the rush of when I sell a big ticket! I'll start interviewing soon, I'll get tired of not getting lunches real fast!! I love the active members!! This is a really good auto shop owners forum!