Elon Block

Mike, I'm aware that Tire Rack is offering that service. Just because they're offering it, doesn't mean that in the event of an accident, they would not be liable. Here's something to consider... All tire manufacturers have clear warranty guidelines and have a section that say something, such as: What is not covered under this warranty? http://www.goodyearautoservice.com/assets/images/img/warrantyicons/GoodyearTireRepWarranty.pdf There's a reason it's worded that way. It's because In the event of an accident, that family's attorney would be suing EVERYONE involved. Then, what happens is: the tire manufacturer's attorneys (and labs) would look at the condition of the tire, see modifications and then, that manufacturer would be wiping their hands of the lawsuit, because modifications were done AFTER it left their warehouse. Because anything that's done to the tire, voids that warranty AND releases that manufacturer from having to reach into their pockets.

Mike, I forgot to mention... And as you're probably aware... Road hazard plans are usually based on tread depth and how long they've owned the tires, so the tire may or may not be free.

Mike, If you're deciding to start using any kind of release of liability, I would strongly recommend you run it by an attorney who specializes in this subject matter because releases of liability these days are not worth much and will give you a false sense of security. As for your other question... When it comes to the public and their understanding of what it costs to maintain a vehicle, they are usually not aware of things such as AWD or 4WD or a high performance Z-rated tire... And how the manufacturers have certain requirements for the vehicle to handle and operate properly. Based on that... here's one way to look at it... If that customer has a tire that is unrepairable due to a road hazard, they would most likely have to purchase 4 tires. If they had purchased the road hazard... at least they would not have to pay full price for the damaged tire - just the other three. In the end, it's really important the customer understands exactly what their options are, including the limitations of how the road hazard coverage would work, in the event of a damaged tire that can't be repaired.

Mike, There are two warranties available on tires. There is the standard mfgrs warranty which covers workmanship and material-related conditions only, meaning if something goes wrong with that tire that's related to how it was built or the materials that were used, the tire would be covered based on the warranty details. Road hazard is a completely separate warranty and is meant to protect the tire against road hazard only. Which means the road hazard warranty is only meant to cover hazards, such as pot hole damage, debris in the road, etc. (basically anything that falls outside of the materials and workmanship mfgrs warranty). The TechNet road hazard is written in pretty standard language, much the same as every other road hazard warranty out there: http://www.techauto.com/Road%20Hazard%20Tire%20Protection%20Plan_Terms%20and%20Conditions_final.pdf When talking about a shaving machine... TechNet clearly states in item #22 that the warranty is voided in the event the tire has been modified. In addition, almost every tire manufacturer I'm aware of has the same exclusion and will not cover the tire for workmanship or material- related conditions because of the modification. Another thing to consider when it comes to the tire shaving machine... it's a good idea for the right application. However, from a legal position, if that vehicle ever got into an accident and it was discovered the tire had been shaved or modified by your shop, in any way, they would come after you. I'm not sure if you found these threads that discussed warranties: http://www.autoshopowner.com/topic/10036-starting-to-sell-tires-and-looking-for-advice/ http://www.autoshopowner.com/topic/9790-selling-road-hazard-warranties/

AJ, What sets your business apart from your competition? In other words, if I were a customer in your area, why would I choose your shop over all the other choices? (The answer to this question is going to drive any marketing you are considering.)

Andre, I have been thinking about your post - ever since you posted it. There's gold in your post and is really the answer to most problems I see. My latest blog post here came as a result of me thinking about you (and other shop owners like you) that have have shifted their thinking and are now reaping the rewards of it: http://www.autoshopowner.com/blog/16/entry-188-attracting-the-best-employees-and-marketing-for-new-customers/ It does take a leap of faith because it's counter-intuitive and contrary to what's typically being suggested to run a successful shop.

Hi everyone, Alex suggested I post in this forum. For those of you that may new to the forum, I have created a blog here with helpful articles and videos: http://www.autoshopowner.com/blog/16-elon-block-sellmoreautoservicecom/ We also have a large archive of free training materials on our website: http://sellmoreautoservice.com/aboutus/ Let me know if we can be of help to you and your business. Elon 410-634-1640

Two of the most common questions I see shop owners asking are centered around 1) How to hire techs and service advisors and 2) What's the best form of marketing for new customers. The better question should be: What's the easiest way to attract these people? The simplest answer is by becoming a magnet by way of your core philosophy. In order to thrive (not just survive), the auto repair business model must be based on a core philosophy of "win-win-win". What that means in action is: 1) The shop understands what the customer really wants... and gives it to them. 2) The shop understands what the employees want... and gives it to them. Only then... can the shop win. Anytime, there is an imbalance of that core philosophy, someone is going to be resentful. Usually this occurs because shop owners have been convinced of "best practices" that are no longer best practices. So, they do not have a predictable, workable system for creating a win-win-win experience for the most important aspects of the business, which are the employees and the customers. What does a win-win-win experience look like? Quite simply, the customers in the area walk away every time they use that shop, telling others.... "That repair shop is the only one I would ever take my vehicles to." And for employees... There is a drawer full of applications of people that want to work there because, "It's a killer place to work!" If this feeling by the people in the community is missing, the shop owner is destined to spend all their time (and money) constantly replacing the customers and employees that feel the relationship is one-sided. There's a big difference in doing things right... and doing the right thing. It requires a shift in thinking. It requires looking at everything from a big picture standpoint, in order to believe "we can ‘do the right thing’ profitably." Once the shift is made... everything gets better - faster and permanently.

Hi everyone, Something happened recently that really pushed my buttons. Weeks later, I'm still angry about it. Not for me. But for all the shop owners, like you, who are trying to build a profitable auto repair business, in today's economy. What gives them the right to decide what you should or shouldn't be told? Here's what happened. I was scheduled to speak at a business conference for auto repair shop owners. This had been on my calendar for months. Two weeks before I was to get on a plane... I got an email from the event coordinator saying, my talk was cancelled. No reason given. Just a one line email saying they had taken me off the agenda. I immediately picked up the phone and called to find out what had happened. I won't bore you will all the details but bottom-line... They told me "It was decided their audience would not appreciate and might even be offended by the information in my presentation." Obviously, they can ban me... But they can't stop me from sharing with you... The truth about... What profitable shop owners know about the courtesy inspection... That struggling shop owners don't know. If you're frustrated that your numbers are not where you KNOW they should be... This short 15 minute video shines a light on the leading cause of mediocre sales and profits and a low ARO. http://sellmoreautoservice.com/what-profitable-shop-owners-know-about-courtesy-inspections/ Just like fixing a car... You have to accurately diagnose what's really causing the problem... Before you can take the steps to repair it. Let me know what questions you have about the video: You can contact me with any questions you have: http://sellmoreautos....com/contactus/ Or pick up the phone and call me at: 410-634-1640 PS It's important this information gets out, so please pass this information on to other shop owners you know could benefit from it. Thanks! Elon http://sellmoreautos...ce.com/aboutus/ "We help under-performing tire and auto repair shops reach their full potential. Full bays. More sales. Increased profits. Guaranteed!"

Hi everyone, What I'm about to tell you will either excite you - or offend you. At first glance, you may think I'm going to talk about a subject that has been hashed and re-hashed. And there couldn't possibly be anything left to say about it. So, you may be tempted to hit your back button and go on about your day. However, if you're like most shop owners I speak with... This is a problem they've been struggling with - for years... And it's still not "handled". As a result, your numbers are not even close to where you know they should be. This video will introduce some things that are rarely talked about regarding your techs, your service advisors, your courtesy inspections... And your customers. Because until we examine this problem up close and personal, the struggle to get paid what you're worth, will continue. You can find Episode 3 on this page (along with the first couple of episodes, in case you missed them): http://sellmoreautoservice.com/secrets-of-building-business-that-runs-on-autopilot/ You can contact me with any questions you have: http://sellmoreautoservice.com/contactus/ Or pick up the phone and call me at: 410-634-1640 Elon http://sellmoreautoservice.com/aboutus/ "We help under-performing tire and auto repair shops reach their full potential. Full bays. More sales. Increased profits. Guaranteed!"

Bob, From my perspective, everything you've mentioned seems to be focused on tech efficiency. Can you clarify how that's related to increasing your ARO? Maybe I'm missing something. What are you trying to do? Are you trying to increase your gross profit? Your tech efficiency? Or something else different?

Hi everyone, I had a conversation with a client yesterday who just discovered he wasn't going to be able to sell his business, at the number he hoped for. A little background: We have only been working with him for 4 months. The original plan was to help him increase his sales and profits and improve his paycheck. Basically, he wanted to put systems in place to accomplish the following things: Increase the sales from $650,000 to a million dollars per year Maximize the gross profit Phase himself out of the day to day business operations He is currently one of the two service advisors and was in the process of interviewing his replacement. His goal for selling the business was 2019. To make a long story short, two weeks ago, he found out that due to an unexpected family situation, he must sell immediately. He was shocked to find out that his business is not worth what he hoped to get out of it, mostly due to a number of factors discussed in these articles: http://www.shopownermag.com/know-shops-sellability-score-part-1/ http://www.shopownermag.com/know-shops-sellability-score-part-2/ The number one factor that decreased the current value of his business is described below: To be valuable to a buyer, your business must be able to succeed and grow without you at the hub of all ­activities, and your employees must be more than mere spokes that cannot operate independently of you. And the more your customers need you and ask for you personally, the harder it is for you to scale back your hours, take a vacation or eventually sell your business. Your business is significantly more valuable if you are successful at building a “brand,” not simply a place where your own reputation and your personal handling of customers is what brings them back. It’s the difference between thinking of yourself as having a “job” that requires you to show up at work to make money, ­versus creating a “business” where the brand is more important than the ­personality of the founder. The majority of buyers who contact me don’t want to be a slave to the business and work every hour that the business is open. In fact, many buyers already own a business and are ­looking to supplement their income by purchasing an additional business where they will provide part-time ­supervision and marketing and business acumen. These buyers will pay a premium for a business that can clearly demonstrate its ability to run ­profitably without the seller as the critical hub. It's interesting to see Art's current listings and see how the performance numbers relate to the listing price for the businesses: https://art-blumenthal.com/ What are your thoughts on the sellability score Art talks about, in his articles?

It's an interesting situation because of the conditioning you mentioned. In other words, almost every shop is promoting a product or a service that is price-related. Then, they get frustrated when customers call for pricing. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with marketing... Because it provides opportunities to add a new customer to your customer base that will now use your shop for all their repair and maintenance needs whether you have a promotion running or not. From my experience, it boils down to: How good is your staff at converting those phone calls or walk-in's, into an appointment? And then, converting them into loyal customers?

Hi everyone! It's ready now... Episode 2 of our new series called, "The Secrets of Building a Profitable Auto Repair Business That Runs On Autopilot!". Are you losing customers to the dealerships? Now that the economy is improving in some areas, more people are buying new cars. That's having an impact on the independent auto repair shops because... Most dealerships have put together aggressive service and maintenance programs for their new car buyers. For example, the dealerships are giving away oil changes... at no charge. It's hard to compete with "no charge". However, looking at things from a "big picture" standpoint allows us to see things, in a different light. In this video, we focus on the "bigger opportunity" that's happening right now... And how to grab your piece of that pie. You can find Episode 2 on this page (along with the first episode, in case you missed it): http://sellmoreautoservice.com/secrets-of-building-business-that-runs-on-autopilot/ Send me a private message with any questions you have. Or pick up the phone and call me at: 410-634-1640 Elon http://sellmoreautoservice.com/aboutus/ "We help under-performing tire and auto repair shops reach their full potential. Full bays. More sales. Increased profits. Guaranteed!"

I'm just curious. Are you saying Michelin is penalizing you for you buying outside their program?

I agree that weather can have an affect when the city is shut down, as a result of snow. But that's usually only a temporary couple of days here and there. Once the streets are clear, it's business as usual. Will some people hold off until February? Yes. But then, your February should more than make up for the few that didn't come in, during the previous month. What that means is... if you keep your eye on one of the most important numbers, which is growing your number of loyal customers... They will still be driving back and forth to work, and wherever else they go, which means they are still going to be due for oil changes, scheduled maintenance, etc. In addition to that, winter months are hard on many of the vehicle systems. Batteries, belts, alignments, etc. They all need attention, which creates an ongoing stream of opportunity for you.

mspec, You're in a populated area and... You are surrounded by dealerships that do not have very good reviews, which puts your shop in a great position to pick up all those customers that are dissatisfied. Cars still need oil services, maintenance and repair work, in the winter. Those vehicles are going to be in somebody's shop. I'm just curious, why do you think business will be falling off for your shop?

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a video that is the first of many I plan to record, in order to answer some of the most common questions I get. The idea to produce these videos came to me, as a result of an article I wrote a few months ago called: "How To Build An Auto Repair Shop That Runs On Autopilot." If you're like many of the shop owners that have contacted me, the idea of having a business that is profitable and runs smoothly with - or without you... Is at the top of their priority list. However, making it happen - is another story. This video may be a missing piece for you so you can start making more sales, increase your profits... And give up the struggle towards having a business that runs on autopilot. Read the article: http://sellmoreautoservice.com/secrets-of-building-business-that-runs-on-autopilot/ Then, watch the video on that page. Contact me with any questions you have: http://sellmoreautoservice.com/contactus/ Or pick up the phone and call me at: 410-634-1640 Elon http://sellmoreautoservice.com/aboutus/ "We help under-performing tire and auto repair shops reach their full potential. Full bays. More sales. Increased profits. Guaranteed!"

Here are a couple of questions for you. What is your wife's role in the business? What are the systems you want them using that they are struggling with? What procedures are you using that don't seem to fit you well?

New announcement from Michelin. Looks like they're getting into the online game with a new and different approach to making it easy for the customer to do business with them. There are a number of interesting things in the website's FAQ's that caught my eye. http://www.moderntiredealer.com/news/story/2015/08/michelin-pilot-program-sells-tires-online-and-offers-concierge-service.aspx Even if you're not a tire dealer, this move is a game-changer, What are your thoughts on this?

All companies trying to sell you their credit card processing services, marketing programs or anything else are using a list they purchased from a list broker. They are not combing the yellow pages. I see your yellow page listing includes a website address. Is your website down?

What do you mean when you say the whole system falls on your shoulders? Can you give me an example of what that looks like?

In June of 2012, I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in a program taught by Michael Gerber himself. My conversations with him about systemizing an auto repair shop drives every single conversation I have with shop owners today. If you look at any of my posts in this forum, any of my articles, videos, etc., the information I share is always based on systems and processes... Because a shop owner's paycheck is hiding in areas that aren't systemized. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about working with "price shoppers", selling alignments or managing your schedule. I am a fanatic about it because once you set up processes - it makes your business run smoother and way more profitable. It also eliminates almost all your stress.

Handson, Have you read "The eMyth" by Michael Gerber? If not, I highly recommend it. This book will change the way you look at your business and your role in your business. Hope that helps.