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Posts
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Joined
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Last visited
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Days Won
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CMillet86 last won the day on August 3 2017
CMillet86 had the most liked content!
Business Information
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Business Name
Millet's Automotive
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Business Address
1004 South Main Street, Piqua, Ohio, 45356
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Type of Business
Auto Repair
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Your Current Position
Shop Owner
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Automotive Franchise
None
- Website
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Banner Program
None
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Participate in Training
No
Recent Profile Visitors
CMillet86's Achievements
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Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
I'm working on the waiting room right this minute, I cleaned it up immensely. Looks like a whole new place actually. Cleaning the shop is always a ongoing project, but something I'm also working on. I've already spoken to my website guy about shifting the focus of the website, that will take place in the next couple weeks. The google reviews I will make a point of to get, just need to figure out how to do it in a way that I feel comfortable. I understand the Yes man mentality, at the same time I have to say no more in my opinion. To keep jobs that I think are going to be unprofitable out of here. -
Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
The website is honestly an afterthought. It's something that I've neglected because I've mostly just forgotten about it. I'm terrible at soliciting reviews. Both are things I'm going to actively work on going forward. The waiting room needs work. I tend to try and tackle too many things at once and fail to accomplish most of them. When I'm slow I can focus on doing things a certain way, when It does get busy I have a bad habit of throwing everything out the door. -
Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
While I do a fair amount of that stuff, 90% of my work is normal service work. I have been doing a little marketing towards standard crowds as I'd call them. I haven't seen much difference in it though. -
Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
I figured I'd come in and reply to this. I'm sure as shop owners we all have ups and downs. Earlier this year was definitely a down time. I did take a job working at an R&D place, it lasted all of 2 weeks. I've been back in the shop since, making a go of it. I'm still struggling but have been able to do some things to allow me to keep going. -
Dedicated alignment lift or 2 post with stands?
CMillet86 replied to J.P. GLENN's topic in Automotive Shop Tools & Equipment
I have the stands, but I only have a small 2 bay shop. They do take a long time to set up correctly but It's a tradeoff for me until I can get more space. -
CMillet86 started following I Just Don't Get It - How do ya leave your car at a shop for months? , Dedicated alignment lift or 2 post with stands? , How busy are you guys? and 3 others
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How busy are you guys?
CMillet86 replied to Framingham Auto Service's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
I'm feeling the same as xrac, I'm a state over from him. Very soft right now. Trying to ramp up affordable marketing solutions. -
Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
The Engine Dyno & machine shop is technically a separate business. I do run a chassis dyno, but that is one reason I've been floundering, it's not making any money. My biggest issue's are marketing and me. When I do get busy I get behind as a one man auto repair shop. My car count only averaged 21 a month last year, now I have a high ARO at $508 for the last year, but profit margin wasn't there. I only averaged 26% on parts last year. I try not to cut my prices, but in my town it seems like everyone is selling parts at cost and only running a $65hr labor rate. I'm at $70 and trying to make a minimum of 40% on parts and everyone keeps telling me how high I am. -
Some People Are Cut Out For This
CMillet86 replied to CMillet86's topic in Business Talk - How's your shop doing?
Not to clutter his thread, but I'm struggling to stay profitable. I'm a solo operation, but I can't get above 10K gross, which is barely putting $200 a week in my pocket by the time parts and overhead are paid. -
Wow, some people are really cut out for this. I've been doing it in my 2 bay shop since 09, and I think it's time to close the doors.
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This is going to be more a common issue in the coming years.
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Bypassing The Local Parts Warehouse
CMillet86 replied to totalautocare's topic in Automotive Parts & Suppliers
I'm sure there is money to be had not buying from the chain stores, the problem is, if you have an issue from one of those warehouses, how do they respond? You pay more for a part, but you also pay for the service, granted the service may not always be great, but hopefully they take care of you in a way that a warehouse can't.