Southards

My routine is this, and so far it works for us and the customer... When a customer comes in or calls to schedule an alignment, I ask all the usual questions as to why they are requesting this service. This let's them know that 1) Their car and information matters 2) I am understanding the problem, which sometimes isn't even an alignment issue, they just didn't know that, and 3) My tech. knows WHY he's doing it and what to look/watch for. I explain to all customers, if a car comes in and we take the time, tools and technology to check their vehicles and if there are repairs necessary prior to an alignment, and they decline the nec. repairs, there is a $49.00 INSPECTION charge. I am very upfront about this and there is never a dispute. As my husband reminds me, years ago at a seminar he was taught that as a professional you charge for your knowledge, your labor/time and your tool investment. I feel that too many of the post's above don't see the value in their knowledge. I too will never do an alignment if the vehicle needs work and the customer isn't able to pay for that work, on top of the alignment. I also do show & tell whenever possible, I think it's huge to bring a customer back into the shop and let my tech. explain what he has found. The customers who have the time to do this come away with a clear understanding of what's going on. They also understand, because I explained it during setting the appointment, that there is going to be the inspection charge if they can't afford to do a complete repair and alignment. I will provide them with a completed quote, send a thank you card and I'd say that 6 out of 10, budget and prepare for the complete job at another time. We had to order a new Hunter machine that will be showing up in boxes this week. This new machine is going to cut our alignment time in half, that's more profit in the bank. I am very excited to advertise our new and improved tool, now having to decide about raising our rate. We currently charge $85.00.

I have been using TABS Autobiz for 4 years now and it's outstanding. The support is instant, whether you chat or remote online help, they're right there! Very complete. I would highly recommend them any day.

Wondering how long ago you purchased your machine and about how much $$. Looking into purchasing. Anyone reading this post that uses leak detector machines, please feel free to leave your advice, comments and opinions. All are welcome, thanks

Thats a crack up. I took it seriously (for a minute).

I have been a user of TABS software since Nov 2009. I find it to be outstanding for my needs, www.tabsautobiz.com. There you can run the demo and check it for yourself. The staff and customer service is excellent, always get a live person, in the one location. They can log on to your computer and walk you through any dilemmas. Try them, if you go with them, please mention our shop as the referral.

My main guy has been with us for just over 20 years, no smoking or partying. Other guy (younger kid) been with us for just about 3 years, has only been out sick maybe 3 times, also clean. Just fortunate I guess.

I have one emp. who uses his cell multiple times during the day, or at least is looking at it. As it turns out sometimes a lot of his Hispanic customers prefer to contact him directly to make appt's. Though, I know, even if I can't understand what he is saying, that the call can be personal. I let him know that the cell phone is not welcome and I don't want it to interfere with business. It can really get annoying. Luckily I have no smokers, did once in the past. He could have a smoke brake at lunch, off the property. He was cool with it, and I don't like cigarettes, so we were all happy. :-)

Everyone can stop reprimanding me for my initial feelings. No, I don't need to contact an attorney, that's ridiculous, it was a fricken broken head light and a dented fender, not a fatality. We came to a very good resolve and the customer is good.

Those were the ideas he and I had as well. I have ordered the parts, the lens is $100 and the fender was $150, both used but clean. He does body work sometimes at his house for friends, he suggested from the beginning that he do the work. I am adding the alignment, even though the tire had no impact, just for the customers peace of mind.

Our tech has been with us for over 20 years, he's a good guy. The last accident he had was more than 8 years ago. The road he was on is more of a steep county road, not well maintained, lot's of trees, dark, and it was raining hard that evening (4:30ish) keep in mind this was December. I am not sure but I think he may have been on his cell at the time, can't prove it, don't care at this point. The customer is great, she is really cool about it. I suggested to her that we get the nec. parts, install them, check the alignment and make it all good, she was totally fine with that. She is very laid back, she didn't even want to deal with the car stuff till the second week in January. My main question is this... I think my tech should pay for the parts. There is no insurance involved at this point because they wanted to total the car, take it away from her and give her a check for $2300. I was so pissed when that was suggested, all because of a headlight and a fender. Need feed back. My upbringing taught me to fix my mistakes and be responsible for my screw-ups.

So, just before Christmas our main tech was test driving a finished vehicle. Being an overheating issue, he wanted to put it under pressure and choose to go up a nearby steep road. It was a rainy dark day and even darker due to being closer to closing time. When he returned he showed me that he had had a dog run out in front of him and he swerved to miss it. This sent the right front fender and headlight against the side of the embankment and crunched both. I sent him back to find the address and the "dog", under ins. policies, if a homeowners' animal causes an accident, that homeowner is responsible. Now it's later and darker, and he says the dog isn't around and not sure at what curve of the road the impact happened. Here's is main problem.... Insurance said the car would be considered a total because the estimate from the body shop for a lens, fender and bumper (that it did not need) exceeded the blue book value. This is not acceptable to me or my customer, it's actually completely ridiculous! I can get the parts (lens and fender), my mechanic can install both and include an alignment, but I am expecting my mechanic to pay for the parts. I am sure many of you are gasping at my selfishness right now, but when does it come back to "YOU SCREWED IT UP, YOU FIX IT"! As I said, I was going to turn it into my insurance, but that backfired.

We are in a small town before you head off into the redwoods, you could say we are in a remote location. It would be amazing if we could do 4-5K per week in tires!! If I do 2k we're kickin' butt. As far as the TPMS, we do not replace anything on them, and have never had one issue of a come back. The customers quoting us are very tight fisted and so many shops in and around our town do EVERYTHING FREE, drives me crazy (IDIOTS). If I have to do something out of necessity, I show the customers the concern and explain and they're cool about it.

I signed up with TABS auto Biz one year ago this month. We have owned this business for 15 years and have been "rock & chisel" all along. I think I learned about TABS from someone on this sight and I couldn't live without it. I call the TABS office anytime I have a question and/or suggestion, which can be weekly, they are awesome. Very helpful and can log in on my computer to look at what I am having trouble with or trying to create. For a start up fee, and $70.85 a month, it has made me a lot of money. You will not regret connecting with them. If you do, mention our name.

That is friken hilarious! I can't stand "that guy". If Sum Guy is so dam amazing, why didn't he finish the job in the first place? Sum guy usually sounds like a quitter to our shop. And good luck trying to convince the customer that Sum Guy doesn't know what the hell he's babbling about and that your Mechanic Guy needs to properly diagnose the problem, and YES there is a charge for my time! I think we all want to have a conversation with this idiot. I have found that most of the time, Sum Guy is the local tow truck driver (wanna-be mechanic) that poisons my customers mind with what he decided the problem is. Then you spend the next 20 minutes explaining to the customer that HE DRIVES A TOW TRUCK and shouldn't be diagnosing mechanical problems.

There is one shop in town, does not provide towing service, that is an AAA approved shop. He get's all first shots at all tire work and mechanical repairs. I thought it took more than just 300 names. Can't find any direct info for details to sign up. Any links anyone?

No, not signed up with either.

I really appreciate the ideas! We tried replacing the crank sensor. Engine would still start up, run for about 5 secs. then quietly turn off. I will have him take a look, if he hasn't already.

My tech replaced the oil pump. When he starts the engine, it does turn over, it does start, for about 5 seconds. The engine sounds great, then it just turns off just as if we turned the key. Some keys have a chip, as with our personal truck, my key has not been programed and therefore when I turn on my husbands truck with my unprogramed key, the engine starts for about 3-5 second and then turns off. Same with this Camry. In checking on the internet, people talked about alarm systems for this year, make & model.

Duh - 1996 Toyota Camry Le, 209,212 miles, 2.2

Heres the deal...... Only installed a new oil pump. Put it all back together, no troubles, now it's as if it has an anti-theft kill start is preventing getting this pile out of our shop. We have tried replacing the computer and a multitude of other things. Completely at a loss. HELP!

Wondering what the general opinion and guideline is regarding employee's working on their vehicle at your shop when not on the clock? In my case, the shop is dead and this employee had an unexpected day off, because the shop is dead. Tickets need to be sold for the roller coaster ride I've been on with my workload. Every single day and week are drastically different from the last.

Good point regarding the quick ones, didn't consider that. Any one else out there with more thoughts!!

I think this is a no brainer. There is absolutely no reason why your shop should have to pay for anything that is rusted, previously cracked, or any other similar situation. What I do do in that similar situation is put the estimate together first and then call the customer. The thing I really feel good about is explaining the situation and encouraging them to come down to the shop and give them a tour of their car. 9 out of 10 customers are able, appreciative and interested in learning how things look and work. Once this visit happens they always understand that this was no fault of ANYONES. Stuff happens, can't always avoid it. Now they also have gained a little insight to what a mechanic can come across when it starts out to be a typical brake (or whatever) job, and have some knowledge of how things work. Not to mention the level of trust you build with this customer is PRICELESS. That is exactly what referalls are made of! Now, if we screw up and we brake something, it is entirely our fault, of course I pay for that, sometimes the mechanic steps up and reimburses me for the part. I have a great couple of guys on my crew.