Dr.Dave

You can change the pump oil // make sure lines are not restriced . This unit has a smaller pump on it they make strnger pumps 4cfm or better.

I may be selling a pump if you decide you need it. try changing pump oil first

Oh sorry you ment stronger pump.

You can change the pump oil // make sure lines are not restriced . This unit has a smaller pump on it they make strnger pumps 4cfm or better.

I may be selling a pump if you decide you need it. try changing pump oil first

Hey thanks .Whats a stringer pump? I looked inside and theres a big black refridge looking pump made by Americold.Are you saying that that one doesn,t do the vacum?Because I thought I read somwhere else that that type of pump/compressor wasn,t going to do much vacum.And I also thought I read somewhere that these recovery uints had a seprate pump.But what does the other pump look like ?Is it real small?I,ll have to look againAnd Where canI find a pump.You mentioned you might have one?

Hey I bought a used Snap On Eco 134 recovery machine .It won,t vacum past about 18 and slow to recover .Some vacum is felt but not much.Any Ideals on what to do.Will a pump from somthing else work?

Yes this is a very stimulating topic. This is what this forum is all about; the free exchange of ideas and opinions. Thank you for initiating it.

 

Now back to the topic. It most certainly is not baiting. I would not resort to that. If you knew me better you would never suggest that.

 

Maybe, I’m not explaining myself correctly. We explain all the expected charges up front. We never, never, Never, NEVER say we offer a free diagnosis or free analysis. We don’t market it that way or advertise it that way. And with regular customers, the issue never comes up.

 

Now, let me try to re-visit this again: A customer arrives at the front counter and says: “My check engine light is on, how much to fix it.” Our upfront policy WAS to tell the customer the analysis charges and sell it. We then explained that after the analysis, we would discuss the repair.

 

The problem with this is that some customers see no value in this because we really do not know what is happening with the car before we do some sort of scan. There is also a fear about the total cost of the job (analysis plus repair). Plus my advisors were spending too much time educating the customers. Most of time they did go for the analysis, but I can tell that some customers had some issues.

 

So we came up with this strategy. If we feel that there is an issue, we offer the customer a complimentary scan to get a direction where we need to go. We fully explain that depending on what we see with the scan you will be looking at “X” amount for the analysis fee. And after the analysis is done, we will discuss the repair. We have an easier time with this stadegy and the customer feels like we are looking out for his best interest.

 

We try to see this from the customer’s point of view.

 

As for you scenario of my customer out of town; this industry is so all over the map, I can be worried about what may happen in that case. We get challenged on procedure every day, because there are no standards.

 

You propose standards, that’s all well and good, but that will take some doing to accomplish, if it is even possible.

 

Does this make better sense?

Hey great subject along the same lines when you sell the repairs is your tech always right or fix the whole problem.I,ve been a tech for 25+ years I thought I had a good understanding of electrial and OBDII always had good luck.But lately I had 2 vechiles that apperently had multiple problems with lean conitions both I found a large vacum hose split.I fixed it and cheaply sent the vechile s down the road but the light came back on 15-20 miles down the road.1 was a MAF sensor and the other a tune valve in the intake.Since then I beleive I could drive longer and look a fuel trims more closley.But the question I,m posing is do you some how leave the repair side open as far as we need to fix the obvious vacum leaks first

Have you calculated what all of your fixed costs are: taxes, insurance, telephone, utilities, rent, etc. How much are wages, employment taxes, any health insurance, etc. What is the bare minium you need to have monthly to survive? As a rule of thumb you should be able to generate $10,000-$12,000 per bay per month with proper staffing.

When you say 10-12K out of each bay is that a gross? labor and parts? and rule to follow that may sugest how much part may be sold comaped to labor?

Calculating your fixed costs and variable costs is the best way to start. You need to sit down and start doing some calculations to see what you need to break-even. This number is key because you goal is not to break-even but to make a profit.

 

I suggest sitting down with your accountant to project these costs. It is vital from the very start that you understand and know the numbers of the business. Also, I recommend tracking these numbers.

 

Because this is a start-up, you may not know what your sales will be. Do not fall into the trap of giving the farm away to attract business. This will only bring in the wrong kind of consumer. I do, however, recommend Grand Opening Specials at a discounted price.

 

Are you planning on having a Grand Opening Event? When I opened my new facility last year I had a big grand opening event which actually gave me momentum that lasted throughout the summer.

Can you give me some ideals for a grand opening and its specials?

Hey guys yoy all been a big help.I,m opening a new shop next month .Its a 2 bay shop and I don,t really know exactly how much I need to do to keep on top.Is ther a goal I could work towards ? I know every bodys over head will differ so this is real general And I don,t know all the expensies that I will occur every month So if I break it down I guess I,m asking what kinda paid outs do yuo occur and what would be your labor goals and how much profit on parts would you expect on that labor generally and if you recomrnd and report articals clases or counsolers?

I was wondering with all the cheap oil change specail out there .When a co. offeres a low price is that out the door price + tax if your state has sales tax.Do you add whasher fluid at that low price ? how about other fluids ? Were do you draw the line?Do you ever a higher level lof that would include fluid or a better filter or oil?Well oil of coarse synthetic always cost more.But I was thinking that I hate to use the cheapest filter I can buy because I would use them myself,but you can,t make a cheap lof without using the most inxspensive filter.Should I suck in my beliefs for the sake of business I will but is there a alturnetive?I,d like to hear from some of you out there in the real business world.

Hey guys I need some help I,m opening a shop for the first time.Ive been a tech 25+ years but only worked the front counter very limited.I know this may sound stupid but I, was wondering if some of you could take afew minutes and give me the run down.Now I know some are using Alldata or Mitchel orRO Writer or simalar so some processes may differ.But say a costomer comes in you open your program and write a RO then it prints out on a printer ,is it specal paper? is it a specal printer? they sign it it goes to the tech and down the line to where the costomer picks up is there a reciept printed out in the end ?And what about a cash register?Would it be a register that ties in with the PC your using to write your RO,s? and is tha t diffrent program?Any support you can give would be greatly appricated I feel that I should already know all this.I have not bought a PC ,cash register ,printer or program yet this whole department has not been adressed yet I still have a month or so before opening ,but time goes fast thanks

As Joe mentioned, keeping up with technology is vital to our success. Regarding the comments on TPMS and N2, I'd like to emphasize how extremely important understanding the technology really is. In our training classes we always stress the importance of not only know how to do it correctly, but also why a particular process or procedure is necessary. I think we all have little respect for the technician that won't take the time to research and get training for a service, before blasting into it.

 

Regarding Nitrogen, some of the comments above are correct... N2 has virtually zero moisture and therefore is the perfect companion for TPMS. No matter how many dryers you put after a compressor, within economic reason of what a shop can spend, you will never get close to what Nitrogen can do for you. Additionally, the older generator systems did not create as pure of a gas as they do now. Our newest unit can produce 12 cfm with 99.75% moisture free gas and at a purity of about 99%. You can not afford to buy bottles when this type system is now available. (I.E. The cost per vehicle is only about .50 cents with a new style generator, whereas the cost of bottled N2 can be as high a $4 per vehicle.)

 

When you discuss why someone would want to sell Nitrogen, think about it as service but more so as a tool to bring the customer back to the shop. What is the number one item that "needs" on going service, although most drivers don't every think about it? The answer is of course tire pressure! So forget the cost of getting into Nitrogen, the customer will come in more often and that gives you the opportunity to sell other services. Additionally, if you don't have Nitrogen available, how will you service vehicles that come in with it? You won't be able to balance, rotate, align, etc and that could put you out of business on some services.

 

NOTE: "A recent study by the European division of tire maker Bridgestonefound that 93.5 percent of cars in Europe have under-inflated tires, wasting some 2.14 billion gallons of high-priced, polluting fuel every year. Analysts believe that a similar percentage of North Americans are driving around on under-inflated tires as well."

What an opportunity for shops that are on the ball!

GWR has taken the wide approach and has developed simple systems for small shops staring at only about $500, so there is really no boundary to having this service at every shop. We likewise have the most advanced N2 systems on the planet, if your operation wants the fastest and most economical service options.

www.PremierNitrogen.com

Regarding the Road Hazard Protection Programs there were seveal comments, so this may help clarify. Factory direct resale Motor Clubs are greatest value to come along for the shop, since disc brakes. You can use it in a multitude of ways to further enhance the value of your operation and to again, bring the customer back to the shop more often. I constantly try to teach owners they need to use their head and not their hands to make a shop more profitable, Nitrogen and Motor Clubs are some of the newest and easiest ways to do this.

i.e. Some scenarios where our Premier Motor Club "ERA" cards can be used...

 

1. Mrs. Jones, you have been a loyal customer for 10 years and I want to say thank you again. Additionally I'd like to give you a valuable gift that I believe should be in every drivers wallet or purse, our Premier Motor Club program. I know you drive alone sometimes so I would feel better knowing that you are protected and that you have away to easily get your car towed back to us if any unexpected trouble occurs.

 

2. Mr. Smith, your brake service today is going to be a little more extensive than we initially discussed, here is what my technicians found after inspection...... I realize this is more than you anticipated so we would like to give you a free gift, to help offset some of the additional costs. Our Premier Motor Club will bring you a full year of protection, just like AAA, but will in addition give you up to $150 worth of tire replacement protection and an additional10 miles of towing. This is our gift to you for your patronage and loyalty over the years.

 

3. Joe, I understand you are concerned about the repair bill for the new cooling system as it was unexpected. Unfortunately we need to replace the radiator, water pump and hoses to get you back on the road. If we could add in a valuable, unique, vehicle protection program for no additional cost would you be OK with allowing us to do the work today? Our Premier Motor Club offers you services that companies like AAA charge over $100 for, or don't offer at all. Not only does ours have unlimited battery jumps, key lockout service, gas and fluid deliveries, tire repairs and more, it also has additional free towing miles and $150 worth of free tire replacment. And again, we would be included this free of charge with your repair.

4. At the end of the one year term, the customer will get an email letting them know their Premier Motor Club is about to expire and that they should being the vehicle back in for a courtesy inspection and renewal. This gives the shop an additional opportunity to have the car in their shop and to hopefully sell additional service it may need. If nothing is wrong or required at that time, you can simply sell them a new card at what every priced you want to charge.

 

How can you put a price on this type of marketing support? It would easily be worth ten to twenty times what it costs. Based on the groups participation and support, we would like to offer a special reduced minimum initial order on the activation cards. We normally require a shop be involved with the Nitrogen program or purchase 50 minimum, but for this trial deal we would set up 15 cards at just $8.95 each. This would be a great way to try out the program while investing very little initial money.

 

www.PremierMotorClub.com

Regarding the TPMS, everyone will be doing this service for years to come, so we all need to understand it. In our classes with have found it imperative to use manuals for the specs on the various sensors, and not to rely on memory. For example, we just concluded a training class arranged for one of the largest UTI center in America, not only for for the students but mainly for the teachers. Most everyone was unfamiliar with the true workings of TPMS and found they really needed this class presented by our certified TPMP teacher from TIA (Tire Industry Association). We extensively use and recommend a particular TIA guide I want all of you to get, before you attempt to dive into this service. Please follow the link and read more about it...

 

TirePressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Relearn Chart

 

 

Everyone must understand that there is a procedure and science to these parts and you can not haphazardly start working on them without training. Of bigger interest is the fact that you will be working on more TPMS than you can imaging in just the next year or less. Why? Take a look at the statistic and you will understand what is just around the corner for shops and service centers. Adding up the installed TPMS systems since the mandate in 2007 to the few miscellaneous models using them before that time and you come up with about ¼ billion sensors. As if that's not staggering enough about ¼ of those will need to be replaced in the next 12 months due to battery failure, they are near or over their 5 year life expectancy. Are you ready? Just using simple math the numbers are $20,000 to $50,000 worth of new sensor business for every shop in America, this year alone.

 

If you don't have the training and specification sheets, the right learnand reset tools, along with a simple and easily accessible inventory at your finger tips... will you be able to tap into this incredible revenue source? I again like to mention we would be happy to help the members of the group with free training and special prices on all the needed relearn equipment, our new universal TPMS sensors and clone tool, plus our reseal replacement hardware kits.

 

www.ateqTPMStool.com

 

www.universalTPMSsensor.com

 

I hope this information is useful, please call me if you would like to talk more about any of the above items.

Gary

 

1(800)266-4497

www.GWRauto.com

[email protected]

 

 

P.S. Here are some more of the the technical problems associated withTPMS service.

 

Since the trend in factory wheels is to eliminate the outer flange for appearance, technicians will have to use tape weights to dynamically balance tire and wheel assemblies. The inside flange hasn't changed (yet) so any computer balancer can easily perform a static balance, but ride disturbances are easier to identify with modern suspensionsystems so the likelihood of comebacks is higher using that approach. As if the slowdown from handling sensors isn't enough, dealerswithout advanced balancing equipment that makes tape weights easier to install will be forced to add a few more minutes to each set offour tires. That's just the start of the equipment list that every dealer will have to follow in order to handle TPMS. For instance, the growing number of sensor monitoring/recalibrating tools will play an important role in every operation. A dealer must know if the sensoror TPMS was transmitting and operational before a technician touched said vehicle and notify the customer. It's equally important to know that the system remains operational after the service has been completed and communicate that with the consumer.

Then there's the fact that each vehicle manufacturer uses a different everything! From grommets and o-rings to replacement sensors, there are very few, if any, consistencies between domestic and foreign automobiles. To make matters worse, each individual manufacturer has multiple configurations and recalibration procedures within their own models. So the bottom line is nothing is standardized, except for the fact that all valve stem sensors use a special nickel-plated valve core. The special valve core is the only component or procedure that is standard for all valve stem sensors. Dealers will have to refer to the vehicle manufacturer for all TPMS service requirements after that. While this dependence on the car makers and lack of standardization seems troubling, there is good news on the horizonfor TIA members and the industry. General Motors had a representative attend the Tires at Two seminar for TPMS during the Performance Tires & Wheels/SEMA Show and he provided everyone, including myself, with valuable information. He made an excellent point when hecommented that from the standpoint of GM, it's in their best interest for independent tire dealers to have the correct information on TPMS because it ultimately affects customer satisfaction with a new vehicle purchase. TIA is utilizing the contacts within GM to help establish an on-going relationship with all of the new car and sensor manufacturers so we can make sure our members have the proper guidelines for each model year as soon as they are available.

 

'TIA'snew TPMS Training Program is just the start of the learning processand members who jump on board right away will be better prepared to service the tires and wheels of the future before the "future" is actually here.' byKevin Rohlwing (TIA)

Great info Gary what do you have starting at $500?

So, if new customers come in for nitrogen air becuase they here you have it, they get it free too? I guess is a form of marketing, but I need to think it through a little more.

No I,m not sure who's giving it away? They pay for the sevice first, or its thrown in with a road side assistance package.In order to sell somthing bigger and entice them to keep coming to you .You can limit the free nitro to a set time or that tire or only with a service .You make your own deal

Let me understand this: the shop sells the nitrogen fill for "X" amount and what happens to future refills or pressure adjustsments during a routine LOF service? Is it free from then on? And, what if tire centers give it away? How will that impact smaller shops?

 

I glad this has not hit my area yet!

From my understanding (I,ll find out the details Mon. and post anything diff.) You pay for the inital service or throw it in to sweeten the deal,or use the road side asstance membership (that costs you about $10 a card) to sweeten or get more money out of a service.Then any air adjustments is no charge for what ever lenght of time you think will work.Now the people will come back to you for services thinking that the Nitro is free if they need it or any flat repairs too .Just another way to get the costomer thinking of you.

When I was working for Honda a few years ago, they told us to avoid the Nitrogen fills because some of the poor quality systems were not getting all the moisture out causing the TPMS sensors to rust and ruining the sensors. If you didn't know, TPMS was required by the Feds on every car 08 and newer if I am not mistaken so if you haven't invested in the computer software/hardware to work on these systems, you will have to soon enough. I have started looking myself for the best option for me.

I'm not saying I'm for or against it but I can tell you by design air out of your compressor will always have oil and water in it thats why we use seperators that do not take it all out .How many times have you felt water out yor impact gun.If you rent tanks the nitro will be close to pure no moisture 99.9% the genarators are said to be the same .It starts with your air suply and is forced thruogh filters.I don,t see how you could be getting water but if you did couldn,t you add seperators for added protection?

I agree, some things take off on their own. It's almost like a fad. It the public starts to think of this a benifit or safety feature, they just might be more inclined to pay for it. I also think that including it with some sort of package makes sense. If a shop can tie it into a maintenance package to get the customer to return to your shop, that would even better.

Ya the more I find out about it its really not just the initial service (that I don.t thinks theres tons of profit ?) but its the costomer will get free nitrogen in that set of tires for the tires life.That means that when they get a nail in it they will come to you first or all there services because we always ck tire inflation and if there low we can nitro them up for free

Hey I was wondering about a ideal I had in the back of my head ,not sure if it would work or shoot me self in the foot.Was wondering about lowering the labor rate for cars with high milage to atract more buisness.Do you think it would just get confusing,or attract the wrong costomer?or just be a problem because there old cars and you could run into unforseen problems or may be it might work by just using a discount on a certain milage?

I have another question about some thoughts about what I saw on ATI tele semiar.I guess I am thinking of attending a class but am wondering if these ideals are going to work here.Chubby was talking about attracting people that spend on maintance and not attrack the peo[ple that won,t.I,m sorry this topic may be too broad I,m just wondering in this market if anybody had some fundementals you could share.You see I,m opening a 2 bay shop in Hagerstown Md where the income maybe some what low its about 65 mile west of D.C I just saw a small shop about 2 blocks from me advertise $45 a hour.I,ve asked around $65 seems to be the going price although I heard another may be a $50.I was hoping for $65 my self.I(s this guy really at $45? or is it a trick ?How can I compete?How would the best methods to look for the costomers I want in this market?

I just sat throughChubby"s tele phone semiar at ATI .One thing ha talked about was looking at everything as a maintance service.Particuraly concentrating on pre schedualling yor next appointment like a dentist.Sound good but what are the logicstics of it.I can,t tell you when my 3k will be do for sure it may be a week or two diff each time.I don,t think if you can get people on a oilchange every 3k that they will come in berore 3k nor should they.Should you know the persons history to guess at it?Should you talk to them and let them guess?would you try to shoot high so that when they do come in the will be over a bit?.Is anybody doing this successfully enough they would give us some hints?

Please keep us informed. If this is a lucrative profit center, we all need to take a look at it.

I've been to a class and talked to reps selling equiptment I've read the sales pitch I would buy into it I can see how young mothers and most peaple could see the saftey factor and I can see the TPMS factor.The dealership I work for intruduced it to its costomers unfortunly I was at a diferent location when they did it but all the techs did there cars and they initally sold alot I,m not sure how they marketed it but I was told that the service advisors sold it up front.I was also told they paid for the equipt. fast.But I just asked about it recently and it seemed to be a lost art.And everybody seems to be incorperating a road hazard subscription with the service?Must not be confident it would be a easy sale?aND THE equiptment can be very pricey even it you just use the bottles you must arrange a sevice and need at least 2-3 bottles on hand.But if you guys arn,t doing it and the dealers costomers base is dwindling to to older cars and high dealer pricing than it may be safe to assum the aftermarket is going to have its day too with this?

Dr. Dave, any updates, thoughts, comments, questions?

Hey I,m not in my building yet but I think its real close.But I am in the equiptment and resource gathering mode.Ive been wondering what shop owners thought of Nitrogen.I just attended a class hosted by Shrader put on by Napa.Very interesting lots of selling points.I can afford 7K for a genarator but maybe a bottle and filling station could be swung? But what is the market like out there is it worth it?

Joe,

We got it the end of November. We paid for the enhanced with everthing including the Euro $2399.00 and a Toshiba lap top $349.99. Our European Tech says it does everything with Volvo control module. He has not used it yet for Trac control. We purchased it because our Bosch didn't seem to have everything for Euro cars. When I talked to Autoenginuity they said they get the same info that VW has. So far, we really like it. We were going to buy the Snap on Verus, but there was so much bad feed back on it. Also, the fellow that turned me on to the Autoenginuity had the Verus and was very unhappy. Hope this helps someone.

 

N

What kind of things are they saying about the versa ?Is the Vursa on the same platform as the OTC Pegasis

I have the Snap On Solus, it's a nice tool. You will need to buy different modules for the brands of cars you work on. Another nice scanner we have is the new wirelesss Launch. I do not have any first hand knowledge on the OTC or Mac Mentor.

Thers so many versions of launch what do you have and what do you prefer to use it for?What do you like to use the Solus for?And out of curiousiity can you pick a example of what the snap on would be missing compared to the launch on asian?

I,m looking for a new scanner I,m looking at the Snap On Solus Pro any ideals or experences with it what can I exspect to do and not do with it?How would it compare to a OTC Genicisis or Mac mentor?

I,m opening a 2 bay service center I registered it as a LLC but now I,m wondering if thats the best.What are some over your's guys experiences?

Hey just wondering how do you guys work out parts warranty ?1) how do you pay the tech if its not there fault?2)Do some parts stores pay labor?3)Do you give a warranty on your repairs to your costomer?How long time and miles?And would it depend on the line of parts they buy,like I know that Napa has diff lines qualtity levels Silver Gold ect.

I like you started my own business 1-1/2 yrs ago after 12 years at a tech. Are you good at one particular thing or do you have a specialty auto you can/like to work on? I have had to do almost anything that comes through the door but as my business builds I am having to limit what I can/will do.

I can work on anything been with jeep dodge suzuki and used cars I,m good and diag emmision and electic but know you don,t alway make money comared to time.I was wondering these days if tuneups and trans sevices are fewer and maybe airbag tpms and check engine light are more seen?