autoguy

On 9/4/2019 at 7:26 PM, abs said:

 

Car_Autoreports:  Thanks for the reply. 

I remain interested in additional constructive feedback. 

Also, an alternative idea suggested by a friend is to specialize in diesel truck service, as a specialty, catering to commercial customers.  Thoughts or feedback on this idea?

 

Specialization is good but typically it would be the "owner" who would be the specialist that starts a business around that specialty. Since you don't have that experience, I would find your specialist techs before moving this direction and just do general auto repair when starting out.

On 9/13/2019 at 8:53 PM, Old and Tired said:

Same. We've had almost zero problems with worldpac batteries.

I had no idea worldpac had their own battery line

On 9/17/2019 at 12:11 PM, bantar said:

Integrated ordering within your POS is the way to go.   Check availability and pricing online.  Get online ordering rebates.  When we order online, my PO is automatically filled out for me, so that when I receive the parts, there's no additional typing to do.    If I have to pick up the phone to order, we have to manually type the description, part numbers, pricing, core, etc in.   Very error prone.    Frankly, I order less from WorldPac because of it's poor integration with my POS.   It takes longer to use WorldPac, so it is shunned.   Now, it is technically integrated, but it pops up their SpeedDial interface.   I make my selections and they are sent back to the POS, and ordered online from the POS, but this is clunky.  

Moral of the story:  Best Integration, with the parts that I NEED, gets the most business.   However, NEED trumps speed.   I rarely price-shop even though I can as I take a more relationship-based approach with my suppliers.

What software are you using for invoicing where you have it integrated? 

What's everyone using and what do you prefer in terms of online parts ordering? Are you using something integrated into your shop software or a standalone website from napa, o'rielly, advance, autozone, or other local or regional parts supplier? What do you like about it?

Using Napa Prolink and AdvancePro along with worldpac speedial

So almost a year later since the last reply by @Old and Tired , what is everyone using for batteries currently?

Oddly enough the high mileage synthetic blend is $1 more than full synthetic!

On 7/31/2019 at 4:35 PM, newport5 said:

I’ll bet those same people bitch about $7 for of a beer when hanging with friends

That's a good point, similar to the steak at a restaurant example.  When you go to a bar or restaurant, don't expect to get a 6 pack of bud light for $11.99. Expect to pay over $5 a bottle. Your not going to get that same price on the steak you would buy at the butcher's shop either...

So I'm assuming you don;t have a merchant account now to accept payments, correct? Some banks have mobile payment systems, apps, etc. If you are looking for something simple to get started, have a look at :

Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/pay-with-app

Stripe: https://stripe.com/payments/features

Chase: https://merchantservices.chase.com/support/product-support/mobile

That's good mentoring @T S

Some of the techs that attend training at specific automotive technical school and colleges are sponsored or given the ability to procure a small tool set from snap-on, which is smart on snap-on's side because they'll be introduced to their brand early. However, you can get away with many other less expensive brands and there are many smaller starter sets available for entry level techs for sockets, drivers, etc. 

4 hours ago, Old and Tired said:

We use Uber all time. $5 or $10 is a whole lot better than an extra employee, car, insurance, gas.....

Do you use it through the uber app or other app? How do you actually do it or do you just credit your customers back?

Was reading an article about Hyundai offering Lyft rides to their customers and was wondering if anyone has done or thought of doing this with Lyft or Uber instead of shuttling your customers around. 

Lyft has a business site: https://www.lyftbusiness.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=b2b&creative=263920142322&keyword=%2Blyft %2Bcustomer&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&segment=all&utm_content=self-serve&placement=&adgroup={adgroup}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-HoBRD5ARIsAPIPene7xTDnfQyMoT8kp1PriZCzffGzu0Zkmd1EoAmIiFyCzB0_wuiP8QwaAto0EALw_wcB

Here's Uber: https://www.uber.com/us/en/business/central/

So almost 4 years later, what's the best scan tool?

Reviving this topic...interested to know what you and your techs are using for hand tools; snap-on, mac, craftsman, or other. I've always had a ton of craftsman tools with a few specialty snap-on and other branded tools. Growing up in the industry, craftsman was always cheaper and an easy exchange at the sears store. Now lowes is carrying craftsman and honoring warrantied tools so I'm starting to visit lowes over home depot for this alone. I'm also seeing a ton of hand tools from harbor freight and amazon.

@Joe Marconi here's a pretty good article from last year in tire review that lays out some points and things to think about:

Setting Your Auto Shop Up for Your Retirement

Stumbled on this again, some people could use a set of these...

Good tip 👍

Alldata has a little write up on price matrix I found online. 

wp-ad-repair_parts-pricing-matrix_0.pdf

On 3/17/2019 at 5:54 PM, Rick Nicewonger said:

In PA we can charge whatever we want, the market will adjust your pricing.

I like that 😋

With A/C season fast approaching, just curious about what everyone is offering in terms of pricing, how you buy your refrigerant, do you offer free checks, and do you market A/C service in your area? What equipment like robinair lets say, do you use?

Thanks for all the replies and feedback. I think the more techs and personnel you have the easier it is to manage with a service, otherwise like @Old and Tired said, you can probably buy the uniforms and wash them on site. Like with everything else, have to pay for service. It's like having your lawn cut, someone will do it if you pay them, otherwise you can save money by buying a nice lawn mower and doing it yourself. However, there's a price to pay the time spent cutting your lawn or managing employee uniforms I suppose.

I was browsing Amazon looking for something had no idea that they have privately branded motor oil now. What caught my eye was the 5W-30 full synthetic dexos 5 quart jug at $17 for high mileage cars. Thought it was interesting. Wonder who makes it for them.

So I did a little research online and found this youtube review

Here's another:

Just curious if anyone if anyone is using Cintas for shop uniforms and if you like their service. Are you getting rags from them also? What's the typical cost?

What is everyone using for brake pads and rotors these days? 

Here's pretty good example of a matrix https://blog.csiaccounting.com/matrix-pricing-for-auto-repair-shops-template

Menu priced items are all we would quote over the phone.