Transmission Repair

Another way to get into the minds of EV owners is to have dedicated EV parking with a charger.  What better way to stay in Top Of Mind Awareness (TOMA) for your shop?  I would classify any money spent on this as Marketing/Promotional.  ChargePoint makes a great case for this in their booklet below.  The ChargePoint charging system can take payments through your phone or card.  According to the information ChargePoint provides, a 3-hour charging session runs around $1.00 or .33 cents an hour.

The EV market will change what we do for a living, but servicing vehicles will never go away.  Many of the services we perform on ICE vehicles will hold true for the EVs as well.  Conversely, there will be new services and new opportunities that the EV market will bring.

I believe that it’s too early to gear-up for many EV-specific services such as battery pack replacement.  However, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a way to get our “foot in the door” with new EV owners.

We need to heavily market and advertise residential EV charger installation.  This will require, of course, an electrician license.  However, there are many levels of electrician licenses and will vary state to state.  In my state of Utah, there are 5 different levels of an electrical licenses:

• Apprentice

• Journeyman Electrician

• Master Electrician

• Residential Journeyman Electrician

• Residential Master Electrician

There are strict requirements at every level of licensing.  To apply for the lowest level of residential license, you need:

• Completion of a 2-year (288 classroom hours) electrical apprenticeship education program.

• 4,000 hours as a licensed Apprentice Electrican working under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician.

• Pass the Residential Journeyman Electrician Code, Theory, and Practice exams.

It simply wouldn’t be feasible to have a current employee get a Residential Journeyman Electrician license.  A better way would be to enter into an agreement with a local residential electrical company to wire and install the EV charger.  At an average union wage of $69/hr. for a typical 8-hour install would work out to $552.  A shop could calculate the markup (if any) needed.  $1,000, to the customer, wouldn’t be unreasonable.  This way, a shop would be getting their “foot in the door” in the mind of the new EV owner’s vehicle.  A shop’s information could be put on a sticker for the charger and/or charging cable end to keep the shop at TOMA.

What would you suggest to start to “gear up” in the mind of the new EV owners?

To follow up what Joe is saying, here's NAPA's AutoCare Apprentice Program Handbook.  This handbook codifies NAPA's apprentice program which can be used as a starting point for shops who wish to have their own Apprentice Program.

1-AutoCare-Apprentice-Program-Handbooks (1).pdf

13:20

The unemployment rate in the U.S. is a misleading figure.  A more accurate indicator of the American workforce would be the labor force participation rate.  The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and older that is working or actively looking for work. It is an important labor market measure because it represents the relative amount of labor resources available for the production of goods and services.

Currently, that number is at 62.3%.  Translated, that means more than one-third of the American work force is either not working or looking for work.  Mike Rowe sheds some light on what this means for the services industries in the following 7-minute video.

On 1/19/2023 at 5:46 AM, Joe Marconi said:

You can't pick up a newspaper or watch the news on TV without reading or watching something about the state of the economy. No matter how this was caused, or whether we are in a recession now, or it is coming, will the state of the economy affect the Auto Repair business?

Are we recession-proof as so many say we are? Or should we prepare ourselves for tough times ahead?  

The short answer is no. Reduced work volume yes. But it never goes away entirely. Simple repairs and/or maintenance will drop in volume.  I can't speak for general repair shops but I can speak for what I do for a living . I own a transmission shop and business never goes away entirely. Selective items like a transmission service or fixing a leak goes down volume during tough economic times.  When you're mode to work effects getting to work and back home those repairs are not a deal breaker.  

I would like to think that general repair shops experience the same thing, but I don't know, I'm not in that business. In a nutshell, any repair that affects somebody's ability to make a living is a definite yes. Minor jobs that are elective will go down in tough economic times, major jobs will not.

2 minutes ago, willydmax said:

I was using QB until about 2 years ago I looked around and finally settled on Shop-Ware. It's absolutely the best thing I could've done. I love it. Greatly simplifies my life, easy to use, helps me keep track of profit margins, easy to order parts...the list goes on and on. I use QuickBooks online as my accounting software and Shop-Ware automatically sends the data across on each ticket as soon as it's paid and customer picked up the vehicle. Works awesome. Has a great built in vehicle inspection system as well. Customers love pictures. Another thing that my customers really like is getting their invoice texted to them when I'm done and it also has a pay button so they can pay via card if they want. 

Great news to hear!  To find an SMS that integrates with QB is like having the best of both worlds.  Did you know QB can be your total payroll solution?   Over the years, QB has bought out several software companies and integrated those apps into their QB offering.  Keep up the great work and keep us posted!

3 hours ago, cooterdavenport1 said:

Thanks for responding. A couple of questions if that's ok.

What is it about QB that you like so much better than the SMS you ran before?

What are some of the reasons you know to avoid cheap systems?

Thanks for your help!

First, let me clarify something, I was using QuickBooks Desktop Pro which is not cloud based. Cloud based QuickBooks, in my opinion, is lame and very limited. QuickBooks Desktop has many more features that are helpful to the business.  I was able to configure QuickBooks to the way I ran the business, not conforming how our business is run to some SMS system.  Estimates and invoicing were 2 templates I designed.  (shown below)Neil Gause.pdf I was also able to create various fields in our vendor list and customer lists.  The front counter ran seamlessly with our accounting.  I could print out a P&L or balance sheet with only a few mouse clicks.  I have to confess that the way I configured QB bordered on programing because it included knowing QB code.  I can't honestly recommend QB Desktop to the average shop, but it is one hellava better app than the cloud-based QB.

I don't know any tips to avoid a cheap SMS other than to ask other shops.  Whatever they recommend will likely involve configuring the way your shop is ran to the software.

2011P&L.pdf

On 1/14/2023 at 7:53 AM, Joe Marconi said:

There are many programs out there, and some are better than others, depending on the size of your business and the type of work you do. From what I hear around the industry, a few of the top names are Tekmetric, Shop Ware, Protractor, Micthell1 (only to be used with Bolt On Technology), Auto Leap, and Shop Boss. There are others, but I would say these what I hear are the most popular. 

I used Mitchell, but there are a lot of drawbacks. Now that I coach, from my perspective, many clients are happy with Tekmetric, Protractor, Auto Leap, and for smaller shops, Shop Boss.

Let's see what other ASO members say about this. By the way, any company you are interested in will do a demo. 

After using three different SMS I finally migrated over to QuickBooks in 2000.  It was difficult to configure to our business, but once it was configured properly, I loved it.  My wife is an accountant and it had a lot to do with my decision.

On 1/10/2023 at 3:45 PM, bi0h4z4rd said:

From the regional manager mentioned above. 

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to the first response, but I've been here for a day and a half and it didn't take long to determine that coming to work for this franchise would not be in my best interest. 

Can you elaborate what scared you off?  The franchise or that particular franchisee?  We all can learn a lesson from your experience.

On 1/7/2023 at 1:03 AM, bi0h4z4rd said:

Hey guys,

I have always appreciated this forum and not sure how I didn't think to ask this question here to begin with!

I received an unexpected phone call from a gentleman whom I've never spoken to or met before the day after Christmasz but he was aware of me and my recent achievements while managing an independent franchise of a national auto repair chain (honestly doesn't make a difference to me if you know where u can msg me if u want. Just didn't know the rules on it) 

In less than 60 seconds he was able to explain who he was, where he was from, and that he would like to move me out there for the purpose of taking over his shop and running it for him until he retires at which time I could buy it if I wanted it and I told him it is certainly a discussion we can have and would get back to him the following day. 

Our next conversation I had the chance to interview him about the shop and a little about himself to which I have no objections and went on to inform him that picking up my life and moving out of state would not be a quick decision and would require a process in which 3 things would need to take place.

1.  We would need to meet in person obviously, but also spend a decent amount of time in an environment outside of the work setting to get to know a little more of each other and assuming no red flags (very doubtful there are any to find) move forward 

2.  I would need to see the shop and be able to shadow how it's currently operated for a day or 2 and if no issues were to come up that within a few days at most I woulr let him know what it would take and the cost needed in order for me to commit to this and move. 

3. We would both have to mutually agree to or re negotiate a deal to be out in writing and signed and any upfront requirements fulfilled. 

Until late May I had spent the last 3 1/2 years as general manager for another franchise of the same chain that was nearly bankrupt when I started and lead it on to achieve new reocrds parts and labor sales . I wrote out a business plan outlining all new policies, procedures, products, and pay structure that changed everything from the ground up. 

The first year reflected an increase in more than 150k of gross sales at just shy of 1m and the second was the highest gross sales recorded at 1.29m, and I parted ways respectably in late May on track to exceed 1.5m. (sadly, they did not make this mark)

During this time my compensation was a base salary of $1000/week, 1% of gross sales, and a weekly kicker of $250 per week gross sales ended over $20k, and an additional $250 for each $5k after for that week. 2021 I grossed $109k and this year was on track to end at $150k if I had remained. 

There was nothing negative involved or that created the reason my departure. The regional manager for the 166 stores or whatever it is in the NW asked me long ago if I would ever be willing to relocate and run another "franchise store"  and I had a couple people email me that I couldnt even take seriously, but never let them go any further. 

I am scheduled to leave by train this Monday 1/9 where he has provided me with a hotel and rental car for a 3 day stay to complete the other steps needed to move forward. 

Below is a general idea of what I have in my head as far as what I expect out of a relocation package, but I've never had to hire or been hired this way before. Needless to say I could use and would appreciate any insight from anyone that has experience or any history with this process and reasonable expectations. 

1. Move in costs including first and last months rent, security deposit, and any application fees.

 (I was going to put a cap on the amounts, but the cost of living there is ridiculously higher than here and I don't feel like moving from a nice 3 bdrm house that I have here to go live in some cheap 1 bdrm apartment there is the right direction lol)

2. All personal property will be prepared and packed by myself and then loaded and delivered at owners expense. 

3. Pay structure to remain the same as previous Midas employer with a $250 increase to weekly salary. 

4. Employee discount will be all products and parts at cost.

5. One time payment of $15,000 as incentive to ease the complications that come with relocating. 

(,Thought of splitting up? 1/2 up front and other half dispersed with regular pay over next 6 mos?)

Any feedback or thoughts is welcomed and appreciated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bi0h4z4rd:

How did he get your name and phone number if you live out of state?

I believe the following article will have great relevance to our industry in the coming years, especially to transmission shops and other classic big-ticket repairs.  We are headed to an industry of maintenance and small-ticket repairs.  That in of itself is not a bad thing.  Like all technology, the price of EVs will come down to where it is much easier for the average consumer to buy a new vehicle albeit an EV.  The factory building boom is indicative of the shift to lower-cost transportation for the average consumer.  This shift won't happen overnight, but it will happen.  Currently, Tesla wants to produce a $25K EV that would put EVs within reach of the average consumer.  However, that could possibly be negated by the substantial increase in insurance premiums.  EVs are simply a lot more to repair collision damage which will result in more total losses for insurance companies, hence higher premiums.

Additionally, EVs will be largely made domestically.  Foreign vehicles will become a smaller portion of the overall vehicle population.  While ICE vehicles won't go away in our lifetime, they will become an increasingly smaller portion of the vehicle population.  Currently, the best our industry can do is to keep an eye out for the coming changes and change our repair shop strategies accordingly.

SCT = Sound Comfort Technology.

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/eagle-touring-sct

On 12/28/2022 at 7:52 AM, Joe Marconi said:

I have the books and articles from Gallup and fully understand the concept, but never actually did the strength finder test. 

I started using Gallup not only as a hiring tool, but as a management tool as well.

Gallup Shop Talents

This is Todd Hayes' signature line he closes all correspondence with...

8 hours ago, Joe Marconi said:

From what I hear from my contacts who own tire stores, Tesla and other EVs wear tires out sooner. The low center of gravity, the weight of the vehicles,  and the torque on acceleration all contribute to faster tire wear. NOW, will tire companies produce a different tire for EVs?  Long-lasting?  If that happens, the price must increase.  

Yep, EV tires are different.  Watch the video I Emailed you.  ICE tires on an EV is a costly solution.   11:42

On 12/15/2022 at 1:32 PM, DUFRESNES said:

After paying over 13k for RO Writer in 2008, there monthly fee to us is $469.00  Is this normal for updates and if there is a problem.  On top of that there is a yearly fee of 290.00 for Back office and now Quick Books makes you buy a new year and payroll each year.  Am I the only one that thinks, there is something wrong with this picture.

 Please put this subject in the right place  

 

 

We had 3 different SMS products from 1985 till 2000 at which time I couldn't find something that ran like I run the business.  In 2001 we went to QuickBooks Pro Desktop and I could tailor the software to the way I ran the business.  Problem solved for $750 every other year.

Has anybody used a written personality survey like StrengthsFinder 2.0 or something similar to find out the applicants fit for the shop?

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx

Virtually everything you say is true.  Reprogramming will be largely Over-The-Air updates.  Most EVs and some ICE vehicles will require a subscription of some type.  Our RAV4 Hybrid has a subscription to enable some options.  My prediction is that the dollar cost for maintenance and repair for EVs may possibly be less than a ICE vehicle, but never go away.  The reports I've read said Tesla vehicles are hard tire wear.  Why, I don't know.  One thing is for sure, EVs in general are all Version 1.0 vehicles and like everything else that is Version 1.0, expect the unexpected.

Lots of good advice and tips.  Carm's podcasts are always interesting.  I've talked about this before:

Concerning SWAG, or specialty advertising, I learned to always put a call tracking number on such items (in addition to our name, logo and/or branding) to see if there was an actual return on investment.  After the first year I tried it, I quit doing pens and calendars.   Who needs to call a transmission shop after they visit us?  I feel each type of shop needs to measure the ROI of ALL advertising and decide what works and doesn't work for them.  Each type of shop is often unique.  In my opinion, there is no better of a measurement tool for advertisements and branding than call tracking.  You end up only investing only in advertising that has a measurable ROI.

https://www.convirza.com/free-trial/

https://www.convirza.com/call-tracking-pricing/

Yes, I've hired the wrong tech before.  Somebody in our organization (usually me, but not always) will "shadow" the new hire for a few days to a week to get an idea of what they are like as well as train them to the "ways" of the shop.  This is the best new employee acid test I've could come up with.  Within 1 to 2 weeks everybody in the shop can form a good idea of their work ethic, attitude, and perhaps comebacks.  Bad hires will be identified and let go within a few weeks or less.

Recently, I've observed a new idea along the lines of "always be recruiting".  Another multi-shop owner always has a short recruitment ad in his signature copy in all written correspondence.  I thought it was a great idea.

On 12/14/2022 at 6:46 AM, DUFRESNES said:

I have been using QB for ever, never heard of a scan feature.  I have desktop pro 2022. Please show me how and explain.  Thank you

Read further up in the thread.  I posted an image.

An online friend of mine, Todd Hayes is opening up another multi-million dollar shop.  I asked if he believed in "Build it and they will come" or if he's doing something different.  Here's the thread...

Facebook Conversation

Why go to a test center to keep your ASE certification(s) up?  Here's how you can take practice questions as well as the recertification tests on your phone!

Here's the link for the Android ASE Practice Tests... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abc.ase&hl=en_US&gl=US

Here's the link for the Android ASE Renewal App... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hltcorp.ase2&hl=en_US&gl=US

2 hours ago, TTP said:

I just checked QB Online, I did not find anything about scanning a document. It does have a drop file from computer, but it already has to be a file. And I find nothing in the help section either. 

I just had a second though.  You could manually scan A/P and cash invoices -THEN- use the drop file that's in your version of QB.