Joe Marconi

You affirm what I am trying to bring up. I don't think that it's too over the top when an employer insists on having all employees arrive on time. You worked it out in your shop and are flexible with your employees to meet their. particular needs. I get that. Today's world is different that 40 years ago. I just don't want to see a slippery slope where they may be other "reasons" to come to work at a different time.

You bring up a good point about being busy all year-round. Do you think that shops that are more seasonal, with slow times, need to worry more about losing employees to vacations?

All great points, and I agree. People deserve time off, I guess we need to factor that in and make sure we are productive all year round, and adjust our goals. And I know about Texas: 100 plus degrees is no fun.

Many shops have increased their labor rates the past year or two. For too many shops, they have been too cheap for too long. However, speaking to shop owners, their labor rates, even though higher, are still not where it needs to be. Have you raised your labor rates this past year or so? And do you think the raise was enough to keep pace with increased expenses, inflation and the increase in employee pay?

As the automobile evolves and we see more and more EVs on the road, I believe that if at all possible, adding tires and related sales is a way to increase sales and profits and remain relevant in the future. Some shops that have never sold tires may resist, but they should consider it. Are you adding tires to your list of services, or any other services to continue to grow your auto repair shop?

In the northeast, the summer is typically the busiest time of the year for auto repair shops. Many of my fellow shop owners would not allow or limit vacation time during the summer months, stating they need to capitalize on the potential. Having employees on vacation when at their busiest hurts overall production. How do you feel about this. Agree or not?

Wow, I knew the potential for EVs to catch fire, but didn't understand all the reasons why and the technology behind it. Every shop must watch this podcast, from a safety aspect, liability and how to best care for EVs and their customers.

Wow, what a story. I really believe that ALL shop owners contact their insurance company. Our techs pay through the nose for tools. Their tool boxes alone are a small fortune.

Good luck, your story is so common. Do you think other shop owners just tolerate lateness? The loss of productivity adds up, and impacts the bottom line. I don't want to make this all about profits, but it's suppose to be a team. Right? Imagine the 2nd baseman on the Yankees arriving to the stadium 10 minutes late?

After a recent conversation with a fellow shop owner, I felt this would make a good post. This shop owner had a break-in and his tech's tools were stolen. Quite a sum of money gone. He later finds that his liability insurance does not cover employee tools. Please check your garage keepers insurance policy, make sure you have the right insurance for your specific needs and that you tech's tools are covered too.

It seems nearly every shop owner I speak to has some sort of issue with employees coming in late. I don't want to sound old, but this is a problem that should not exist. And it goes back to tolerating too much and not setting the right standards. I can tell you that lateness was always an issue for some people, but not to the extent it is now. I am not sure of all the reasons why. Below is how my father explained lateness to me to when I was 15 years old and got my first job: My father starts the conversation, "So, what time do you start work tomorrow? I replied,"9am". My father continues, "What time to plan on being there?" I said, "9am." He then says to me, "So, you plan on being late your first day." That is the difference. My father was a smart man.

This podcast opened my eyes to more than just counterfeit parts. There is a lot to consider these days regarding technology, programing, and the the future of the DIY market too. A must-listen to podcast.

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It's a considerable amount. But, I do know many that do add small amounts with used oil.

I have a fellow shop owner who would like to know of how to "legally" dispose of waste gas? Any suggestions or waste disposal companies would be appreciated. The shop is located in Connecticut.

Makes sense, and I agree. I always say, when you are looking at a production problem, you need to look at the entire process: Estimating, scheduling, shop layout, training, tools & equipment, in-house information systems, service advisor skills, enough staff and great management.

I tend to agree with you. To add to your comments, I do think that there is also a responsibility of the shop owner or manager to ensure that estimates are written properly, and that the correct labor is applied to each job (as best as possible). For example. how often are deals made with the customer to sell the job, and many times the labor to test a complicated driveability problem is waived? Does the tech get the labor time, or does the tech suffer? There are many more examples. Labor hours is not just techs responsibility. It takes a team effort.

Great points about KPIs! Question, do you think team morale, culture and leadership also has a large effect?

That is an interesting comment. Can you go into more detail?

Like so many from my generation, I was a technician-turned shop owner. I was a tech on a Friday at a Ford Dealer, and a Shop Owner the following Monday. While I was technically competent, I had no clue how to run a business. I struggled for years until I understood my role as the business owner. This was a time when there was very little help to understand how to run an auto repair shop. With all the available business training, online resources, consulting services, and coaching companies, is it easier today to start your own business? I would like to hear from those shop owners who recently opened up their businesses. Is it an easy process? Hard? Overwhelming? And what business help, if any, are you getting?

Many shop owners believe that paying flat rate is the only way to achieve high labor production. Others say that flat rate promotes the wrong culture. Many technicians are on straight salary. And there are those that prefer a blend of paying hourly plus an incentive bonus if certain billed hours are produced. While there are many pay plans out there, is there one that has worked for you? And produced the results you are looking for?

The Fourth of July, Independence Day, marks the historic date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The written declaration stated that the American colonies were tired of being ruled by Great Britain. They wanted to become their own country.

Great points, Gerald! Perhaps the most frustrating is that fact that changes and enhancement's come slow and not always in line the requests from the users. There is no one-size-fits all, but I do believe that being able to customize the software is something that should be considered.

I read just about everything I could on the auto repair industry. It seems many repair shops are doing great, some, not so great. Plus, working with repair shops as an Elite Business Coach, I see areas around the country that are having banner years, and other areas where business has slowed up a bit. It's hard to get a handle on the state of the industry. How is your auto repair shop doing, compared to the past few years? Do you feel the we are headed into good times or not so good signs. I know that this is not an exact science or a formal survey. But I think it would be interesting to get first-hand information from our members.

There is new technology coming out that will enhance the online scheduling process. Should auto repair shops invest in more technology to increase online scheduling? There is also some merit to the fact that many people would rather not call their auto repair shop, and simply book an appointment from their phone or computer. Are you using online scheduling? If so, what's your process and how is it working?