Joe Marconi

If it turns out to be the pump, who pays for that? I know the answer already... Make sure you go thru that entire system. Start from the basics and don't assume anything.

Those are all great points. I wonder if this guy has ANY plan for the future. With his phyical condition, it's hard to think he can continue like this.

I agree, but to some degree I can relate to this guy, and I think most of us can. Maybe tomorrow's shop owner will be different. We shall see...

Priceless!

Below is a link to a true story about a shop owner who is retiring after 28 years, working 7 days a week. He is 64 years old. Read it and let me know what you think... http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_af756d10-c5a2-11df-be2c-001cc4c03286.html

Is the pump putting out pressure at low rpm? Do you have a gauge you can test the pressure? We recently put 3 pumps on a Subaru before we got one that worked. I know it sounds crazy....I would start from the basics and not assumer anything.

Welcome! I am actually looking forward to your views and experiences. Having a business in Africa will no doubt be very interesting for everyone. Please keep us posted and tell us about how life and business is in your part of the world. Having you on board really enhances AutoShopOwner. ASO members are a great group, ask for any help you need. In turn, you will help us by sharing your thoughts, opinions and stories.

That’s your best joke yet! Hysterically funny!

I agree 100%. It hurts the industry too. This sort of stuff brings us all down.

Looks like a nice building with lots of potential. Best of luck and keep us posted. Remember, we are here for you!

21%! Outstanding, you should be proud.

I could not begin to explain my disdain for this administration within the pages of this forum. But, I do know a few things: It is your right to think and speak your mind as you see fit. That’s America. What I don’t like are the lies that are being told to the American public, the finger pointing of blame, the division of this country between liberals and conservatives. It has the feel of “two” Americas’, each feeling that if you don’t feel our way you are un-American. The tea party leaders are gaining ground solely because the hard working people in this country are sick and tired of politics. The status quo is not doing the job. Will this group have the momentum to actually make a difference for the long term? I don’t know. But for the first time in a very long time, we see average people, not professional politicians, that are willing to take time out of their daily lives and fight to make a difference. Obama says on national TV, his health plan will not increase taxes…a big lie. The increases in capital gains taxes alone on investment dividends will significantly hurt the average citizen’s retirement investments. Obama does not understand economics. He wants to punish American companies overseas. Well, that ship sailed decades ago. We live in a global economy and many factors, including powerful unions, have sent our corporation overseas. The fact is American companies around the world hold about 500 billion dollars in foreign banks. We need that money back home. Why is money not in our banks? Because of the tax rate, which is the highest in the world. If Obama was smart, he would lower the tax rate and get that money back here. Do you know what an infusion of 500 billion dollars would do for this country? I could go on and on…but I think you know where I stand.

Yes, I am not complaining, especially in this economy. Many shops around the country are suffering. 7% is great, September has always been a mixed month for us, this year was one of the weakest. But, I am not really concerned.

We were 6% ahead of last year at the end of Aug. My goal was 8%. Sept has been weak, although. I still project we will hit our target. The 4th quarter for us is usually stong. I expect a big bounce toward the end of the year, people are holding back right now, but they will need to get their cars ready once the seasons change.

I think for many of us, thinking like a business person is almost foreign and uncomfortable. Making a profit is often secondary to getting the job done. Our focus as technicians has wired our brains to think in terms of the mechanical side of the business. Those of us that “crossed over” and learned business skills have prospered and never looked back. Again, I am not judging here, but we would all be better off if all technicians who choose to venture into the business world run their operations like a true business. AutoShopOwner.com is committed to those who seek help in learning the skills of running a business. There are many members that learned the hard way and all of us can benefit within the forums. We need quality people in our industry. People in this industry are probably the hardest working group of people worldwide. Make sure you are being compensated for that.

Start Thinking about 2011 Now October starts the last quarter for 2010. A time when you need to start compiling your business numbers, looking at your current goals and start making plans for 2011. By the end of December you will need to know all your numbers to benchmark this year in order to set your new goals for 2011. Don’t wait for the beginning of 2011 to begin thinking about new goals and new strategies. The more thought and work you put into where you are today will determine where you are headed in 2011 and beyond. Success is all about planning, and I am talking about written planning. A plan is not a plan unless it is written down.

Someday our paths will cross. Have a beer together.

Are you attending CARS this year? If so, I would love to see you there! CARS is an event specifically designed to deliver high quality and trusted education and product information to automotive service professionals, and if you haven’t been in the past, I would encourage you attend. As many of you know, I’ve recently joined Elite Worldwide as a business coach for shop owners, so I will be at the Elite Worldwide trade show booth Oct. 11th-13th helping the attendees grow more profitable businesses. If you plan on attending the event, I would be honored if you stopped by to say hello! Event Info: www.carsevent.com Conference: Oct 10-13 Trade Show: Oct 11-13 Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, NV

I just want to mention that customer write-up is a key opportunity to start the sales and service process. We train our service advisors to not only review what the customer concerns are but to be proactive with needed service work, reviewing vehicle history and any suggestions that were made at the last visit. Many service items are pre-sold at the counter, increasing efficiency. For new customers, we take a different approach. We want to know how that customer found us, is the vehicle up to date with maintenance and talk a little about what we do. We will also inform the customer that we always perform a bumper to bumper inspection with every service. For diagnostic work, we try to pre-sell diagnostic time; this saves time, giving the tech the go ahead, and not have to wait for authorization. We don’t use any particular form, just the Mitchell Manager Estimate and Repair Order forms. The techs will get the Mitchell Tech sheet along with the Service Intelligence form (from Mitchell) to show vehicle history and what service is due.

We offer this to our exsiting customers only-at this time. When a customer purchases a new car, we send a letter with the coupon offer. We also promote it in our marketing. We will have a tag line in our newsletter for example stating: "Purchase a new car lately? Ask about your free oil change!" We also have posters on the counter saying the same thing. After a while, your customers will know the program and keep YOU in mind when they buy a new car and let YOU know. It's a great way to keep them out of the dealer. I am not sure if it would work with people we don't know, it may bring in people who are just looking for a freebie.

Is there anything else we can help you with? We all know this and most of us probably do this on a daily basis, so this is just a reminder for some: Are you being proactive with your approach and asking for additional sales when booking appointments and writing up customers? If not, you are missing the opportunity for increase sales, the easy way. When a customer calls and schedules an appointment for an oil change, are you asking, “Is there anything else we can do for you or help you with? A tire rotation? Wipers? By asking may trigger the customer’s memory and they just might add another service item to the appointment. It’s easy and it’s simple and should be automatic.

I am not here to judge anyone, since I know many, many great techs that started out as shade tree mechanics, I included. When I was 19 years old I started a mobile auto repair business with a friend of mine in the Bronx. We worked nights and weekends: we both had regular jobs working as techs. But after realizing that I would never get to where I needed to go in business, I decided to go legitimate. I opened my own shop. That was on October 1, 1980 – 30 years ago. Those of you, who know me, know that I am a firm believer in running a business as a true business. And the better business person you are the more successful you will become. Committing to the skills of business will open more doors for and make you more money, resulting in a better life too.

Why didn't you post this from the start? Without reading the pitch, we are all speculating without really knowing the facts. After reading it, I don't see an issue either. The "only" thing I can add it that many shop owners are bombarded daily with claims of solving all their problems from a multitude of companies, and many have been burnt. But, I really don’t see this here.