Joe Marconi

Max, that's a lot more than a dimes worth. That's an entire marketing course all wrapped up in one story. Great job! I love the power of networking, the knowlege among us is pricless.

How can this be? Is this a way to stick it to us a little more and show the power of the oval office? When will we wake up?

Differences between Auto Body and Mechanical Shops Mechanical repair shops need a steady flow of customers and actually track vehicle visits per year. The more visits, the stronger the customer base and more profitable a repair shop will be. For auto body shops, it’s an entirely different ball game. You may not see a customer again for years until he or she needs body work again. Plus, you need to work closely with insurance companies to get work. What other forms of marketing and advertising or best practices do auto body shop use to maintain a healthy work flow?

Increasing productivity? I was wondering. How do body shops track productivity and do you pay productivity bonuses?

A regular customer ran his Honda off the road and did damage to the front bumper cover, radiator support, A/C condensor, front tires and now the air bag light is on. We inspected the car and diagnosed the air bag problem at the owner’s request and got his authorization. Now comes the fun part: Dealing with the insurance company. We are not a body shop, but do work with insurance companies often. Our estimate and what the insurance company wants to pay are on different planets. I told the adjuster I could not work for that price. Plus he told me to eat the analysis, because we should consider ourselves lucky we are getting the job. Lucky? Was he here at my shop the past 30 years working side by side building my business? Lucky? I told him to write whatever he wants and I will call the customer to get the rest of the money. He told me that’ not allowed. Not allowed? Who is he, my boss? Well after a heated discussion he made some concessions and we finally came to an agreement. I have to tell you, I don’t know how you auto body shop owners deal with these guys on a daily basis.

Ear trumpet? That's not what I see!

Tim, great question. It is vital that each vehicle visit includes a history record search to see what was done, was needs to be done and what was never done. I use Service Intelligence on my Mitchell program. It gives me a quick and easy report on vehicle history; average miles per day driven and the report can be modified to meet your particular needs. SI was developed by E-Auto club and was sold thru Mitchell, but now they are their own again. Your Mitchell Rep can help you. Other than that, I don’t know of any other program that does the trick. And, looking back at the history records takes too long.

Thanks for posting the new law. Great info. I have a feeling there will a lot of shops out there that are not aware of this new law and may get stuck with the old lead weights or they will just use them up, and not worry about the law. And wheel weights falling off? I guess is does happen, but I wonder how big a problem it really is.

Lead has been on the "hit list" for a long time. Now we need to find a viable solution.

I have been using Mitchell for nearly 8 years. Do you have Manager Plus? If you use the Part/Labor guide the labor time is transferred over to the estimate. You can also build "can jobs" for those jobs used on a daily basis. For example, Tire Rotation, Wheel Alignment, LOF, etc. For those jobs you can set up a generic labor time. You can also create vehicle specific can jobs. For example, if you do a lot of work on Honda Vehicles, you can set up a Honda Rear diff service can job, with the parts and labor already set. This is where the program is powerful because it lets you tailor the program to your needs. You can also add the labor times as you need if the job you are doing is unique. For example; removing a hitch for a customer. This job is not found in the Parts/Labor guide and something you would not make a can job for. For this, you simple hit the labor tab and add the labor time as needed. The Mitchell system has a lot of help screens and video, I recommend going thru them. Also, ask your rep for help.

Alternative to Lead Wheel Weights? Has anyone started using alternatives to lead wheel weights? I know many states have already banned the use of lead weights (California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington) and many are soon to follow. There is a lot of talk about zinc, steel and other composites. My state, New York, is considering the ban too. If any shop is using wheel weights other than lead, I would appreciate any feedback.

Congratulations and the very best to the entire family! These are the things in life you can’t put a price on. The miracle of life and of family.

Very exciting news! I wish you the best of luck. keep us updated and ask for help, ASO is there to help in any way. Are you planning any grand openning event? Did you contact the local news papers and local TV stations? Get as much free press as you can.

You must be a Si fi fan, right? I would give a week's pay to see life thru your eyes. You bring out "real-life" witht a spin that most people know may not be aware of.

I just had that case, a customer had his car scanned by AZ and they said he needed and O2 sensor. The customer bought a universal O2 and messed up the wiring. He brought it to us and we installed the correct O2, problem solved. He paid for the Diag, the repiar and the correct O2. He let us know that he COULD NOT return the O2 he bought from AZ. I understand that I should not burn my bridges, but in a lot of ways I am old fashion. But business is business, I guess. Maybe I will send one of my service advisors to the grand openning. For me, I just can't go.

You are right, free food sounds like a nice idea. Thanks! BTW, you guessed right....

Oxygen Sensors: $17.99, Brake Rotors $14.99 Hold on there! I am not selling parts. Please read on…. There is a well know parts company (I will not mention their name: but it’s not AutoZone, O Reillys, Sears, NAPA or Pep Boys) opening up just around the corner from me and is sending out consumer flyers with dirt-cheap parts, most are common everyday parts: Axles, O2 sensors, brake rotors, alternators, etc. They offer free installation on batteries and even sell scan tools so the public can check out their car, buy the part and then come to US to install it. That’s why I deal with CARQUEST. They have their over the counter trade, but they would never think about undercutting the repair shop business. The area rep for this new parts store came to me an invited my staff and myself to their grand opening. I laughed and walked away. Was I wrong not to accept his invitation? How would you react?

2010 End of Year Tax Tip Purchase needed business assets now If you are thinking of buying significant assets, such as major equipment for your shop, you still have two more months to qualify for bonus depreciation for 2010, allowing you to deduct 50% of the cost right away. The other 50% is recovered through regular depreciation. Bonus depreciation can be claimed on new assets with useful lives of 20 years or less; including machinery, equipment and land improvements. Act quickly, this tax breaks ends after 2010.

Key point: believe in yourself and the value you are selling, great points!

I was the second in line at 6:00am! I am listening to the radio all day.

AZ in our area still does the free scan. And, you are right, it kills the diag process when a customer walks thu the door with an O2 sensor from AZ and asks us, "How much to install it". Drives me nuts!

You know, I spoke to a few people and they said the same thing. I was never like that. I was brought up to choose who you think is the best choice, no matter what party. I fear we are drawing lines in the sand, don't you?

This is a reminder, tomorrow is Election Day, so let’s make sure we get out and vote. This is an important election and we need to let our elected officials know that the public cares about the state of the country. No matter what side of the isle you are from, voting shows we care about this great nation. "It is by their votes the people exercise their sovereignty." --Thomas Jefferson

Another great story, Gonzo! The way you tell these stories is truly a work of art. I worked at a Ford Dealer in the 70's as the used car mechanic. I can't tell you how many repair orders I got that stated: "Check Air Conditioner- Blows Hot", only to find that the used car (just sold) did not have A/C. What a scene when the sales person is explaining that to the customer.