Joe Marconi

Brilliant perspective! And right on point. And, I really like that you used the term "Mechanic" As always, thanks Gonzo for your unique way of looking at things that make perfect sense to all of us!

Harvard University surveys have shown that graduates with goals far exceed those without goals. Goals hold you accountable and keep you on track. Goals will help make you more successful. If you have not done it already, I urge you to sit down soon and write out (yes, write out on paper) your 2017 goals. In addition, plan out the next 3 years, next 5 years and 10 years. Keep your goal document on your desk and review often. And don't forget to put deadlines on those goals. I wish everyone the best in 2017. Success starts with a plan, and a plan starts with clearly define goals.

I recently updated my handbook and had a labor attorney review it. I would strongly recommend shop owners to make a bullet point list of what you want to include in an employee handbook and work with either a labor law attorney or a payroll company to develop the handbook. There are many laws specific to state laws, and federal laws to consider. By the way, I do agree that if you have employees, you need an employee handbook to protect both you and your employees.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and the very best in 2017! I also want to take this time to thank all of our amazing members for making AutoShopOwner.com the number 1 go-to auto shop business forums website on the planet! Joe Marconi

Sounds like Santa's from my neigborhood in the Bronx.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all also!

With the holidays upon us, here is my important tip... Take time off for yourself, family and friends. Enjoy the holidays and focus on the things in life that matter most. You owe it to yourself and family. The time you take off will pay off in the long run. The business will be there. And a little time off will prove to be one of the best decision you can make!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This is a special time of year, and we need to reflect on what we have, rather than focus on any shortcomings. Thank you to all AutoShopOwner members and wishing everyone the very best this holiday season!

Sorry for not following this close enough. To be honest, I had to read this a few times because I found the words upsetting. In all due respect, the majority of shop owners WANT to pay their techs and other employees a decent and honest wage. We, actual shop owners, want to take care of people and keep valued employees. The solutions to adequate pay is not through the formation of a union, but in the success and profitability of the business. And the statement, "Greedy mom and pops shops" is disrespectful to all the hard working, dedicated shop owners throughout this great nation. Those mom and pops put in countless hours, stay late, get in early, give their heart to the community, hold fund raisers, sponsor little leagues, donate to their local church, hardly take a lunch break, take little to no vacation time, come in to work sick and will work on Sundays and holidays if it means taking care of a customer. How do I know all this....This "Pop" has done it for 36 years! In general, shops do not make enough money, in spite of what some may think. But that is a topic for another day. MOST IMPORTANT: Let us all have an open and honest discussion, without the drama and let us be respectful to each other. This site is called AutoShopOwner for a reason, so let us all stick together and not disrespect the business we devote so much of our lives to.

Typically, at the end of the year, tool reps and other sales people will try to sell shops tools and equipment with the pitch to make sure you get all your write-off deductions in by the end of the year. While this tax strategy can reduce your taxable income, thus reducing the amount of taxes you owe, you need to discuss any purchase with the purpose of using it as a write-off with a qualified accountant first. Reducing taxable income through ligament write-off deductions can in many cases also reduce your cash reserve. Cash is king and sometimes paying taxes and maintaining cash reserve is the smarter decision. Everyone wants to reduce their business and personal income tax. But, please discuss with your accountant any purchase that may impact cash reserve. Obviously, if you need a particular tool or equipment to operate your business, that’s different.

On Sunday morning December 7, 1941 America's naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by aircraft and submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy, killing 2,403 American military personnel and civilians and injuring 1,178 others. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, and one mine-layer. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt, in a speech to Congress, stated that the bombing of Pearl Harbor is "A date which will live in infamy." "There are some things that we must never forget, the attack on Pear Harbor is one of them" , President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Too many shop owners go into hire-crisis mode when they lose an employee. With no real plan, you ask everyone you know, put ads out, and research online sources. But all too often, you end up hiring the wrong person. Why? Desperation. You need to fill a position with someone. Hiring is perhaps one of the most important aspects of running a business. You need to hire right, and that means taking your time, interview as many candidates as possible and look for reasons not to hire as much as reasons to hire someone. ​You also need a plan before you lose an employee. You need to adopt the strategy of recruiting. Constantly look for the top talent in your area and build your pipeline. Connect with this top talent and create a contact list. Maintain a relationship. ​With this strategy, when the time comes when you lose an employee, you will be in a better position to fill that spot with the right person.

Classic Gonzo! Thanks for posting this!

This is breaking news about the new overtime regulation that was supposed to go into effect December 1st. Shop Owners, you need to read this. The link is below. http://www.ratchetandwrench.com/RatchetWrench/November-2016/Judge-Halts-Overtime-Regulations/?utm_source=KnowledgeMarketing&utm_medium=RW%20-%20Newsletter%20Emails&utm_term=RW%20-%20RW%20Insider&utm_content=RW_TheRWInsider_11.30.16&utm_campaign=Judge%20Stalls%20Overtime%20Regulations&eid=211700044&bid=1600848

Thank you! Please see my post under Announcements. Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to take this time at Thanksgiving to say thank you to all AutoShopOwner members. We have a lot to be thankful for and ASO would not be the great sucess if it were not for all the amazing members and the contributions you make to the forums. From the very start of the ASO, the goal was to raise the level of the auto repair industry and to help each other through the day today operations of running a repair shop. We have done that a more! And there is more to come in the future! From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Joe Marconi

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and that means that the winter months are not far behind. For many shops, this means a slow down due to weather and the usual bills that come with winter. Combine that we the fact that consumers are usually less willing to spend during the winter, adds up to a potential slow down in sales. But, you can be proactive and maximize your efforts. Here's quick list of things you can do below, and please feel free to add any of your own ideas: Be proactive at car delivery and make sure you identify at least two future services per vehicle Perform the multipoint inspection on all vehicles and maximize sales for today and make those recommendations for the near future. Make sure that the customer experience was nothing short of world class - give your customers reasons to return to you Consider a mid-winter promo, such as an oil service with a tire rotation, 21 point inspection, winter safety check, perhaps a fuel and oil additive. NOTE: while I am not a fan of a discount Oil Change, I do like promotions. They convey value and pre-qualify those people only looking for a cheap oil change You could sent the promo to your existing customers and/or obtain a mailing list Create a slow day process your team steps up their game Don't get tunnel vision and only focus on what the customer brought the car in for, look for opportunity Remember, every car in your shop today needs future services and repairs. The question is; will they be returning to you? Please feel free to add your suggestions. I know we would all appreciate it!

Stocking inventory can be tricking. There are many things to consider: How far are your main suppliers? Do you accomodate wait customers? And what type of services do you perform? I stock only those parts that I know I can move fast and are needed to maintain production levels: cabin and air filters, batteries, oil, oil filters, antifreeze, trans fluid, BG additives, drain plugs and gaskets, wiper blades, hardware and other misc items. One thing to consider is the amount of money sitting on your shelf. Cash flow can be affected if your inventory is not in balance and you stock too much. And don't go by the part rep. You know your business the best, set you own stocking levels.

Great story and very appropriate!

Let us take time today, Veteran's Day, to honor those who served in the military to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

I don't normally get involved when people take sides in the forum. I rather let everyone voice their opinion in an honest and open discussion. But in this case I will make an exception. Sometimes I create posts that I feel are controversial. I fully know that there will be people on both sides. People are free to chose and free to write about their personal opinions. That is the purpose of the forums and why I co-founded ASO. I do not consider my post complaining, but conveying the feelings of many shop owners that have personally expressed those feelings to me. I also try to come up discussions that may impact us in a negative or positive way. While I don't agree with the marketing of Advance, I do understand why they do it. I also understand why Advance needs a certain amount of the DIY trade. But the bigger picture is how the marketing strategy and the business model affects the future of shop owners. For these reasons, I felt that this would make a good post. And judging from all the additional posts and controversy, I know that I was right. So, please express your opinions, agree or don't agree. That's ok. But, please, let's keep it civil and professional. After all, we are all in this together. My goal...our goal...is to raise the bar and improve the image of the auto repair industry. Thank you for all the great comments, now let's keep the discussion going!

Great article, and great perspective. This business is in our blood. Even at 61, with more than 40 years in the business, the passion is still alive. I would like to see people in our business improve their pay compensation, and immprove working condition. But, I have to admit, we a better today than when I started. Technicians and shop owners are a rare breed. We keep America moving. If not for us, the doctor can't get to the hospital, the lawyer can't get to the court house and the accountant can't make it to the office. Think about, everything around you got there because of some sort of transportation vehicle. We may be underpaid and undervalued, but no one can ever dispute the tremendous value we bring to the world.

Source: Advance Auto Parts Marketing Continues to Hurt Auto Repair Shops

Let me give you a prime example of what we are going through as a result of the Advance Marketing strategy: Last week a customer came to us with a steering pull and requested a wheel alignment. After our routine inspection, we informed the customer that the ball joints were worn and they would need to be replaced before the alignment was done. The customer thanked us and said he would let us know what he decides. The customer came back yesterday and told us, "I decided to go to Advance, bought the ball joints from them and they even LOANED ME THE TOOLS TO DO THE JOB!" But, he is the real story: The truck now has clunks and noises and the steering wanders all over the road. His attempt to do his own ball joints, has now left his truck unsafe to drive due to his lack of expertise to perform the job properly. This is what I have been battling with Advance and no one will listen. Why? They made the sale and that's what's important to Advance. Not the safety of the consumer, and certainly not the shop that lost the sale and is now stuck trying to figure out what went wrong. The Advance marketing strategy will hurt the independents and send the wrong message to the consumer. Free testing, free battery installation, reading codes in the parking lot,loaner tools sets; will all do more harm than good to the relationship between Advance and the repair shops. How can Advance expect me to buy from them when they want to compete with me? That makes no sense. And please don't tell me, "That's not your customer." I am so tired of hearing that. It is my customer! The entire motoring public hears and sees the advertising. This is why I have serious issues with Advance, and cannot support them. And nothing will change as long as Advance listens to Wall Street and not Main Street.