Joe Marconi

Wow, great advise. And detailed nicely!

Have you had great success? Any issues that were unforeseen? And where do you obtain the used tires to resell?

While I agree that many tires with life left on them do end up being discarded, how can we as an industry verify that the used tires we plan on installing on a customer's vehicle are safe and reliable? As a shop owner for 41 years, I am not a fan of selling used tires. The biggest reason? It goes back to my question above. The liability question is also concerning. If there was a way to inspect and certify a used tire, then I would look into it. One last thing, "environmentally conscious" is a good think, but we need to consider the human safety aspect too.

Summed it up with perfection!

As mentioned earlier, my experience was not good. First, the clientele that it attracted did not fit our profile, and many were not even from our area. The rate for installation, repairs, and removal was set by the company. My techs did not like doing the work, and my service advisors had many challenges, as Bantar pointed out. Those people that needed the install came in already angry about it. And none of customer became regular customers.

I tried it, it was a horror show. In my opinion, not worth it. There are so many other ways to attract and retain your core, key, profile customers.

So, what you are saying is that happy employees will produce more, be more engaged, which benefits both the employee and the company. Make sense!

I am hearing more and more about shops using a Labor Matrix to increase labor profit. I have been a long time proponent and have used different labor tiers. For example, we worked on passenger vehicles and heavy trucks. The labor rate was higher for an F500 Dump Truck than it was for a Honda Civic. The labor matrix is a different, it allows your business system to factor in more hours for either longer jobs, vehicles over 20 years old, or any other criteria you decide. For example, if the labor for a job is 8 hours, that job may be billed with an additional 10%, making the job 8.8 hours, not 8. I would like to hear from shop owners using this strategy and tell about the impact on their labor profit.

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You will absolutely sell more tires by taking photos and documenting tread depth during the vehicle inspection process. And also by training your staff to discuss tire safety with your customers. If you want to sell more tires, do a little research in the tools and equipment needed, staff training and speak to tire reps at different companies. In the 1980s I would send all my tire business away. In the 1990s, when I expanded my business, I added tires to my list of services. I did not compete with the tire stores, that wasn't my goal. It was a way to keep my customers in my shop and provide a service to my customers.

You bring up excellent points, especially these days. As shop owners, should we find ways to improve sales and profits throughout the year, rather than relying on past history to determine the good times of the year and the slow times?

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.