FROGFINDER

Most times if you perform a "I will pay you later repair " do it with the knowledge that you will not get paid back and they will bad mouth your work. It's amazing how people that owe me for a repair job can afford the work I suggest at another shop, or they can smoke cigarettes, have the latest I-phone,etc. .

You guys are seeing it. Customers seem to be spoiled to the Free stuff at the dealer that the manufacturer pays the dealer to do or was priced into the car. Many more people under 30 don't even want to own a car. For the first time in 30 years only 50 percent of 17 year olds in USA have a license to drive. They travel by I Phone . The greatest do it for me generation is dying off and who will/what will replace them? Any thoughts?

If you keep it, clean it up and make it look like a going concern and then lease it.

I stock oil filters but I am seconds away from 9 dealers, two auto parts stores and a major warehouse so I let them manage my stock for me.

Starting This Monday change your hourly shop rate to $139.95 per hour and fix their problem the first visit. When cheaper shop prices are mentioned, invite the customer to have the other shop do the work and then bring the car back to your shop for a recheck together. You will point out the sloppy oil change work, poor tire balance, missing/loose bolts ,problems missed ,etc so the that the customer can go back and ask for their money back.

True story duplicated many times since 1969 . A person comes in and grills me about prices on the first visit so sometimes I play along. How much for a wheel alignment they ask $29.00 I respond. How much for a conventional oil change they ask, $9.99 I respond . They can't believe what they just heard, I ask them if they have been paying more elsewhere?

Joe I say with all respect I have stayed away from the mentioned brand at least for a decade. And i'm talking full line. This type products often get installed into systems that carry a high safety risk as well as the BREAK DOWN WITHE ZOMBIES DRAMA your ears will hear next work day from your customer. ps. Let the customer have a choice to buy related system parts and flushes, such as pump and hoses, tie rod ends, wheel alignment, etc Frogfinder

Welcome, Should a mobile shop have instant towing available and have a base garage/parking lot for the problem cars?

Asking the customer questions and listening to the request.I will invest in the diagnosis and train the customer how the receive my attention and help in the future. I will explain if I have found a system malfunction that will ruin the Catalytic Converter in short order. You got to offer Good,Better,Best and let the customer decide up front. Detail all repairs and what the customer declines on the invoice. It is alway's tough with the older/higher mileage cars that come in with many issues of age/abuse/neglect. ps: I have started relationships with the very type problems bur we pressed on-got the car fixed and the customer referred many customers.

Growing up most of my neighbors worked on their cars on Saturday mornings. My father and I restored quite a few in our driveway. We all helped each other . Happy Fathers day to all.

Yes. Haste makes waste. I have watched many vehicle's leave the quick lanes with lights/tail lights out, state inspection expired , tires worn down the steel cord,etc but the oil change service and multi point check was done.,

I would like to see oil/fluid leak checks and safety inspections in all states.

You have to know what your worth. If you check it/take a look for "free" consider it part of you advertising cost and make sure you can contact that customer later to reward him/her for referrals. When you use expensive equipment and your best guy charge what you can for testing ($130.00 per code/system) and promise to report asap. When you contact the customer explain to them that they have spent x and will be spending y to complete the task . Don't get weak. Your family , creditor's and customers are depending on you.

Turn off the "technology" and most businesses stop. Take away the cell phone and the result is panic in the streets. People don't have the "head knowledge" today.

That's wholesale price i tell them. With the higher price of the part's that we supply comes A Waranty, No Dust on your wheels, No Noise, no Brake Pulse and Shorter stopping distances. You may not be able to service them this time but encourage them for free brake system check to make sure the cheaper choice place put the vehicle back together right. I've had many take me up on that and it created good will or work for us.

Cars will be driving themselves in for service or at least summon a dealer sent flat bed or road side service. I've been fighting the good auto repair fight since 1969. Heck a/c and power steering were still options on cars, I am blessed with a number of good people that are nice enough to send the vehicle in at all or refer us. I also think and pray for my customer's spiritual and physical health . It's funny how often we think of a customer and then they call or come by. Focus on solving automotive related problems with the idea that FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.. PS: HAPPY EASTER !

WHAT IS NOT AN EXPENSE IS SHORT PLEASURES AND SLEEP.

I suggest owning the shop and land. The best landlord can be you. If things go south the building is shelter and the place to make a stand for a new start.

Cars are disposible when they need anything that costs more that the monthly payment to a larger segment of society.

Many of these people have their back to the wall . With the average age car in the USA being 11 years and the middle class that supported us are tapped out. ANY PEOPLE WITH MONEY RIGHT NOW ARE ON VACATION.

A true professional passes his ASE tests even if they don't feel like it. Listen to your staffs words. If you hear "I don't care,I don't know, Questions that could have been answered with 2 minutes research on the databases you pay for,Talk about after hours drug/achohol abuse, womanizer talk ,cursing that should give you a clue. It all starts with the heart and soul.

I volunteered to help a nieghbor fix his car and people have been paying me to assist them fix cars ever since.

Become so good at solving peoples car problems or alway's taking the time to point them in the right direction in a manner they never forget is the key to the door of referrals.

Years ago i was putting on wiper refills in the rain for a lady that was too cheap to by the complete wiper blade. That was back when the wiper frames were made of thin metal with rubber inserts. The rain turned into a down pour and in my haste to finish i sliced my finger to the bone in a sharp edge. Bleeding like a stuck pig i finished the installation and as i walked by the lady to go back inside she asked" Is that blood going to dull my paint job?"

It was revealed to us in the beginning that this would happen but we choose not to believe but to only do what is right in our own eyes. History repeats itself.