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Everything posted by FROGFINDER
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I see cars coming from the dealer that had the check engine light turned off or the recall done but nobody told the customer about the expired state inspection, the lump on his tire,the broken engine mounts,the loose inner tie rod end and the fact there is no oil on the dip stick. I am a analog guy in a digital world.
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Don’t Buy Into The “New Normal”
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Joe’s Business Tips For Shop Owners
There is a generation now in this country that would rather have a smart phone than a car. Many of my customer's kid's are waiting to even get a drivers license. -
What’s Your “Sweet Spot”
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Marketing, Advertising, & Promoting
Used to be if a customer got a new car we saw them in 12 months or 12k miles when the warranty ran out. We now see them five to ten years later after the warranty games play out or they get sick of being lied to. The work is out there but the middle class that supported us is broke. People with money are driving new cars under lease maintenance or warranties. People with out money, well you can tell by the junkers in your bays. Old school fix everything you can that comes in the shop or cutting edge fuel cell/hybrid,cng service, pick you niche and fight for your lives. -
Stop Comebacks before they leave
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Workflow, Procedures, Shop Forms
When my crew is through with what they were asked to do I pretend I'm the customer. I check the car against the work order to see that services were done and the problems addressed were solved. I make sure the car cas enough fuel to get to a service station or home,all fluids topped off,wipers wipe,horn honks,tire aire is good,all exterior lights work and nothing dripping from underneath. Any last service recommedations for next time are noted. The vehicle always looks better to the eye then when it checked in. A road test around the magic circle and i park it in the best spot to leave that is available. -
New Car Dealer Shows True Colors
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Technician Corner - Discussions
The owner or gm of the dealer and i would be talking about that over lunch. When we buy parts we consider how easy it will be if we have a failure and have to return it as a defect. That gets spelled out before i buy it. Not helping me is not helping my customer and that is NOT AN OPTION! Customer service ,parts quality and common sense are not very commen these days. -
Will Social Media Work for Your Shop?
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Joe’s Business Tips For Shop Owners
Pray for your customers. Think of your customer's often . Know important dates in thier lives and celebrate them with them. Get them to smile when they see you, when they walk up to the service counter, give them something to smile about before they leave. Get to know were the car's are in your area that you want to work on in your area. -
Be glad they thought enough about you to call. DON'T burn that bridge. Send him a Thank You for his Business and referrals card right now. I ve got people that don't spend any money to speak of in my shop that have referred THOU$AND$ of dollars a year worth of jobs to me.
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ENGINE DE-SLUDGING
FROGFINDER replied to DUFRESNES's topic in Auto Repair Shop Management Help? Start Here
It's always flush at your own risk but it's nice to get the engine overhaul job. -
Where do you see the most classic cars on the road?
FROGFINDER replied to FROGFINDER's topic in Customer Experience & Reviews
I like it..thanks. -
We off shuttle service. We have a driver that also runs for parts,misc errands and shop house keeping. I think it's better to have the customer do business directly with the car rental company at a discount.
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Are Cars Getting Too Old?
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Customer Experience & Reviews
We don't have the rust problem here in Houston. I disagree with the don't spend more than a car is "Worth" theory. We judge our car's worth by what some stranger will say it's worth? What is transportation worth to you! If a car has been maintained and kept clean it's worth fixing in most cases unless you just want to replace it. How much is the replacement cost? How much is Full coverage insurance? I look at it like as long as my paid off vehicle costs' less that $6k per year to maintain, i keep it. I average about $2-3k per year on up keep. The average new car cost $30k. Pay cash if you can. If on a 3 year note(so you won't be upside down) you will have approx. $1k per month payments. On a $60k car $2k per month. I have a '99 Acura TL that would cost $42K for a new TL and '98 dodge truck that would cost $33k for a new one. That buy's alot of gas and repairs .The Lone Ranger didn't trade in Silver. Unless the car is damaged and deemed unsafe it's cheaper to keep her. A month after you buy the "NEW CAR" and if you had to sell it you will be offered thousand's $$ less than you paid for your now "USED CAR". -
Telematics for the aftermarket
FROGFINDER replied to Spence's topic in Marketing, Advertising, & Promoting
Like it or not here it comes. Soon the cars will drive themselves to the dealer. Until then i say, you work your side of the street and i'll work mine. -
Focus, Love what you do,NEVER GIVE UP. Google Charles Goodyear
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How were your Christmas sales this year? UP/DOWN
FROGFINDER replied to TTP's topic in Non-Automotive Discussions
It was tough for Horse and buggy maker's in the early part of the 20th century due to the automobile. How many of use can overhaul/service hybrid vehicles? Hydrogen vehicles? LPG vehicles? electric vehicles? Fuel cell vehicles? It always been Lead,follow or get out of the way! I am glad i will be retiring soon. -
Local Dealer Lays Off 5 Techs
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Accounting, Profitability, & Payroll
I am Second, Read My Bible Every day, Seek Wisdom , Service others as i would want to be served ,Give every customer something they can see for free. Give every person you meet a reason to smile and say hello next time they see you. Give a business card to everyone you meet thanking them for prayers and referrals,Early to bed ,early to rise makes one Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. No Drugs, No Booze. Happy Wife Happy Life, Go to Church often.Never Give Up. -
Local Dealer Lays Off 5 Techs
FROGFINDER replied to Joe Marconi's topic in Accounting, Profitability, & Payroll
The gravy service's are being offered with the new car purchase in many cases. People being offered Free tires,oil changes,loaner cars, etc. It's war. We must Fight the good fight for a profitable niche so that our familes and employees can live a decent life. -
"What has been will be again, What has been done will be done again, There is nothing new under the sun." From THE instruction manual.
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In the worlds eye Bill Gates, Donald Trump and Us all live on the same block. A single life makes a Huge difference. How many "BILL GATES OR MOTHER TERESA'S HAVE BEEN ABORTED! Like in It's a wonderful Life movie if it were not for one life we all would live in Pottersville.
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How were your Christmas sales this year? UP/DOWN
FROGFINDER replied to TTP's topic in Non-Automotive Discussions
We our in Houston Texas. I might spend about $300.00 per month about double that around Christmas. They are my neighbors. You got to sow the seeds to get a good crop. -
LET EVERYONE KNOW that with your precision wheel alignments they will get longer tire life and better fuel mileage. A true salesman is ALWAYS closing the deal. Every car/truck you run accross in your neighborhood/area with worn tires (immediate need) should be contacted. I've pre sold a lot of alignments at the gas station while i was getting gas just by passing out a card.
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How were your Christmas sales this year? UP/DOWN
FROGFINDER replied to TTP's topic in Non-Automotive Discussions
We had a good response after thanksgiving .I deliver donuts,kolaches for breakfast and pizza's for lunch to the local repair shops and parts stores. We sent out service/safety and winter service reminders. I snail mail hand signed Merry Christmas Cards to the customer's that came to the shop during the year. When young children come in with the parents i give them Hot Wheels cars.