FROGFINDER

Free tire rotation with an oil change. It attracts a customer interested in maintaining their vehicle and gives you a chance to look at the tires, brakes, and suspension.

I advise the cutomer to consider a wheel balance and wheel alignment check if and drift,pull or shake reveals itself after the free rotation. I look at the lug studs/retaining nuts for damage and show the customer any missing or stripped fasteners.

We had a custom check in sheet that we wrote customers complaints, estimates if known, observed vehicle body damage notes and first timers complete the whole thing, others sign and both select d method of contact for updates.

It is noted that there are check out charges to be paid if repairs declined.

I have read/heard, whatever somewhere, don't quote me on that

That, if at least two of your customers don't tell you that you are too expensive or charging too much, it means you are not at your "optimal" hourly rate. So think of it as a compliment from them.

Now, if those two customers are the only ones you got in for that week, that's a problem, isn't it?

As far as "price sensitive" (lmao not at them, but with them at myself) customers and responses to their complaints, i usually ask what they do for living and if they wouldn't mind doing the same job for about half the salary.

This usually takes care of the highly analytical types, others just won't hear you no matter what.

If the customer does not call the police you have not charged enough.

I have heard of some dealers getting rid of the 20 year guys and hiring younger folks and training them to change parts until the car is fixed..

In the last several decades, I would get calls from Chubby folks at work. Many times i had a monster migraine headache. I would state that they were now talking to the highest paid car washer in the entire state of Texas, Now how may i help you?. I offered to do stand in Automotive related comedy before their program but i never getted called.

I hope no news is good news.

Information is free, knowledge is for sale but Wisdom is what i search for.

raise car count- Even coupon chasers have friends. Treat them with respect and ask for their referrals. Pay your customers to do your marketing.

to raise aro - focus on safety first, things past due/needed asap second, upgrades third and don't be afraid to charge for your time. Even if sale is rejected thank them and ask for referrals. Send a reminder card/e-mail.

Prayer, Hard work and Kindness changes things.

People expect in and out while you wait service. Deal with it in a way that they feel that they are in control of doing the right thing for themselves.

When the cat is away the mice will play.

The number 1 return on investment for me has been mailouts. Combined with a professional looking website, those 2 have brought in the most. Facebook brought in none. A few from google ads (probably count them on 2 hands). Maybe 1 on Yelp, but I don't pay for Yelp.

 

Most people say they got my mailouts, then they checked out my website. After that, it's word of mouth. I've done 5 mailouts and only been open 17 months. Each mail out consisted of at least 1,500 pieces, 2 where over 10K pieces. Getting ready to do another one in December or January.

 

I also have an ad running in a small retirement 'golf' community newspaper. Surprisingly good return on it. Very cheap to advertise in.

The retirement communities are where 80 million American motorists are going in the coming years.

I am sorry to say the profile was out of date. I have corrected the address. Thanks folks!

I thought the address looked wrong on your profile so being the old parts dog that I am I looked you up in the phone book and got the correct address to send my help

snail mail.

Lord please hold this man up and reveal your plan for him to safely travel,Amen.

ps. Help sent via snail mail.

Prayers and Healing sent over you.

I am an analog guy in a digital world.

I want to see/spend a little hands on time with the problem vehicle in order to help.

That being said i know that in the future cars will drive themselves to the dealer for repairs.

Until then I want to see the car.

We have several engineers that are the same way. I have to charge them time for the explaining.

Another day in "as the wrench turns"

We are lucky to have 6-10 suppliers that we work plus have a full time customer/parts driver on staff.

We try to do a show and tell. Many vehicles come in with damaged air filter boxes/retainers, tree debris in the cowl and a clogged cabin filter. We vacuum out the debris from the air filter box before we install the new filter and ditto with the cowl.

most air filters .15 labor

most cabin filters .5 labor

most easy bulbs .15 labor

wiper blades n/c labor but we only sell blade assemblies that are of good quality.

If the car is due for mileage based service we try to bump it to a proper service.

we work off a $139.50 shop rate.

The techs we see apply reflect how the world is. Drugs,divorce,drinking,porn, the list goes. When i answer the phone at my shop i could honestly say " Auto repair and rehab, can i help you" That being said, Hire the cleanest living person with a good attitude,train skills and charge as much as you can so you can pay them well.

Don't let people rent space in your head. I have to work my vendors against each other on each sale. I state my price parts and labor knowing that i will have room for a discount at the end. Other that that i encourage the customer best of luck and i hope he has a blessed New Year. I remind the customer that if they go somewhere else Iwill not be able to help them.

The cost of te

Do you add this on to the ticket as a specific line item?

No.

If I give it personally it is a gift. If the company pays for it I show it as a parts cost but no charge to the customer.

Can you afford to lose him?

Price will always be used against you.

What the LARGE PRINT GIVETH the small print taketh away.

Read what you sign to know if you your Lawyer is pulling your chain.

Every day i wake up IS winning the lottery, Amen.

I would set up a trust to recieve the money and allow at least a year and prayer before i made any major changes. I am lucky, I love being around classic cars and repairing cars. I just can't stand the politics.

Create a "The Voice" type situation with coaches and prizes.