Brianp

Hey folks,

 

One of our best customers will be moving to the Phoenix, AZ area. When she was putting together a Pros and Cons list about moving, our shop and relationship actually made the Con list (meaning that losing a trusted technician was a big factor into NOT moving away). I feel it's my due diligence to try and connect her with another trusted shop in the Phoenix area and thought about coming on here to look for one. We're all on this forum for a reason, to improve ourselves, discover best practices and make our businesses better. I feel this forum would be a great place to find a shop similar to ours...extremely trustworthy and transparent.

 

Let me know if you might be a good candidate. I have all service records for her '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee and '08 BMW Z4.

 

Thanks for your time!

Depending on what area they are moving to we are about 100 miles north. We do have a few that commute for service but it may be better to find someone local.

We get one hour per a wheel for most brake jobs also.

There are a number of vehicles that the brake rotors don't just slide off to replace. How can you justify to your customer you are doing the best for them by selling them new rotors when these can really be resurfaced. Say they ask why do they need to be replaced. Your honest answer would have to be because we do not have the equipment to resurface them on the vehicle. We do not see a lot of comebacks for vibration or noise (less the 1%). If your answer is quality of new brake rotors warp easier then that's all the more reason to resurface the OE rotors do to the quality difference between them and the aftermarket. I have no argument about aftermarket quality. In general it has been going down for a while. We have seen new aftermarket brake rotors warped right out of the box.

I guess I just do not experience this. We can turn the brake rotors with no issues. The procut is a great product.

_{I had similar quality issues with a local supplier. It happened to be mostly on starters also. I let them know of the quality issues. They said no one else in town is complaining. They did not address my concerns and we buy some were else. I do not like to have to do a job twice. It happens from time to time but to me quality is the key. I want my customers trust and feel like I will do what is needed to earn that. We do not install customer provided parts unless its a wiper blade, bulb or maybe a hard to find part on a classic car. As far as parts matrix goes well every shops overhead is different. That should dictate your matrix not other shops and what they charge. You need to charge enough to stay open pay the bills etc.}

We have a on car lathe and a bench lathe. We are on our second on car pro cut. I do not think we could make it with out the on car lathe. Saves a lot of time and the finish is great. I cannot count the times we have gotten warped new rotors out of the box. Plus the expense for rotors for every vehicle does not make sense to me. I do not think I have seen a brake job for $200 even with out replacing the brake rotors for a very long time.

I dont know of any managment system that integrates with an alignment machine. The alignment machine manufacture would need to contract witht he managment system manufactures. Snapon may with mitchell since they are one and the same. I have found mitchell to be the best overall in my opinion.

We have used bg products for over 15 years. we do all there services and also own all the machines. Great product and service.

We use test strips. We usually try to bundle the fluid flush with a brake job but it does not always work that way.

We raised last year due to some price increases we saw. Cost of living went up and so we gave raises also. Our buisness has not suffered at all in fact the last few years have been as prosperous as ever.

Nice way to handle it but yes times have changed for sure

Im curious also. I say it but am not sure about the batteries.

I do not like pressure selling. Do they need the tbelt. Absolutely I fell you just do the best you can to help them understand the need for it and the cost involved if it does break. If they do not have the 4 they dont have the $. Scare tactics and pressure are things I refuse to do. I have no issues sleeping at night and looking ppl in the eyes knowing I did what I felt was right.

I always pull out before they pick up I do a quick visual whne pulling a new car in and when its doen to make sure its ok.

agreed but most customers dont know this

True just hope that no one has to go through it. Its so stupid really but who said lawyers or judges use common sense.

i personally have 2 signs inside my shop that reads in big bold letters :

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, DAMAGE OR ANY VALUABLES LEFT IN VEHICLE ON PREMISES

also when i start a repair order i ask all of my customers to read and sign a disclaimer that states the same message

saves me a headache or two

Fyi in court it means nothing. As I said before we have first hand experience in this.

Mitchell is by far the best service if the cost is to much to start id use identefix do its additioanl benifits until I could afford both.

Be careful Along time ago at out old location we had a similar issue. It went to court and the judge ruled in the persons favor. Its almost as like they think its small money for a buisness. I had witnesses saying the belongings were not in the vehicle and it still did not matter.

I think the sw should get all info off vehicle and from customer inspect car, lube sticker, wipers etc while creating the tech sheet. He needs to see the odometer, warning lights, etc before creating the worksheet. It should be the techs job to road test etc. At least thats how I do it. The tech does not deal with customer unless it requires a ride along for a noise 99% of communication is done by sw so it can be noted.

Exactly of course a steak is cheaper at the store then the resturaunt but you cannot bring your owm. Im the same way you cant bring your own. Im nice in the way i present it ususally but I refuse to do it. Its the way I choose to do it. Is it correct? Its all a matter of opinion. Same with giving quotes over the phone I refuse to do it cause I know I cannot give an accurate $ I may give a ball park but I am not going to low ball it get it in tear it down and call with 1k more needed. After a while we have weeded out the bottom feeders and its allowed me to give better service to the better customers. When times were slow we were not and I am happy about that.

The only diff ppl can notice is if there brakes are quiet and do not vibrate. I get quite a few shops who bring in brake jobs for us to do on brakes that are not easy to do. We are do for a new procut its 10 yrs old and going strong but I know we need one that can cut larger diameter rotors.

Im also interested but like to have feedback on actual usage by shops.

We charge .5 for a complete brake inspection. And most brake jopbs are 2.0 hours. We have an on the car lathe and pack bearings in those rare cases it has them. We use napa saftey stops and the friction material it came with not ceramic if not original. Also we do not use ceramic on larger trucks 3/4 ton or larger I have heard of lots of brake fading when hot or towing.

The way I handle it is to not install a customer provided part. In the end you are responsible for the part regardless. say no warranty if it comes down to it in a court you are indeed liable. Weed out the bottomfeeders and thrive. fyi I will put on ppls wipers or install there bulbs but at no cost but brake pads, timing belts or anything else nope.

2k seems cheap. But then again I dont use used engines so it may be in line. Engien jobs always need additional parts, w/p, t-stat, mounts the list goes on and on.