Framingham Auto Service

We have seen constant grow for the last 3 years. On my opinion it is all due to the high prices of new vehicles, along with high interest rates. Even with higher parts pricing, it is still making more sense for the consumers to repair and keep their vehicles vs overpaying for a new one. How long does this wave is going to last, is the big unknown.

Nice Job Post! With your permission, I would like to use it. Best Regards.

We stock both Euro and non Euro specs. We currently stock 55 gallons drums of 0W20/5W20/5W30 and 5W30 Euro Specs. The other grades we order as needed.

I recently made the switch to Castrol Oil only. A good portion of my sales comes from European and newer vehicles, the name brand sales it self. So far I have received no complains from existing and new customers about the oil price increase, it just take a little extra time explaining to them that we only use Castrol and why. But, I do understand your point, especially when trying to create a promotion and that's why I said I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE BALANCED APPROACH. 😁 The Oil filters, i'ts the same thing. With longer service intervals recommended by the manufacture (7.500 +), we had to upgrade to an extended service oil filter.

Great discussion! I have been debating my self, on which marketing strategy to adopt. Like AndersonAuto, we only use synthetic (Name Brand) at $4.38 Qt cost and the average price on Oil Filters of $4.55 each ( Price to stock 1 of each is $236.95/52 part numbers =$4.55 ), lube Tech cost $15.00 an hour and we pay 0.5 for Oil Change and Digital inspection. That been said, my Oil Change cost is $33.95 (5 qt) not including any other cost. Been a small shop with 2 bays + an alignment rack, and seen an average of 5.6 cars a day. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A BALANCED APPROACH.

Thanks for all the previous replies. When it comes to charging the customers, do you charge your regular labor rate or do you have a Lube rate? Do you try to compete on Oil Changes, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

We have been using Auto Vitals for years.

$110 Framingham, Massachusetts

Greetings to all ! How many Tenths of an Hour do you give your technicians on oil changes? Thanks.

I have a small shop with 2 Lifts and an Alignment Rack, and we have been delivering an average of 6 cars a day. Because of our number of bays, and lack of space, days that we see more cars are not financially productive. I'm tying to get some inputs from you guys on how you organize your daily schedule. How many cars, per Lift ? Do you limit the amount of Oil Changes you do in a day? How many billable hours, per Lift? Do you charge anything, for diagnosing a vehicle? Thank you in advance, for your replies!

Hopefully it will start to pick up soon, Xrac.

Thanks for your reply Wheelinguato, but I'm not that desperate yet! It does not feel like a marketing issue, i'ts more like a big recession has hit. I hope is temporary ! Thanks.

I had very high hopes for the beginning of 2017, taking in consideration that we finished the year very strong, and had a very good January. But it seems that the ground had open it and swallowed all the business...... How about you guys, how are you doing?

Since we have implemented the 300% rule in our shop we have seen a 20% increase in sales. Our approval ratio is at 50%, we are currently working on improving our customer education skills.

Christian, 18% of Gross Sales

Mmotley is right, one of our biggest problem is getting the customer to understand why we have to charge them diagnostic time. Thanks Guys for all your inputs!

We all know the importance of maintaining the proper margins and balancing cost, but sometimes it's seems that we hit a big wall and can't get passed. How to we get parts cost down if mark ups are tied to cost? Any input is appreciated.....

Job Title: Technician Supervisor: Owner / Manager / Service Advisor Supervises: As assigned by management Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Arrive at the shop at 7:45am · Maintain a valid state driver’s license ( where employed ). · Ensure all vehicles are road tested before and after repairs are made. · Ensure all vehicles have appropriate registration tags and fuel before road testing. · Always obey the law and travel assigned road test route when road testing. · Ensure customers vehicles are keep clean throughout the repair process. · Maintain a clean work environment and facility. Bays should be cleaned after each repair, before next car comes in. Tools should be cleaned/accounted for, after each repair. · Utilize time clock for all activities, arrivals/departures/lunches & breaks/repairs. Break times: Morning break: 9:00am to 9:15am Lunch: 12:00pm to 12:30pm Coffee break: 3:00pm to 3:15pm No cell Phone use during work hours. · Ensure customers vehicles are parked in assigned locations and are always locked. · Be available for training both internal and external as provided by management. · ASE certifications are to be maintained in all areas that apply to automotive repair. · Observe and demonstrate ( by example ) all safety regulations. · Report unsafe practices, or facility and equipment. · Participate in hazmat and workers compensation training. · Report any and all items needing repair or replacement ( facility ,equipment, tools ). · Attend all meetings when requested by management. · Report any illegal activities, by anyone while on, or in using company property. · Maintain, clean and properly operate all company tools and equipment. · Have suitable and current tools to repair and maintain customers vehicles. · Perform repairs and maintenance with high efficiency while maintaining a low comeback rate. · Neatly fill out all repair orders and support documentation with complete details of work performed. · All repair orders must have recommended repairs listed for the service advisor and customer. · Follow assigned times for repairs as directed by the service advisor. · Keep service advisor informed of any unusual situations. · Ensure the service advisor is given adequate advance notice of the requirement of parts. · Ensure all parts and supplies used to perform your duties are noted on the appropriate repair order. · Give assistance to service advisor in the identification and ordering of parts ( when requested ). · When waiting for assignments perform maintenance of facility or equipment. · When a situation occurs that prevents you from completing a task, in the interim ask for another repair order. · Perform detailed cursory inspection on each and every vehicle assigned to. · Ensure customers authorization is on every repair order. · Work well with other employees. · When required, answer the telephone with prescribed methods (supplied by management ). · Never, ever sell unnecessary repairs. Write all supplies used on board. Make sure all trash barrels are empty before leaving. Shut off air compressor Make sure all doors are locked and lights are off before leaving. General Requirements: · Possess the skills necessary to maintain and repair automobiles assigned by management. · Maintain an average overall efficiency of not less than 125%. · Have diagnostic capabilities or the desire and aptitude to learn. · Possess a high school diploma or equivalent training in field. · Be neat and clean in appearance. · Be detail oriented. · Write neatly. · Perform with minimal supervision. · Be reliable. · Able to lift a minimum of 60 pounds. · Possess good manners. · Be a problem solver. · Develop exceptional verbal and written communication skills. · Ability to read and interpret schematics. · Possess First Aid certificates. · Possess general typing and computer skills. · Speak fluent English or language used in service area. · Read English language. · Possess good telephone skills. · Work under stressful situations without loosing control. · Be upbeat and enthusiastic. Framingham Auto Service Inc. reserves the right to adjust this job description as required. Employee will be required to acknowledge changes by signing same. ___________________________________________ _____________________ Employee Signature Date ____________________________________________ Full Name

Job Title: Service ( Consultant ) Advisor Supervisor: Owner / Manager Supervises: Technicians / Porters / General Laborers / Parts Personnel / Shuttle Drivers Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Arrive at the shop at 7:45am · Inform management of all areas of concern. · Inform management of possession or use of illegal drugs by anyone on premise. · Maintain less than 1% customer complaints. · Sell an average of 3.0 + hours per repair order. · Achieve and maintain a gross operating profit of 60%. · Acknowledge and rectify customer complaints. · Attend all company meetings. Break times: Morning break: 9:00am to 9:15am Lunch: 12:00pm to 12:30pm Coffee break: 3:00pm to 3:15pm · Keep work and reception area clean and orderly. · Supervise a parking lot management plan. · Strictly enforce a clean work environment. · Answer telephones courteously an in a timely manner. · Participate in training as required. · Control the scheduling of work flow. · Determine times for repairs / maintenance and allow additional time for up-selling. · Use customer history and Technical Service Bulletins to up-sell. · Determine method of payment at writeup. · Complete paperwork in a timely manner. · Organize paperwork in an orderly fashion. · Follow through by using a diary date system or day planner.. · Inform customers immediately if delays are expected or additional repairs / services are needed. · “Manage Business While Walking Around” and verify that work-in-process is being performed as expected and customer promised time is being met. · Complete a walk-around inspection on all customer vehicles. · Describe all repairs performed with the customers when returning their vehicle. · Ask if alternate transportation is needed and help arrange for same. · Code repair orders with sold time for repairs / maintenance on the workshop copy only. · Obtain customer's authorization on every repair order. · Verify all times posted on repair order to actual times of technicians. · Ensure sublet information (costs) is allocated to repair orders. · Perform follow-up calls to all customers programs. · Confirm customer and vehicle data is current and fill in all spaces provided on every repair order. · Maintain a valid state driver’s license ( where employed ). · Distribute two business cards to all customers. · Look up and greet all customers promptly and courteously. · Provide the technician with accurate details of the customer's complaint on the repair orders. No cell Phone use during work hours. · Sell only needed repairs / services. · Estimate costs and completion times. General Requirements: · Able to type 40 words per minute. · Possess a high school diploma or equivalent training in field. · Formal Service Advisor training or willing to attend training. · Assume management responsibilities. · Be neat and clean in appearance. · Be detail oriented. · Perform with minimal supervision. · Like dealing with the public. · Able to operate office equipment · Speak fluent English or language used in service area. · Read English language. · Write neatly. · Be a problem solver. · Possess good telephone skills. · Possess a basic mechanical knowledge of an automobile. · Develop exceptional verbal and written communication skills. · Possess good manners.. · Work under stressful situations without loosing control. · Possess general computer skills and willing to learn garage management systems. · Be reliable · Be upbeat and enthusiastic. · Listening attentively to customer complaints. · Able to lift 60 pounds. Framingham Auto Service Inc. reserves the right to adjust this job description as required. Employee will be required to acknowledge changes by signing same. _____________________________________________ _________________________ Signature Date _____________________________________________ Full Name

Thanks for the replies,as always all good information !!!!

We are very pleased with the Q-See system

What are your thoughts on the following parts matrix? $0.01 to $1.00 - 71% $1.01 to $5.00 -67% $5.01 to $100.00 -60% $101.00 to $300.00 -55% $300.01 to $1000.00 -50% $1000.01 to --------- -35%

Thank you!