Jodie

Perhaps have the vendors you use do the legwork for you.  That's an added benefit they can provide you, as a buyer.  I have a vendor that does just that...I can order parts online, see availability, and even check labor guides, interchanges, and fitment.  Because of that, it's my first place to shop.  Really where I get nearly everything, because it is consistent, and they have shown they take us seriously by providing us with tools to help the ordering process.  If I know part prices, associated labor, etc., it means many times I can make a decision on the fly.  We are a mom and pop and do straighforward stuff with some classics thrown in (and the occasional tractor dropped off in the lot).  It also helps in a small shop, if your front-end person is not necessarily a car guy (me).  By providing that info to the desk person, the wrench doesn't have to stop and weigh in on an estimate (increasing bottom line).  Just a thought...the information must be out there...ask and you just might receive, if they can see how it would cement a relationship with you!

Cheers

I have several male customers who have stated openly to my face that they hate women or think they're stupid.  I usually tell them that shouldn't matter, because they aren't going to have to deal with any of my girl stuff anyway.  I have told 2 to get the heck outta our shop, and they did.  One keeps coming back.  So I told him he can keep coming back, but here are the rules...if he is insulting, I add labor because it takes work to put up with him.  (He thinks that's funny).  He kept it up, and I just started calling out numbers.  He asked what that was, and I told him that was the rising stupid tax I was adding to his bill because he is insulting the very person giving him an estimate.  Yes, he escalated it.  Turned into a standoff.  I also added $50 to the estimate.  When he was given the total, he was told that the extra $50 was added because of his abuse.  He laughed and had no problem paying it.  So hey, he thinks it's funny, I have thick enough skin to tolerate him, and I get to buy a new something for myself every time he's in, because he can't resist nasty comments about women.  I won't change him, but I can make it worthwhile!  (And no, $50 is not the going rate to insult me...shop joke now!)