Joey N.

I see this more often as the days go. Customer igorance is getting worse and explaining the need for brake fluid flushes and coolant exchanges for the first time in a 200k mile car is very difficult.

I usually explain the need for every required service on a customers car in their first visit and then plan with them when each one should be done. Even if a brake adjustment or cabin air filter may be necessary I don't push it and we usually plan these services for their next visit.

We just changed a motor on a 2008 Dodge Charger because the genius never, I mean never did and oil change... I wanted to berate him. Afterward we mapped out all his future services and I turned him into a good customer... let's see.

Joe do you think that surprising these people with all the services their cars should be receiving on their first visit shows the customers that we are professional? or that we are being too pushy to "sell"? That is a fine line that I try to stay 5' away from.

I don't think I could work for another person ever again, it pays the bills, some weeks I earn a sizeable profit, there isn't another business I want to own right now.

We have all been there... I've asked people to no longer patronize my business because I saw that i was being used.

Truth is that I regret those instances, I no longer take a defensive position and i treat everyone who calls or walks through the door as if they are my best customer. I've learned that from my dad who has been doing this successfully for 30 years.

If I can avoid it, I will not give price over the phone for something I have no knowledge of and not checked out. If we tell a regular customer who is in for service that the timing belt needs to be replaced and she calls back to get a price, that’s a different story and those jobs are money in the bank. Why? They are already our customer and there is that trust/relationship factor. But to blindly give someone a price on something that we have not inspected, based on what they think they need, over the phone, just does not sit well with me.

 

The other day, an acquaintance through the Local Chamber of Commerce, called me for a price on a brake job for his Land Rover. Why someone who owns a Land Rover needs a price is another story. So, after a few questions and explaining to him the reasons why I should inspect the car prior to giving a price, he pleaded with me and I caved in and gave him an estimate. A few days later I called him and left a message and he has not returned my call. This happened once before with this guy when he needed a price on tires. He never came in for the tires either.

 

I do plan on speaking to him at the next chamber meeting. He owns a local pharmacy and I am going to politely ask him how he would feel if the next time I shop in his store I asked the price of his deodorant, toothpaste, cough drops, medications and other items BEFORE I purchase them.

We use Cintas and I am very happy with the service, send me a message and I can get the the contact info for our rep.

We are located in Queens, NY and this has been the slowest week of the year. Gas lines are effecting travel, parts companies don't have delivery drivers and customers are afraidto leave their houses. Its an absolute mess in NYC. Our other location is a Gulf Station and their has been a line 100 cars long even though we havent refueled yet. People have even gotten violent today. Were considering closing up for the day and restarting on Monday...

Good luck to everyone dealing with the mess and sadness.

Sounds like a very bitter dentist..

We have every right to charge for a professional service, the rate and basis of the charge is up to you. I charge for diagnosis when the diagnosis requires our scan tools, a smoke machine, ohm meter, etc... that charge is usually $45 (1/2 hour labor)

I want to say first that i dont think there is one right answer to this question, every business and situation requires different standards. You need to find out what works best for you and how to remain profitable without taking advantage of anyone.

In the case of my business every job and situation is different, we mark up dealer parts from 15 to 50% and aftermarket parts from 50% to 150%. Lesser expensive parts are marked up higher than more expensive items, but once again every job is different.

Good luck

Hi guys I am new to the forum. I thought this would be a great place to talk to other shop owners about questions we have. Sometimes Alldata doesnt have everything you need and Google and Youtube actually come in handy lol... but hopefully in the future can have some other great minds help us.

My boyfriend & I started our shop in January. I asked a good friend of mine (she does bookkeeping & accounting) how people markup on parts. She said 47%.

 

When I call Napa, O'Reillys etc I ask for list price, but then list isn't what the "average Joe" can walk in and get it for. I cant go off of average joe price because we wouldn't still be in business. I cant sell it at manufacturer list either because that would mean taking an arm and a leg...

 

I meet in the middle, on small stuff markup more cause not a lot of room to move, and big stuff markup less. And dealer I just sell it at what dealer would sell it at, because I don't want someone going into our place or the dealership stating I sold it at less or more than dealer or vice versa. And then aftermarket parts I sell lower than MSRP. So if we do 20% markup we lose money, 45% on small stuff, 30% on bigger items? What does everyone mark their parts up? And just an FYI our labor rate is competitive from the rates other shops charge we are much lower at $80.00/hr whereas others charge $100.

 

Can someone please explain to me auto parts markup or how they markup or how I am doing it is okay for an auto shop?

 

Amanda S

How much does a set up like that set you back?

$40k w/ install, warranty and the pit to make the lift flush mount.

So I ended up ordering a Hunter Presto Alignment Machine w/ a Hunter RX10 lift..

Thanks for the help everyone.

Hey Everyone,

I am in the market for a new alignment machine for my shop...

There are so many options out there and the price variance between brands is unreal. I have experience with the Hunter Hawkeye, but I don't think that what the machine does is justification for the price.

What machines do you guys use? What lifts do you use? Is your alignment bay also used for other work when you are not doing alignments?

The Atlas Edge 601 is a great price, but I don't know anyone that used it. Anyone here have any experience w/ it?

I don't want to get something used even though I am looking for something affordable.

Let me know what you all think...

I bring this up often, but it's worth bringing up again. It's August, and that means in a few weeks many people will be heading off to college. We should market this: Give tips for the road, safety, getting the car checked out for the trip back, etc. I offer a Back to School Promo, which includes and oil change, tire rotation, multipoint check, and a fuel and engine additive. It's a great promotion and has a lot of value to students headed back to college.

 

Any other marketing we can share?

How will you effectively market this idea? Are you using mailers, are your SA's relaying it to the customer, signage?

Seasonal promotions can be a great tool if the right customer is reached.

We currently use AllData for estimating and procedures.. were happy with it and never felt as if we were in need of any additional information other than what alldata offers.

Do yourself a favor and stop guessing right away, you are hurting your business.

I don't compete with them. I have a professional shop with service bays, specialty equipment, resources, insurance, and a warranty. They don't. I have heard of tons of bad repairs with backyard/mobile mechanics.

 

What is the customer going to do when their new engine doesn't run properly, is the backyard mechanic going to be back? What is the customer going to do when the backyard mechanic abandons the job half done in their driveway?

The backyard mechanic will eventually disappear or raise his rates. I treat all my customers and potential customers fairly so that they return or that they remember that I am here if ever they need my service.

Hey everyone,

My name is Joe and I have been a lurker around here for some time. I love the forum, I find the members here to be quite helpful and the information and discussions to be useful.

I own a 3 bay shop in Queens NY that I recently took ownership of, but has been in my family for 15 years. We have a solid reputation in our area and work on all makes and models with no real specialty. My family also owns two other shops in our area, one in which we owned for 25 years and the other for 35.

I look forward to talking with everyone on here.

-Joe