Running an auto repair shop and keeping it operating is a large task. In this section you'll read about the things you need to keep in mind, such as safety and training, in order to have a successful shop. SiteId 385
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Shop Management: Doctor’s Orders Greenville NC
Most people have no clue how their vehicle works or the repair procedures involved. Since they don't understand the parts involved and how they work, they don't understand how they wear out. They understand even less the fact that parts usually work fine until they can no longer perform their duty. As automotive professionals, we know that parts usually aren't broken until they're broken (to put it simply).
Selling Services: Mind Games...The Four Customer Types Greenville NC
It was a customer of mine that I recognized quite well. She was a regular customer, a good customer. It didn't start off so well though. The first time I remember her bringing her Jeep Cherokee into the shop, the water pump was leaking. She was what you might call a hard sell. Learn more about how I manage the case and different customer types.
We Can’t Fix It Greenville NC
Many people in the automotive industry still hold the belief that you should be able to fix everything. This may have been feasible when the Big 3 dominated the vehicle landscape decades ago, but not now. I have said to manufacturers of brake pads, mufflers, filters, etc., "You make one product and don't offer full coverage, but you expect this small business with seven employees to be able to service every make and model on the road. Is that feasible today?"
The Pricing Game: Technology Puts Part Prices in the Hands of Your Customers Greenville NC
Can the average consumer look up the price of a part over the internet? Yes. This is just one of the downsides to technology that puts information once only available to a few, can now be put in the hands of the many. But, just like the old saying, "you can't believe everything you read", people should not believe everything they find on the internet.
This Car is Kicking My Butt: Charging a Diagnostic Fee Greenville NC
The simplest way to keep diagnostic services profitable is to keep to a clock. If the technician runs out of an hour sold to the customer, they must stop and have the customer authorize more time. Don't worry, fixing cars is not like taking an ASE test, you can ask for more time. If the customer does not authorize the extra time, the chances that they would have approved the repair are even lower.
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10 Ideas to Improve Shop Profitability Greenville NC
As the cost of running a shop continues to escalate, it's important to always have your eyes open for ideas you can implement to improve sales, cut costs and make your shop more profitable.
10 Ideas to Improve Your Shop's Appearance Greenville NC
Your shop's exterior is the first thing that customers and prospects see as they drive into or drive by your location. So your shop's "curb appeal" speaks volumes - in terms of your shop's expertise, repair quality and professionalism. This article provides you 10 ideas to improve your shop's appearance.
Human Resources: Growing Great Employees Greenville NC
Interviewing prospective employees is what every business owner have to do. Good interviewing skills can go a long way to choose the right ones for a company.
Loss Leader: Lost Cause? Greenville NC
Did you create the desire to get a service performed because of a "special" you are running? No. Did you attract one or two more people who were already shopping for that service with your special? Maybe, but was it worth it? Ask yourself this: How many of a particular service would you have done if they were not on special? How much money do you think you might have spent in advertising that specially-priced service? Was discounting every customer who got that service worth the two or three extra jobs that month?
Missed Services Greenville NC
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It's easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it's because of time constraints, or some other reason, some services just get forgotten about.
Seasonal Service Greenville NC
It's that time of year again. Time to start promoting seasonal service checks. So before family hits the road for vacation with gas possibly hitting $3 per gallon, here are some service items that should be checked.
Selling Services: Mind Games...The Four Customer Types Greenville NC
It was a customer of mine that I recognized quite well. She was a regular customer, a good customer. It didn't start off so well though. The first time I remember her bringing her Jeep Cherokee into the shop, the water pump was leaking. She was what you might call a hard sell. Learn more about how I manage the case and different customer types.
Shop Management: Dining Out Greenville NC
Shop management lessons can be found in many places - even at the local seafood restaurant. Let me start by saying that if there are two types of food that I love, they have to be Asian cuisines and seafood. In fact, if it were not for the Orient and for the creatures of the sea, I would probably waste away.
Shop Management: Doctor’s Orders Greenville NC
Most people have no clue how their vehicle works or the repair procedures involved. Since they don't understand the parts involved and how they work, they don't understand how they wear out. They understand even less the fact that parts usually work fine until they can no longer perform their duty. As automotive professionals, we know that parts usually aren't broken until they're broken (to put it simply).
Shop Management: What is a Shop Foreman? Greenville NC
The best shop foremen are also good public relations personnel. They are also the spokesperson and translator in communications between the service manager and the technicians, and vise versa. They are the "filler" that smoothes over the cracks in the shop's daily operations.
So… You’re a ‘Manager’ Now Greenville NC
You've done your time in the trenches. You've dreamed of it. You've worked toward it. You sought out the opportunity. Now it is your turn to be the boss. So now what? Do you really know what to do? Do you know what not to do? If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that there is no one single right choice in management. There are however, many wrong choices and misconceptions.
Tech Feature: Boosting Profits Through Turbocharger Services Greenville NC
If the wastegate does not move at all, overboost and detonation is the usual complaint. But if it is hanging up and does not close fully, it will bleed off exhaust pressure from the turbine wheel and prevent the turbocharger from developing full boost. Try disconnecting the wastegate and working the linkage by hand to check for binding and proper closure.
Tech Feature: Understanding Your Market Can Increase Performance Exhaust Revenue Greenville NC
Depending upon the market your shop is servicing, the term “performance exhaust” can have different meanings. The first market actively seeks out the throaty rumble and chrome-plated look as part of the “vehicle personalization” scene. The second installs an exhaust system that produces the most horsepower for a performance application. Sometimes the two are one and the same, sometimes they’re not.
Ten Ideas to Improve Employee Retention Greenville NC
Marketing gurus say it’s less expensive to keep an existing customer...
The Pricing Game: Technology Puts Part Prices in the Hands of Your Customers Greenville NC
Can the average consumer look up the price of a part over the internet? Yes. This is just one of the downsides to technology that puts information once only available to a few, can now be put in the hands of the many. But, just like the old saying, "you can't believe everything you read", people should not believe everything they find on the internet.
This Car is Kicking My Butt: Charging a Diagnostic Fee Greenville NC
The simplest way to keep diagnostic services profitable is to keep to a clock. If the technician runs out of an hour sold to the customer, they must stop and have the customer authorize more time. Don't worry, fixing cars is not like taking an ASE test, you can ask for more time. If the customer does not authorize the extra time, the chances that they would have approved the repair are even lower.
We Can’t Fix It Greenville NC
Many people in the automotive industry still hold the belief that you should be able to fix everything. This may have been feasible when the Big 3 dominated the vehicle landscape decades ago, but not now. I have said to manufacturers of brake pads, mufflers, filters, etc., "You make one product and don't offer full coverage, but you expect this small business with seven employees to be able to service every make and model on the road. Is that feasible today?"
What Were They Thinking? The Role of the Brake System Engineer Greenville NC
What were they thinking? Why did they do it that way? As an automotive technician you service many makes and models of vehicles. They may be different models and brands from the same year, or the same make and model from different years.
