It's definitely an interesting training session.  Jeremy explores some areas of thought that I've never considered.  My mind is a bit more basic in my approach.   I'd encourage you to check it out. 

What do you think of his approach to managing profitability? 

Our air compressor just gave out. I was looking around for a new one since the cost to replace the motor and pump is about $900.00. What brand air compressor would you all recommend that can put up with the heat and daily usage ?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Nick

We've been in business for many, many years and obviously what we're doing is working - but I guess I'm just looking for feedback as to how we could improve this for increased efficiency. I've been thinking about upgrading our software to include a scheduling component but I'm not sure if this would be worthwhile or further limiting. Thoughts and feedback would be most appreciated!!!

I was surprised that I was running so far behind.  It's but a small 8 week tracking window, so I only have 6 weeks left to make adjustments.

All my advisors are stating that we need to track our expenses very closely, so I'm doing this.

I currently write an RO, pay the guys time just like any other job, but cost the parts to myself. The RO is for zero sales but has tech time charged to it. Wondering how others do it. I also have too many vehicles...

Is this a good idea? anyone else have this situation?

It definitely lightens up the shop, the semi-gloss finish definitely reflects the sky lights much better. Now I'll be filtering everything that comes back into the shop to try and keep it this clean. Attached are a few pictures of the before and after. All opinions and suggestions welcome.

Let me know if anyone has any questions about the application, or anything for that matter.

Cheers!

The best thing I ever did for my business was get out from behind the computer. I still come out of the shop to interact with customers, talk to them, explain things and meet them but I stay away from that damn computer.

Part of it is our reputation has grown and word of mouth has spread, but with my service writer taking over things we are seeing double the sales that we saw last year in this first quarter.

What is the best thing that you have ever done, or not done for your business?

Had a friends truck in wih blown head gasket and was ran till it stopped. We quoted him on head gasket and resurface heads and possibly replace heads if cracked. It's all. Back together but really idling rough....

I'm kind of lost with what to do between keep throwing parts or back track.

We are curently expanding our quick lube due to high demand. I would like to know how other quick lube owners go about running their shops and their daily routines.

Do you charge extra for cartridge oil filters, removing skid/cover plates, etc, waste removal/shop fee? What are your procedures in place for upselling? Do you take the customer out to the vehicle? Speak with them in the waiting area? We currently have a program in place, sort of a check list that we go thru to ensure every item is checked visiually. We also document our findings in our programs to avoid any future problems (i.e. the CEL was on before we serviced the vehicle,etc).

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions in advance.

The eventual question regards increasing car count. here's a short back story and how I found myself in this quandry....

After 14 years working with a partner in a mixed business facility, in an economically "challenged" area (we sold used cars...cash or buy here pay here (his half) and operated a repair shop (my half)

Despite our initial business plans, the two bussinesses ended up working against one another as opposed to enhancing one another.

The general public perceived us as a used car lot thinking we only sold cars and the shop basically serviced the cars we sold. And It was very hard earning the repair business of those car buyers...even offering a discount on service to those buyers. Maybe it was the type of customer shopping at a buy here pay here for the type of car we offered that made it hard to make a customer of them at a legitimate shop....maybe it was a trust thing having the lot that sold it work on it...I still don't know but the two didn't work well. Over this time, in addition to the customers I brought with me to the partnership I was able to establish a pretty good base of solid customers, but after the split and the taking away of all the prep work for the car lot and the time it absorbed (time that usually pushed away paying customers, put a strain on both, and finally forced us to part ways.) we are struggling to book full days now

since we are essentially starting over.

Other than my wife who handles the front and books, and a shop "helper" to clean up, stock, do some simple unskilled things, myself handing all "work", we chose to let all other personnel go and start over with a new mindset focused on service customers and customer service! Running the shop like a shop, with the intention of hiring another tech but car count is hindering that..

Now the question. We are struggling with effective ways to bump car count. Wife RELIGIOUSLY sends repair recommendations for work not sold during inspections, makes follow up calls, sends thank yous, pushes our referral program, sends seasonal e-mail blasts to our limited e-mail base, etc. All the internal stuff.

I have also spent thousands on a direct mail program that I thought (and was told) was a sure fire way to get the phone ringing opening the door for me to get them in the shop and make a customer of them (not working quite as expected)

I have effecient and specific proceedures in place for handling cars and customers, essentially doing all things right internally (i think) we just cannot seem to get them accross the curb to set the hook!!

Is anyone else faced with similar challenges. Not the business split, but being a professional facility in a "poorer" area boardering more affluent areas that you cannot get into your shop becaues of it's location? We are right on a major commuter route with HUGE car counts, 1/2 mile from an interstate, nice, clean, well manicued, well equipped facility, I'm a 23 year certified tech...just cant break the stigma of our location and build our customer base.

Any help you might have to offer as far as marketing a situation like mine? What's worked for you? Etc. Management Success! told me years ago that we just need to know what buttons to push to get them in the door..and for 10K$ MORE they'd tell me what they were. (Other than moving...loooking at that option but can't do it immediately)

Hoping someone has some personal insight/experience.

Sorry to ramble, thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your replies.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.