JAMasella

Ran my whole shop on QB’s Enterprise solutions for 20yrs. Now looking to switch to Mitchell w/bolt on (a little pricy) or Shop Boss (less expensive and in cloud). Any advise would be helpful.  (Need electronic work orders due to distance from office to back bays and would like to try DVI.

I agree with Tom. The only thing we do extra on top of the factory maintenance is brake fluid flushes that I don’t seem to find in the manual on most manufacturers.  If we find a fluid is dirty During our inspection we will recommend it whether it’s due for my mileage or not according to manufacturer.   Seems to me that every 30,000 miles per p…[Read more]

Hi Dan,   for a less expensive route, I installed a system myself for about $700- Defender-usa.com.  I bought a 2T hard drive system w/ 8 cameras expandable to 16.  I installed a total of 10 cameras so far.  Reviews were great.  Purchased from walmart.com w/3 or 4 yr extra warranty.  Hard wired, each camera came with 60′ cables and I purcha…[Read more]

Larry,  thanks for your input on QuickBooks.  I’ve been using QB’s as a shop management program since 1996 for everything.  I keep hearing people say I’m missing out by not having an automotive specific program.  I have checked out Mitchell SE Manager and it seems to be very popular w/few complaints but I have gotten so fast w/QB’s, I don’t kno…[Read more]

Finding a hard time getting A rate techs.  Does anyone have a competency test for new hires?  Like a modified ASE test.

Feel free to call me if you have any questionsJimMasella’s Auto RepairVenice, FL

I have used QB’s since 1996.  I is probably the most cost effective system out there.  You can customize your invoice, write estimates and convert to invoice later, payroll, and many good reporting features.  I love being able to pull a P&L statement at any time and compare it to last year to date.  It always works and is very reliable.  Drawbacks…[Read more]

12:00-1:00- unless a customer is waiting, then my techs may take a later lunch.  I also allow my techs to take a different lunch time if I have notice.  I cover the front office myself during lunch and may take a later lunch myself. 

We put in a Kerig coffee station and small frige with free water and soda for customers in the waiting room.  The response is very positive from our customers.  They overwhelmed with the gesture.  It only cost about 13 cents per water, 25 cent per soda, and K-cups are about 35 cents each.  Small investment for the feedback I get from my…[Read more]

down 26%

up 2% – first 3 days were very slow, middle of month was busy, last week slow.