josephautomotive

I looked into them, two major issues: Since I am a one man shop, they wont even list me, a customer could be broke down a block from my door, but if they check repair pal, the nearest listed shop is over 40 miles away.  So that does me no good.  Second, their estimates are usually clear out in left field somewhere, no where near realistic. They d…[Read more]

Not quite related, but it kills me when people come in with quotes to install used major assemblies (engine or trans) for an overall estimate that is lower than the All Data or Chilton labor for the job.  Now figuring the engine, fluids, and incidentals, you must have guys who are crazy enough to install these for a couple hundred bucks.   A tr…[Read more]

Not anywhere around here. An A tech may make that, but more likely he was promised a “potential” and you can’t eat potential.  Entry level starts at around $11 hr, and McD here will start you at $10 hr., no tools and no skills required.  It was pretty bad when I had to take a part time job driving truck, and that pays more than I make fixing t…[Read more]

Moot since I run a one man shop without employees. I can tell you that as an employee I had to pay for my own certifications, and train on my own time (although the boss usually picked up the class fees)  I think making the tech bear these costs out of pocket is nuts.

I always had to pay for my tests, even as an employee.  I will tell you I have heard every excuse in the book why techs wont take the exams, and always from guys I know damned well would fail.  Certification ought to be a job REQUIREMENT.  (not merely a preference) If you as as employer are paying for the exams and providing training, what is th…[Read more]

Well I pushed it up to $18.75 which puts me about $5 over my average competitor (arghh) but I do post my business cards on local boards with a coupon for a free repair.  Do a few freebies here and there, not many though, but people tell me they do hang on to my cards!  Got a new lowballer in town, $45 hr door rate! Arghh! wonder how long he will l…[Read more]

We usually get about 20% off list which is simply not enough, so we mark them up the same as after market.  It sucks competing against OE list. which is why most OE’s are my LAST call.  Maybe someday they will figure that out

ranges. from 20% for high dollar major assemblies like engines, to 25% on tires and batteries up to 60% for small dollar items.  Trying to maintain an average of 50% but it just depends on the mix

Why would anyone these days go into auto repair when they can make considerably better wages as a plumber, electrician, sheet metal worker, HVAC installer? All with considerably less to learn and tools to invest in?  It is not just “college” we are competing with, it is other skilled trades who figured out the have to pay what you are worth if…[Read more]

Just remember  Tom those labels and policies exist because some one, some where (mostly likely a starving lawyer) actually sued some one for that.  Now hopefully those suits were dismissed, but you never know.  It is not enough that some people ought to get Darwin Awards, no, those same people have lawyers.

Well there are both good and bad warranty companies. I have literally had a company call me up to provide an estimate for a repair, then want to haggle and nitpick every dime, BEFORE I even got the vehicle to the shop for an inspection. They even wanted to provide the part themselves. No thanks.  Some will want you to use the cheapest parts,…[Read more]

The trick is to offer them something the other shops won’t.  In my case I have an account where the company is 60 miles away, but they have several employees living in my small town.  I just made it easy for them to drop the vehicles off after work, complete the service after their normal business hours, and pick up the vehicles as they head out t…[Read more]

I have been on both sides of this question for better than 35 years, for nearly a quarter century I worked for employers who insisted that I work 6 day work weeks.  That of course destroys any kind of work life balance, and in retrospect, I really resent that I missed my kids growing up.  It is hard to run this kind  of schedule in a small sh…[Read more]

You need to be aware that much of the tools, equipment, and inventory may how shall I say this?  Be dated.  Might look and sound great, but could easily be obsolete as most folks fixing to retire are not investing to update, and current  inventory can be returned for credit, thus “cashed out” .  You don’t want to go into hock buying gear that you…[Read more]

Moot point for me, because Iowa law requires an itemized invoice, to include parts, parts cost, and labor.  I do not see this changing any time soon, and trying to do so may cause more problems than it is worth, such as cries of what are you trying to hide?

after decades of turning away work I could have really used at times, I have finally given in and posted a door rate for customer supplied parts.  It is considerably higher than my door rate. and there are two stipulations. ONE is NO WARRANTY. I don’t care if you buy they exact part I would have, if I didn’t supply it, any warranty is between…[Read more]

Labor only pricing sounds great, but I feel it is unworkable for several reasons.  To start, most of us have to do business in a competitive market place.  It is bad enough having to compete with shops that undercut you both on labor rate and margins, but at least you, and the customer can make an apples to apples comparison.  If you think its ha…[Read more]

I looked into marketing my services via Amazon some time ago, and immediately dropped the idea when I learned they wanted 20% of each sale!  I have bought an occasional part from them, but if they are doing like the online tire retailers and dropshipping their parts direct to you, there is no margin.  So will they now also want 20%?  Sounds li…[Read more]