Mark Hartmann
Forum Replies Created
-
Lately as my technician pay rates increase my labor rate must too. I try to maintain my journeyman technician pay to no more than 30% of my shop labor rate. Of course I poll the shops in my area (including dealers) just to get a feel but I’m not afraid to charge what I believe we are worth. I have experienced very little pushback from my customers after my last two rate increases.
-
There is so much to say about proper shop layout. I purchased an existing business and building 10 years ago located in the Midwest and with 14 bays and 14 overhead doors you need a good door maintenance & repair company on call. Fewer doors mean fewer headaches.
Minimize flooor drains because they catch all the debris and must be cleaned regularly. I am concerned about an accidental oil or antifreeze spill in the shop making its way to the nearest floor drain.
Quick service bays should be located closest to the office because all the back and forth adds up to wasted steps. Locate incoming/outgoing parts shelves near a man door so vendors stay out of the way. I have an enclosed detatched shed placed out of the way to collect scrap tires and scrap metal.
Each bay needs its own air hose and light reel drop from the ceiling. Metal cabinets with doors as needed keep supplies clean and neat. Open shelves are dirty. Minimize work benches, they are a catch-all and dirty. A floor-level alignment rack is a great idea too, worth the investment.
Good luck and hope to hear from the other members.
Mark
-
Management Success worked for my wife and I about 8 yrs ago.
I was tech, manager and now business owner for our single location auto service & tire center. Had lots of common sense and experience, needed the business management, KPI’s, organizational skills and such.It was time intensive and expensive including our travel but they put us on a firm foundation and provided tools to carry us through.With Management success and our current CPA we have it under control and are profitable.Mark -
I have tossed this around for years with the same result.
I keep a company shuttle van and driver as needed. Otherwise an economy rental car is $35 a day from Enterprise. They are local, are a phone call away, prompt and professional.I will pay on the more expensive repairs or just make the arrangements on others.I have to remind myself what my core business strategy is and loaner vehicles and operating tow trucks are not part of it. Work hard to establish good relationships with those businesses and keep your focus. -
All they want is their tire pressure checked so I offer free air everyday.
Greet customer warmly at service counter, listen to concern, ask them to pull down to the orange cone outside of last bay door, notify tire tech via intercom to check air pressure and report back if major difference between tires (repair needed?). They slide air hose under door, smile and send them away saying that the light should go off on its own, if not please return for further service.
If they need more than this like pull it in, inspect, repair, reset… be sure to clearly define minimum charge, .3 at least…
Don’t be reluctant to charge a fee, your rent payment depends on it!
-
IRS numbers say what??? My shop is located in northern Illinois and I consistently run about 7 percent of my total sales paid with cash. Credit cards are king, debit cards, personal checks and a distant cash is the order.
You keep accurate records, pay all of your taxes and then some and they still harass you. Give me a break! -
I went from Technician to Manager to Owner and needed help with financial fundementals to remain successful. My wife and I completed their program some years ago and learned the metrics I use every week to measure my progress. Expensive? yes, worth it? yes. They provided the tools and taught me everything I needed to stay on track. I made the committment to my business and it worked for me.
-
Hey Hey, now here’s a voice of reason. I’ve been saying this to anyone who will listen!
