wswtech
Forum Replies Created
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Of the 52 companies listed above, I have personal experience with probably 1/3 of them. For those of you considering changing for whatever reason, a few things I’d like to point out:
#1 Will the new software company be able to extract ALL your data into your new program, i.e. vehicle history, customer data, etc.?
#2 Go straight to the reporting module of the new software. What reports can be generated? If you can get it out, then the data is going in. I was appalled to learn a client of mine had just spent over $6K on software, only to learn that ANY report with regard to measuring GPM was going to be wrong! There was nowhere to key in Technician cost! Therefore, every report with regard to labor GPM showed 100%!
#3 What is the company tenure? I have learned while being on software support teams that writing new code for software takes very deep pockets, indeed. Are they going to be around in 5 years?
#4 What is the ease of use? No brainer here, but I’ve found much of the software to be “clunky”, far from user-friendly, and just a pain to learn. To add insult to injury, some of their online training and support mechanisms can be just as bad.
#5 Ask for references! I also ask the person I’m getting the reference from “what is your PC usage skillset”?
#6 I could go on for some time. If you have a particular question, feel free to contact me.
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We use TireShop by FreedomSoft. Nice program. Works for our quicklube, tireshop, all services in one store. We do $2.7M a year in sales and 900 cars per month. WANTING
digital inspections and thinking of changing to RO Writer or Mitchell to integrate
with Bolt- ON. Any advice would be appreciated
Hello Richard, long time no hear. Look into AutoVitals. Call me if I can help you!
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Anyone care to share a mark-up matrix or lead me to a scorce for one?
jon ludwig wrote:
> I agree with Ron Haugen! We use the same parts matrix for all parts, both dealer and jobber. %50% to 52 % on all except batteries and tires. Did you know the dealer are often times quoting a lower Retail price to us versus what they retail the part through their service department.
I’ll be happy to share my pricing matrices with you all. I have quite a few. I advise my clients to target 58-62% GPM on parts, exclusive of tires, LOFS, and dealer parts. When you cannot make it on parts, that MANDATES that you make it up on labor. That is, unless you’re satisfied with single digit NOP.
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Agreed, and a heady topic at best. So, guys, how do we appeal to those who are “less than enthralled”?
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Gentlemen, while we seem to have gotten slightly off track with the math (and in my experience, there are many ways to look at the math), we are missing a significant point. However, mathematically speaking, one of you hit the nail on the head: the issue I’ve discovered, on a grass-roots level, is that our industry, especially the Heavy Truck Industry, is not nearly as enticing a career to enter as say, I.T. I have visited the Tech Schools, and have spoken with the students. In one case, out of 14 students, 0(zero) is the number who would actually take a job as a tech. We (all of us), are like a bad commercial for an even worse movie from Holley Wood. Flat Rate Pay is just one of many issues. In 20+ years of consulting on my own, I’ve heard of every type pay plan imaginable. Like advertising, “there is no magic silver bullet.” We simply MUST find the gearheads out there! Please let me know when you do.
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I have found in my experience over the last 16-years consulting to automotive professionals such as yourself several things:
One school of thought is that “if you can’t make your numbers M-Fri, that you’re likely not going to see much improvement in being open Saturday.”
Let’s face it, ours in a tough business, and it wears out your resources, being your shop and staff. Once you begin opening Saturdays, their is no going back! Your customers will benefit, and SHOULD benefit, but you will likely find yourself doing very low ARO tickets such as LOFs on Saturdays.
I would recommend instead focusing heavily on achieving your gross sales with a keen eye on your gross profit margins on each and every job throughout the week.
Just another view point.
Regards,
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I have submitted a “Contact Us” request to be included as a listing for your 20-group. Please reply at your soonest convenience. Thank you.
W. Scott Wheeler
Automotive Consultants Group, Inc.
