Performance Plus
How this veteran shop owner built his successful business by making sure every customer gets the same experience. Mark Simons is one of those lucky people who live their life in the right place, right time. Simons, owner of Rolf’s…
Features
Recalls Cited in Support of Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs
Pennsylvania legislature considers bill requiring consumer notice. State vehicle safety inspection programs have seen good times and bad since the Highway Safety Act of 1966. This law mandated that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prescribe uniform standards for mandatory…
Before … & After
Collision repair professionals and insurance company representatives face off over the need for pre- and post-repair scans. How do you handle a situation in which everybody says they want to do the right thing, but they can’t agree on the…
Under Lock & Key
Don’t be clueless about wireless connectivity. Rapid advances in vehicle security technologies have put the industry on the cutting edge ‑ and on edge. Working on modern vehicles equipped with such a wide variety of security systems is becoming more…
Feeling the Burn?
Has one of your customers gone negative online? Don’t get mad. Also, don’t get even. Try these tips for turning a negative into a positive. The biggest fear many small businesses have about social media is how to handle negative…
Our Affiliates
To give our affiliates an opportunity to showcase their activities and promote membership, each quarter in AutoInc. we will be profiling different affiliates. ASA-Northwest ASA-Michigan ASA-Arizona ASA-Pennsyvania If you are a prospective member in these affiliated areas, be sure to…
If timing is everything, this shop’s ‘trained’ service adviser apparently didn’t know everything
A well-respected ASA shop had the following dilemma: “I just hired a new service adviser and thought I had him trained, but he made a huge mistake. “A customer dropped off his vehicle to have some service work performed, including…
Supplier vs. Partner?
Don’t work for free! Follow these 5 easy steps to pay yourself for time spent at the front counter. EDITOR’S NOTE: The labor rates mentioned in this article are fictitious and should not be considered industry standards. Successful shop operators…
Cheerleaders Welcome
As more Millennials enter the auto repair workforce, managers need to adopt a different leadership style. As a leader, I know a great leader’s traits must be learned. While there are many traits associated with effective leadership, I find that…
Changing a Stubborn Perception
A recent email from a member spurred this particular message. He was concerned that, as an independent repair professional, he has no clout. He told me he lacks confidence in the parts he’s getting and automakers are out to get…
Cardone’s Service Guide is Really a Solution Guide
CARDONE Industries, an ASA corporate member, published its 2016 service dealer guide, “Solutions from the Bench.” It is full of new products and installation-tip videos that the company promises “make technicians’ lives easier.” The guide features a mix of more…
Cracking the Codes
In Colorado, two cars with failed (I/M) 240 tests suggest the vehicles’ owners must seek help. In Colorado – and elsewhere, I’m certain – P0442 codes can be counted on to bring cars into our service drives. But in Denver…
Content to Serve
What’s the guiding principle for a successful business? Delaware shop owner Greg Buckley has the answer. Once Greg Buckley, AAM, learns a worthwhile lesson, he never forgets it. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Buckley’s Auto Care in Wilmington, Del., this…
Federal Government Directs Further Air-Bag Recalls
FTC workshop cites need for independent shops to get involved in repairs. In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it was expanding and accelerating the recall of Takata air-bag inflators. This…
Minimize Your Staffing Snafus
Join the brave new world of hiring and learn how to retain your top technicians. If you’re having trouble finding, hiring and keeping good technicians, you’re not alone. With today’s shortage of qualified techs, the aftermarket-hiring situation has become a…
Tugging Back at the Big 4’s Pull
Shop owners wrestling with the large MSOs tell how they’re surviving and thriving despite the competition. Almost-weekly announcements of new acquisitions and growth by the “Big 4” collision industry consolidators might seem scary for single-location or smaller multi-shop operations (MSOs).…
Wage & Hour Update
What the increase in the salary test means for the automotive service industry. Two years after the president directed the Department of Labor (DOL) to change the minimum salary for exemption as a “white collar” worker, and over a year…
How Savvy Shops Are Staying On Top
Thoughts on the evolution and future of shop management systems. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, automotive shop management software developers in particular are keeping a close eye on trends to identify those that will impact the…
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