What would you do?
A new service adviser accepts a third-party check from a used-car dealer, and it bounces ... ... What would you do? An ASA shop owner writes: “A new customer came in with a vehicle that would not pass emissions. After…
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Supplier vs. Partner?
Perform this exercise to build your business into muscular financial shape by the end of the year. I’m not trying to be facetious with the title. I want to bring awareness to balance sheet management and its importance to your…
Great Day in the Morning
How one shop eliminated the hassles of ‘getting in the door’ by setting up their jobs in advance. One of the biggest dilemmas I’ve faced, and solved, as a busy small-shop owner was the stress of getting in the door.…
Risky Business
Why loaning cars instead of offering rides can create a safer and less-expensive customer service. It’s good to periodically choose one line in the shop’s profit-and-loss statement and analytically rip it apart. For the purposes of this column, I’ll focus…
Productive Pay?
Great techs love to produce billed hours, but do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Editor’s Note: The labor rates mentioned in this article are fictitious and, therefore, should not be considered industry standards. Many shop owners fall…
Current Event: Escalade
When your first guess doesn’t fix an issue, it’s not wise to guess again. It’s wise to follow established procedures. British educator Thomas H. Palmer is credited with popularizing the proverb, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try…
When a former employee is suspected of cashing shop checks, the owner wonders if he should prosecute...
...What would you do? This is a recent situation from a shop owner in Southern California: “I hired an employee who worked in the office. She only worked three-and-a-half days with me. She told me that her grandfather was sick,…
Hearing Examines Future Vehicle Technologies
Senate Committee emphasizes safety, federal regulation and cybersecurity. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, convened a hearing titled “Hands Off: The Future of Self-Driving Cars,” chaired by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. The hearing explored advancements in autonomous…
Community Service
Why Michigan shop owner Dick Zaagman says he chose ‘downward mobility’ in establishing his business and his life. Community means a lot to Dick Zaagman, past,…
Makeover of a Plug-In
Redesigned Chevy Volt undergoes inspection. Is the second generation better than the first? There have been no redesigns of any plug-in cars except the Chevy Volt. The Nissan Leaf did get a larger capacity battery pack and the motor/inverter underwent…
The Gotta-Have Guy
Why having someone with the skills to manage your business technology is not an option but a requirement. I’m certain most of you have experienced challenges with technology from time to time. Whether it’s dealing with an update or a…
The Two Roads to Success
As shop owners and managers, the busier we are, the better the business. But do you ever feel that something is happening, and you’re too busy to pay attention? You really need to pay attention. At the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers…
The Balancing Act
To sell tires, or not to sell tires? How one shop owner’s inquiry into new technology led him to burn rubber in a new direction. Some “truths” are true or untrue, depending on an individual’s perspective. For example, up until…
Damage Control
Check out these nine expert tips for streamlining your collision estimating process and learn how to apply them in your shop. Estimating the cost of repairs in a collision shop is one of the most important steps in the repair…
Small Shop, Big Ideas
The essential questions you must ask, and answer, before spending a penny on marketing your services and yourself. “Marketing” is such a broad term. It includes everything from a billboard to a tweet. How do you deal with your marketing…
FTC Examines Auto Distribution and Warranties
Panelists question why repairs limited to dealers only. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a one-day public workshop to explore competition and related issues in the context of state regulation of motor vehicle distribution and to promote more informed…
Gadgets & Gear
Fun and functional high–tech tools that you might not think to buy - but should. We’ve found the Droid MAXX smartphones to be a stable platform with tons of battery life. These phones get plugged in…
What about Bob?
He’s a talented but belligerent tech, and he’s ruining the morale in the shop. What you can do to make peace. I was finally able to hire a tech that I had been chasing for a few years. His knowledge…
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