Inform. Don’t Sell.
Be fair with customers. And yourself! “I just want an oil change; don’t try to sell me anything else!” Most of us have heard this before. But, what if this customer’s car is in need of additional service? What about…
Features
Start Saving Through the ASA Marketplace!
The ASA Marketplace brings you a variety of savings and special offers on products and services exclusively for ASA member-shops. How to Log in to the ASA Marketplace Step 1. Go to asa.bizunite.com. Log in to the ASA Marketplace with…
OSHA On-Site Consultation Program Option for Shops
Small Businesses Look to Program for Regulatory Compliance The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers small businesses on-site consultations to improve their businesses’ measures to prevent illnesses and injuries. In Fiscal Year 2013, OSHA visited…
Connected Cars, Consumer Trust
Advances in technology that have led to new safety, infotainment and communications features in automobiles are drawing interest nationwide. From trade shows to showrooms, functions that could save lives and improve the driving experience are beginning to reach the market.…
24th Annual Software Guide, Part II
AutoInc.’s 24th Annual Shop Management Software Guide gives an overview of the shop management software systems on the market today and which features they offer. This year, 21 mechanical software companies and five collision companies participated in the survey. The…
Are You Making Money Or Making a Difference?
Promoting preventive maintenance is your noble mission. Most experts agree that the fundamental goal of a business is to make a profit. I agree. If your shop isn’t profitable, then you’re out of business and any other goals or plans…
Congress Continues Review of Vehicle Safety
Safety legislation unlikely in the 113th Congress. The U.S. Congress continues to review vehicle safety concerns stemming from manufacturer recalls. This includes hearings, legislation and investigations. Although this review was intense during the final weeks of the 113th Congress, no…
24th Annual Shop Management Software Guide
About this Year’s Guide Much is new this year about AutoInc.’s 24th annual Shop Management Software Guide. As always, though, the Guide is designed to give readers an overview of the shop management software systems on the market today and…
Detroit Shop Proof Free Enterprise Still Works
What started in a garage has grown into a world-class facility. The Curt’s Service team includes (from left) Shaun Goldsby, Chris Bunce, Nathan McNeil, Greg Dargo, Tim Lupu, Amber Dimmer, Ryan Kennedy, Curt Massoll, Brian Nurmi,…
How to Market in Today’s Digital Age
It’s not hard to market your shop digitally, but it does take some thinking and planning. Keeping your bays full and your technicians busy is harder than ever today. Old “tried and true” methods of marketing and advertising just don’t…
Technology Expo Highlights Industry Cooperation
Auto Alliance offers shops latest look at future technologies. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) sponsored the first Innovation, Technology and Telematics Expo at NACE|CARS in Detroit last month. The one-day conference had been planned for months to educate shops…
State Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections
What you need to know It is common knowledge that regular checkups are one of the best ways to maintain good health. Good medical providers can spot problems before they start and prevent any new issues from developing. By investing…
Is Your Shop Infected?
How shops get sick when they get too busy It starts innocently enough: the shop gets busy, and the little things start to slide. First, the inspection process breaks down. Technicians start pencil-whipping their inspection forms, trying to get their…
California Shop Owner ‘Talks the Talk, Walks the Walk’
Kevin Donohoe focuses on what’s important. Customers. Employees. Building a strong and stable business. Those are the foremost priorities of Kevin Donohoe, the owner of Pacific Motor Service in Monterey, Calif. He’s also focused on education, training and marketing. [caption…
Autonomous Vehicles Present Challenges for State, Federal Policymakers
Auto repairers must stay informed, engaged. While state legislatures are beginning to see their first round of telematics legislation and the U.S. Congress is asking questions about these new technologies – such as vehicle-to-vehicle communications – the next topic for…
#TakeThePlunge into Social Media!
Dive in! It’s easier than you think. Todd Westerlund, president and CEO of Kukui, a marketing firm based in northern California, likes to use this analogy in describing social media: “Picture your business as a party. Now picture a party…
That New Car Is All Bent Out of Shape;Can You Fix It?
Why frame machines are more needed than ever. The customer’s nearly new car is all bent out of shape and he has brought it to your collision repair shop to be mended. Can you fix it? After all, cars have…
Fall in Love Again!
Regain the magic you once felt. Why do people fall out of love with their auto repair businesses? This could happen for any number of reasons, but primarily it occurs because they lose hope due to the various challenges they…
