Rental Car Evolution Presents Service Opportunities & Can Extend Your Shop’s Car Count
There are a growing number of privately owned rental fleets. These fleets are not big businesses, but rather small ones that are run by private individuals. You can find them with mobile apps and websites like Turo and Uber.
Gonzo’s Tool Box: Cash Discount For Engine Swap Gone Wrong
In attempt to drum up some new business, I decided to run a cash discount promotion for large jobs thinking it might bring in new customers. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but the best-laid plans often go awry.
What a Brake Caliper Taught Me About Service Information
According to the service manual, the procedure involves removing the lower caliper bolt, swinging the caliper up, and swapping the pads. The students also were required to torque the bolts and use torque sticks to mount the wheel.
Forget Rolling Back Prices – Focus On Taking Care Of The Customer
In the book “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,” author Simon Sinek argues that customers don’t buy what companies do, they buy why they do it.
Marketing To Women: From Curb Appeal To Cleanliness – Catering To A Target Market That Makes Vehicle Repair Decisions
Curb appeal is an essential element of marketing. When a customer drives up and glances at the exterior of L&M Auto Repair, I want them to see our warmth and authenticity. This is the impression before their first impression, so it’s important that they feel invited.
Learning On The Job: How Artificial Intelligence Is Teaching Vehicles How To Drive
Artificial intelligence, or machine learning, is one of the hottest topics in the tech industry right now, and it is certainly spilling over into the automotive world.
The Importance Of Personal Preventive Maintenance
After decades of being behind the service counter, as well as under the hood, I do get a bit frustrated that people won’t do any preventive maintenance, or neglect to tell me about an intermittent problem they’ve had forever because they feel it has nothing to do with the problem for which they brought their vehicle into the shop.
Personal Preventive Maintenance: Don’t Let Work Get In The Way Of Life
Vehicle owners that have neglected to take care of their cars with standard preventive maintenance are far too common in our line of work. After decades of being behind the service counter, as well as under the hood, I do get a bit frustrated that people won’t do any preventive maintenance, or neglect to tell me about an intermittent problem they’ve had forever because they feel it has nothing to do with the problem they brought their vehicle in for.
Are You Ready For Amazon?
There are questions about Amazon’s ability to enter the auto care space, namely centered around same-day parts delivery and their ability to cut down on current lag times. While Amazon might not have vehicle repair figured out quite yet, one bet is for sure: If Amazon is able to make vehicle repairs easier and more convenient, the industry will find a place for them.
Public Relations In The Auto Repair Industry: Image Is Everything
We talk a lot about attracting new talent to our industry, but it seems to me that we have a serious PR problem that needs to be addressed before this can be accomplished.
Wall Street Is Talking Auto Repair: Are You Listening?
Have you ever wondered what Wall Street thinks about your business? Did you know that Wall Street even cares? Several times a year, I consult with investment analysts to help them understand what is happening in the independent repair sector. The funny thing is that I’m sure I learn far more from them than they learn from me.
How Quick Fixes Can Lead To Long-Term Problems
Once in a while, some of these in-the-ditch repairs truly are born out of a roadside emergency, but I tend to believe that even these quick fixes could be avoided with a little bit of proper maintenance know-how. The problem is that some people like to tackle repair work themselves regardless of their repair acumen.
