Where’s That Machine? That Thing That Tells You What’s Wrong With The Vehicle
Scan tools and meters are machines that provide information, so they can do only so much in the way of formulating a diagnosis. They provide strategic direction for the repair, allowing a trained mechanic to know which path to take. These folks are the “real” machines who have the skills to pinpoint what is wrong with a car. But, most of the public likes to believe that a “magical mystery machine” does all the work.
New Year: Optimism Abounds If You Know Where To Look
It’s out with the old, and in with the new, as we welcomed 2018 earlier this month. And, while we each have goals and strategies to suit our unique businesses and situations, there are barometers working behind the scenes that provide positive implications for us this year, says Mary DellaValle, editor of ImportCar magazine.
You Do Much More Than Fix Cars – Don’t Ignore The Value Of Customer Trust
You are doing much more than just fixing cars, and that takes a team effort. Every part of the service experience should reflect quality, service excellence and professionalism, as you work together as a team to make customers return to your shop with confidence and commitment, says Mary DellaValle, editor of ImportCar magazine.
One Penny At A Time: Bargain-Hunting Customer’s Lesson Learned
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.
Using A Scope To Diagnose Prevents Parts Swapping
Being able to use a scope allows you to make a more accurate diagnosis faster. It is a tool that can prevent that second call to a customer advising them the initial estimate did not work. It can also be a triage tool that can save you from having to remove plugs to perform a compression test or give additional evidence if a misfire is electrical or mechanical.
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.
Trolling ASE Certifications Keyboard Warriors Unite!
When you go to any comment section or forum online where the topic is ASE certification, you see some very interesting opinions from technicians. While most are positive, you do get some trolls.
All Work And No Play Is Not The Secret To Success: Achieving Both Work-Life Balance And Shop Success
As small-business owners, we are often caught up in this obligation to do everything it takes to succeed. We feel that we owe it to our investment, to our future, to our employees and to our customers. So, we stay late, we fix employee mistakes ourselves, and we lose whole weekends working to catch up on the work that employees didn’t get done.
Second-Hand Information: When Critical Details Get Lost In Translation
Do you remember when you played the game of “telephone” as a child, and the original information being conveyed was often totally different by the time the last kid commented? The same thing can happen with a vehicle problem when more than one person is involved in getting the information to the person at the end of the line. And who’s usually at the end of the line? The tech.
Getting Lean To Get The Job Done
Lean is derived from a manufacturing concept. At its essence, lean is about finding ways to do things in a more streamlined and efficient manner to make more money and increase productivity. For many technicians, the application of the traditional lean “Seven Deadly Wastes” can lay the foundation for a little self-diagnosis.
Trust Bridges The Gap Between Quality Repairs & Repeat Business
Quality is the name of the game today. Your customers expect expert repairs that are done right the first time, restore vehicle performance, and ensure many miles of worry-free driving. But, you won’t get a second chance to showcase your quality work unless you’ve earned your customers’ trust.
Rental Car Evolution Presents Service Opportunities & Can Extend Your Shop’s Car Count
A quiet evolution of the rental car industry is underway with little fanfare, but it is something with which you should become familiar. 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
