Editor’s Notes: Leveraging the Web to Generate New Business for Your Shop
A shop’s website is an important tool you really should not be without. It could very well be the first impression a new/potential customer has of your shop.
Announcing the Winning Companies of TechShop’s Top 5 Tools Award
TechShop once again brings you the winners of our Top 5 Tools award. This award is voted on by the people who use the tools and equipment every day – you, our readers. Throughout the year, you submit to us what tools and pieces of equipment help you do your job more efficiently and productively. At the end of the year, we tally these submissions and award the companies that are mentioned most with our Top 5 Tool award. This is truly an award judged by our readers.
Directions: Service and
It will be interesting to see if drivers of older cars continue to put off maintenance and service to a point where a vehicle repair becomes so expensive that the owner opts for a new vehicle. If so, it could be bad news for independent repair shops that are already seeing a slow down in scheduled service and maintenance.
Perspectives: Are You ASE Certified?
We congratulate the top scorers on the ASE certification tests for their understanding of the need to promote professionalism in our industry and their daily commitment to highest-quality repairs.
Editor’s Notebook: Cash-Strapped Consumers Fuel Unperformed Vehicle Maintenance Trend
For those who fix cars daily and are responsible for keeping America rolling, it’s disheartening to learn that not everyone has such an allegiance. A recent Consumer Reports poll may have you shaking your head, or, better yet, nodding in agreement on the amount of unperformed maintenance that’s there for the taking.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Problem ‘On’ The ‘In’-Side
The tow truck came around the corner of my shop with a 2003 Focus strapped down on the bed. It’s Stacey’s daughter’s car. Stacey is the office manager at the body shop just down the street. Her daughter’s little Ford had given up at a stop sign. Now it was up to me to find out what’s going on with it.
Publisher’s Perspective: Are You ASE Certified?
On the surface, that’s a simple yes-or-no question. But, it’s actually a bit of a loaded question. Earning ASE certification involves answering correctly enough questions to get a passing score, and this is certainly not a simple task.
Editor’s Notes: T&E Market Optimism Reflected at AAPEX
There are many reasons to be optimistic about the aftermarket, and especially the Tool & Equipment segment. Our $9.6 billion industry is growing at a rate of 4.3%, with the number of vehicles in operation — 240 million — creating a steady demand for service work. According to Babcox Media and AAIA research, 97% of
Editor’s Notebook: Shop Owners Offer Input On Shop Visibility and Profitability in 2012
As you get ready to close the book on another year, it’s not uncommon to think about strategies that will boost your bottom line and garner a bigger market share in 2012.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Earning Respect at the Parts Store
I started my shop like a lot of other guys in the automotive repair business without a lot of startup capital, and with only a hand-painted sign, a box of tools and a dream. That was a long time ago. I still have the tools, but the hand-painted sign is long gone. One thing I didn’t have was any track record of paying my bills with the parts stores. People knew of me, but not well enough to put a lot of trust into my business just yet. But, believe me, it was a struggle to just get things started.
Managing Company Assets, Part 2
In this space last month, Steve Louden, president of Louden Motorcar Services in Dallas, shared his insights on ways to significantly boost your shop’s revenue potential by analyzing HOW you manage your company assets. Lack of attention in these key areas are oftentimes the number one reason for a shop’s poor performance or failure, advises
A Day at the Dentist: There Are Some Things That Customers Can Not Fix Themselves
Some time ago, I had a root canal procedure at my buddy’s dental office. If you’ve never had one, you’re missing a whole lot of fun (I’m kidding; it isn’t fun at all.) It’s not cheap, that’s for sure. But like a lot of my customers will tell me, “Well, it needed to be done.”