I told him if it doen't work he still owes me labor, and I garuntee the tank not to fall out period...Keeping a clean shop is the hardest part. We moved from a 10,000 sq ft building into a 1,800 sq ft one. It looks crowded in here, but don't know what else to do with all of it.

 

I mean no offense here, but men are going to be your worst customers, they always seem think they could do it better no matter how good you are. My husband, when he's home does my maintenence, but since he's been gone, I've had to rely on Ray and he's been a blessing from oil changes to anything else gone wrong, if you can find away to target and attract women that need auto repair, you'll do great.

 

Oregon is the Beaver State ya know! it's 31 degrees as we speak, not bad for March.

 

I had a disappearing coolant problem on my 01, and took it back to shop I've always taken my cars to. They replaced the radiator and said it was good.

Still was loosing coolant, so I took it back. Said it was the radiator cap, and said I was good to go.

Stil was loosing coolant, do I took it back and they ran a pressure test with dye overnight. Found the thermometer housing was leaking and replaced it for free, no labor, and said if I had any problems in the future with the coolant system to bring it right back in for free, no questions asked.

Each time they were polite, told me exactly what tests they did, and have me a loaner for free.

Great customer service is what makes me go to my local shop.

 

$68 bucks an hour? Whew... labor rates are way different there. I charge $92/hr.

My "bill paying income" comes from $60/hr contracts with 3 different used car lots. They go to auction and buy cars, then bring them to me so I can make them road worthy for a customer. (Check engine light diagnosis, A/C, SRS, etc etc). I also do all of their warranty work.

The income past that comes from "off the street" customers. My ratio of dealer cars to customer cars is usually like 4:1.

If someone brings you a part to put in, do it. Just make sure they know its not your problem if it doesn't work or breaks prematurely. Warranty the labor, not the part.

That Ford guy was just looking to spend probably $200 bucks. Guess he doesn't realize that 5.4 coils aren't cheap and that job can turn into a nightmare if the plug breaks off in the head. Don't sweat that stuff, just keep on keepin on

 

My shop charges 35 bucks. Hooray Buffalo, we don't have much, but what we do have is cheap as hell.

 

Used car dealers here expect to pay $35 an hour or less, end of story. I have physically put a few of them out of my shop.

 

WOW! Overhead fees must be alot cheaper there too then. At least I'd hope so.

 

There's something cheap in New York? $35/hr seems outrageously cheap, I can't even pay tool bills on that lol....

 

Here's a piece of what I do with good results to pay the bills.

I have 4 fleet accounts. When they show up I get them fixed right away so they are happy. And then I give them a nice bill at the end of the month.

I don't waste my time with people that haggle the price because I can be getting other things done and making $$$ instead. If they move on then oh well..I don't like those people.

Here's the shady part.. But it makes $$$
I have had businesses request us to remove unwanted cars that park on their property. I put up signs there and if I see any illegally parked vehicles I hook them and bring them to the shop. $100 right there. If the vehicle never gets claimed then off to the J/Y and there's my freaking money.

Towing for the local PD brings a lot in to with storage and insurance. Longer you hold a vehicle thats damaged more you get.

Junk cars, I fill them with metal and bring to the weight plate at the local J/Y that pays good. Last one was a 95 suburban got over $800 for that pile of crap lol

I'm not rich but the bills are getting payed and there's food at home thats what count's to me.