Originally Posted By: Russell
Intersting business. What kind of problems do you experience and how do you deal with them? I am guessing weather, problem vehicles, very demanding customers and similar. Do you offer other services as well. Just interested in a general way.
I've been running long enough to not have any "real" operational problems any more... Weather is not a big deal here in Texas >> If it rains I just reschedule and I have figured out all the in's and out's of all the equipment and vehicles that I service... and as far as demanding customers...Not really... I have had a few but if they irritate me I just don't service their car the next time >> There are so many potential customers out there that I don't get bend up trying to please the impossible people.
As for other services... No for 2 reasons
1. I don't really want to be on a car more than 15 minutes or I start to lose money. One thing usually leads to another and if you get into diagnostics you can spend a whole day trying to track down a simple "Check Engine" light billing $40 an hour when I can just be changing oil and making $350-400 an hour...
So I just make friends with mechanics and send them the business in exchange for a discount on my repairs and a fast track to the front of the line when I need it done.
2. I just really don't wanna do it.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
And what's your typical market? I imagine rich dude without much time.
Actually no....
My customer base ranges from poor college students to stay-at-home moms to CEO's to City officials and everyone in between.
I service fleets with 600 units on mutli-year contracts and the average joe's with a car that barely runs....
I price my service to be competitive with other drive thru's and I offer them high quality products with the kind of service they won't find anywhere else... Plus we call them back to schedule their next change so they don't even think about it any more >> That is really popular! Especially with people are bad about remembering to do it anyway.
Quote:
Around here, it's a status symbol for the boss to be able to take the afternoon off, so he can take his benz in for service. He'll loudly tell all the other employees too.
Yeah... I know those people...hahaha...I usually meet them at their house to service their vehicle...LOL
