At My Shop I strive to reduce your repair costs in many ways. Some of them are listed below. I am always looking for suggestions. I know many of you have some great business ideas, particularly in the area of cost cutting. Please share them with me.
Controlling Expense:
The easiest way for me to save you money is to keep my operating costs under control. I have a reasonable facility cost. The tools and equipment are all paid for. There is no big payroll. I don’t serve fancy coffee or have HDTV in the waiting room. I do not pay franchise fees. I believe that if I can be smart about my costs it is good for you. If I wasn’t watching the pennies, I would need to pass the expense on to you with higher rates and margins.
Price Quotes:
Before anything is done to your car in My Shop, you will know the cost. I cannot say it any more clearly than that. I don’t understand why the service business always wants to use estimates. I know what the parts cost. I know what the labor charge will be. I can calculate the tax, so I can certainly tell you what you will be paying for a repair. If I miss something, I believe that is my responsibility not yours. So, I promise that at my shop you will never be surprised with a bill higher than you were quoted.
Labor Charges:
This is something that has become very cloudy in the service business. Many places are now using sliding rates and matrix pricing. The consumer really does not know how it is calculated or the hourly rate. I intend on keeping it simple, straightforward, and verifiable. I use published labor times and I am always happy to share these sources with you. The hourly shop rate is $80. Apples to apples, I am usually lower than the competition.
Parts Cost:
The parts situation is tricky. There are aftermarket parts and OEM parts. There are cheap parts and expensive parts. There are used, rebuilt, and reconditioned parts. There are available parts and special order parts. There are good parts and there are bad parts. At My Shop I will use all my resources to find the best parts for your repair at the best price. Many times we will have some choices. Rest assured, parts sourcing and quality will always be part of our conversation.
Additional Fees:
I do not charge any! I think it is ridiculous to charge a fee for things like Shop Supplies or Environmental. At some facilities these charges can add another $25 to your bill. It just makes no sense for you the consumer. (Although it does make sense and a nice additional profit for the service facility.) As far as I am concerned, these are just a normal cost of doing business and should be absorbed.
Communication:
When I have my annual check up I talk to my Doctor. At tax time, I talk to my accountant. When I had my modem installed I talked to the technician. I have never understood why in the car repair business this kind of communication often doesn’t happen. I remember working at a dealership where a repair order would pass through 3 people before it arrived in the shop. The techs never saw or talked to the customers. It often caused problems for both the customers and the technicians. I know through years of experience that good communication can save both time and money. At my shop you will be talking to the technician, because it is me. This helps to focus on your specific needs and eliminates any confusion or unnecessary repairs. It is a system that works.
Before anything is done to your car in My Shop, you will know the cost. I cannot say it any more clearly than that. I don’t understand why the service business always wants to use estimates. I know what the parts cost. I know what the labor charge will be. I can calculate the tax, so I can certainly tell you what you will be paying for a repair. If I miss something, I believe that is my responsibility not yours. So, I promise that at my shop you will never be surprised with a bill higher than you were quoted.
Labor Charges:
This is something that has become very cloudy in the service business. Many places are now using sliding rates and matrix pricing. The consumer really does not know how it is calculated or the hourly rate. I intend on keeping it simple, straightforward, and verifiable. I use published labor times and I am always happy to share these sources with you. The hourly shop rate is $80. Apples to apples, I am usually lower than the competition.
Parts Cost:
The parts situation is tricky. There are aftermarket parts and OEM parts. There are cheap parts and expensive parts. There are used, rebuilt, and reconditioned parts. There are available parts and special order parts. There are good parts and there are bad parts. At My Shop I will use all my resources to find the best parts for your repair at the best price. Many times we will have some choices. Rest assured, parts sourcing and quality will always be part of our conversation.
Additional Fees:
I do not charge any! I think it is ridiculous to charge a fee for things like Shop Supplies or Environmental. At some facilities these charges can add another $25 to your bill. It just makes no sense for you the consumer. (Although it does make sense and a nice additional profit for the service facility.) As far as I am concerned, these are just a normal cost of doing business and should be absorbed.
Communication:
When I have my annual check up I talk to my Doctor. At tax time, I talk to my accountant. When I had my modem installed I talked to the technician. I have never understood why in the car repair business this kind of communication often doesn’t happen. I remember working at a dealership where a repair order would pass through 3 people before it arrived in the shop. The techs never saw or talked to the customers. It often caused problems for both the customers and the technicians. I know through years of experience that good communication can save both time and money. At my shop you will be talking to the technician, because it is me. This helps to focus on your specific needs and eliminates any confusion or unnecessary repairs. It is a system that works.