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Running an auto repair shop means keeping things running smoothly under the hood and in your business operations. But what happens when your technicians, service writers, or admin staff start taking vacation time? If you’re not prepared, managing paid time off (PTO) can throw a wrench in your payroll process. Here’s how to get ahead of vacation season and keep your auto shop payroll stress-free.
More Than 28,000 Tires On Sale at Champtires.com For a limited time, prices have dropped on more than 28,000 tires. Save between 15-40% off our already low prices. To find the on sale tires, start by searching by size. The tires that have been marked down will have the sale price displayed in red. Free shipping is included on all website orders. The sale runs through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025.
If you’ve already done a mid-year financial checkup, you’re ahead of the game. But knowing your numbers is just the beginning. The next step is using those insights to revise your business strategy and strengthen your shop’s game plan for the rest of 2025. Whether you had a strong first half or hit a few bumps in the road, now is the ideal time to adjust your business plan to reflect your current reality and your future goals.
Running an auto repair shop means staying busy with customer vehicles, managing your techs, ordering parts, and trying to find time to breathe. But halfway through the year is the perfect moment to hit pause and look under the hood of your auto repair business finances. A mid-year financial checkup for auto repair shops helps you evaluate how your shop is performing, identify whats working (and whats not), and make smart adjustments before year-end sneaks up on you.
I'm starting to see more DI carbon problems and reading about chemical solutions causing mechanical issues. Since DI has been around for awhile now, I'm wondering if you guys have any recommendations for a good non vehicle specific walnut blaster. I'm not thinking of anything Harbor Freighty.
Hello from Montana. Longtime mechanic/technician, first-time shop owner. Reaching out to many sources for information and advice. Small shop in rural setting, specializing in electrical and electronics. Thanks for any good words.
I have a client looking to sell their Auto Body Shop in Monteagle TN called Lakeside Collision. He is asking $1,500,000 and the property did a little over $1,200,000 last year. Profitable business with lots of equipment and inventory, newer paint booth and includes 2 lots and 2 buildings with 8 bay doors. Also have another client looking for an Auto Body business to purchase in Davidson County (Nashville) TN.
If you're ready to skyrocket your car count so that you can finally make the money you know you and your family deserves, you're in the right place, because it's never been easier to grow your repair shop, as long as you have the right offers and deals to attract customers. But I will warn you if you make the same flimsy and lame offers that are just like your competitors, youre actually making it harder to grow than it ever has been before.
Champtires has started to add new Hankook tires to its available inventory. Multiple sizes and models are now available, and more will be added soon. Examples of current Hankook tires in stock now include: Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 225/40-18 92 Y $159.99/tire Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV 235/60-18 103 W $139.99/tire Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 HRS 275/40-18 103 Y $179.99/tire Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 HRS 245/45-17 95 W $149.99/tire Hankook Kinergy 4S2 245/40-18 97 V $148.00/tire Hankook Kinergy 4S2 235/50-1
Take if someone who has lived through many uncertain times, this is the best time to bump up your customer experience. Show confidence and and show that you appreciate your customers. This also means showing appreciation for your employees - Happy employees create happy customers. While there is a lot of uncertainty these days, there is one thing you can take to the bank: With the right positive mindset, staying strong and driving forward, you will be better off in the good times.
As I make this post, the stock market is down again, and the off again, on again tariffs are enough to drive me nuts. If imposed, will tariffs have an impact on our business and/or industry?
Do you find your shop doesnt even come up on Google search like the big shops or chains and delivering great customer service is hard, especially when youre busy or short staffed? Do you find it hard to keep customers coming back? Is retaining customers a real struggle, never mind getting them to leave you a review on Google or begging them for new customer referrals.
Its no secret that time is limited as an auto repair shop owner. Between diagnosing complex engine issues to managing your mechanics and creating a five-star customer experience, theres often little time left to focus on your financials. But what happens when tax season rolls around, and youre forced to buckle down on organizing your records and preparing your returns?
We dropped prices on nearly 19,000 tires by 30% our biggest markdown ever! To find the on sale tires, start by searching by size. The tires that have been marked down by 30% will have the sale price displayed in red. Free shipping is included on all website orders. The sale runs through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
One change that has been causing waves is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and itsBeneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements. On March 25, 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case challenging the CTA. This legal battle has the potential to change the future of BOI reporting. Im sharing this blog post because its essential for you, an auto repair shop owner, to understand what this case means for your business.
Over the weekend I met a 67 year old shop owner who has been in business for 41 years, and still involved in the day to day operations. He added that he has done nothing to plan for his future and his exit. Life can throw us a curve ball at any age, are your properly prepared. I know it sounds a little crazy, but the right time to get you business ready to sell, is when you first go into business.
Marketing Strategies to Attract and Retain Your Ideal Auto Repair Customers By Joe Marconi I had one main objective when I opened my repair shop in the fall of 1980: Acquire customers. Being a startup, gaining customers, any customers, was essential. Without them, business survival would not be possible. With limited knowledge of marketing, I did what many new companies do, I ran mass advertising promotions in local newspapers offering huge discounts.
While I know that in some states, paying techs on flat rate is not legal, from what I am hearing, there are a number of auto repair shops in states that do allow flat, moving away from flat rate. What are your thoughts on flat rate pay?
Hey, auto repair shop owners! With January behind us, it means one thing is coming down the pike: tax season. Before you grit your teeth at the thought of filing, its important for you to understand that staying on top of your tax obligations is crucial for the health of your business. And, as always, weve got your back, which is why were here to break down the key tax deadlines you need to keep in mind, especially as we move through the year.
We try all different things. We send out magnets with our name to new customers (list we buy) We use seals on our envelopes marking our years in business. We have done Band-Aids with our name, bags with our name and now we are going to do Air Freshners. We will put in each car, not opened, It is in the shape of a car with our name, phone number and website.
Welcome to 2025! As a new year begins, its time to start thinking about taxes. For auto repair shop owners, understanding potential tax deductions is crucial for maximizing profitability. This blog post will explore some common tax write-offs available to your business. It will help you keep more of your hard-earned money so you can achieve success!
As we kick off 2025, its a great time for you, an auto repair shop owner, to focus on financial organization, especially with tax season just around the corner. Proper record-keeping isnt just about avoiding headaches with the IRS; its about gaining valuable insights into your business so you can continue to grow and thrive. In this blog post, we guide you through organizing your financial records for a smooth and efficient tax filing process so you can avoid the stress this season.
Champtires has dropped prices on more than 8,000 tires. The markdowns which are mostly between 15 and 20 percent per tire are on top of the companys everyday low prices for high-quality used and take-off tires. BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, General Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Pirelli and many other brands are included in the price drops.
Let me first say that I hate discounts! The more you understand your numbers, the more you will hate it too. My opinion. BUT, I also know the reality of offering discounts to certain people. Do you offer discounts to employee family members and/or a friend discount?
Hello all, I'm currently the General Manager of a pre-owned vehicle sales and service center. The business has a great reputation in the community, and has done well for 35 years. The current owners are ready to retire and enjoy a life of less responsibilities. They have deemed me fit to take control, and are helping me out by carrying the note, with a good down payment of course.
Welcome! Hope everyone had a great holiday and Christmas! Its been a struggle around here but thats only because I had to bite the bullet and move! So now, Im proud to say that weve moved well, digitally that is. Unfortunately, most of my old links and links on YouTube videos are going to evaporate! But wait, theres more! And the more part of that statement is pretty crazy!
We need better resources for diagnosing European cars' DTC's. I'm talking about 8-12 year old models, in the prime years of major repair, that our primary tool, AllData has no information on. They may have many other codes listed for these vehicles, but not what we seem to need. Example: 2014 MB GL450 with codes u0121-87, u0147-87, c2321, c030a, p179a-12 and several others, with symptoms of not being able to drive car, a warning of "transmission not in park, vehicle may roll" illuminating.
Hi my name is Zenas and I am 26 years old from Alberta, Canada. I started my own automotive repair shop in December 2023. After running it for 1 year I made a little bit of profit. I needed some advice on how I could increase it. Its a 3 bay shop with two 2 post hoists and one 4 post hoist with alignment. I am the only mechanic in the shop as I can't afford to hire anyone at this point.
We are almost at the end of 2024, a time when you need to do an assessment of 2024, and look forward to the future. Leaders must have clearly defined written goals. Have you taken the time to establish your goals, shared them with your team and created the steps to attain these goals?
Years back, we did very little advertising. Fast forward to today, and we are seeing more and more auto repair shops using a marketing company. Are you using a marketing company to help with advertising and marketing? How is that going? And what are the advantages?
If youre running a small automotive business, doing a year-end review gives you an accurate picture of your performance over the past twelve months. The information you collect gives you the opportunity to create a tangible action plan for growth as you enter 2025. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is actually a helpful tool that will set your business up for long-term success.
There’s less than one month left in 2024. Is the bookkeeping for your automotive business up to date? If you’re anything like us, you feel like this year flew by in the blink of an eye. It’s time to ensure that your books and reports are squared away as this year comes to an end. In this blog post, we share important steps to start the new year on a healthy financial footing.
December is the best time to do a final review of the year and to finalize your goals and objectives for the new year. What new goals and objectives do you want to attain in the coming year, 2025?
Labor rates are increased across the board in the last 4 years at a pace I have not seen ever. BUT, expenses have gone up too. Do you feel that your labor rate is in line now? Or do you think the auto aftermarket is ready for more labor rate increases in 2025?
This has happened to most of us: You have a series of interviews, asked all the questions you needed to ask, did your due diligence, and hire a new employee. Two weeks, later, you realize you made a bad mistake. What do you do, what have you learned from the wrong hire? And how long do you hold on this person?
It seems there is a big movement to change business software management programs these days. I would like to know who has, the old program, the new one you choose, why, and if you are happy with your choice?
I want to wish all our members the very best this Thanksgiving! Take time to reflect on your wins, celebrate the great times, and most of all spend time with family and friends. It's much healthier to be thankful for what you have, rather than to focus on what you don't have.
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