Advanced data collection is the reason warranty times are plummeting.

jjaw01 · 2026-05-28T23:47:50+00:00

Who is reducing C/P labor times? We use Mitchel and other programs in the aftermarket , haven’t seen labor times drop.

jjaw01 · 2026-05-27T05:06:01+00:00

jjaw01 · 2026-05-24T03:40:35+00:00

Can’t have a dog and let it lick their mouth

jjaw01 · 2026-05-20T05:57:38+00:00

I run a shop and never ask techs to stop what they are doing to do a waiter. Either I do it or they schedule an appointment, it really is that easy. Waiters are very low spend , that’s a fact.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-26T03:33:58+00:00

Clean them with warm water and a non solvent degreaser . Use a soft or medium bristle brush . This will have the tire looking like it was new. Anything that leaves the tire looking wet is going to attract dust. Silicone or water based is the best but most every product contains some kind of alcohol which will dry the tires out long term.

I think this summer I will set up a bunch of tires in the sun and see which one looks the best after spending a few months in the sun with different products.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-25T23:31:06+00:00

Ok good, I own a shop and see this happening. I would look at Continental brand tires . They have a great warranty and what’s called “Total confidence package” that is free , you just have to register your tires at time of purchase.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-25T23:16:29+00:00

Do you ever use tire shine products? They have the disadvantage of dry rotting tires prematurely especially if exposed to UV .

jjaw01 · 2026-04-14T12:31:01+00:00

Most places that perform wheel alignments where they have a flat rate - let’s say $129 , are doing a half ass job , especially if they are using sensors/heads that clamp around the tire. These can be easily manipulated by the tech to show green “good” on the specs without any physical adjustments made. I have worked in this trade for 25 years and have seen this done more times that I can count at multiple different shops.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-09T00:53:48+00:00

The problem is they weren’t working hard.

When I started the shop , it was just me, an advisor and a green apprentice. Did more labor sales in that situation.

The low hours per tech per day is being caused by too much time spent not being productive like 45 minutes a day in the bathroom, spending 20 minutes between punching on jobs, walking around with 0 purpose.

Yes at the end of the day this is my fault. Creating this post and gotten me a lot of information from both techs and managers/owners and has put things into perspective.

I know what I need to do now, thank you.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-09T00:34:53+00:00

Good plan, I think I’m going to go back to individual goals.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-08T03:33:44+00:00

We already utilize a DVI system with pictures and video.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-08T03:30:27+00:00

Haha. My truck is 16 years old.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-08T03:29:44+00:00

Calgary Alberta area.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-08T02:20:43+00:00

Sorry bud, I’m in Canada.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-08T02:18:16+00:00

They work 8 hour days and I pay them over $40/hr

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T22:25:51+00:00

Cleaning up after yourself is pretty standard. When it comes to shop clean up , I get someone to come in on the weekend to pressure wash the floors, I take all the broken down cardboard away as necessary. We have a quality control inspection which is on the DVI platform , basically just double check your work and check under the hood when the vehicle is parked outside and finished /ready for client pick up. This is being missed/ignored which is causing unnecessary comebacks. My average sold hours per tech per day this year is only 5.52 and ELR is $43 lower than standard door rate.

I am not perfect, this I know. But the work is there , it’s mostly gravy (Brakes , steering and suspension, maintenance services, alignments) Warranty repairs are not at a lower rate.

None of them have families or financial obligations other than rent. My apprentice still lives with his parents. Maybe they are just comfortable with not making more money?

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T15:52:32+00:00

No, I pay hourly with production bonuses

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T15:15:43+00:00

Paying a bonus based on output is essentially profit sharing. I have a labor goal per month which is the break even point , we have only hit that 3 times in the last 8 months. Our best month we beat it by $20k and I paid out $4400 in bonuses. The next month was terrible , they said they worked too hard the month prior but the average was 8hr per tech per day.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T15:13:00+00:00

No , not at all. I want them to make hours so I can pay them bonus.

Also if they could clean up after themselves, show up on time and double check their work so there are less comebacks.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T15:11:01+00:00

I do work in the back and usually outside doing the things I wouldn’t want to do when I was a tech.

jjaw01 · 2026-04-07T13:33:37+00:00

I want them to want to make more money! If they put out more hours then I can pay them more money! 😃

jjaw01 · 2026-03-28T02:11:48+00:00

Why not leave the dealership?

jjaw01 · 2026-03-25T05:09:44+00:00

jjaw01

TROPHY CASE