Business organization

So I'll continue this business thread that I have going.

Yesterday dad and I were doing bills which got us talking about how we do things and the costs associated with doing business.

So here are some questions for any of you guys that operate or work in a service type industry not limited to just auto work.

When a customer comes in our shop for say a simple oil change and a good once over fix it if it needs it. So I write the job in the notebook/ appointment book on the desk. Bring in the vehicle do the oil change but notice the air filter is bad. Go up to the parts store and get one.

Here comes my question. Do you guys run over to the service desk and note that right away or do you drag around a note pad to put thoughts on? Right now i try to just remember it but I think a few times some stuff slips my memory.

Next thought fits with the first question. So say a flat tire comes in, I fix it while the customer waits. As I'm finishing another customer shows up for something. The original customer says to charge his bill and leaves with his tire and I proceeded to help the next customer.how do you guys handle something like that. Do you force the next customer to wait while you note what you just done?

Last but not least chemicals, shop rags, silicone, etc is starting to get costly. In the past I'd never charge a shop supply. I don't feel right about it. For some reason I feel it's a rip off to the customer. But at the same time it's cutting into my profit.

What are your thoughts on it. What do you guys charge?

YEP... i would take a minute to write it down as a go.. You have to do it sometime, might as well be right now while your thinking of it.

The shop I have stuff done at has a misc charge of about 15% for all the odds and ends.  Can't say I blame them but it can get expensive on a big job, although I think they have a set charge up to something, then no percent after that.  Had the clutch adjusted on my Freightliner as I had never done one like it before, didn't charge much but did add the 15%, told me, with a laugh, that's the instruction fee, as now that I knew how to do it I wouldn't be back for another adjustment. 


Edited by JohnColo - 28 Feb 2021 at 6:09pm

Lot's of good advice above.  Certainly take a moment to record everything.  I've seen consumables added as a line item at some places.  I think maybe it's better just to build that into your hourly rate.  It's been my experience that many small businesses don't adequately consider all of their costs.  You are in business to make a living at least so don't be afraid to charge for what you do.  On the flip side, be ready to eat some cost when you make a mistake.  There are places I'm very loyal to because they've owned up to and fixed mistakes on their own dime.

I feel I've been very fair to the customers over the years. I just don't want to be taken advantage of either. That's why I say I struggle with the shop supply charge. I'm not sure how to explain it but it doesn't feel right to me. But I also understand a nickel here a dime there over the year it adds up to some serious money.

I like the clip board idea. Like you all have said just something to put notes on to jog my memory later.

We always wrote it down. Too easy to forget. Especially now that I am 30+ years older than when I started my last business.

this is where a Work Order comes in - a form with carbon copy - customer info on top, work to be done listed next , then materials list and time listed for you to keep track of . 
 Yes the add on %  or shop supplies seems to make customers look at that extra charge as you are gouging them but it's a necessary part of any job . 
 I use to just charge a hourly rate for equipment use on a jobsite , but then on small short hour jobs I found it was costing me more in travel than I made for the job so added a minimum travel charge on jobs so billing was machine time and $45 travel time . 

Don't think you'll get out of any dealer shop without some shop supply and enviromental charges. That's what it takes these days. Do good work and don't be afraid to charge for it. I know a builder and a excavator who charge the most for what they do....they are covered up. (but they are also the best!)

Business organization, for me, is the hardest thing to do. You have to know how the entire structure of the business will work. Also, the most important thing is to have the necessary employees that will do their job correctly. I opened a small car rental last week. It was an arduous process to open this business. Anyway, it's not the end. I ordered today a business doorbell with an alarm system. In this way, I will know whenever someone entered and left the shop. It's delicious and essential nowadays to be safe.

Edited by Emmablaker - 07 May 2021 at 9:14am

Emma, Kevin and Korann are all SPAMMERS... Nothing they say is ON TOPIC...  just selling worthless BS.

Oh and DON'T try to use the formulas shown to calculate your farming profits, Negatives have never been popular!!