The Gearbox Podcast Jimmy Purdy

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy and Dave Krukowski discuss ways to navigate the complexities of marketing and customer retention in the automotive industry. Dave talks about the effectiveness and challenges of direct mail and retention marketing, emphasizing the necessity of regular service reminders. Together, they talk about the issues surrounding customer service, highlighting the importance of setting clear expectations and personal interactions, particularly around handling transmission work. Their discussion provides a wealth of strategies for auto shop owners aiming to enhance their customer experience and operational efficiencies. 
00:00 Finding purpose, navigating change, and setting direction.07:23 Eight years in golf provided valuable customer service.14:38 Efficient management ensures a successful customer experience.19:02 Self-taught in asking critical qualifying questions.23:58 Loyalty program and personal touch in service.29:46 Efficient customer appointment process in auto service.34:41 Evolved inspection process ensures vehicle maintenance compliance.41:57 Encouraging customers to trust and spend less.48:13 Summary: Predictive maintenance services for transient area population.49:19 Decline in service, less customer engagement, reminders.59:05 Feedback shapes recommendations for vehicle maintenance.01:00:32 Efficient process ensures consistent client satisfaction and success.01:10:41 Navigating the middle ground, adapting to change.01:14:30 Maximizing marketing returns through targeted customer acquisition.01:16:39 Promoting business, seeking support from friends.01:24:19 Struggling with technicians' preconceived notions and bad data.01:28:46 Interview process is vital to maintain data integrity.01:33:39 Concise communication and sticking to the process.

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In this episode, Jimmy Purdy welcomes Scott Pelava, a seasoned shop owner and community figure, on The Gearbox podcast. The conversation dives deep into the real challenges and personal costs of owning and operating an automotive repair shop. Scott shares his early struggles transitioning from technician to owner, highlighting the steep learning curve in mastering the business aspects to ensure growth and success. Both Jimmy and Scott discuss the critical balance between work and family life, revealing the personal sacrifices often made by business owners. 
00:00 Seeking help from old coaching company to resolve issue.06:04 Scott created a social media group and it grew rapidly worldwide.15:53 Discovering marketing failures leads to business reflection.19:26 Skilled technician seeks new opportunities due to disrespect.22:40 Self-improvement and pushing others to excel.27:34 Technicians seek solutions from various sources for problems.35:11 Unending work stress, missed family time, neglect.38:27 Reflecting on past client appeasement efforts.43:12 Techs becoming owners, diminishing productivity and impact.50:52 Networking led to finding new CRM options.58:08 Positive feedback on classes, with minor issues.01:01:28 Different customers, different needs, different services offered.01:07:33 Coordinating ASOG scholarship for struggling shop owners.01:09:45 Overdoing trade shows, scheduling classes, research.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy and Dan Thieken discuss the complexities of managing and growing an automotive repair shop. Dan shares his experiences and challenges with business ownership, stating the importance of appropriate pricing and capital management. Jimmy discusses the evolutionary journey of his auto shop, highlighting his strategic shift from tires to full-service offerings and the critical role of seizing market opportunities. 
00:00 Power sports tuning big with community support.05:44 Interest in tires but focus on profitability.11:46 Concerns about equipment purchase and financial impact.20:49 Efficiently breaking down tasks in automotive services.25:16 Felt the need to make more money.31:55 Multiple shops' positive experience with client transition.35:47 An experienced guy reflects on business challenges.39:16 Opportunities must be seized to avoid mistakes.44:08 Unique cutthroat market, limited communication with others.51:13 Rapid development causes concern about the community's future.57:28 Research instructors before attending classes; seek advice.01:02:52 Challenging to motivate others without being salesy.01:04:03 Technicians and shop owners embrace industry change.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy explores the intricacies of running an auto repair shop with veteran mechanic Jeff Compton. Jeff underlines the importance of setting clear boundaries between technicians and customers to maintain the focus required for quality repairs. Jimmy reflects on transitioning his shop from transmission specializations to a more diversified range of maintenance services. They also discuss the challenges faced by service advisors, emphasizing the crucial balance of technical knowledge and communication skills when explaining car issues to clients. 
00:00 Boss struggles with competitively priced oil changes.03:48 Customer complaint, brake estimate, delay over filter.08:44 Seeking information from technician to provide accurate response.10:56 Act immediately, don't delay for efficiency.12:58 Oversee shop, handle repairs, advise staff, manage the office.18:07 Counter, explain, listen, advise, own, stop.20:31 Balancing tech expertise and customer communication challenges.22:51 Simplify technical explanations for better client understanding.27:20 Avoid distractions and focus on the job.30:09 Minimize personal interaction while working effectively.33:12 Prepare for more challenging driving conditions.36:02 Santa Fe with the heating issue from gases.39:59 Explaining customer options for vehicle transmission repair.42:27 Customer disputes injector replacement, but issue confirmed.45:56 Embrace authenticity and evolve without fear.49:14 "Fort McMurray attracts trades workers for big money."53:59 A New job makes time scarce and rushed.57:12 Podcast brings therapeutic, humbling, and impactful conversations.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE

In this installment of The Gearbox Podcast, host Jimmy Purdy welcomes Jeff Compton to dive into the intrinsic challenges and dynamics of automotive business leadership. Together they explore the delicate balance of team involvement in decision-making, with Jimmy emphasizing the significance of not springing new processes on employees unexpectedly. Jeff shares his perspective on the dangers of absentee leadership and its detrimental effect on team morale. The pair also delve into sustainable business practices, cautioning against the risks of relying on a single talented technician for business success. 
00:00 Confusion among diehard Ford car enthusiasts.09:42 Speculation on reasons for employees leaving the shop.14:28 Maintaining motivation through constructive feedback in work.18:57 Seeking solutions and finding the positives.24:27 Flat rate techs take breaks, and maintain comfort.28:07 Different people have different attitudes and memories.36:47 Employees seek good leadership and communication skills.42:51 Change is coming, new systems are in place.47:10 Discussed car repairs, focused on ADAS systems.51:48 Considering equipment investment and team commitment.58:08 Recent discussions on implementing the 300% rule.01:02:04 Lowering price point, small increments, tech time.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE

Today, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Austin Goodlett, a two-year veteran shop owner who candidly shares the hurdles of entrepreneurship in the auto repair industry. Austin stresses the critical nature of understanding business numbers and the complex dynamic of valuing one's services while navigating the owner's multifaceted role that spans from technician to manager. Pivoting from the initial drive to increase car count, Austin now prioritizes solidifying a financial foundation for his shop's operations. Further in the episode, the guys reveal the nuanced struggle with charging fairly for diagnostic services, an area Austin is passionate about, leading to a transition to a retainer-style fee structure to better convey the worth of such labor-intensive work. Both Jimmy and Austin share the essentials of customer education, illustrating the latter's commitment to fostering trust and transparency through social media and video content and underscoring the significance of charging for thorough vehicle inspections.
00:00 Technician understands the need to charge for parts.09:39 Transitioned from hobby to professional mechanic successfully.14:12 Confidence and tenacity are essential for success.17:58 Charging 4 hours for diagnostic, providing detailed reports.25:04 Detailed employee handbook to prevent past issues.27:55 Hoping they care, working efficiently for more.32:43 Customer understanding, lift kit challenges, torch work.41:40 Tech shortage, leadership lacking, industry challenges remain.46:52 High-ranking individuals afford jiu jitsu gym; trust and intimacy develop quickly.49:38 Selling and busy, rich get richer, world's ways.53:15 Explaining services and the importance of education.01:02:00 Free car inspections lead to pressured sales.01:03:30 Assessing car condition and setting labor rates.01:08:15 Always learning, new challenges in mechanics.01:16:05 Aspiring to pay technicians well and succeed.01:19:24 Debt led to industry realization and improvement.

Thanks to our sponsor, Shop Boss! See how they can simplify your auto shop HERE