One of the tricks I’ve learned over my years in the car business is HOW to get cars fixed for the least amount of $$$$$$$$.
One of the best tricks I use is the MOONLIGHTING MECHANIC!!!
Most mechanics in new car dealerships moonlight on the side doing repairs on the cars they work on everyday. Most of them have home garages with nice lifts, air compressors and very ingenious use of space. This gives them an extra income and they can work as much as they want. Most people don’t understand how a new car dealership’s service dept works. Experienced mechanics are GOLD to a new car dealer…In almost ALL dealerships, the REPAIR shop is the money maker. NOT SALES.
A good mechanic can call the service manager in the morning and ask what he has on the “books” for the day. If he doesn’t have a money maker for that mechanic he will stay home and work on one of HIS customers cars for CASH.
I remember FINDING my first “moonlighter” I had a Mitsubishi that the seller claimed needed a new ECM (engine computer) the car would start and run for exactly 10 seconds and shut off. It ran GREAT for those 10 seconds but that was it. I didn’t want to risk buying a bucket of headaches so I went to my local Mitsubishi dealer, walked around back to the service dept and walked up to the first tech I saw under a hood. I politely excused myself for interrupting him, and ask about the car. He stopped what he was doing and said. “Oh yea, they do that all the time, it’s the ECM, there’s a guy online out of Georgia that rebuilds them for $200.” I then handed him a $50 bill and said if he ever wanted to do some side work for me I would gladly put more fifties in his hand. He gave me his phone number and ended up doing a TON of repair work for me at less than HALF the dealership rate.
The KEY to this is finding a tech that works on the cars you own…If you drive HONDA’S…Find a honda tech, same for toyota or FORD…These guy’s see EVERYTHING and usually know EXACTLY how to repair the car just by your description of it’s problem.
You might have to try a few dealerships but it’s well worth it. My guy’s even pass along their PARTS DISCOUNTS to me…That’s what happens when they tell you a repair will cost $200 and you give them $250!!! You become a VALUED CUSTOMER!!!
Another option is asking for shade tree mechanics at your local part retailer. These guy’s see mechanics everyday. They know who repairs what and how to contact them. Ask around, you’ll be SHOCKED at the money you can save.
Once you find a good mechanic ASK him if he wants you to refer business his way. If he does, be sure to send GOOD PEOPLE his way…No sh*theads that can’t pay their bills. He’ll appreciate your referrals and really like the extra $$$$$$.
One more thing…
When NAMING your business come up with something non-descipt. Like Group 5 LLC or Wellwood Enterprises LLC.
WHY???
Because with a name like that you can get a DISCOUNT on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING…Need car parts??? Group 5 LLC is a auto repair shop! Need discounts on LUMBER…Group 5 LLC is now a Real Estate Developer. I’m not talking about cheating the government out of sales tax money, PAY the taxes…But you can EASILY save 20- 30% on your car parts doing this…Just open an account at the parts store.