Never gets old reading and seeing all the comments on special days like today. Thanks to everyone celebrating Dad’s 62nd birthday

— Kerry Dale Earnhardt (@KerryDEarnhardt) April 29, 2013

Earnhardt was arguably the most aggressive NASCAR driver in the history of the sport. The moves he made on the track were just unthinkable. Look back at “the pass in the grass.” Even though it wasn’t a pass, he still held off Bill Elliott in the 1987 running of The Winston (now the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race). By the way, Earnhardt won that race while Elliott finished 14th.

His life off of the track was just as controversial. He married Brenda Lorraine, who was the daughter of a NASCAR car builder. She is the father of Earnhardt’s most successful son on NASCAR terms, Dale Earnhardt Jr. After their marriage failed, he married Teresa Earnhardt. Together, the two had a daughter, Taylor Earnhardt, who is now 23-years old and married.

Dale Earnhardt had a total of four children throughout his 50-years of life. Each of them lived in different ways. They all have taken different paths in life and as a result, carry on his legacy in numerous ways. Dale Jr. races on a weekly basis, which keeps his father’s name alive. Kerry Earnhardt has led his son, Jeffrey Earnhardt, to start his racing career, but in a different way that is similar to Dale Sr.’s. He’s started out with smaller teams that don’t have too much funding, attempting to prove he can race competitively with small teams before he moves his way up. Just this past weekend, his uncle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., gave him the opportunity to jump aboard the No. 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series car which is owned by the Hendrick Motorsports driver. It gave Jeffrey the opportunity that he’s been looking for and with a decent finish, may create more opportunities in the future, something Dale Sr. would’ve loved to see.

Dale’s career in NASCAR lasted 27-years. He had a total of 839 starts across several NASCAR circuits, including the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Busch Series and other minor NASCAR series. Totaling 99 career NASCAR wins, 97 of which were in NASCAR’s top two series, Earnhardt is ironically tied with his former rival, Darrell Waltrip, for the fourth most wins in NASCAR’s top-three series combined.

His story had been told before he passed away, after he passed away and will continue to do so for years to come. On this day, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, the team Earnhardt started a few years before he passed, in conjunction with the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, held a special event to remember the man that changed the sport in more ways than most could imagine. Next season, his legacy may continue as Childress’ grandson, Austin Dillon, moves up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which is rumored that he’ll be bringing back Earnhardt’s No. 3 Chevrolet for the first time since Earnhardt’s death.

Many industry resources have documented the “sweet spot” for vehicle repair.  The data shows that the sweet spot may be shrinking, which could cause problems for the industry.

In general, the sweet spot is the age range of vehicles where the most repairs at independent shops are performed. Sweet spot vehicles are those that are old enough to be out of warranty, but still young enough that their owners are willing and able to put significant money into maintenance and repairs to keep them running.

Many years ago, this vehicle repair sweet spot was considered to be cars 4 to 7 years old.  That changed over the years as warranties got longer and the vehicles themselves became more durable.  Currently, vehicles in the 6 to 12 year old range are considered to be in the sweet spot.

Consumers found that older vehicles still performed well and were willing to invest in these vehicles when they broke down. These older vehicles became a profitable target for independent repair shops.  Numbers varied by geographic region but, in general, this has been good news for the repair industry.

This sweet spot peaked in 2011 with 104 million vehicles on the road falling into this range.  If the sweet spot is truly a good indicator of the repair industries health, there may be some head winds coming in the near future.  The number of vehicles in the sweet spot is projected to decline steadily until in hits a low of 82.5 million vehicles in 2018.

There is a bright spot in the data, however, the number of vehicles in operation totals 243 million and is projected to grow.    This is great news for smart shop owners.  Vehicles 15 years or older represented 58 million vehicles on the road in 2011 and that figure is expected to remain steady or grow.  These older vehicles represent around 24 percent of all vehicles in operation. This represents a huge opportunity for independent repair shops.  Also, the number of younger vehicles, those just coming out of warranty will grow substantially over the next few years.  Marketing programs that drive those “fresh out of warranty” vehicles into the shop can have huge value.

So will the shrinking sweet spot negatively affect your business?  If you can take advantage of the big opportunities that exist on each end of that age range, your business growth prospects should be strong.

- See more at: http://www.knowyourparts.com/the-vehicle-age-sweet-spot-for-repair-shops/?goback=%2Egde_91335_member_216020094#sthash.Wr8CDvl2.dpuf

1. Air filter replacement

2. Oil change. Oil change is relatively easy to do yourself with certain precautions. Avoid changing oil after driving your car recently since it can be very hot. You should wait at least a couple of hours after driving your car to change the oil. Tools for a DIY oil change are ratchet, oil filter, wrench, funnel, new oil, oil container, and oil filter.

3. Spark plugs. This simple DIY procedure can make automobiles have better fuel consumption ratings and drive smoother. Spark plugs for most cars are cheap. Check the plug wires while replacing spark plugs too.

4. Windshield wipers. Replace the worn out strips of rubber found on old wipers with new ones. Change windshield wipers for optimal driving conditions during rain. Basic tools are needed like a screwdriver and new wipers to change them.

5. Headlight bulbs. Check the front of your car for burnt headlight bulbs in need of replacement. DIY headlight bulb change is possible for cars without sealed beam headlights. Be sure to get the right bulb for your car and save money by changing it yourself.

6. Dangling exhaust pipes. If you hear extra car noises from the back of your car, it could be damaged pipe holders or structure. Most cars use rubber loops to hold exhaust pipes that can be damaged over time. Look under your vehicle for any broken hangers in the exhaust pipe and change accordingly.

7. Brake pads.  Always keep brake pads in optimal conditions to avoid car accidents and injury. Brake pads are a key component of the brake system that should be properly maintained. Usual tools to change brake pads are a c-clamp, lug wrench, Allen wrenches, hammer, and jack, amongst other.

8. Fuel filters. Fuel filters have an average price of $15 depending on the car, but can save hundreds of dollars from engine damage if changed regularly. Fuel filters are important to keep fuel injection and carburetor systems clean and working properly. Please, do note that it is imperative to release the fuel system pressure before replacing the fuel filter to avoid damage or injury.

9. Car radiator flush. Automobiles’ cooling systems and radiators should be cleaned to keep engines cool. Radiators can build deposits what can clog the cooling system. Perform regular radiator flushes to keep the cooling system in optimal condition. Before removing the radiator cap, to flush the radiator, check that the engine is cool.

10. ABS sensors. ABS sensors can cause the ABS light to show on cars’ dashboards if dirty. Clean ABS sensors while replacing brake pads to save on time, if possible.

11. Plug tires. Car experts differ on whether is better to patch or plug a tire. However, only use these options for short-term solutions for tire damage if not done by a professional. Tire plugs can be bought for as little as $5 to repair most tires according to the damage.

12. Fuel gauge sender. If you are running low on fuel on a constant basis, the fuel tank gauge might need replacing. Many cars have these units located under seats based on the manufacturer. Review the owner’s manual to verify the location of the fuel sender unit, and if accessible, change accordingly.

13. Brake discs. Combine changing warped brake discs with brake pad replacement to save time if needed. Warped brake discs can damage entire car axles if not corrected in time.

14. Removing stripped screws.  If you have damaged a screw’s head, steps must be taken to remove it correctly. Drills are suggested to remove stripped screws with diameters to drill a hole in the screw’s head center. Once the screw’s head separates from the body, it should be easy to remove.

15. Blown fuses. If your headlights are out, it could be from a blown fuse. Check the car’s fuse box to determine which fuse needs replacing. There are three main types of car fuses, which are glass tube, blade, or ceramic. Review your car owner’s manual to find the location of fuse boxes and type of fuse required.

16. Car signal Relays. Turn signals are easy to troubleshoot, if signal relays are at fault. Bad turn signal relays can make turn signals stop blinking. Check the signal relay setup of your car for turn signal issues.

17. Car batteries.  Batteries are the center of a car’s electrical mechanism. Use approved gloves and eye protection to avoid acid damage from the battery. Check the old battery with a voltmeter to see if it has the proper charge. Batteries with lower than 9.7 volts while starting an engine, should be replaced for most vehicles.

18.  Seat belts and seatbelt retractors. Seat belts, by law, must be used to protect against injury in a car accident. Seat belts and belt retractors can be replaced with proper screwdrivers by simply removing the covers and placing new ones. You should test the new seat belt for optimal working conditions.

19. Window belt strips. Inspect visually window belt strips for missing parts, cracking, or other damages for replacement. Worn out window belt strips can cause water damage, if not kept in top shape.

20. Tire valve stems. Tires and wheel assemblies must be removed to change tire valve stems. Deflate tires by removing the inside valve stem. Install the new tire valve and inflate tire accordingly.

21. Serpentine belts.  Check under your car’s hood or the engine compartment for the serpentine belt routing layout. The belt tensioner must be located and loosened up to remove the serpentine belt. Make sure to install the new serpentine in the same manner that the old one was routed. After installing the new belt, check the belt’s tension and adjust if necessary.

22. Tire replacement. Tire change is one of the most common DIY procedures performed by drivers. Damage wheels should be replaced with the spare tire by using the jack and tire changing tools available from most car manufacturers. A professional should balance new tires later.

23. Thermostats. Radiator thermostats provide car engines’ working temperature that should be within recommended levels. The radiator must be checked for leaks and locate the thermostat. Coolant should be drained to release pressure and to replace the thermostat housing structure faster.

24. Radiator hoses. Radiator hoses are key to maintain coolant system pressures and engines’ temperatures. Worn out radiator hoses can have leaks that drain coolant levels and heat up car engines. Check for the upper and lower radiator hoses for damage and replace as necessary. Radiator hoses are usually just held by clamps and screws depending on the type of car.

25. Washer tanks. Washer tanks are necessary to clean dirty windshields while on the road. Open your car’s hood and locate the washer tank. Remove the washer pump’s wiring to the washer tank before removing. Washer tanks are usually just held by a couple of bolts based on manufacturer. After replacement, fill the washer tank with washer fluid and test for proper function.

Regular car maintenance and repairs are top priorities to keep cars away from mechanic shops. This DIY car repair list will assist you to maintain your vehicle in optimal road conditions without spending a lot of money. Get professional assistance if you find unable to fix some parts. It is important for you to follow safety procedures at all times while doing DIY car repairs. And if you decide to take on some of your automotice maintenance, be sure to get the right parts at a great price from MyPartsGarage.com.

 

The Psychology of the Phone Shopper

The Automotive Industry is filled with contradictions.  We spend thousands of dollars and untold man hours of effort to make the phone ring but many of us fail to understand how to make the most of the call when it comes.   A potential customer, calling and asking for prices on services, is often viewed as a price shopping bottom feeder, whose only concern is the cheapest price.  When you understand that the call concerning the question of price is the most natural and predictable question of all, then you are on your way to having more customers walk through your door.

The mind of the phone shopper, what is going on?

Many times, if a customer is calling a shop and have never been there before, their motivation could be that they have already been to another shop and did not make the purchase (this could be due to a lack of trust, the amount of the purchase, maybe they just didn’t like them) or perhaps they do not have a shop to call “Home”.  The resulting calls are at the least, an inconvenience, and for a good many people it can be almost painful to sit down and make all those calls and talk to all of those people.  Remember that the customer, many times, is as uncomfortable asking the question as you are trying to answer the question. 

Why do they make the call?

It is clear that when customers are calling you, someone else has “Failed” at the sale.  They either did not build the Relationship or establish the proper Value for the service.  We all understand Relationship, or think we do, but people will not buy from you unless they feel comfortable with you.  The higher the ticket price the more comfortable they need to feel.  Another major sales hurdle to establish the Value of the service.  Simply it means that the amount of money you are asking for the service matches the perceived value of the service.  Telling someone that they need brakes is not enough.  You have to paint a picture and explain the process of the repair so they can see that “Value”.  If you fail in either area, you will probably not make the sale and any other shop the customer has been to will not make the sale either.  Next thing that happens, your phone starts to ring.

Why do they ask about price?

Most potential customers do not really know what they are asking about.  They do not have the same technical background that we have so they ask about the one thing they do know.  How much does it cost?  The trick is that this is not what caused the problem in the first place.   It is not really the answer they are looking for.  If the first shop failed to establish a Relationship, then that is what the customer is really looking for.  Giving a price, even a low one, without building a relationship on the phone will not get you that new customer.  If they failed to establish Value, then things become a bit more difficult and must be handled the proper way.  We must agree that is very hard to quote any type of accurate price without knowing all of the details.  Even if you quoted a price the customer will probably not come to you since there is always someone who is willing to quote something less just to get them in the door.  The Value you have to establish is all about you and your shop.  Show them the Value of dealing with a professional shop and the Value of the appointment and they will come in to see you.

If you keep in mind what is going on inside the head of the customers that are calling , you will increase the capture rate of those calls.  You will have more people coming through your door.  Invest the time to create a process that will increase your capture rate and measure it so you know how well you are doing.  The phone is one of our most valuable tools, learn how to maximize it’s potential. 

  The time invested will increase your capture rate and your car count.  For additional phone tips, please contact your Coach and mention this Article.  Have fun on the Phone……

Remember when you do get that new customer or if your service has been so good that you keep getting the same customers back, you should check on MyPartsGarage.com for all your parts needs. With automotive repair parts from MyPartsGarage.com, mechanics are saving money on OEM parts and increasing shop margins and customer savings!

Original article posted by George Zeeks at Autoshopcoaching.com