How to Broadcasting

I call this Lego-chanic work.

Howcast.com is pretty much what it states-a video uploading site that explains everything thing from How to Diagnose Problems in your vehicle, to how to purchase the right vehicle. It's a great site to not only help your customers, but to also can help refresh your auto shop's systematic ways of checking and problem solving vehicles.

Check out this video cast here:http://www.howcast.com/videos/10736-How-to-Diagnose-Problems-with-Your-Car#

Tattoo Tuesday

How much more of an automobile can you get? I know...... all he needs is four wheels and a gear. 

Upload Mondays: Automotive Art-Beautiful Photos

http://moisseyev.com/

As a graduate with a fine arts degree, the automotive world so far (for me) has been very separated from any art world that I am familiar with. Sure, cars are beautiful, and sports cars/vintage mobiles/bikes/racing all have creative ways of kicking ass, but thinking about cars and painting, or trucks and installation? Never. However, this photographer's photos make the car look beautiful. Rather, the moment-car and landscape, vehicle's interior and exterior are absolutely stunning. Amazing complete photographs-not just a great ride. Check her portfolio out!! 

The Most Expensive & The Cheapest States for Car Repairs

(extracted from article: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/most-expensive-cheapest-states-car-repairs-6C10287974 by Paul A. Elsenstein)

Fun facts for the Automotive Repair Businesses and information for your customers-the most expensive states and the cheapest states for taking your vehicle to the mechanic.

In 2011, studies show that automotive repair costs rose by 10% from the previous year, with a huge variation in averages across the country.

Take a look at where your state lies- (mine is Ohio, thankfully, getting my car fixed is quite cheap compared to the rest of the nation)-on this list. I find it interesting, the states with the lowest average repair cost are Iowa, South Dakota, Delaware, and West Virginia. The highest, some surprising and some not-so surprising,  are New Jersey, California, D.C. and North Carolina.

According to this article, the "local mechanic's" pay varies greatly with each state. Colorado has the highest paid mechanics, and Vermont pays their auto repair technicians the least amount of money.

Why the change in repair costs? The answer depends on several factors that vary from state to state. Vehicles are subject to natural disasters, different types of roads, varied average distance commuters drive, climate, average vehicle cost within state households, etc. Depending on the type of repair, the types of vehicles coming into the auto shops, and the weather most are facing, prices will fluctuate.

Monday's Site Upload: Hooniverse

http://hooniverse.com

Hooniverse devotes its web space to all things with wheels and an engine, including forums, projects, merch, car uploading sites, blog posts, road test reviews, and auto industry news. Forums discuss topics such as cars available for sale, car updates and modifications, how-to help for the DIY mechanic, and simple voices from automechanics and like-minded enthusiasts. I immediately fell in love with this post: why don't they make these kind of cars anymore?? I'd take one any day!!

"When you think 1963 International Harvester Travelall, you usually think rusted, clapped-out raccoon sex dungeon on the back 40 of some farm in Iowa. Today’s example is no such hulk. This one’s been completely gone through and received a collection of new parts including paint, tires, a carb rebuild, battery and other details. There are basket cases, there are cars with what seems like a bunch stuff added, and there are cars cleaned up correctly. This one’s the latter.

With a 266ci V8 and 4 speed manual, it won’t win any races, but it will tow a small boat or sports car of similar vintage. It’s only two wheel drive, but let’s be honest: you’re not going to do any serious offroading or snow duty in a classic like this. Besides, the tires are 33″ BFG All-Terrains that offer enough clearance and traction should things get interesting. If you really wanted to, you could convert it to 4wd for less money and effort than it would take to bring a typical 4wd example up to this condition."

Check out more amazing vehicles and voices from the mechanics at hooniverse.com!!!!

Mondays are Painful, Watch a Video

Robinson's Auto Repair Video Blog:

 How-To Guide to Auto Repair on Youtube

I have a few friends that go by simple Youtube videos to work on their cars or to vamp up their motorcycles, and they often find it super helpful especially when dealing with custom work. There are many Automotive Repair Video Blogs around, such as Robinson's Auto Repair, to help those who have DIY home projects or for those faced with an ugly, unusual situation. Also interesting to see how others fix similar problems. My friend built a simple 1980 Yamaha 450 cc into a low rider simply by following Youtube! Thought it was incredible. Having medal welding supplies was a plus for him as well, but probably couldn't have done it without handy helpful videos.

Tattoo Tuesday

Looking for tattooed mechanics! Got an interesting design? Email lmartin@shopsaverexpress.com and we'll post it!

Mondays are Video Uploading Days!

Auto Repair & Diagnostics

How to Diagnose an Engine Problem

Famous Car Quotes

"You win some, you lose some, you wreck some." -Dale Earnhart Sr.

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines." -Enzo Ferrari

"The client is not always right." -Enzo Ferrari

"If you think the last four words of the national anthem are 'Gentleman, Start Your Engines,' you might be a redneck." -Jeff Foxworthy

"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes fear of death." -Hunter S Thompson

"Auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built." -Henry Ford

Auto Marketing: Does Direct Mail Work?

As I spend part of this week finalizing neat postcard promotions, I can't help but wonder who will actually view our Shop Saver Express postcards. Today, on Auto Shop Owner Network, there was a discussion on if Direct Mail works for the average automotive service shop. What's really going on with promotional mailers? Will it help the "local mechanic?"

Auto Shop Owner Network users answer these questions, along with several articles I processed today. Here are some facts and phrases I have thought would be good to post, in the event you were looking to mail a winter ad to your loyal customer base, or a fall oil change promotion to the new neighborhood around the block.

• One of the keys to direct mail is to figure out what you are trying to accomplish in each piece. What are you offering? Why are you special? Why are you mailing this customer? What do you want? Answer these questions in the design phase of your mailer.
• The easiest time to drive new business, according to an Automotive Shop Owner, is February-March. Mailing a flier out in November may be severely looked, unless you have a good gimmick.
• The more consistent, the better audience you receive!

Email VS. Direct Mail

• Email is good because it is incredibly cheap, fast, easy, and convenient. However, email is still not the standard way of communicating to auto shop owners and customer clientele. Email addresses are also only achieved through old customer base, so the prospect for new customers is very slim. Direct mail is costly, and largely pooled into the considerate void of "junk mail." Rick Suttle of smallbusiness.chron.com states that the best thing is to use both, and to listen to your customer base. 
• Ask yourself before deciding to send email or postal mail:
• Is it time sensitive?
• Have I asked the customer if they prefer mail/email promotions?
• Do I have a budget?
• Is my clientele online?

We are trying to go online, but what I see with Shop Saver Express is a larger percentage of catalog call-in orders, and not so much email communication or website orders. The internet would be easier for us, but our customer loyalty base is better via phone.

Either way, I am hoping that sending neat, friendly postcards is a great reminder to purchase our Auto Service Shop products online. I am also hoping to receive discount oil change coupons in the mail, so keep coming direct mail fliers!

5 Questions to Ask Your Mechanic

CBS Money Watch "5 Questions to Ask Your Mechanic" By Jerry Edgerton state:

1. Do you work on my car make?
-It might be difficult if you own a foreign-made car, a specialty line, or a bigger vehicle, depending on what the shop usually takes, it may be best to go with a shop that is very familiar with your car make, and hopefully car model.

2. Is your shop approved by the AAA?

3. Does your shop give written estimates?
-To avoid financial surprises, especially if you are a new customer.

4. What is the warranty on your parts and labor?
-Look for something around 12 months-12,000 miles for a good warranty.

5. My Car has (fill in the blank). What is wrong with it?
-be as clear cut and direct as possible when taking your car in so that every symptom isn't overlooked by busy shop owners and mechanics.

Are there more questions that should  be asked? Tell us! Use the comment box below:

Cool Mechanic Shirts

Aircraft Mechanic Shirts

Although the shirts have more to do with air vehicles than land vehicles, I thought this shirt site was pretty cool. I guess Mechanics are mechanics, no matter the machinery!

WANTED: Cool Car Pictures!!!

Send to lmartin@johndow.com, and we will feature them on a blog photo album. 

Calling All Shop Owners

ATTENTION: All Auto Body Shop Owners/Self Employed Mechanics!!!!

We are looking for businesses/mechanics to feature every week in an article highlighting the business, your customers, and your surrounding community. If you are interested, please email lmartin@johndow.com contact information, an image of you/your business, and a little information about your business. Featuring your business in our blog will promote, highlight and create community for your local shop! 

Welcome to The Local Mechanic's Blog!

A soon-to-be filled website with articles, products and interests for automotive service shop owners, mechanics, and privately owned automotive shops.

Powered by Shop Saver Express, Your One Stop Automotive Shop & Service Supplies

With the growth of the Shop Saver Express company, we are very happy to have just enlisted a new person to act as a Shop Saver Express Sales Coordinator, who will grow and develop the brand's reputation and customer base. With this new position, we hope to increase customer satisfaction. Feel free to contact our company with any comments, suggestions, or questions you may have with our product line. It is in our best interest to serve you, your company, and your own customers. 
We have many great updates that are just about to happen for the website and its inventory! We will be expanding the product line available to customers, offer promotions and deals to our returning customers, and designing a new and improved catalog look. 

Please stop by our website today to look at all of the incredible products we offer presently, and register to receive emails/updates.

Have a wonderful day!
-Shop Saver Express