Porsche shop owners help????

[fastfredracing]

Hello , I have ran my own repair shop for 12 years now, mostly repairing all makes and models. In the past, I leaned more towards foreign (japan) and some euro. However, for the last two years, my shop has slowly becoming a porsche shop. Have any of you gone through this transition????.. The hard part for me is when do I shut off all of the ford taurus customers etc....
I am afraid that In Pittsburgh, I might starve in the winter months.. .It sucks when I am trying to assemble A 3.0 litre and the phone rings 100 times a day for state inspections, and brake jobs on caravans. Now that I have been graced with some good porsche work in my shop, I no longer have the desire to work on all that other stuff. Any advice would be appreciated What time of the day do you do your heavy work?? I have a steady stream of phone calls and walk in customers from 8 am - 6pm, and it seems like I can never get anything done

[john walker's workshop]

first off, get your name off the state inspection list. you don't have to do them. big time waster. then stop taking in beaters. just the well maintained cars. you fix them and they stay fixed.

[cstreit]

That's a tough call. As you might guess an exotic car owner is more reluctant to bring his car into your shop if he sees a rusted out caravan on the lift getting the muffler patched up "for one more year" because he assumes the tech's aren't as meticulous.

However as you are aware, brake jobs can be the real margin makers of a shop. So often the "little" jobs on the exotics (r even the family haulers) can eat into the margins because the book rate is never right.

It's going to be tough turning down the regular customer with the Taurus, and might cause some bad blood potentially. "Whaddya mean you won't work on my car anymore? Who are YOU?"

I would suggest a more gradual phase out... Not taking any new customers outside your target. Porsche only can be a tough business, but worth it when you get running. If you're worried about winter down times, why not just go German-only, or Euro-only or something like that to expand your market?

[Mark McClure]

I can not give you specific shop advice but how about some business advice?

1. Expand......put on a junior mechanic to handle the small jobs. If your workshop is big enough split it in two. Make the exotic side white- as presentable as possible. Make a distinction between the two sides. Put a receptionist on, if only during your busiest hours.

Alternatively get a driver! take the small jobs and farm them out to other shops. Negotiate special rates and make profit in the margin.

If you are really adventurous......get a second location dedicated to the exotics. It does not have to be flash on the outside. The inside needs to be a different matter.

Obviously these ideas may not fit your situation.......but -"The more ideas the bigger the options the better the results".

Cheers

Mark........

[fastfredracing]

Hey thanks for the advice, all of which is good. Just today I hired a "gate keeper,who will help me answer phones, write bills, find parts, etc... He is also a gearhead and a pretty good wrench,( now just have to get him into porsches). I like Johns idea of letting go of state inspections. When I started my buisness, I though that it was a great way to bring work into the shop, but now it just creates chaos.

[asphaltgambler]

Being in and around the business for 30+ years I'll offer a few suggestions. My theories are based not on my supreme intelligence but seeing / observing the result of others mistakes. By default I know what to do now. (I think)

First and foremost you seem to have the one 'problem' that most businesses would love to have........................CUSTOMERS!! They equal $$$$$$$$
You have a constant demand for your goods and services. You could have the best laid plans, storefront and slick presentation but with out a steady influx of customers it means nothing.

Second you should take the time to formulate your business goals. Where do you see your shop in 1 year, 3 years and 5??
These goals initially could be somewhat general but with clear direction.

Hire (or trade your services for) professional help. Understand that just because you are great at what you do that doesn't mean you are the best business man, financial man, ad man, comptroller or customer service guy. Talk to other shops that are (or appear to be) successful. Sometimes other owners will help and give direction. Networking is very important.

Look to (groan) automotive consultants who have a recent history of success with a business of your size. They DO help with you being more objective and thinking "outside the box"

As with any business looking to grow things to consider: demographics now and how they fit into your business plan. Capitol. How much is needed and where to secure? Do you or should you own the real-estate or lease? Etc, Etc

Last thing is surround yourself with quality people that share your vision to help achieve the business' goals.

[ANTONIO]

I'll take whatever comes in, I welcome from Suzukis to Ferraris, and it haven't have any negative impact to this day.,in business since 75',cheers,Antonio.