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Articles by Bud Abraham
Maintenance Detailing
Skip to content Main Navigation Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: Back in the ’90s, I wrote an article about whether or not carwashes should offer detailing services. At the time, the auto detailing industry was rapidly changing from a wholesale service done for auto dealers to a retail service done for motorists. This occurred because the motorist was demanding cosmetic car care services beyond the capabilities of a professional automatic carwash.
Maintenance detailing
Skip to content Main Navigation Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: Back in the ’90s, I wrote an article about whether or not carwashes should offer detailing services. At the time, the auto detailing industry was rapidly changing from a wholesale service done for auto dealers to a retail service done for motorists. This occurred because the motorist was demanding cosmetic car care services beyond the capabilities of a professional automatic carwash.
What You Should Know About German Paint Finishes
Skip to content Main Navigation Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: Note: Much of the information in this article comes from an article by Terry Freiberg, a professional detailer. The material is being used here with the permission of the author. If you are like most detailers you have probably had customers ask you if the clear-coat on their German cars is softer than American cars. Soft clear-coat? What kind of question is that?
What you should know about German paint finishes
Skip to content Main Navigation Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: Note: Much of the information in this article comes from an article by Terry Freiberg, a professional detailer. The material is being used here with the permission of the author. If you are like most detailers you have probably had customers ask you if the clear-coat on their German cars is softer than American cars. Soft clear-coat? What kind of question is that?
Paint finishing: Tools, pads and chemicals - Part 2
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: In part one of this article, we covered older tech versus newer tech, types of paint finishes, types of polishing tools and more. Let’s pick up with pads and bonnets in part two. Pads are generally used with rotary buffers/polishers and bonnets with orbital tools.
Paint finishing: Tools, pads and chemicals - Part 1
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Published: To say detailers need to be cautious when dealing with a car’s paint finish is an understatement. It is a constant disappointment to me when I visit detail operations around the country and the world to see how they are correcting, polishing or protecting paint finishes.
What new detailers should know
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Starting a new detail business as a “newbie,” so to speak, is both exciting and scary, right? When many of you took the step to own your own business and “be your own boss,” you were filled with optimism and hope, quitting your job and going out on your own. But, there was also the “fear of failing.” Did you cover all the bases during the due diligence period?
Detailing your services
May I ask you to take a quiz? Name the three most common business myths about detailing. Carwash owners should know the answer, but if you don’t, they are as follows: 1. All customers pretty much need the same thing. 2. Most of your business comes exclusively from carwash customers or word-of-mouth referrals. 3. Detailing businesses have to service a lot of cars every week.
Selling need, not price
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family A few years ago, I chaired an International Carwash Association seminar that was titled, “Marketing, Merchandising, Advertising and Selling Detail Services.” One of the panelists was Randy Wingert, then a division marketing manager with Turtle Wax.
To detail or not to detail?
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family Since the early 1980s, the auto detail industry has undergone a never-before-experienced growth — or more appropriately, an explosion. For a variety of reasons, today’s motorist is demanding cosmetic car care services beyond the normal professional carwash. Some of the reasons are: the protection of leisure time, the rising cost of automobiles and the increasing length of ownership.
Professional Carwashing & Detailing
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family The carwash industry has always had concerns about labor costs and availability of good labor, and with the pandemic, the labor situation has become even worse with the government paying people to be unemployed. I say that because many people are receiving more money for being unemployed than they would receive if they were working.
How to price auto detail services
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family As the operator of two detail centers for years and having set up hundreds of people in the detail business all over the world, I’ve come to certain conclusions about pricing detailing services. Whether in the U.S. or Thimphu, Bhutan, the principles of good business in general and operating a successful detail business specifically are the same.
The evolution of express detailing
Skip to content Main Navigation Advertisement Social Connect Resources Our Brand Family In the almost 50 years I have been writing articles for the carwash and detailing industries, there have been a myriad of changes in both industries — so many, in fact, that a good author could write a book on either industry.
New Hofmann monty 1675 Swing Arm Tire Changer Combines Speed, Versatility, Safety
Conway, AR – Featuring a compact design and a quick and easy setup, the new Hofmann® monty® 1675 Swing Arm Tire Changer is ideal for handling passenger cars, light trucks and high-performance wheel and tire assemblies. “The ergonomic design and safety-enhancing features of the new Hofmann 1675 tire changer provides the user a safe work space when changing a variety of tires,” said Adam Brown, director of product management for Hofmann.
An Enemy Called Average
Far too often in our industry, we have dealers, general managers, service directors, etc. who focus on and measure themselves in terms of the “average” dealer. But “average” is nothing more than a reference point. Average means you are the worst of the best or the best of the worst! Is Average What You Really Want to Be? The title of this article comes from the book “An Enemy Called Average” by John Mason.
It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here: A/C Switches and Clutch Operation
In a conventional mobile air-conditioning system, the compressor runs at full capacity whenever the clutch is engaged. In this “all-or-nothing” system design, the compressor cycles on and off as needed to circulate the refrigerant and lubricant through the system. Switches, relays and transducers control the clutch (and therefore the compressor), keeping the system operating smoothly — and, in the event of failure, shutting the compressor down to prevent catastrophic failure.
Are You Overlooking This Secret to Success?
Women sell a heck of a lot of cars. Often, they quickly rise to the No. 1 sales spot in a dealership. And, they tend to be quite successful in any automotive job they pursue. But getting women to take the job can be difficult; sometimes it seems impossible. The stats tell the story: Women buy or influence the purchase of 85% of all cars and light trucks. Women are 52% of licensed drivers, 56% of college students and 47% of the workforce. Yet they hold less than 27% of jobs in automotive.
Give Your Customers What They Want - Text Them
One of the biggest complaints in our industry is, “No one ever called me.” Most service managers hear this at least once a day. After you have established that a call was actually made, you may hear, “I never listen to my voicemails anymore, so I didn’t get your message.” The client, however, is still mad because somehow it’s your fault they didn’t receive your communication. What if your advisors sent a short, yet effective text?
Millennials! What Are They Thinking?
People are predictable, but new technologies change their buying habits. Do you remember party lines, phone books or dial-up internet? Today, we can’t imagine a dealership without a phone number or website, but this wasn’t always the case. What is the next revolution in car buying? Moreover, how can you make sure you’re not left behind holding the bag phone?
5 Rules of Engagement for Service Customers
More Cars on the Road + Fewer Dealers = More Opportunity! You’re competing with the aftermarket like never before. The question is, will you aggressively go after these customers or simply stand by waiting for them to show up? If you stand around waiting, you will most definitely give the aftermarket a significant pay raise. What Is Your Marketing Plan?
Hunter Engineering Announces Inspection Integration with Dealer-FX
Hunter Engineering has announced a new integration partnership with Dealer-FX and its ONE Platform service experience. A service dashboard that provides control over dealership workflow and creates a more consistent process, ONE Platform is now compatible with Hunter inspection equipment, including Quick Check Drive, Quick Check and Quick Tread® systems.
5 Tips for Creating a Star Management Team
Recently our company won a “Special Award for Managers” from Energage as part of their annual Top Workplaces program. The award made me think about how important a management team is to a company’s overall success. Sometimes managing your managers can be trickier than managing an entire department full of employees. That’s because managers tend to have strong skill sets, personalities, opinions and even different management styles that might conflict.
Selling F&I Products On Alternate Fuel Vehicles? Here’s What To Know
Current estimates put roughly one million electric vehicles on the road in the U.S. today. According to media reports, this milestone was achieved just a few months ago. Proponents of the technology agree that this is a small number, compared to the more than 270 million cars and trucks in the U.S., but it continues to grow and has a bright future for those focused on lowering their carbon footprint.
5 Spark Plug Tips
Here are 5 little-known tips about spark plug replacement that you probably didn’t learn in school. 1. Getting Plugs Out: Chemical Tools If a spark plug is difficult to remove, some fluids can help break up corrosion and carbon between the threads on the plug and head. You can pour a liquid penetrant into the wells and let it sit for an hour or longer.
Digital Retailing — Missing Ingredient in Your Marketing Mix - AutoSuccessOnline
This article is a follow up to my previous article on digital retailing, which can be found here. (link this to the word “here”: https://www.autosuccessonline.com/refocus-your-dealership-marketing-with-digital-retailing/) There is some debate in the industry whether digital retailing is a marketing expense or not. As part of explaining the rationale behind our positioning, let’s do a bit of Marketing 101 and see how digital retailing contributes to the marketing mix at your dealership.
Pros and Cons of Internal vs. External BDCs
Many people assume that because I work with a company that provides BDC services, that I’m against internal BDCs. That’s actually not true. In some instances, it makes sense for a dealership to have an internal BDC. Every dealership is different with its own unique processes and needs, so the decision really has to be made on a case by case basis.
10 Commandments for the Inspirational Leader
The Foundation of Business Solutions There are so many theories in leadership ranging from vision to self-awareness to service. The simplest way to develop your leadership skills is to have a work ethic mixed with a solid foundation of core values. Inspirational leaders have commandments they work and live by. Commandments, or guidelines, lay the critical foundation for the development of leadership and business solutions. All of you have your own commandments that you work and live by.
The Power of Gratitude
Valued and Appreciated Employees are Better Able to Handle Customers Dealers often say their business would fail without their employees. But do their employees know that? Sometimes dealers and managers think they are communicating appreciation to their staff, but the sentiment may be falling short. A 10-year, 200,000-person study from the O.C. Tanner Institute found that 79 percent of employees who quit their jobs cite lack of appreciation as a key reason for leaving.
Can I Ask Them to Sign That?
The Ins and Outs of Common Employment Agreements Some of the most common questions I hear are, “Can I do that?” “Can I require that behavior?” “Can I make this policy change?” and — most notably — “Can I fire him?” Today, our question is, “Can I ask my employees to sign that?” Before we dive into our topic, let’s set some ground rules. First, remember that you cannot insulate yourself from all risks via contract.
Mitchell 1’s ProSpect Now Compatible with Android
Poway, CA – Building on the success of the 2018 release of ProSpect™, the Mitchell 1 mobile vehicle check-in and inspection application now offers a new version that supports Android mobile devices. This new release expands ProSpect compatibility across virtually any Android or Apple iOS smartphone or tablet device an auto repair shop is using in their daily operations.
Raybestos Expands Line of Element3 Coated Rotors
McHenry, IL – Raybestos® has increased coverage of its ultra-premium Element3™ Coated Rotors with the recent addition of 46 new part numbers, according to Kristin Grons, marketing manager, Brake Parts Inc LLC (BPI). “The timing of our new Element3 Coated Rotor part number introductions couldn’t be better,” said Grons. “Harsh winter weather conditions and corrosive road treatments can really wreak havoc on non-coated rotors.
The Theory of 5: Struggle and Strength
Facing Challenges to Develop Grit Searching for comfort is one of our strongest desires as humans. We tend to gravitate toward what gives us pleasure and recoil from what could cause pain. Most people crave contentment. Most want gratification. In its proper proportions, there’s nothing wrong with comfort. We must recognize, however, that during times of pleasure, it’s challenging for most of us to develop personally or professionally.
Employment Screening and Credit Reports
Pulling credit reports on a customer makes sense when determining the credit worthiness of a person who may be financing a car or other item. However, pulling a credit report based upon a person seeking employment with a company is a whole different matter. Employers should be very wary of pulling credit reports on an applicant for employment purposes and using said reports to make a hiring decision unless the position oversees, handles or manages money.
If the Sky is Falling, Stock More Helmets and Fewer Convertibles
While almost none of you readers were around, most know what happened in 1929. It was the stock market crash that started the Great Depression. Twenty-five percent of Americans had lost their jobs, and businesses and banks closed up shop, leaving people high and dry. It took the World War II to bring our nation back. What does that have to do with selling in 2019?
The Theory of 5: Mastering Our Onboard Computer
How Asking the Right Questions Can Lead to Incredible Results There’s an old computer science adage that states “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (also known as GIGO). It means that if you put faulty data into a computer program, no matter how advanced that program may be, the resulting output will be worthless. The quality of the output is directly determined by the quality of the input. This is true for every computer, including the most powerful one you’ll ever use — your own mind.
The Gift of Feedback
7 Steps to Move from Confrontation to Conversation Feedback is a gift that anchors your relationships in honesty. Everyone depends upon the feedback they receive to appreciate and reinforce their areas of strength, and to identify areas for personal and professional growth and development.
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