Moe, How long have you been in business? Thirteen years (founded in 1980) How are things different now from when you started out? The technology has changed. We used to be able to figure problems out quicker in th old days. Do you play any sports?No, I work I ride a "78 Lowrider Harley. I used to ride a lot more. I took cross-country trips. Do you advertise?Just in our local paper. We also participate in local charity raffles, giving away oil changes and tune-ups. We do some sports advertising with our two local high schools. What's your shop's most successful marketing tool?Word of month advertising. We have a lot of satisfied customers. Who is your manager?Steve True and I share the duties for managing the shop and the office. We don't have a front office person, and people seem to like it that way. They like the personal contact. Steve's been with me for eight years. What's the best training seminar you ever attended?Terry Greenhut's Auto Motivation management seminar. He talked about billing, phone sales, dealing with customers, handling objections to repairs or prices, and so on. It was expensive but worth it. I'm going to send Steve to it next time it's offered in this area.

What are your plans for the future?We'll continue to build our business. I'd like to be out in 20 years. What do you predict for the future of independent shops like yours?Tougher diagnostics- big time. The new on-board diagnostics coming out because of the California regulations will pave the way for the future of automotive repairs. It will be nice to buy one scan tool to plug into all cars. What achievement makes you most proud?As far as my business goes, one of the things I'm proud of is we try to diagnose, rather than than throw parts at the car. I'm proud that we're straightforward with people, and that 98% of our estimates are right on the head. I'm also proud that we treat women like they're our mothers and sisters. Personally, I'm proud that my children are good citizens- I feel we have a responsibility to raise our kids so that they won't be detrimental to society. What are you doing this week?This weekend, I'm finishing getting the house ready for winter. I guess you could say I'm changing that anti-freeze and rotating the tires on the house.

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