help wanted...very long

[DGPEAKE@AOL.COM]

Better yet, why do dealers need to be in the tuning business as well? The 
best scenario is for the technician to perform the warranty tunings for a 
discounted rate, in exchange for keeping the customer and getting referrals.  
Then everyone is happy. The dealer happy getting his warranty work covered. 
The customer his happy because the dealer cares. The technician is happy 
because he or she is building a  clientele. It worked for me.

The main complaint I have heard is that the technician builds a large 
clientele and then has no more time to perform the warrantee work. If that is 
the case, there is always another technician who want to build a business.

Dave Peake, RPT
Portland Chapter
Oregon City, OR

In a message dated 04/13/2000 11:20:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
jonpage@mediaone.net writes:

<< Brian,
 First of all, I would have complete control over scheduling. When the 
 dealer has
 a tuning to schedule, they call you with the info; you call the customer to 
 set an
 appointment when you are going to the area. It's your time, don't leave it 
 in the hands
 of someone else. Use your time efficiently, you never get it back. You need 
 to know
 what you're doing well in advance. Shop work should be scheduled as well.
 Soon your week will be filled.  Wait till you have to start scheduling time 
 off.  :-)
 
 For the referral fee, 10%. Maybe 15 if you really want to keep them.
 The IRS takes a big enough chunk out without having to pay exorbitant fees.
 (If you refer a sale or repairs to them do they give you 50%? I seriously 
 doubt it.
 Match their percentage, it's only fair :-)  They'd give you what, 3 to 5%).
 I have contracted for dealers and never did they ask me to discount more 
 then 10%
 even for floor tunings.
 
 You collect the money from the customers and pay the dealer their fee at the
 end of the month. If there are first-home-tunings on new sales, send them a 
 bill at the
 end of the month. You can reduce their tuning charges by the referral fees 
 to make
 accounting easier. Remember, you are working for yourself now, not them.
 Operate as a business. Increase your first-home-tuning charge to reflect 
 the above
 mentioned discount.
 
 If the customer calls you next time, they become your customer. If they 
 call the dealer
 and the dealer refers them to you, pay the referral fee. I'd stick to 10%.
 
 At this point the dealer should be more concerned with customer 
 service/satisfaction
 than squeezing money out of you. It is in his best interest to have you 
 prosper, not to
 be kept under his thumb.
 
 Be firm, be fair, to yourself mostly, have the new price structure go into 
 effect as of May1.
 
 You'll be glad you did,
 
 Jon Page
  >>