Opinions please???

kubmech · Jun 25, 2002

I am seriously considering a career change. However I know after working on tractors and equipment for 15+ years and enjoying it as much as I have, I'm worried that I will miss it. In fact that's a given, I know I will miss it. All the tools and knowledge I have acquired over the years will end up parked in the garage. I am considering taking on restoration, repairs, used tractor evaluations etc. in my spare time. Do you guys think that there is a market for a guy that may not be able to drop what he is doing for a few days to run out and take care of a problem without frustrating the customer. I'm trying to be realistic and get a feel for what someone would expect. Of course the advantage would be a greatly reduced labor rate (from what your dealer charges, due to low overhead) and good quality service when available. Over the years I have had plenty of offers for "side work" from customers and always declined due to my values as an employee. With the exception of close friends and family I don't have alot of experience dealing with these matters on this level. I would really appreciate any and all comments, good, bad, even brutal if necessary.

Thanks,
Kubmech

JerryG · Jun 25, 2002

Kubmech,
If your area is like mine, you would have more work than you could do. A good mechanic, at realistic cost would be great. I know that you could make more an hour than at your dealer. But you would also have more costs. Your truck, gas, insurance, small parts and the ever-dreaded slow paying customer.

njrqs · Jun 25, 2002

Kubmech

I think if you charged for all your valued answers here alone, you could be a rich man /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I left a secure government job to run my own business.

Like you, I left to work in the same field as I was eomplyed in, and therefore had the contacts, the knowledge etc.

I have never regretted it and it has been 6 years.

The issue of lack of holidays, working nights etc. always is a problem, but at least you reap what you sow.

Even if you end up working big hours, if it is at home, it never feels so bad.

I endure constant frutration at the poor level of service offered by most places these days. My tractor mechanic works for himself in a run-down little place without the frills of the big dealers etc.

But he knows his stuff and can always get me what I need.

I think there is a market for knowledge and service and this should not come at the expense of big names a bright lights.

Now if only I could teleport my tractor to you, we'd could have a deal !!!

Cheers

wroughtn_harv · Jun 25, 2002

For some folks being self employed is the only way to go. I happen to be one of them.

I say "go for it."

When the subject of jobs come up I have a saying.

"Why would I want one? Everyone I know who has one hates it."

But don't offer your services for less than the dealer. You will find out over time that rate is just about what it takes to get by and put a little back.

One of the problems with having a business is all those who jump out there and try to compete by charging less. One goes down the tubes just about the time another starts up. So it is a constant fact you have to deal with the whole time you're in business.

The customers? If they come for price then do you really want them to begin with? Everyone wants a deal. It's human nature. So give them the best quality service for the same rate others give them rotten service.

That way when they recommend you they're doing it because you're good and not because you're cheap. Your mama told you about acting cheap and the kinds of folks that attracts.

jhburke · Jun 25, 2002

You would need to let your customers know up front about the possibility of being unavailable sometimes. I just took on a job of clearing a fence row. I told my client that due to my health I would clear it as soon as I could. Meaning that some days I am good for only about an hour and other days I can work six or seven hours. I never know when. This is because I am still recovering from bypass surgery.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 25, 2002

<font color=blue>...So give them the best quality service for the same rate others give them rotten service.

That way when they recommend you they're doing it because you're good ...</font color=blue>

I agree... Absolutely.... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Boondox · Jun 25, 2002

In my area (northern VT), a fellow could supplement his income pretty well doing that...but I'm not sure he could make a living at it.

One thing I would gladly pay a premium price for would be a mechanic who came out and showed me how to do things. Like the 400 hour service. It was a bit too involved for me the first time around, but with a teacher doing the work and me taking notes (and maybe photos) my confidence would have skyrocketed.

Pete

dummy · Jun 25, 2002

For me, aggravation sets in when someone says I'll be there first thing Monday and then they show Tuesday, Wed..... and want to know why you no longer need them and get mad at me! Biggest downside is of course, insurance. Health, life, self employment, sales,etc..... But go for it. I prefer not to grow older and wish I would have done _____. A good mechanic can always get a job.

Golfgar4 · Jun 25, 2002

As I progress through my research for buying a tractor, one of my biggest concerns is knowing I'll have solid maitenance support. Naturally, that means that I consider one of the big 3 dealers that are local.

But as I keep reading about the wide range of machines that are available, the grey market and/or the Chinese tractors (and I shouldn't forget Kioti!) are very attractive. However, I have not found any dealers within a reasonable distance.

So my solution would have to be to find a good, dependable mechanic that I could trust to get the parts and do the work. If I were able to do that, then I might more seriously consider some of these other tractors.

IMHO, I think if it were known that you could service just about any brand of tractor, you'd probably be beating the customers away with a big stick! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MikePA · Jun 25, 2002

kubmech, I agree with the other posts that mention not charging less than the hourly rate charged at a dealer. I would be more than willing to pay dealer rates for better customer service. While there is additional overhead built into the dealer rates, you will need that to cover your fixed costs which will not be spread out over multiple employees nor will you get volume discounts a dealer would. I'd love to see an independant tractor mechanic in my area. Perhaps you could be a mobile mechanic (there was someone on TBN a while ago who did this...maybe it was an auto mechanic). Another idea would be to devote certain days of the week or days of the month to in-shop repairs, another to restorations, and another to evaluations. Except for emergencies, this would allow you to give someone a date and time and, for the most part, be there. As a customer, I understand when emergencies happen or a job takes longer than aniticpated, all I want is a call with an explanation and a new date and time. My wife has worked in dentists offices for the past few years as a dental assistant. Her observations of 3 different dentists is (1) They were never trained as small business owners (2) they don't know how to deal with personnel issues and (3) Invariably try to jam as many appointments into the schedule as possible, using the least amount of time for each procedure. Therefore, when a procedure runs long or there's an emergency, there's no slack in the schedule to absorb this. So, patients end up waiting or they have to be rescheduled and the staff, along with the dentist, gets to work longer.