Opinions please???

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>… other posts that mention not charging less than the hourly rate charged at a dealer…</font color=blue>

For example… Assuming… if Kubmech is getting paid $18./hr. and not flat rate/percentage, with the dealer getting say $58./hr… we have a $40./hr. overhead/profit margin/reinvestment $ for the dealership.

Now, a normal person if given a choice (without knowing Kubmech) would go straight to the dealership for service if choosing between identical rates. Kubmech needs a hook (for the people that don’t know him), he can charge multiple ways… say $38./hr. at his own home/shop, or let’s say the dealer gets an average of $1400. for a clutch job, Kubmech can charge a flat rate of say $950. for the same job that may take him 6 hours to split/disassemble/reassemble/test…

Let’s face it… a person is in business to make money… not friends… here you can accomplish both… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Tractor_Barn]

I may have missed something but I didn't notice what you are considering a change to.

As for being a "self-unemployed" independent mechanic, charge the going rate. Price alone will not set you apart, customer service will.

Do not be scared off by the tax and accounting issues, they're not as complicated as the accountants want you to believe. Insurance is a must. Business liability, life and health. Check with your agent and ask about group discounts. Often discounts are available to members of credit unions, chamber of commerce, civic groups...

Get one of the popular small business accounting software packages and learn how to use it.

Now...take a deep breath, inventory your tools and put a small ad in the local paper. You'll be doing what you enjoy and having a ball.

 

[looch]

Kubmech, My very good friend is a contract mechanic. He finds a place that is fairly stable (right now it's a small, long-haul trucking company) and then does miscellaneous jobs here and there to fill in the holes. He also owns a small farm where he currently keeps sheep, hogs, and chickens. We don't talk about money with each other, but he seems to be doing quite well - living simply and within his means. He's done work for me, but we always trade (labor or goods) rather than use money - I imagine I'm not the only one who deals with him this way.

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Kubmech

My brother in law has always done carpentry, and is an avid hunter/fisherman. Every customer is warned up front that if the job isn't done by opening day of deer/fish/small game/turkey season, it will be delayed by a few days. Everybody seems to accept it. Small towns can be pretty easy that way. Frankly, if the dealer wanted $200.00 to do something in a week and I could save $20.00 by having you do it in 2 weeks, guess who just got the job.

SHF

 

[kubmech]

Thank you to all that responded to my questions. Much of what you guys said makes good sense to me and I really appreciate it. I'm not going to go into all the details. I have updated my profile, which may explain a little better where I'm coming from. Thanks again.

Kubmech

 

[knucklehead]

Art, thank you for the tips and advice you have given us on TBN, and the patience and counsel you have personally extended to me.

Our local Kub/NH dealer sends all of their trade-ins over to one person who cleans and services or repairs them. They don't want and can't take the time away from customer's tractors. This may be an option, and I was also thinking about setup of new tractors, although there may be warranty issues that force the dealers to do that in-house.

That reference to mobile service is familiar to me, too. I think the person was servicing Ag tractors in the field (literally). I'd bet you'd be running constantly in season, in a farming area. I can also visualize you in a more suburban setting changing clips, springs, belts, and fluids, and gently reminding folks to read & heed the owner's manuals (you'd be wasting your breath with the farmers /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif). If you get along with everyone (and you seem to ), you may be able to do both. That would be a decision on what "market" you want to target.

I don't think it's a matter of finding the work at all. I have no business experience other than doing a few things here and there for folks, but I know having employees complicates things due to State & Federal regulations (tempted to rant, biting my tongue /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif). Looking 'way down the road, you may want to think about that, and how deep you want to go. Maybe you could stay small, especially if you have other sources of income (pension, etc.).

 

[jhburke]

In todays life if you give out good and prompt service. You will not suffer for lack of work. I am 65 and the hardest thing for me to do is find someone who will do what is agreed upon in a timely fashion. I realize there is exceptions but halveing been in the sales and service occupations I know that if the exceptions are few and far in between. It will be understood. I am willing to pay what is agreed but if something is found that needs to be corrected I want to be notifiedl. Sometimes money is a little tight and I want to be able to pay the bill when due. I have had bills jump as much as one third more. That makes the cheese more binding. And this old guy very unhappy.

 

[RichZ]

Kubmech, I think you should do very well as an independent mechanic. In my community, which is a farming community, most farms run older and vintage tractors and equipment, even though they are quite prosperous. We have several independent mechanics and they do very well. There is one I have used for my equipment. He is very dependable, and like you, he always gives great advice, in fact he has become a good friend of mine. If someone calls him, it is understood, that he may take a day or two, or even three to get there, but he fixes the problem for good for a reasonable price. I'm sure you will do the same.

Go for it!!!

Good luck, you'll do great!!!

 

[rocky2]

Just from what I see as your knowledgeable responses to questions, if I was still living in the Mechanicsburg area I'd travel up to use your services. How often do you get an "immediate" turnaround from the dealer anyway? Saving considerable bucks and still getting a week turnaround isn't a bad deal. Good luck in whatever path you choose.