Aftermarket Prime Time
The closing of new car dealerships across the country means the aftermarket can reap the benefits that thousands of closed bays bring. How do the program groups view these developments?
Is Cheaper Better?
If cheaper rates are key to pulling in more customers, why doesn’t the aftermarket have all the dealership service and repair business?
Counterman.com and Counterman Magazine Are Now on Twitter!
It was bound to happen. Counterman.com and Counterman magazine are now on Twitter! If you don’t know what Twitter is, it’s OK. It’s basically like text messaging for the Internet. If the editorial staff of Counterman.com and Counterman magazine find something noteworthy, we send out what are called "tweets" that alert readers to what’s happening
What Business Are You In?
This column is about businesses whose owners believe they’re in a business other than the one they’re actually in. I’ll give you an example: Newspaper companies are in the information business, not the newspaper-printing business. But for the longest time, you couldn’t tell newspaper owners this wasn’t the case. They got behind the competition and
Business as Usual?
Columns come from lots of places. Sometimes something happens that is so upsetting or so compelling I have to write about it just to get through it — or past it. Other times something happens and there is an obvious lesson that I feel is important for both of us to consider, important enough to
When dealing with customers who are unruly or even just flat out rude — on purpose — how should you deal with them?
When dealing with customers who are unruly or even just flat out rude — on purpose — how should you deal with them?
When a customer recently wouldn’t accept the fact that I didn’t speak Spanish, he went to someone who did. So even though he could speak English, he felt that I wasn’t good enough to help him.
ASE Toll-Free Phone Registration is Open
Toll-free registration is available now for ASE tests being offered May 7, 12, and 14. Phone lines are open 7 am – 7 pm Central Time, Monday – Friday, and 7 am – 5 pm on Saturdays. Call 1-866-427-3273 to register. You can also register online. Click here to go to registration. You must register
Are Your Returns Really That High?
We must always challenge assumptions, even if we sometimes don’t want to do it. Since coming to this industry, the magic number I’ve heard regarding the percentage of parts that come back as returns is 25. I’ve heard the figure repeated in conversations, speeches and repeated it myself, apparently without thinking much of it. But
NETWORK NATIONAL CONVENTION: The Network Hosts Record-Turnout Convention in Nashville
Despite a challenging economy and the cancellation and ratcheting back of similar conventions, the National Convention of the Automotive Distribution Network held its largest-ever gathering in downtown Nashville Feb. 26-March 1. "Your attendance here is a testament to your desire to learn more and to improve your business skills," Network President Mike Lambert told the
FILTERS: Motorists May Ignore Them, But They Can’t Afford To
When the economy slumps, what’s the first thing many motorists cut back on to save money? Maintenance. Repairs can’t be postponed because if their vehicle breaks down, it has to be fixed. But maintenance is something that’s performed at the vehicle owner’s discretion. He or she can decide what to service and when depending on
These Are His Words, Not Mine
help us become more successful?” I wrote. He said he believed the questions had already been answered, both within the body of the piece itself and through his e-mail. “Just as with anything else in life the need to effectively communicate is the key to success,” he wrote. I believe his response was so universal
The Rules of Engagement
A long overdue invitation to the service
and repair sector.
