99StockGT

Lol yes we do. The Promo girls is an open subject at the moment, some people say yes bring them some don't. Sensitive situation, we would like to keep this a family friendly show and many people consider those...less than family friendly. But Coneys!!

What you won't come to my car show over Good Guys? Every entrant will get a swag bag...and there will be Skyline Coneys!

Gah, I've been out of the schoolin' for far too long to remember that. I could have sworn it was some time in April. Are people traveling with their kids for spring break these days or sending little Tommy and Jamie off on exploits by themselves? I can't imagine too many school age folk have the money to build car show ready rides these days though I of course could be horribly wrong. My biggest concerns though would be weather, or scheduling conflicts with another show. Being the new kid on the block...I don't want to step on any toes or steal an established get togethers thunder.

Well I'll do my "No rain" dance for that day as I'm also working on getting several of my vendors as well as a couple of our best business partners involved. I could of course push things back into May but I'm hoping not to.

I'm kicking around whether March 24th would work, with our always unpredictable weather its a little worrying that we won't be defrosted in time. I know most of us who have toys we really care about we don't want salt on them. The other thought was April 14th. If things go well at the first show this will be a re-occuring event every couple months or so, didn't want to push it too far back into the summer season.

So with the wonderful Ohio weather we can never count on the question is..when do the toys come out? Other than these freakishly warm 65+ days in January is late march too soon? Mid April? Also, what shows are a must go for people? I know there are the regular cars and coffee things, and the big events like Goodguys but what else is worth attending and when? Selfish reason for asking this is I am planning on hosting a show at my store sometime late March - Mid April but I was hoping for some feedback from the community. Discuss amongst yourselves..

Most of the best people you'll find in our stores as well as any of the other major parts houses are self taught or shade tree folk. Not saying its a bad thing though! Unfortunately with the reality we all have to deal with these days that's just how things are. We DO of course try to get the post possible people for our dollar. Just an aside I really appreciate the feedback you all have provided. Had a great meeting today with my higher-ups and will bring up several of these points again on Monday when we meet again. Let the research continue!

Unfortunately as much as we would like to have ex or current mechanics staffed at all times in all stores that's not the reality of how things can work. If we were to do so our labor overhead would be so high, which would get passed down in price hikes, that we wouldn't be doing any business anyways. Another thing to keep in mind as was mentioned from a previous poster when you are no longer stock sometimes upgrades require different parts than what is listed in the computerized parts catelogs. I would say most of us do some digging around online or at the very least asking a friend about what we may need before heading to the parts shop.

Berto - Thanks for the post, very good points! One of the things I'm currently battling with is getting this store (Bethel Rd) back to its former glory. We have a pretty decent crew here now and starting to really hit on all cylinders. Unfortunately as you said the retail space in most of our stores doesn't allow us to have all the fun toys and parts we wish we could. Heck in exhaust parts/Intake/Intercooler alone for people doing custom piping would be wonderful to have unfortunately we just don't have the space for it. We are however expanding some of our instore parts we have been carrying, and as I said in an earlier post if there are some specific things (Redline) we all want to see carried I can start stocking it. It just has to move out the door to justify.

When you say breathing...do you mean with or without assistance? Now is that assistance with a manaul pump or electric? 1.8liter tank or 2? Might I also suggest this excellent cannula grease to keep the connection strong and lubricated? I agree though about the depends on the car. Certain on vehicles it's easy to find good quality not terribly expensive parts, others its impossible. Unfortunately its anyones guess as to which these are. I've run into mid 90s Honda/Acuras that are insanely difficult to even find brakes for which is insane.

Lawl indeed sir! Well put!

I mean...I wouldn't kick it out of bed. But I would certainly pretend it was italian

'Merican cars ain't gotta be graceful they gotta be loud big mean rattly and have cheap go fast parts! *spits* On another note...highly looking forward to seeing what this thing looks like in person as well. Nothing like a detroit snow storm in january to make me think about warm weather driving!

Here here!

From the previous post about who still has the same ride...I still have my stealth from back in the 04-05 days of Hooters meets and such..complete with rock dings still in my hood from a certain supercharged viper with street slicks that slung every rock on 270 at me. Disposable money in short supply, stock off the shelf cars running 11s and 12s easily kind of ruined things for a lot of us. The generational power improvements on many cars has been incredible over this last decade.

Sounds like you have been up and down both sides of this issue yourself. Unfortuntely as we all know by now, not "all parts are created equal". Remans most of the time are great for the cost saving and usually excellent equality though sometimes this isn't the case. Whether it was a bad core that was reworked, the rework process wasn't done properly, or just general bad luck...it happens. Prices can swing so wildly on certain parts for different vehicles it's hard to speak to an exact cost saving but it IS ususally pretty sizeable. I know the inventory battle is one every parts shop has to deal with on a daily basis, the sheer amount of cycle counting and product on hand checking we do is rather incredible so hopefully thats helping to push your local store towards a better supply for YOU. Hopefully you will also find that your store you are doing business for goes out of their way to take care of you if you are a good customer, commerical or otherwise. As I said in an earlier post I've sent drivers all the way across the city for a lug stud/nut before which was a total drain on my revenue but it was the right thing to do and keeps that relationship strong. I'm sure on the services side you have seen where that kind of thinking gets you, repeat customers, higher satisfaction scores, word of mouth referrals...it all comes down to taking care of people properly. Kudos to you as shop also trying to get people into the higher quality parts too, for SOOO many reasons. Most people these days don't have nearly the throw around money they used to...but you rather do this right the first time. For your sake, our sake, and their sake! *steps off soapbox*

Are you usually using reman or new parts that you have had problems with in the past Crossle? I can tell you on the part supplier side its a big pain in the neck for us as well having to replace a part that's failed. Not to mention it doesn't reflect well on us when lifetime parts fail in a year or two..though sometimes improper installation does accelerate the death of some parts.

As much as I would love to build up a performance parts inventory these days its just impractical. The days of just stocking chevy 350 parts and basic universal bolt ons are unfortunately gone. Though I will be working on trying to bring in a few things all high end car lovers love. Regular maintenance parts and "keep the beater running" parts I can certainly stock

Honestly at this point I'm less concerned with profits and margins than I am with improving the experience our customers get. Though if next time they are in and want to buy something expensive that I make a ton of profit in I won't mind. I'll take a steady stream of happy customers confident in the help and service they are getting over a few wandering in to buy a high ticket item here and there.

The idea of classes isn't something I have given much thought to but that's possible on a nicer weekend afternoon or something. What type of things are you thinking? Going beyond basic bulb changes and oil changes? I'm envisioning something like a trainings at hardware stores? Some of that I have in mind for some of the car show/gathering projects I'm in the process with as a way to both demo products and allow some of our client shops to show off a little of their work. More to come as I said on that later

I think almost every time I wash my truck something falls off, so I tend to just let nature take care of the bath these days. We all have to walk a fine line. I have enough knowledge on machines I have owned over the years to be semi useful, and a decent base to work from on others but I'm not a master tech nor do I want to be. I have no shame in sending my babies to be cared for by the professionals when it's time. There are things I will do myself when I have time/desire, there are others I wouldn't touch for a number of reasons. Car Doctors are just the same as People or Pet Doctors, professionals who have gone through years of on hand experience and training to get to where they are. Most of us don't expect free doctors visits or vet services why would it be any different? Unfortunately most people don't respect other professionals the same way they used to...but hey change starts with 1 right? Sorry for my optimism

Maybe we can make an event of it...do a winter beaters car show? lol

Well it's about 45 steps from my store so when I get a moment that's where I'm usually able to sneak off to for nourishment? I have a lot of things worked out in my head and I'm pulling on every string I can to get something enjoyable for all arranged. Need to make sure also that I don't step on anyone's toes with events/planning/promotions.

How capable is your body at processing Skyline? lol

Don't be jumping ahead of me there Mr. Dynoman!! You are picking up my subtle hints and spoiling the supplies! But yes that's ultimately where I am going with this. However as I said originally I want to do my homework first and do this right before I stick yee ole neck out. The car show circuit in the works but will be another thread coming up...eventually And I guess that clues you in to the PM you'll be getting from me shortly before I post said thread AAP so far has been one of the best career choices I have ever made. More or less hand picking my crew, ability to run the shop as MY business versus a bunch of out of touch higher ups dictating to me...it's rather refreshing. Well that is as long as I don't give the store away and get my positive atttiude butt canned