So we ran the numbers on our little repair shop- this is the second full year my friend and have been working together and we have seen a remarkable increase in sales. We're definitely not swimming in the money, but it's been enough to have concrete put down in the second part of our 48' X 80' building. Hopefully by this time next year we'll have the other half finished off with tin, insulation and heat. Best thing is- no red numbers! I attribute it to people not wanting to buy new, but instead repair old. Also to many glowing recommendations/referrals from other customers. It seems that people like us and trust us enough to spend major money (relative to it's age) to repair their vehicles/equipment. We work VERY hard to not be the fancy, high pressure dealer/chain shop types. We want people to understand what's going on and what it's going to take to make the repair. Perhaps most astounding is that we are outside of town a mile an a half on a gravel road. Often times new customers will tell us that they had NO idea we even existed!
It's been hectic at times, but that's largely my own fault- I really need to stay focused better. Since we work on and sell about anything, it can be pretty time consuming getting organised to do an intake manifold job on a car, then figure out why a Chinese four wheeler wont start, then switch over to an antique tractor, sell some tires and do some metal fab work. Not to mention playing receptionist and schmoozing with people who walk in. Compounding matters is the fact that my partner is also a full time farmer, was tied up this summer with buying a property, maintaining others and preparing to become a father for the first time (end of this month). All of which means that more often than not, I'm flying solo.
Our diversity is a double edged sword of sorts. It keeps money coming in when other shops are sending guys home, but it can be a handful too. Thankfully we've been VERY blessed with some really agreeable customers. Pretty much none of them don't expect something done at light speed. There are occasions where a customer needs something quickly but it's not a big deal to accommodate.
In short- we've been pretty lucky so far and I hope it continues through this coming year!
Just to give you an idea of the scope of the projects, right now I have an old tube frame mini bike in need of an engine and throttle controls, a 1962 Cushman scooter which needs to be brought to life, an Allis Chalmers WD, a Land Rover Discovery II, a van with a drive line vibration, a F-250 with what I'm assuming is toasted head gaskets, and a trailer to check over and fix some wiring. My friend has two Ford 5000 tractors in need of various steering system parts, a Farmall H in for some TLC and a 4wd Steiger tractor in need of a clutch. Yup, it's going to be interesting!
It's been hectic at times, but that's largely my own fault- I really need to stay focused better. Since we work on and sell about anything, it can be pretty time consuming getting organised to do an intake manifold job on a car, then figure out why a Chinese four wheeler wont start, then switch over to an antique tractor, sell some tires and do some metal fab work. Not to mention playing receptionist and schmoozing with people who walk in. Compounding matters is the fact that my partner is also a full time farmer, was tied up this summer with buying a property, maintaining others and preparing to become a father for the first time (end of this month). All of which means that more often than not, I'm flying solo.
Our diversity is a double edged sword of sorts. It keeps money coming in when other shops are sending guys home, but it can be a handful too. Thankfully we've been VERY blessed with some really agreeable customers. Pretty much none of them don't expect something done at light speed. There are occasions where a customer needs something quickly but it's not a big deal to accommodate.
In short- we've been pretty lucky so far and I hope it continues through this coming year!
Just to give you an idea of the scope of the projects, right now I have an old tube frame mini bike in need of an engine and throttle controls, a 1962 Cushman scooter which needs to be brought to life, an Allis Chalmers WD, a Land Rover Discovery II, a van with a drive line vibration, a F-250 with what I'm assuming is toasted head gaskets, and a trailer to check over and fix some wiring. My friend has two Ford 5000 tractors in need of various steering system parts, a Farmall H in for some TLC and a 4wd Steiger tractor in need of a clutch. Yup, it's going to be interesting!
