Shop Owner Staff

We all know the competition for new customers is violent, and when it comes to auto repair and service, today’s consumers have more choices than ever before. So if you want to fill up your service bays with the right kind of customers, and turn those customers into raving fans who will tell their friends about your shop, then this Elite seminar is perfect for you.

The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide has set a new direction for the annual MACS training event and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 7-9, 2013, at the Caribe Royale All Suites Resort and Convention Center, Orlando, FL.

Parts stores in Wisconsin will be able to begin selling refrigerant for motor vehicles in less-than-15-pound containers, thanks to AAIA-supported legislation that was signed by the governor on April 2.

NHTSA has announced two tire recalls involving three brands, including a line made by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

Federated member Hovis Auto & Truck Supply celebrated the grand opening of its Hovis Technical Training Center with an open house March 23-24 at the Mercer, PA, facility. Manufacturer representatives and training partners from key suppliers were in attendance to speak with Hovis customers about new products and upcoming training to be held at the center.

WIX Filters has issued its 2012 Master Catalogs, which cover more than 5,000 WIX Filters products with dimensions, thread sizes, gasket information and application summary. The three new catalogs are: 2012 Passenger Car/Light Truck Application Catalog; HD Trucks, Buses & Off-Road Vehicles Application Catalog; and Interchange-Product Numeric Catalog.

Affinia Group has announced that brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, hoses, master cylinders and electronic wear sensors have been added to the Raybestos brakes catalog for 2013 Audi, Ford, Lexus and VW models.

Just in time for spring driving, Bosch has announced a new rebate program for brake service using Bosch QuietCast disc brake pads. This savings program is intended to reward motorists who purchase QuietCast disc brake pads, and also help build business for auto repair shops that choose to install QuietCast disc brake pads.

Offering a shuttle service for your customers provides some great opportunities. Many times, customers drop by with an unexpected issue and have not planned for a ride back home or to work. By providing a shuttle service, you give your customer added value that may help them decide to leave the vehicle for repair and, hence, provides you with the opportunity for revenue.

Let’s talk about cleanliness. And, I mean more than just surface cleaning. Ever walk into a business that looked clean initially, but really wasn’t? You could just tell. The next thing you know, you’re looking more closely under the tables and chairs, and then it’s pretty obvious that it’s not very clean at all.

When a customer visits Exclusive Auto, located in Yucaipa, CA, the staff’s goal is to greet that person immediately, and then to always exceed their expectations. It’s that kind of customer service ethic that has helped make the shop what it is today.

WIX Filter’s Jeff Blocher, vice president of sales, and Dave McColley, vice president of marketing and product development, work hand-in-hand to build the WIX brand. In their time working together on WIX Filters marketing, these two dedicated members of the WIX Filters and Affinia Group families have led a shift in the ways which WIX engages with customers, markets its brand and serves the aftermarket.