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Technician Find Community

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5 contributions to Technician Find Community
🛑 Advance Auto Parts Slams the Brakes on 700 Stores: What It Means for Independent Shops 🛑
Heads up, shop owners: Advance Auto Parts just announced plans to close 700 stores and four distribution centers by mid-2025, alongside posting a third-quarter loss of $6 million. The culprit? Weak consumer demand for car parts as inflation and economic pressures take a toll. If fewer customers are willing to spend on DIY repairs, this might trickle down to independent repair shops like yours. The numbers don’t look great. Despite narrowing its loss from last year's $62 million deficit, the company missed Wall Street’s expectations big time, and sales slid 3% to $2.15 billion. CEO Shane O'Kelly is doubling down on a new three-year game plan to boost efficiency, but with shares at 15-year lows and competition ramping up from low-cost Chinese automakers, it's a bumpy road ahead. All this raises the question: Are you seeing slower business in your shop? Have customers been holding back on repairs due to rising costs? We’d love to hear what’s happening on the ground. Drop your comments below or shoot us a message—your insights are invaluable as we all navigate these choppy economic waters. Here's a link to the original article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/advance-auto-cuts-outlook-prepares-700-store-closure
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New comment 23d ago
🛑 Advance Auto Parts Slams the Brakes on 700 Stores: What It Means for Independent Shops 🛑
1 like • 23d
I feel this is a trend for DYI that is based on two main category's. First is the complexity of the vehicles and second is generational priority's. Today's generation is busy working and entertaining in their off time, they would rather pay the DFM model . Average lifespan of a vehicle today is 16.58Years and 154,470 miles when it goes to the scrap pile. The average person keeps their vehicle 12.6 years. I firmly believe with the cost of todays vehicle and a price tag that is growing at overinflated rates will help make the choice to fix and maintain what you have longer. Like 15 to 20 years when for 2 to 5 K a year a person can maintain what they have instead of payments of 9k to 15K a year plus they still need to be maintained. Independents will do better then the OE service model but watch out! The PE guys are coming and gobbling up all kinds of baby boomers that are retiring.
Unlock Your Shop's Potential: Why Top Techs Choose Supportive Environments
Today, I want to share something that's been on my mind lately, and it's all about creating an environment where your technicians can truly thrive. A few months ago, I had a conversation with @Eddie Lawrence, a diesel shop owner in Colorado Springs, CO who we had recently helped find some techs. His words really struck a chord with me. He said, "You know what really changed things for my business? It was when I realized that what was missing from work is life. Life was missing from work." After that realization, triggered by a dramatic life crisis that he describes in his upcoming book, Eddie developed Life Calibration: a simple life calibration tool for overextended small business owners, shop owners, and their employees to help them gain more fulfillment, clarity, and perspective. His commitment to his team isn’t just talk. Eddie implemented Life Calibration with his team and demonstrates with actions that he cares about his employees and wants their lives to work inside and outside of the shop. He’s attracting more of the right team members to his shop, they are growing personally, they are growing professionally and they are staying. Best of all, they are thriving! This got me thinking about how many talented techs out there might be feeling the same way. They're skilled, they're dedicated, but something's missing. And that something could be the key to attracting and retaining top talent in your shop. Here's the thing: in today's competitive market, it's not just about the paycheck (though that's important too). It's about creating an environment where techs feel supported, valued, and able to grow. Let me break it down for you with more examples: 1. Keep Your Equipment in Top Shape: Recent hires we’ve worked with have mentioned that their previous shops weren't maintaining equipment properly. This left them feeling unsupported and frustrated. By keeping your diagnostic tools and other equipment in excellent condition, you're sending a clear message: "We aren’t afraid to spend money to make sure you have the tools you need to do your best work." 2. Provide Guidance and Support: Top techs want to know they have a path forward. Show them they have a bigger future with you than where they are now. This could mean mentorship programs, skill development opportunities, or clear career paths with advancement. 3. Recognize and Reward Performance: One shop owner I know hands out $100 bills to techs who beat their average performance for the previous 6 weeks. It's not just about the money - it's about acknowledging great work in front of the team. This kind of recognition can be incredibly motivating. 4. Create a Positive Culture: As one shop owner put it, "There's a lot of pessimism in the industry, but I focus on solving problems. I wake up every day and try to be a better human than I was yesterday." This attitude is contagious and can transform your shop's culture. 5. Offer Work-Life Balance: Many techs are tired of working weekends or dealing with the politics of larger operations. If you can offer a better schedule or a more straightforward work environment (fair dispatching / no pet techs getting the gravy work, etc.), make sure potential hires know about it.
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New comment Oct 22
1 like • Oct 22
Very well said, thank you for sharing.
🔔Ring the Bell🔔
Shout out today to Craig's Car Care! Their shop in Lucas, TX is now fully staffed! Congrats @Craig Zale !!
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New comment Oct 21
🔔Ring the Bell🔔
2 likes • Oct 15
Thanks for all the help! The number of applicants that applied were some of the best and highest numbers we have ever experienced. They are still coming in to apply.
KNOW ANY DIESEL DRIVELINE REPAIR SHOPS?
Know any diesel shops that work on driveline repairs? I just got off the phone with a client (HD Repair) that is about to purchase a local HD driveline repair business and they would like to talk to someone who has been there and done that. Specifically they need to know what questions they should ask, pitfalls to be aware of, where they can get education/training, etc. These are good folks and I'd really like to help them out. Any leads I can pass along would be greatly appreciated.
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New comment Jan 29
1 like • Jan 29
Ask for Mario, I do not know these guys personally but have used them several time with very good results. They have been doing this for over a decade. Truck Parts & Driveshaft Specialist Address: 2735 E University Dr, McKinney, TX 75069 Hours:Open ⋅ Closes 5 PM Phone: (972) 562-4352 You will probbly have to explain what your all about and that you are not in the area.
WELCOME NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
In order to get acquainted and and help fellow community members, please share: 1. The name and location of your shop. 2. Your biggest frustration with finding techs. 3. How you found your last tech.
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New comment Nov 2
1 like • Mar '23
1. The name and location of your shop: Craig's Car Care/Lucas Texas/ craigscarcare.com 2. Your biggest frustration with finding techs: Knowing where to start, the endless sea of places to try and find talent that has the skills, experience and fits into our culture. I have no problem paying a competent service to guide us. 3. How you found your last tech: I do not remember, our techs have been with us over a decade. I think the tool truck was the best place we last pulled someone in from. This is a platform we have been setting up to act as a platform for those interested or thinking about making a move to learn or about us.https://wrenchway.com/shops/craigs-car-care
1 like • Mar '23
I am ready!
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Craig Zale
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13points to level up
@craig-zale-7824
Work at leading and growing great people. Interested in less stress and a clear mind

Active 15d ago
Joined Feb 14, 2023
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