I've been independent for the last 6 years, started out of the back of a pickup, saved up and bought my enclosed service truck outright, of course I'm not fancy but I do love my warm, wind/dust/snow free mobile shop.
I have very little overhead and pass that on to the customer with a lower rate then most other mobile mechanics around here, I do quite a few cash jobs for individuals throughout the year which allows me to keep being affordable.
I stay away from having to buy expensive diagnostic tools, though I would love to have them. Cannot justify the cost, if need be I just hire Brandt, Finning, Wajax etc to scan while I'm with the machine, that way I know exactly what's going on and it gets done right, just because they work for a big brand or have tickets for this and that, doesn't automatically make them any good. I've seen this many times...
I do not need undercarriage work in my life (my personal machines are another story!) I send all that to an aquaintance who has his own truck as well and is more set up for that type of work, still waiting for him to return the favor....
I have found the best way to deal with demanding nightmare customers who don't maintain their equipment is to not beat around the bush, tell them straight up what it is, "your machine is a wore out neglected POS, want me to just cut it up for scrap instead?" I don't worry about offending them because an unmaintained neglected machine offends me! I try to "teach" customers like that a lesson, if they figure it out, great! If not it just costs them in the end. A fool and their money are soon parted. The hardest part is saying NO!
Most of these people have burned many bridges, that gives us the upper hand, and if they don't like what they hear, they can find someone else, oh wait they pissed everyone else off! I have no feelings for these type of humans, I will take their money but it will be on my terms. Like it or leave it. Covering your ass right off the bat is crucial with these types! I demand written communication about the important details, that way I have an easy legal record of what was or wasn't said.
If they try to spread bad word, the other 50 satisfied customers will cancel it out. I'm in a small community so word travels fast, different in a big center?
Don't be afraid to tell the truth and what you feel is best. You'll get more respect in the end.
I'm a different breed then most, I do not like the idea of money and the way this world operates, I tend to barter quite a bit which usually works out well for both parties. I'm not out to get rich by any means, I make enough for what I want to accomplish in life and work usually comes to me when I need it. I work more for the challenge then the money, it feels good. Life is all about feeling good being happy and doing what YOU want to do, not what someone else wants you to do. I'm not going to die for money like a lot of people, make someone else all the coin while you destroy your body, start your own business but make a fatal financial mistake and do everything exactly the way the government wants you too (sheeple) finally get enough saved to slow down and relax then shortly after that get cancer from the asbestos you inhaled at said Jay oh bee and die an excruciating death. This is what happened to my father and it changed my way of thinking.
I'd rather live off the land in the bush, with nothing more then a knife and loin cloth, hey wait, I prit' near do! Hah!
Wow quite the rant.. Hopefully someone will agree with some of that, if any of it made sense. What a nut!
Maybe the "pros / cons" of starting your own business is material for a different thread.
