Hi guys,

I'm going to be exploring seriously getting my first business started this year.
I'm going to first start in the oil change industry as the business model has been proven one of the easier to get started.

My question to you guys is, as consumers what would you be most concerned with for me to substantiate myself away from the competition?

A couple ideas are.

Better quality service
Better Quality Products
More Variety of Products (performance based)
Cleanliness of service
Cleanliness of the facility
Faster Service
Nicer lounge area
Safety of your vehicle/ less risk of damage
Ability to accommodate lowered vehicles
Lower Prices


If you guys can let me know what you would like to see I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

James

 

I change my own oil because of my fear of incompetency. If you somehow had a guarantee that the car is in safe hands & in the event of any damage caused, it would be covered.

 

there's a company around here that deals with my buisness (rental cars), and they go to locations to change oil, instead of us going to the location to get the oil changed.

its a good idea if it can be expanded to consumers. worth considering....

 

Stress that employees have been trained properly before they can work there. I don't know how you do this but I do know 2 people who had oil pans TOTALLY ruined by newbies who thought you should tighten the drain bolt so tight that it warped the pan and would not stop leaking. There are only a few basic things people need to know to change oil and not screw it up but still, oil change places do this stuff all the time because they do not take 20 minutes to show the dumb kids how to make sure they don't break something.

Secondly, and this probably won't work because selling services is how you make money, but I wish there was an option I could choose to not get the sales pitch and try to sell me a new pcv valve, tranny flush, air filter, etc when I don't need it.

I change my own oil except for when I need one in the dead of winter and don't want to do it in my 10 degree garage. But the hassle of all the sales pitches is brutal. Put new oil in and a new filter on and let me go on my way.

I have never seen one but a "Super Center" that would have gas pumps, a couple oil change bays and a car wash might attract people. Discount on oil change with fillup, or free run through the wash with oil change might bring people in the door. More upfront cost though.

 

I've known places to over torque things. Proper training is one of my main important concentrations. I plan on paying higher than average since I HIGHLY agree that you pay bananas you'll get monkeys!

I want to be more of a hands off owner EVENTUALLY so i believe in paying for quality people!

Thanks guys, great Idea's keep it coming!

 

oil changes with happy endings

 

There is no way you are going to make money trying to beat the big chains changing oil. They buy much larger quantities of parts and fluids and hire incompetant workers at minumum wage.

In order to provide the quality service you would need to stand out you will need to lure people who are trained and trustworthy......which you cant find for minimum wage with no benefits.

You would need to purchase bulk quantities at the levels that jiffy lube, ez lube, econo lube, etc do on a national level.

You would need to upsell services like the major chains do, however most customers will decline service, so in order to pay for the equiptment required and make a profit you will need to recommend un-needed services as the major chains do. Therefore ruining your trust with the customer.

I hope you have evaluated all this, it is defintely not a business I would recommend trying to compete in.