Should I open a shop?

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart) 01/21/2015 at 20:05 • Filed to: Worklopnik

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A recently reoccurring topic at home is, my mother wants to open a shop, since my driveway at home is an icy slide with a coating of hardpacked snow in the winter, and it's also way too freezing cold out to do maintenance, without me losing my fingers.

Since she was the main reason I lost my job, I'm figuring this is how she's 'making up' for it. She wants it to be a public shop so people could rent the space to fix their cars, but the last time I heard of a shop like this here was years ago, and/or she wants to partner with someone who is a licensed technician. I doubt this sort of thing works out, and insurance liability for injuries is very high, and this is not worth exploring in my opinion.

A small local shop that has changed many hands over the years is currently for sale, and the businesses that have been there no longer exist, (except for one which moved to another neighborhood)

so, what's your input?

bob and john > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:10

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you could get them to sign a waiver. and provide any training (car lifts) needed. i dont think its THAT dumb of an idea.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > bob and john 01/21/2015 at 20:13

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we discussed that too, but we could still get sued.

Decay buys too many beaters > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:15

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'murica!

bob and john > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:15

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doesnt mean it going to be successful.

did you provide the training?
did you provide ensure they had the proper safety equipment?
~~~~~bunch more shit, i;m just thinking what my mom (health and safety person) would do

if you can prove you provided the proper training and what not, then they dont have a leg (hehe) to stand on.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Decay buys too many beaters 01/21/2015 at 20:16

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Canada, actually.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > bob and john 01/21/2015 at 20:17

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hmm.. That could be part of the waiver.

505Turbeaux > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:18

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there has to be some waiver that people could sign to not hold it liable. I love seeing those places though, super cool. You need to invest alot in lifts, and in tools and come up with a system of making sure the tools return to you. Alot of people that dont have a garage dont have the tools to make anything happen you couldnt do in your driveway

Decay buys too many beaters > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:21

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North 'murica!

To add some substance, I think a shop like this is a fantastic idea that would be totally ruined by one or two fuckers who either, hurt themselves, hurt the equipment, hurt their cars, or a combination of all three.

bob and john > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:21

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where in canada would this be?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > bob and john 01/21/2015 at 20:21

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Ottawa.

Big Bubba Ray > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:21

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There is a DIY garage in Columbia, MO that I've always wanted to check out. They rent out bays, lifts, tools, etc. They've also got experienced mechanics on hand to help out or offer assistance where it's needed. Guess how much it costs? $25/hr for lift, bay, tools, assistance.

I wish there was a place like in St. Louis cause I'd be there all the time.

bob and john > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:28

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ontario or quebec side? reason i'm asking, I could ask my mom for some tips on it...

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:30

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This

" public shop so people could rent the space to fix their cars"

Ive always wanted to be a customer of that.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Big Bubba Ray 01/21/2015 at 20:30

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I've never been to one, but my father loved going to those kinds of shops when he had his VW Fox, that was a long time ago.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > bob and john 01/21/2015 at 20:31

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Still Ontario. Ottawa 'ends' across the border into Gatineau.

bob and john > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:33

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ok. if you decide you want to go a little more into it, i'll see if I cant pry some answers out of my mother. just send me a msg here (reply to an old post or something) and I'll send her an Email

Bandit > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:34

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I know they do this kind of thing on some military bases in the US...

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Bandit 01/21/2015 at 20:43

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A car I looked at had the previous owner doing just that to it. He is also a soldier.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > bob and john 01/21/2015 at 20:43

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alright, i'll let you know.

Big Bubba Ray > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 20:43

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I didn't even know these places existed until I saw a poster for it in the bathroom of a bar in Columbia haha

I say, if you have the chance, make it happen.

Aaron James > Bandit 01/21/2015 at 20:54

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They have one at Wright-Patt, it has a paint booth and everything. It did 20 years ago anyway but I'm sure it's still there.

BJ > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 21:00

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There are a couple of garages here in Montreal that do just that, but they don't live on rental income alone. They have licensed mechanics that you can book, like any garage, and have reasonable tool and lift rental rates.

This is an interesting idea, but you need to see if (a) there's a market for it and (b) you have the cash to get started. If there is a local garage you can buy into or take over, you'd be further ahead than starting with a blank slate.

Some considerations:

insurance

secure storage space for rental equipment

secure storage space for mechanics' equipment

location, location, location

overhead costs 1 (heating, water, mortgage, waste disposal, etc)

overhead costs 2 (management, payroll, accountants, etc)

marketing

Make a business plan, set up a budget, make a preliminary appointment with a banker, and do some surveys to find out if it's going to be feasible.

I think it's a good idea, and I encourage you. Just remember that running a business is hard work.

48 Spoons > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 21:07

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Maybe get in touch with these guys: http://www.ratchet-head.com/rh-home-page.h…

They do something pretty close to what you describe. I haven't used their shop myself, though I plan to soon and I know people that have and have had very good experiences.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > BJ 01/21/2015 at 21:15

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Yeah, it might be a bit too soon. I haven't even been able to work full time.

BJ > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/21/2015 at 21:28

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Not having a job is a great time to start a business - you need to keep busy, so why not?! I encourage you to spend at least a few minutes with a calculator and see what it might take to make it work.

Or, as a compromise, offer your mom a more affordable investment. Have Mom buy a "tempo":

A 45000 BTU heater:

And some jack stands:

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > BJ 01/21/2015 at 21:59

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Definitely not out of the question, I may get back to it after a few years.

orcim > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 01/22/2015 at 02:43

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Oh gods. I live on land with other people, and they borrow my tools. (I include my late teen and 20's kids and their friends in this.) I *really* don't like it, but understand it's a service to learning for everyone involved and so allow it. I can't even imagine it as a commercial enterprise.

That said, a neighbor used to be able to buy Snap-on tools from an Army base on Oahu for 10 cents on the dollar every year. *he*has*everything* I'd ever want, and I want *everything*. So the tool thing, can probably be mitigated.

As for liability, start a school. A mechanics school. Not in depth, maybe not certified, but a school. People have to *pay* to learn how to be reasonable mechanics, reasonable people, reasonably responsible, etc. Then they get to bring the cars in, and work on them. Given various insurance companies (and you'd need a personal relationship with one) you can probably lower your liability costs by a solid 1/2 to 2/3's doing this and get paid to do it.