how would you guys feel about a shop where you could do your own work?? there would be a lift bay, paint booth and a couple regular bays for you to work in.( for rent, about $5/hr) a secure storage lot for your ride, tools for your use if you don't have the right tool for the job, some parts available and a ASE mechanic also for your assistance.

this is an idea that I had and have talked it over with a coupl friends of mine, they liked it. What do you think???

 

There is another thread about this topic.
It had great info in it

 

Depends on where you live. Out here, I live with a bunch of richarses who would never dream about doing their own work. But, if you lived out in the more of a redneck area(no offense, but cityboy here cant think of a better way to explain it), then I think you would get a fair amount of business. I think that I would go, but you would have to make sure everyone operated the tools properly, and didnt steal anything. Sounds like a good idea.

 

wow quick responces here. yes there would be security cams and attendants to supervise the grease monkeys

 

my g/f and i were talking about that the other day... there used to be a place where you could rent spaces with a lift to work on your car. i would definitely use it cuz in canada it's too cold to be working on the car in your driveway in winter

would be great if you could rent specialized tools too, have a locker to lock up your stuff, electricity and running water, some security that you don't have to worry about someone swiping your stuff

5$/hr seems reasonable but i would rather rent a space for the whole winter and pay a monthly rate... nothing bigger than two regular size parking spaces. besides nothing helps a business more than a couple of "regulars" always hanging out, bringing in business and helping keep an eye on the place. i don't work much in winter and it's a great time to be working on my cars if it wasn't so cold all the time

 

We had one of those places here in Spokane in the late 70's/early 80's. They offered exactly what you are proposing. I can't remember the name. I thought it was a great idea but after awhile the public didn't. It was quite popular in the beginning. They've been gone for over 20 years now. They also had a habit of nickle and diming you to death unless you brought along any tools above and beyond the very basic stuff.

 

exactly!!! regulars..... they are the ones who will bring in the bis for you. rent a stall for a month??? sure...

 

really 9mile?? hmm.. welll maybe instead of renting tools you could leave your DL for check out.

 

They had a couple of those places in Tulsa too,in Borger Tx I worked with one of the guys who owned one . He said they went under due to Liabilitiy insurance costs for the most part. Even with a signed waiver the price of Insurance became too high.

 

that's my only real big concern. insurance

 

They did take your DL number. Theft was somewhat of a concern. The place was rigged with microphones to listen in on people. Something else to consider is that cars are getting more and more reliable and less work is therefore needed. Also, people today seem to like to farm out work rather than do things themselves. The ever changing America.

Back in 1980 I used the place to put in just one balljoint. It was winter and I wanted heat. It was something like $2.95 an hour back then. BUT...........you wanna use the large socket and a box wrench (not part of their basic tools included with the hourly rate) to remove a few bolts, ka-ching; wanna use my solvent tank, ka-ching; need a spring compressor, and no we won't allow you do the job "the other way" without it cuz it's too dangerous, ka-ching, you want to use the hyd. press, more ka-ching, and you want to use my oxy/acetelene, KA-CHING KA-CHING KA-CHING (they must have had very special gas; I got robbed). I suppose I should rejoyce in the fact that the shop towel I used was not an added cost but was part of the hourly rate. Oddly enough, soap and water for washing your hands was not an added cost either. When I got done with that place I could have saved money by just wheeling it in to a shop and no I was not working slowly either. I never went back to that place and neither did my buddies. I may have been only 18 back then, young and dumb, but I got real smart after that experience. The place was just north of Francis, between Nevada and the Fred Meyer.

 

damm Bill. That sucks. Oh well it was an idea. and you're right, todays cars are more reliable and harder to work on.

 

When I was in the Air Force (no, I ain't sayin' how long ago!), most stateside bases had Auto Hobby Shops; very popular back then. When you siged in, you were given a set of numbered chits that you exchanged for tools that you needed.

Like others said, with today's auto electronics and business insurance rates it probably would be tough to turn a profit. Kinda sad...........

Steve

 

Uncle sugar still has the hobby shops..that is where i wash and work on my truck here in germany. they take your vehicle registration upon check in and it cost 1.50 per hour for a bay and 2.00 to wash.... you just go and check out tools as you need them and they mark them on a sheet of paper which you sign upon entry to the shop

 

In Calgary ,there are two.
One is called: U Wrench It