WE SAY IT HOW IT IS, NO FLUFF, NOT BS AND STRICTLY FACTS! THE INFORMATION WE SEND YOU EVERY MONTH IS DESIGNED FOR 2 THINGS. REDUCE OPERATING COSTS AND INCREASE DRIVER RETENTION. THOSE 2 THINGS WILL MAKE OR BREAK A TRUCKING COMPANY SO ALL INFORMATION SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
Author: Robert N Michael
Company: Coast To Coast Fleet Services
Position: CEO
Coast To Coast Fleet Services, Is Leading the Nation in common sense truck repair that keeps wheels on the road and techs happy! A Balance that has been hard-pressed to find for many years. Either you have trucks broken down and in the shop with techs that have little experience and they lack the drive to advance their knowledge. They choose to settle for less and could care less if their work is good. Instead of striving for the future and expanding their knowledge they "Cob Job" it up and hope it works.
At Coast To Coast, we will never settle for anything less than the best! When it comes to technicians who are responsible for the safety and well-being of your family and mine on the open road. We have a strict No Go or Go mentality. If a tech fails a drug test, The response is simple: Go away! If a tech would rather come in late and leave early the simple solution is to send him/her home for good because that is where they would rather be!
Some may call this cold-hearted. I call it reaching your full potential which should always be Perfection! Nothing less than the best will ever be allowed to work in one of my shops. This does not mean we only hire techs that have extensive training, almost the opposite. When we hire entry-level techs and give them a road map and strict training requirements we are able to ensure the highest level of success for them and the fleets they service. When an entry-level tech puts in the work and reaches the status of being a Master ASE Certified Tech within the time frame our training outlines and the tech has achieved all of the bench markers along the way to help them perfect the skills and knowledge they need in this industry, they will be a changed person. They become leaders, they talk and walk with respect for themselves and those they are communicating with. They learn the importance of asking simple questions to get to the hard answers. They know what they know and they know how to figure out what they do not know. They are a true technician and earned the badge that no other industry can provide. It's a badge of excellence true and through!
which leads me to an important subject in regard to the choices a fleet owner must make in regard to the security of the asset they are investing in.
Here are Some facts that Fleets need to know:
Starting with the basics, It is important to know and understand that it is inevitable if you own a truck or you are the driver of a truck you have a major need for quality maintenance and repairs throughout a truck's lifespan. Owning a semi-truck, bus, box truck or Automobile inevitably involves routine maintenance and unforeseen repairs, eliciting a spectrum of reactions from vehicle owners. A crucial aspect of vehicle upkeep is choosing the right service provider. And doing so is the difference between spending a lot of time in the shop and burning through a lot of money trying to let the shop fix the issue. However, it is a fact that 1 in 100 technicians are actually certified on any level. That is like saying that 1 in 100 doctors receive an education related to the human body. Would you take your family to the 99 doctors that didn't?
Various options are available for selecting a mechanic, primarily categorized under two frameworks: dealership-level technicians and local repair shops. The choice of service provider significantly influences customer satisfaction and reactions to subsequent vehicle issues. It's essential to understand both options before making a decision. One may think that a dealer provides better service or they have more knowledgeable technicians mainly because they work under the brand of the manufacturer. And in some cases this is true. In many cases, it is not and we are going to dive into the differences and what is best for your situation.
Understanding Dealership Repair Shops:
Dealership auto repair shops specialize in servicing vehicles of a specific brand, usually located near or within the brand-specific dealership. The mechanics in these facilities are brand-specialized, often receiving factory training for that specific make.
At a dealership shop, services might be covered under warranty, and mechanics have access to brand-specific, original parts. Customers typically interact with a service coordinator, as the setup is more extensive than local shops, and direct interaction with mechanics is rare. In most cases, the dealer does not involve the vehicle owner with the actual repair because they are not paying the bill. When a service is expected to be covered by warranty then the technician performing the work is paid based on the manufacturer's standard repair time also known as flat rate pay.
Exploring Local Auto Repair Shops:
Local auto repair shops, often smaller and staffed by mechanics with diverse brand experience, offer a more personalized approach. These shops source cost-effective, alternative parts, providing a range of options for vehicle repairs. Local shops operate independently of dealership or manufacturer affiliations, offering flexibility but not honoring dealership warranties in most cases but many local repair shops will be able to work with most extended warranty companies like Premium-2000 or companies alike. Also, local shops are able to obtain the same software that the dealers use, except they pay for it out of pocket and it's not provided to them. So you can expect a small fee when a tech has to use OEM-level equipment. The benefit is the turnaround time that the local shop can operate. They are not being handcuffed by a standard that was designed to cut cost for the manufacturer by reducing labor times. They are operating with the ability to source aftermarket parts that are found much easier and usually received much faster than a dealership. Due to all the rules and regulations in the trucking industry and the low margins that manufacturers face the last thing they want to do is cover a warranty if they can find a reason not to. This is another reason why bringing your truck to a dealership hoping it will be covered is never a good idea. If you find a honest local shop, they will usually identify the facts and recommend a trip to the dealer and usually they will provide an initial diagnostic report for you to provide to the dealer. This immediately shows the service advisor at the dealership you are visiting that you are not going to be a pushover and you know how to find the answers.
Advantages of Choosing Local Repair Shops:
Local auto repair shops like Coast to Coast Fleet Services present several benefits:
Cost-Effective Solutions: Local shops generally offer more affordable services, thanks to lower costs of alternative parts and non-specialized labor rates.
Personalized Customer Service: Direct interaction with mechanics and unbiased advice foster a more personal and satisfying experience for customers.
At Coast to Coast Fleet Services, we prioritize understanding our customers' needs and providing solutions tailored to their unique situations. By choosing our services, vehicle owners can ensure cost-effective, reliable, and personalized vehicle care from certified technicians who are trained to be the best and expect nothing less. We teach leaders to know they are leaders and how to be professional and respect the trade they work in. You will not find a team more qualified and dedicated to making this industry set a new standard for the future than you will at Coast To Coast Fleet Services!
COAST TO COAST FLEET SERVICES
2209 Dominion Street, Durham, North Carolina 27704, United States
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