open up shop! - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 02:59 PM

so i have 4 buddy including myself that are thinkin about each one of us taking out a loan to start up a speed shop. between us 5 we are all in diff part of the auto game so to say. we planned that the shop would an really all around shop. from honda to vdubbs and subies since we all have our own intrested in diff cars. but i was wondering has anyone gone thru the process anything i need to look out for.. any advice and what to do..? this is just a something id post to get advice and such if anyone has been thru it. me and my buddies are all doing research and callin places to find out pricing and such. we all still goin to skool a 2 r at uti this year and couple just regular college so it will be a on goin project to get everything up and running.

Fujito · 08-02-2009, 03:17 PM

Are you looking to make a profit? Or even break even? 5 business partners isn't the best idea.

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fujito

Are you looking to make a profit? Or even break even? 5 business partners isn't the best idea.

yea we havent really narrowed it down me and a buddy were just talkin bout it were gonna keep it at 3 but we thought we needed more ppl to get loan to rent the shop this is why im doin a little research and and asking around for advice before we even make a move. cuz i dont wnana bite off more then i can chew and end up in a big problem

mechanikdan · 08-02-2009, 03:43 PM

omg i just poured out 20 years in the industry to you and advice and it says internal error and its gone.. Holy shi tttt....... I will do it again tonight when i get home.

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechanikdan

omg i just poured out 20 years in the industry to you and advice and it says internal error and its gone.. Holy shi tttt....... I will do it again tonight when i get home.

awwww man! deff if u can do it agian im willin to read haha thanks

CANNIBALOFDOOM · 08-02-2009, 03:56 PM

the non auto stuff is gonna be your downfall. That is usually the case with any type of small business. The government has programs to help out and help get loans and such.
If you do get it running and i do wish you the best of luck just do the very best yuo can, cut no corners and your not gonna make a profit for a little while anyway so just do such a good jbo that people are willing to spend more/drive to use your shop. Also figure out the other shops around and what they are known for best( like good at suspension work or good at engine work) and try to focus on something different. Work of mouth is always great prob most the vendors on this site do well cause of word of mouth
just my 2 cents.

ThePrimerSuspect · 08-02-2009, 04:02 PM

have any of you actually worked in the industry? if not you have no idea whats in store for you.if your all just out of school (or still in school) and never worked in a shop, dont waste your money. work for a few years and see if you still want to do it.

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CANNIBALOFDOOM

the non auto stuff is gonna be your downfall. That is usually the case with any type of small business. The government has programs to help out and help get loans and such.
If you do get it running and i do wish you the best of luck just do the very best yuo can, cut no corners and your not gonna make a profit for a little while anyway so just do such a good jbo that people are willing to spend more/drive to use your shop. Also figure out the other shops around and what they are known for best( like good at suspension work or good at engine work) and try to focus on something different. Work of mouth is always great prob most the vendors on this site do well cause of word of mouth
just my 2 cents.

thats will keep all that in mind like i said im just doing research and taking advice now so thanks for the heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePrimerSuspect

have any of you actually worked in the industry? if not you have no idea whats in store for you.if your all just out of school (or still in school) and never worked in a shop, dont waste your money. work for a few years and see if you still want to do it.

we are all in school out of us 3 2 of us are starting 1st year at UTI and im goin to school for business/accounting we have no worked in the industry i work at a detail shop for a dealership so i kinda get the drift a tiny bit

TalonTsi97 · 08-02-2009, 04:09 PM

I don't want to shoot down any dreams but when i think of things like this i really never see it working out and this was before the economy got the way it is now. Considering you have no business background and a few of your friends are still in uti what can you do to get people to come to your shop? I know i wouldn't and know a ton of other people who would never just take their car to a unknown shop with no credibility. There is already enough shops out there with a good reputation that people could go to if needed. Sure you can try and get basic maintenance work here and there but what kind of money especially with 3+ partners are you going to make? I think your best bet is to try and get more experience and work your way up in the business first. Hopefully by saving money, gaining the experience and hopefully a name for yourself by doing side work a few years down the road you and your friends could try and come together to make this dream come true.

This seems to be every dream of a guy going to a tech school. Once they get out of the school and get a job or see how it really works everything changes. Obviously nothing happens without trying but just really think your options through before making a huge investment with a bunch of friends. Good luck!

pinacup7 · 08-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Don't do it. Most independent shops can't make money anymore. Also from some of the questions you have asked on here you don't have the greatest knowledge of cars. Save your money

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinacup7

Don't do it. Most independent shops can't make money anymore. Also from some of the questions you have asked on here you don't have the greatest knowledge of cars. Save your money

yea im not biggest supporter of this idea but im taking advice for the other to im probly gonna be at psu if this does even happen gotta become a doctor cuz imm asian lol but just takin down advices and such to pass on

enigma · 08-02-2009, 05:20 PM

Yaa, I'd suggest against it as well. Its one thing to do on the side for a few years, in addition to a normal job. But be very careful about making you hobby your job. I've met too many people (myself included) that get burned out doing what they "love" from the idiots around them. I worked at a hobby shop for 6 years, after i left, it took me another 2 before i could touch a RC car again, i was that fed up with dealing with them. Most of the time, when you are a mechanic, the last thing you want to do at the end of the day is work on your own car.

**TROLL** · 08-02-2009, 05:58 PM

The more people you depend on, the more people there are to let you down. So many partners is asking for trouble no matter what field you'd be going into.

TunedIS300 · 08-02-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROLL

The more people you depend on, the more people there are to let you down. So many partners is asking for trouble no matter what field you'd be going into.

you couldnt be more right.

Honest_Bob · 08-02-2009, 06:18 PM

Find something you really like to do and get awesome at it. Tuners can make lots of money. A GOOD alignment tech is near impossible to find. ect ect

RSX Type-Slow · 08-02-2009, 11:18 PM

you have to learn how to walk before you run young grasshopper.

I think your goals are too much too soon. And Troll, great advice for anyone!

08-02-2009, 02:59 PM	#1
TunedIS300 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Member #5696 My Ride: family sedan. iTrader: (0)	open up shop! so i have 4 buddy including myself that are thinkin about each one of us taking out a loan to start up a speed shop. between us 5 we are all in diff part of the auto game so to say. we planned that the shop would an really all around shop. from honda to vdubbs and subies since we all have our own intrested in diff cars. but i was wondering has anyone gone thru the process anything i need to look out for.. any advice and what to do..? this is just a something id post to get advice and such if anyone has been thru it. me and my buddies are all doing research and callin places to find out pricing and such. we all still goin to skool a 2 r at uti this year and couple just regular college so it will be a on goin project to get everything up and running. __________________ 06 rsx-sold 05 is300-sold 08 boosted civic si- sold 94 boosted civic-sold 11 lancer-current

08-02-2009, 04:09 PM	#9
TalonTsi97 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jan 2005 Member #136 My Ride: 1997 Eagle Talon iTrader: (21)	I don't want to shoot down any dreams but when i think of things like this i really never see it working out and this was before the economy got the way it is now. Considering you have no business background and a few of your friends are still in uti what can you do to get people to come to your shop? I know i wouldn't and know a ton of other people who would never just take their car to a unknown shop with no credibility. There is already enough shops out there with a good reputation that people could go to if needed. Sure you can try and get basic maintenance work here and there but what kind of money especially with 3+ partners are you going to make? I think your best bet is to try and get more experience and work your way up in the business first. Hopefully by saving money, gaining the experience and hopefully a name for yourself by doing side work a few years down the road you and your friends could try and come together to make this dream come true. This seems to be every dream of a guy going to a tech school. Once they get out of the school and get a job or see how it really works everything changes. Obviously nothing happens without trying but just really think your options through before making a huge investment with a bunch of friends. Good luck! __________________ 1997 Eagle Talon Tsi To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Updated weekly with Dyno, Track, AutoX, Street, and Event videos. Big updates coming soon! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-02-2009, 05:20 PM	#12
enigma Tri-State Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glenolden ,PA Member #2659 My Ride: Hoopties galore iTrader: (0)	Yaa, I'd suggest against it as well. Its one thing to do on the side for a few years, in addition to a normal job. But be very careful about making you hobby your job. I've met too many people (myself included) that get burned out doing what they "love" from the idiots around them. I worked at a hobby shop for 6 years, after i left, it took me another 2 before i could touch a RC car again, i was that fed up with dealing with them. Most of the time, when you are a mechanic, the last thing you want to do at the end of the day is work on your own car. __________________ 2001 Dakota Quad Cab, 1996 Ford F250, 1993 Honda Civic, 1991 Eagle Talon, 1970 Plymouth Duster.

08-02-2009, 06:18 PM	#15
Honest_Bob TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Easton, PA Member #1179 My Ride: 05 WRX Wagon iTrader: (2)	Find something you really like to do and get awesome at it. Tuners can make lots of money. A GOOD alignment tech is near impossible to find. ect ect __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-02-2009, 11:18 PM	#16
RSX Type-Slow Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: D-town Member #5868 My Ride: 99' Civic Si iTrader: (1)	you have to learn how to walk before you run young grasshopper. I think your goals are too much too soon. And Troll, great advice for anyone! __________________ -Tim Dropped and swapped Civic Si

08-02-2009, 03:17 PM	#2
Fujito Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2008 Member #10571 My Ride: Toyota Celica iTrader: (0)	Are you looking to make a profit? Or even break even? 5 business partners isn't the best idea.

08-02-2009, 03:43 PM	#4
mechanikdan Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: chambersburg, pa Member #8502 My Ride: 98 prelude, 93 Q45, 93 240sx, 90 240sx, 91 240sx vert, hyundai accent, mazda 6, 2010 subaru impreza iTrader: (3)	omg i just poured out 20 years in the industry to you and advice and it says internal error and its gone.. Holy shi tttt....... I will do it again tonight when i get home.

08-02-2009, 03:56 PM	#6
CANNIBALOFDOOM Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Palmerton pa Member #13467 My Ride: 2012 Wrx iTrader: (0)	the non auto stuff is gonna be your downfall. That is usually the case with any type of small business. The government has programs to help out and help get loans and such. If you do get it running and i do wish you the best of luck just do the very best yuo can, cut no corners and your not gonna make a profit for a little while anyway so just do such a good jbo that people are willing to spend more/drive to use your shop. Also figure out the other shops around and what they are known for best( like good at suspension work or good at engine work) and try to focus on something different. Work of mouth is always great prob most the vendors on this site do well cause of word of mouth just my 2 cents.

08-02-2009, 04:02 PM	#7
ThePrimerSuspect Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: philly Member #1241 iTrader: (0)	have any of you actually worked in the industry? if not you have no idea whats in store for you.if your all just out of school (or still in school) and never worked in a shop, dont waste your money. work for a few years and see if you still want to do it.

08-02-2009, 04:20 PM	#10
pinacup7 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under a hood Member #1764 My Ride: Baaaaahd GTO iTrader: (0)	Don't do it. Most independent shops can't make money anymore. Also from some of the questions you have asked on here you don't have the greatest knowledge of cars. Save your money

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