i have always wanted to open my own auto repair shop when the time was right, but i had an idea. if there was an auto repair shop that you could fix your own cars and modify, oil changes, put tires on and balance, repair engines, basically anything to fix a car or make it faster do you think people would go there. this place would have lifts, tools for each bay, computer equipment to clear codes, pretty much most tools you would need. and this shop would also have working mechanics to help with knowledge on how to fix what ever their doing and also fix cars that people don't what to fix them selfs. what do you think? or what would you want added to the shop to make it even better?

I'd like you to add a Cleveland, Ohio address. Sounds like a great idea. Good luck and keep us posted as to any progress. Germny is a little far for me to drive though.




Gotta keep on livin', L-I-V-I-N

Yes, people would go there.

People do go to places like that. The most common type of that business that I've seen are located around ORV sites (i.e. Rubicon, Death Valley) for 4x4'ers to repair damage incurred out on the trails.

In my opinion, it was a business model spurred on by the number of parking lot repairs going on at auto parts stores. The places I've seen all started out as parts stores, and added installation bays later on.

Having spoken to an owner of one such business, and knowing a little something about business, also, I would encourage you to consider 2 words that are most likely at the core of why there aren't more businesses like that...

LIABILITY

INSURANCE

You can't even open your doors without insurance, and check around....it's gonna be pricey!!
Remember, these aren't employees that will be using tools, lifts, welders, etc., they will be customers. You're average accident-prone, litigation-friendly citizen.

Ever seen those signs at a repair facility: No Customers Allowed in Shop Area

Those signs are strictly for insurance purposes. If your average repair shop allowed customers in there, insurance rates would go through the roof. And that's just for letting them in there. Now add in letting them use dangerous tools and equipment, hazardous chemicals....I think you get the idea. You can have all the rules posted that you want, but someone, at some point, won't follow them. Your insurance company knows that, and will make you pay through the nose for it long before it ever happens.

Not trying to bash your idea, just throw a quick dose of reality into it.

Do a search...I know there's at least 2 shops in the Rubicon area that perform this service (or at least there was 2 of them last August).

Good Luck.




-Ferrite

only problem i see is people dont respect anything that isnt theirs. i would be iffy about letting people in and doing all of this. who knows what tools would be missing and what not or who broke what.

Thanks everyone and keep them coming good and bad, and Ferrite thanks for the info very helpful, i have thought about a lot of that already i was thinking of talking with a lawyer about getting a legal document written up that the customer would have to read and sign that would state that they are fully responsible for any damage to property or injury done to them self or others while at the place of business. something like that. i don't know if that would hold up in Cort but something that would make the customer accountable for their actions and not the business. if this was possible i would assume that insures would be a little better but you have to take chances, thats part of owning your own business. there would be supervision by mechanics, and for the welding and any other thing that could be dangers would be done by the mechanic. the reason i had this idea was because am in the air force and at my base we have what they call a hobby shop and you pay by the hour, there are about 8 bays i think, and each bay has a tool box. now for the lifts you have to be shown how to use them properly then you get a card that you sign stating that you were shown how to use it. and for tire mounting and balancing, we pay per tire to have that done by someone that works there. and welding or using a torch, you would ask the mechanic to do it. on base i work as a mechanic and they all know i am, but they still wont let me use that @#$% because of accident. and for missing tools..... in the tool box there are 8 magnets that you use to get tools that are more heavy duty (impact gun, special tools, ect.) and when you leave everything is accounted for and you clean up your area, you pay, and your done. and they know if you steel anything. well i have about another year in the military and these are money making ideas so i don't have to work for anyone,lol but if i do this it will be in a few years. i have to get on my feet first after the military. got to think about the family first. but like i said opinions are welcome good or bad.

Hey German Cavy,

This is my first post...

It's a wicked idea but as Ferrite wrote you would run into some hefty problems with the insurance aspect of operating a facility of that nature. Each individual would need to sign a waiver before entry and have some kind of competancy test before entry to your shop. Beyond the liability insurance for injury it would be next to impossible to insure the big ticket items within the shop and the shop itself for damages.

You may be better off making it a dual purpose facility. In short on some days its a standard mechanics facility where people bring their cars and they're fixed by standard technicians/mechanics and on other days it becomes an automotive club where members may pay a fee (which will cover liability insurance, facility costs, etc.) and are able to work on their own cars.

In either case you'll want to run it by someone in the insurace industry just to get some kind of idea as to what you're dealing with.

Auf Wiedersehen