Good afternoon Picogroup Members,

On Tuesday September 22nd, Tom Roberts and I closed on a deal that will see me take over his role as leader of Autonerdz. I am excited to say that Brian Haley will be staying onboard as well, working remotely. I will be moving Autonerdz HQ to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I live.

The Background
When I read Tom's “Perfect Storm” thread earlier this year, I was bummed. I felt like the real benefit of having bought from Autonerdz suddenly grew an expiration date. I imagine there have been a number of you that have felt a similar way about the situation. It wasn't until late June when I was catching up on the thread that I began to wonder, “What if..?” I messaged Tom on a whim just to see what he thought it would take. After several emails and phone calls, this really began to look like an opportunity that I could take.

Current Events
First and foremost, Tom will be sticking around to help get me up and running. Over some time his support role will taper down to a point that he can fully enjoy the fruits of his labor and relax in his well-earned retirement.
The plan at this time is for the web store to reopen for order placement on October 1st, 2020.

The Future
In an effort to get my finger on the pulse of the community that supports Autonerdz, there will be a questionnaire that will go out via email in the near future. Please help me by filling it out with thought and care.

I welcome all comments, thoughts, concerns. Please be patient as I am in the process of relocating HQ and will delayed in responses for a time.

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Well done to both, I hope it works out well for both of you.

I am looking forward to see what has been built here taken to the next level into the future.

I know Trevor wants to also keep Autonerdz true to it's original mission and I wish him great success both personally and professionally.

Please give him all the support and encouragement I have always enjoyed.  Your patronage keeps the resources funded and your contributions benefit all.

As mentioned, I will remain as a consultant of sorts for a time offering what insights I have gained and technical help with all the intricacies of managing the various resources that have evolved and are used by the group.

So glad Brian has decided to stay on.  He is a real unicorn with his unique skill sets and in depth knowledge of the operation.

I'm sure there will be some 'fish out of water' floundering as the sea legs get firm footing so as I always say...  'be patient or be a patient'.   ;D  I have every confidence Trevor will figure all this out in relatively short order.   8-)

Congratulations to every one involved.

Thank you Tom for everything you have done for the industry and for the things you have done for me. Glad you will be sticking around for a while.

I've been removed for a while but slowly getting back into the game.

Looking forward to supporting Trevor in his new endeavor.

Rob in Nanaimo.

Congrats to you both. Glad the store will be re-opening soon. Trevor, will this questionnaire be coming from a particular email address? Found as a message under the Nerdz forums User CP tab? I get a lot a junk mail and it may get lost if I don't have you on my safe sender list.

Tom,

This is indeed a historical day.

You have been a beacon of light for all of us.

I have the upmost regard for you.

I trust the following will give you a smile

https://youtu.be/xkx0MxK-Yl4

I hope to talk with you soon Tom....

Trevor...big task for you.....I hope the Pico Navy backs you up.

They currently have a choice between going for quality or sales volume...I fear their choice, but you are now an international vendor, all the best and you have my absolute support.

Tom.....stay around.

Great news, congratulations to both of you.  [smiley=beer.gif]

Hi Tom & Trevor!

Congratulation's to the both of you. Tom you have served your time and now it is time for you to enjoy life and Trevor's adventure is now beginning!

Even though AutoNerdz has changed hands I know Trevor will provide the same great service. Remember to support Trevor as he in a since put his ass on the line to become a businessman. Those of us who are owners know how we started out. We support each other and work as a team.

Once again congratulations to the both of you :D

Congrats all,  Super glad Autonerdz lives on.

Your resident Nissan nerd  is still present and accounted for. Haha.

Thanks Brian for staying a Nerd and Tom for hanging out to smooth the transition.

Trevor, Looking forward to the future of Autonerdz

Great News!

Congrats to Trevor for taking the reins, Brian for hanging in there with your knowledge, and to Tom for all he has done for me / us AND being smart enough to know when enough is enough.

Trevor, I know you will do a great job with the Nerdz! Just be patient with the mountain you are climbing.

And Tom, what took you so long? Ya know we ain't as young as we once was! Point gap, cam dwell, and now CAN - - what is next? Maybe knees that don't ache or no stiff back.

Seriously Tom, enjoy the road that is ahead and the best of health.

Congratulations to you both!


Abndanger wrote on Sep 24^th, 2020 at 3:30pm:

Remember to support Trevor as he in a since put his ass on the line to become a businessman.

  So true.

I'll be putting my shopping list together for October!

WELL DONE..i will be saving for orders in the future..

So glad this happened..

fordman wrote on Sep 25^th, 2020 at 4:40am:

So glad this happened..

With luck Tom will stay close.

I move that Tom is appointed chief moderator.

Anybody to second that?

I wish the best of luck to Trevor, Tom and Brian!!

Logic wrote on Sep 25^th, 2020 at 5:07am:

I move that Tom is appointed chief moderator. Anybody to second that?

  I would easily second that, as long as it wasn't interfering with his leisure time  8-)

Logic wrote on Sep 25^th, 2020 at 5:07am:

fordman wrote on Sep 25th, 2020 at 4:40am: So glad this happened.. With luck Tom will stay close. I move that Tom is appointed chief moderator. Anybody to second that?

Absolutely 💯
Or at least LSD guide, I think he is qualified 🤔 😉

Wonderful News!!!

Congrats to Trevor, Tom & Brian and everyone else that has helped keep Autonerdz alive, well and together. Thank you all for your hard work through these tough times.

PRESTON wrote on Sep 25^th, 2020 at 7:09am:

Logic wrote on Sep 25th, 2020 at 5:07am: I move that Tom is appointed chief moderator. Anybody to second that?   I would easily second that, as long as it wasn't interfering with his leisure time  8-)

No Preston.....it must interfere with his leisure time.........cannot let the kettle get cold, we may need a cup of tea.

Very great news. I was so happy for everyone involved that Autonerdz will continue.  What a great group and invaluable resource.  Looking forward to the reopening.

Great news👍👍👍

Way to go Trevor!

So glad to hear this. I was starting to dread having to look elsewhere for Picoscope stuff. I am waiting for the store to reopen. Congratulations to all involved. So pleased to hear

Also need to get the word out. Several forums on Facebook when people ask where to get scopes from the response is Autonerdz is closed.

I (We) will miss Tom's wit and expertise, but at the same time know that tradition isn't lost.  I look forward to getting to know the members again myself, as I too have experienced an extended absence from the Autonerdz Family.

Congratulations Trevor and I look forward to getting acquainted in the near future. 

Got a picture this morning from Trevor on the road.

The Nerdmobile loaded to the roof with stuff in the Badlands of South Dakota.

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Congratulations Trevor.   :)

Tom Roberts wrote on Sep 26^th, 2020 at 12:58pm:

Got a picture this morning from Trevor on the road. The Nerdmobile loaded to the roof with stuff in the Badlands of South Dakota.

Thanks Tom

He got the car as part of the deal too?

I sure hope we get therapy sessions back. I have been considering the new 4425a because the powered current probes look cool and the disconnect looks to be an improvement. Maybe that will be a Christmas bonus for me, by me.  8-)

Congratulations Trevor. 👍👍👍👍

Way to go Trevor. Thank you for keeping the Autonerdz alive.

Concur with all of the previous stated.

Larry

Great news!

Good news! Glad AUTONERDZ is in good hands.

Great news! Glad to have you here Trevor!

Congratulations Tom & Trevor, Autonerdz lives on.
Wishing you both well with lifes new direction.

So glad to hear this news! Thank you Trevor, Tom and Brian! :)

The store is now open.

https://www.autonerdz.com/cgi/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1601909579

Congratulations Trevor. This is great news.

This is the best news I have heard in a while! 

Maybe there is hope for this crazy world yet.

Trevor: You now need to get Autonerdz listed as an official dealer on Pico's web site.

https://www.picoauto.com/distributors

I would agree needs to be listed. When I was emailing back and forth with Randy Dillman. He seemed up to speed on the new ownership. 

Rob Walker wrote on Oct 9^th, 2020 at 2:45pm:

Trevor: You now need to get Autonerdz listed as an official dealer on Pico's web site.

Thank you for the observation. You are absolutely correct that we need to be on that list.

TrevorSchlientz wrote on Oct 10^th, 2020 at 2:48am:

You are absolutely correct that we need to be on that list.

Wow...  really?  Been there forever....  They took us down.    Nice.   [smiley=bash.gif]

Pico has fixed the distributor page.

https://www.picoauto.com/distributors

TrevorSchlientz wrote on Oct 12^th, 2020 at 6:37am:

Pico has fixed the distributor page.

Not seeing Autonerdz there.  Tried three different browsers... 

I see it there...

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And the details

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I don't see Autonerdz when I looked just now.....

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Weird, pulled it up on my phone and was right there.

PRESTON wrote on Oct 13^th, 2020 at 2:19am:

Weird, pulled it up on my phone and was right there.

Not for me........As I'm in Australia I can only see the one Australian distributer no matter how I search.

We have a global economy, if I want to deal with Autonerdz I will.

If I'm a new purchaser and I want to find the distributor that best suits me...I should be able to become aware of that.

I always have supported Tom, Trevor with Tom's blessing you inherit that support.

If Pico are not willing to recognise the history and contribution of Autonerdz then they are fools.

I have become less impressed with their behaviour of late.

Needs to be on the top of the list..

PRESTON wrote on Oct 12^th, 2020 at 4:09pm:

And the details

Now it's coming up for me.  Incomplete as it only shows downloads as options with no mention of automotive products or e-commerce.

I’m a Yorkshireman.

I’ve had dealings with U.K. Pico stuff and became very disillusioned.

Autonerdz outclasses the U.K. support hands down imvho, I made no secret of this, it’s a people thing here that makes the difference.

Wishing all the best for Trevor and Brian and to the future of Autonerdz  :)

Tom, I wish You with Your family a very long and happy retirement, You've Earned it!!  ;)

Jan.

I'll bring this up with the supreme overlords.

any group therapy or training in your plans?

Its probably about time to share a little of the world I see for Autonerdz.

I see a community of people that took up the use of the most powerful tool in their industry for the benefit of all. This community believes in lifelong learning and passing knowledge from those that have learned more to those that want to learn.

I had planned to bring back Group therapy at some point in the future. I wanted to trim down some of the things I needed to learn immediately upon reopening Autonerdz. I thought it best to leave group therapy on hiatus until I had some time to get my feet under me. I want to make sure that when I do start it back up again, I do it right.

In regards to training. I have wanted to become a trainer for a while. Initially my plan is to offer training locally here in West Michigan. If that works out well, I think it would be awesome to train at events like VisionKC. I am open to taking advice on becoming a trainer from those that have done it at any level.

A little more history about me. 8 years ago I joined an organization called BNI. (https://www.bni.com/) My employer at the time paid for my BNI membership so that I could build relationships to bring in more work for the shop to do. As I grew my personal network and began to make connections and friendships I learned that these people genuinely wanted to support me, not just the business I worked for. 4 years ago I volunteered to be the President for my chapter for a year. Here I was a 31 year old auto technician the president of my chapter of 38 members with professionals from many other professions. We had attorneys , accountants, realtors, bankers, chiropractors and more. That year I began working on creating and opening my first Business Automotive Consultants of Michigan. I wanted to help people who were buying cars by doing onsite used vehicle inspections. It was at this time I took my first shot at teaching. I put on a class for people to learn about their cars and why they needed to have a relationship with a shop and not just rely on the DriveThroughMcFastLubes. It went fairly well. It went well because I had learned how to teach people what I do and why they needed me to do it for them to my BNI group.

Why does this history and learning matter to you? One of the most powerful things I learned was how to promote myself as a technician. I realized that this is training that no technical school will teach. This is something I want to help this community with. I want to help our industry by connecting technicians with the coaches and books and brand building and learning opportunities that most don't even realize they need. I want to build up the intangible benefits of being a member of this community.

I believe that if we as an industry can learn to teach non-technicals how much we can help them, they in turn will want to help us.

That’s enough for now I think. 

TrevorSchlientz wrote on Oct 28^th, 2020 at 7:16am:

I put on a class for people to learn about their cars and why they needed to have a relationship with a shop and not just rely on the DriveThroughMcFastLubes. It went fairly well. It went well because I had learned how to teach people what I do and why they needed me to do it for them to my BNI group.

Trevor, think you are spot on.

Even if you have a history in this trade you cannot know it all.

People have no idea the complexity of the auto now, and if they knew they might not complain so much about the repair.
Even as I, moving to a  new town, retired have found I have to develop a working relationship with some of the players in my town just to keep my own fleet running. Those whom I trust and those I don't is quickly becoming apparent and their knowledge of the trade and the level they are keeping at is paramount. Such as?? why did you put green coolant in that car??, was funny once, not now.

My latest was an automatic trans debacle. Would only now use a service that is attached to a specific group which could recommend with out a doubt whom I should take it too. Between your house and your car, these are 2 of the biggest investments that we make, cheaper is rarely better.

Have a great day

Larry

Hello Trevor,

I wish you and Tom the best in this new venture.

Been awhile since I have been in the forums, lots of crazy and good stuff in life.

Hope to be around more  often.

Sam