Autonerdz forums

Hi all,
it's been quite a while since posting on AN so I thought I would drop by for what may be the last time (in the Picogroup).

I am looking at a sea change as far as my business goes and will probably close the doors at the end of the financial year (June 30th next year).
The reasons are varied and include being unable to attract talented staff or for that matter, someone that actually gives a f*#k.
Twenty year anniversary in February was also cause for reflection.

As such I'm winding back on a large percentage of my annual subscriptions and Picogroup being one of them.
I have enjoyed being a part of this tight-knit group over the years and have learned a lot and hopefully others have learned from some of my posts.
I've met a whole lot of people through this forum that I continue to keep in touch with and will do so in the future.

So thanks Tom, Brian and all group members for a great experience.

Brad Halse        



 

Mick wrote on Oct 27^th, 2015 at 7:28pm:


G'day Mick.

No mate not hard times, we are still as busy as ever. I have started blocking off two days a week on the booking board and we still barely keep up with it.

The problem is I'm tired of it, the relentless workload and no one to take the load off. There's myself and an adult apprentice.
Every time I try hiring I spend as much time helping them out as I do doing my own work....

The Toyota dealer has started booking in used cars for diagnostics, other shops or companies with their own mechanics book in cars that they have had a go at. and created more trouble than the original problem.

Everyone tells me it's a good problem to have Mick  , but alas, it has worn me down.

I'm hearing you Brad I contend with the same issue myself....yet booked out two months ahead.

The caramelized abalone farm is a much better idea, can I join you in the investment stage?

Going to miss you Brad! You can still pop in on the other half of the forums, right?
I see you from time to time on the "other" forum (you know the one with all the PICO haters(Don't tell Tom))! You are still going to be there for a bit I assume.
What ever happens, enjoy life and may the wind be always at your back.
-Ward-

Brad,

Sorry to hear you are hanging up your tools. I know it is a tough decision but as long as you are happy. This is what really matters

Keep in touch here on the forum. Maybe dabble a little bit here and there and post something up.

Trust me, I know about apprentices. I have one now. I enjoy the fact teaching a young tech, but trying to do my own work wears on me and having to double check the work takes time. I feel your pain

Bob

Good luck in whatever you decide, Brad.  I'm hoping a superstar applicant shows up before June 30th, though. 

Thanks guys for the kind words, I hope I didn't sound too melodramatic 

This trade is all I've ever known and all I ever wanted to do since I was in primary school and when you get to do what you love, well, it makes the day go quick 


DzlTec wrote on Oct 29^th, 2015 at 10:23pm:


Hi Andy, yep, 29 years in the trade this month for me and I still remember starting out like it was only a couple years ago... 
Setting up my own shop and building a good customer base from word-of-mouth has been the highlight of the past twenty years, without question.
I just found over the last few years that I haven't been getting the satisfaction I use to and I don't know if it's a contributing factor but everyone seems ready to tell you what they "read on the internet" these days 

I still have some time to mull over the next step and I'll let you guys know when I figure it out.
I think Rod hinted that he won't talk to me again if I consider being a sales rep.

Daniel wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2015 at 11:17pm:


That's the best thing about this group Dan, all bouncing knowledge off each other mate. You think about how different the parts of the world are that we all live in, but here, it's like we are all in the same town.  

DzlTec wrote on Oct 29^th, 2015 at 10:23pm:

Haha, no mate neither of those will be on the cards if the missus has anything to do with it   

Brad

Tom,
It is your shop, and business is business, and I understand you. But I think it is a shame to see so many good techs(you educated them yourself) leaving this site. When they/we are educated we contribute more to community, than we use resources.

For the future you may want to graduate the paying members to equal the ones that bought the scope from you to: let’s say if you had paid for support for 5 years, and you now know how to use a scope, you’ll be a lifetime member, as the scope buyers.

That way you’ll keep the techs in the shed, and now and then sell other products.

But if you want to keep it simple/small and mostly have new scope users you’re doing fine. 

No hard feelings, just my 2 cents.