
Almost everyone has a mechanic they trust. Someone they have been going to for years. Granted there are untrustworthy ones out there, but the same goes for any business. My father for example has been a mechanic for over 30 years. He began as a mechanic for the Army in Vietnam and came home with the dream of opening his own garage. It took him 15 some odd years to achieve that dream but eventually he did prosper. Through honesty, and a thorough knowledge of his trade, he earned a solid living providing a valuable service to his customers.
Through recent years however, technology has made it increasingly difficult to maintain profitability. The ever increasing use of computers and sensors and related technology, the equipment required for even the simplest of repairs is through the roof. Modern vehicles come so heavily equipped with new technology it literally costs many thousands of dollars just to test parts to see if they need repair. Many garages now are forced to increase their hourly wages (upwards of $100), which forces an ever decreasing trust between mechanic and customer.
Although there is still room for small businesses in this trade to succeed, in only a decades time this many not be the case. Future generations looking to enter this field must ask the question of whether or not they have the financial backing to invest thousands upon thousands of dollars on high tech equipment. Some of these tools reach $60,000-$100,000 for a single device. Losing a customer for not possessing the proper equipment is a horror show for any service company. Inevitably this may lead to customers leaving trusted small business owners to find service at big business dealers. Will the day come when a common brake job will cost $600? Only the future will tell.
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