ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013 - (Page 6)

Outlook Andy Fiffick MACS Chairman fter a near record 2012 spring season we have experienced a decline in car count in our shops since May. In these slower times you begin to question everything— is our advertising and marketing on target? Is our price structure competitive? Are we doing enough to retain our clients? Is our service up to par? To keep everything in perspective, I contacted several of our fellow MACS members to see how their businesses were doing. I called all major markets and both small and large shops. Surprisingly every shop owner told me the same thing: business is down 15% to 20% across the board since spring. In some weird sense, this made me feel better knowing that I’m not alone in the downturn. However, this news is a deep concern to all of us in the aftermarket repair business. I began to wonder why all of our car counts are down and came up with the following universal reasons in no particular order: 1. Political mess and election year, plus the “Fiscal Cliff”: no one is happy and consumer confidence is down. 2. Economy recovered just enough and new cars are inexpensive again. Many opting for new vehicles and not fixing the old. 3. Economy recovered just enough and interest rates are low; many jumped into the housing market and put off vehicle repairs. 4. For many, the economy has not recovered at all and they simply don’t have the funds to repair their vehicles. 5. News: all we hear is doom and gloom and another double dip recession is upon us. 6. Competition in advertising has reached epic levels, and I believe will continue to get more extreme as we all scramble for clients. How much “Cheap and FREE” can the market tolerate? 7. Quotas, “spiff” programs, dishonesty and malpractice in the industry give us all a black eye. 8. New vehicle franchised dealerships selling nearly every vehicle with a two to three year maintenance package included. 9. Vehicles are built better, reduced maintenance needs, and increased LOF intervals. I am sure I missed a few other reasons; nonetheless, I have experienced many sleepless nights contemplating how we can overcome and combat all of my perceived reasons for our reduced car count and I have come up with a scary conclusion! There is really nothing I or we can do to change the political or economic climate; we cannot eliminate the unscrupulous and dishonest shops, and we cannot fight the new franchised dealerships or better built vehicles. Still, there is much more we can do to raise our bar even higher; however, we are not going to change a thing in our operations. Our brand and the service we provided over 37 years of being the good, honest and reliable shop will remain. We will continue to fix what the client came in for, strive to get it right the first time, charge a fair price, make sure our clients are happy and not force feed unneeded repairs. These philosophies and practices have gotten us to where we are today, and we will not abandon them! I am, however, going to increase our advertising budget and our civic and client-retention programs. We need to attract new clients and also educate the public that we are the good guys and gals, and they do have an alternative for quality maintenance, repairs and service with us. I know it sounds cliché; however, in my 37 years in this industry I have experienced many ups and downs and we have always survived by being forthright, honest and working hard for our clients. This downturn too shall pass, and we are looking forward to a new and better future. Additionally, if you have any thoughts or ideas you would like to share, please call or e-mail. I will be happy to pass along any info to our membership. ❆ Sincerely A Where have all the vehicles gone? Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) Andrew Fiffick Chairman & CEO chairman-macs@macsw.org Elvis Hoffpauir President & Editor-In-Chief elvis@macsw.org Jim Taylor Editor jt@macsw.org Marion Posen VP Sales & Marketing marion@macsw.org Laina Casey Graphics & Design Manager mcasey@macsw.org Corporate Offices Mail To: P.O. Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446 Ship To: 225 S. Broad St., Lansdale, PA 19446 Phone: (215) 631-7020 Fax: (215) 631-7017 E-mail: membership@macsw.org January / February 2013 Volume 13, Number 1 ACTION magazine is published eight times per year by the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide, 225 S. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446. While MACS Worldwide takes reasonable steps to make sure that the information reported in ACTION is accurate, errors can still occur. The accuracy of all information contained in ACTION should therefore be independently evaluated by the reader. Since conditions of its use are outside of the control of MACS Worldwide, MACS Worldwide assumes no liability for the use of such information or any damages incurred through its use or application. Nothing contained in such information is to be construed as contractual or provide some form of warranty on the part of MACS Worldwide. The opinions expressed in guest editorials are not necessarily endorsed by MACS Worldwide. MACS Worldwide is not responsible for any claims made in or by advertisements or press releases published in ACTION. All company names, products and product names, emblems, logos, images, trademarks, service marks and trade dress appearing in this magazine are the property of their respective owners and are protected under federal laws of the United States and international agreements. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The ACTION logo and MACS globe emblem are property of MACS Worldwide. Reproduction of contents without permission is prohibited. Send requests for permission to copy or reprint to Editor@macsw.org or to ACTION Magazine, Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446. Non-member subscription rates: one year (seven issues) – U.S. $25; Canada/Mexico $40; international surface $45; international air $55. Send subscription mail, including address changes, to ACTION, P.O. Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446 or editor@macsw.org. For advertising information contact Marion Posen: marion@ macsw.org or 215-631-7020 x304. H.G. Roebuck & Son, Inc. 4987 Mercantile Road Baltimore, MD 21236 Andy Andy Fiffick chairman-macs@macsw.org • 440-667-3278 6 ACTION • January / February 2013 ISSN 1949-3436 2004-12 IAMA Awards Winner

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013
Table of Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Expansion Valve
Technically RELAY-ted
Under The Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
MACS Letter to Europe
News & Updates
“if I Ever Build a Shop…”
Valves: Oils, Refrigerants – What to Use?
2012 Pioneer Award Honorees
Virtual View
Association News
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013