Greetings, My name is Tracy and we ARE opening a full service do it yourself auto hobby shop,called TheAutoHobbyShop(.com). We are modelling it after the ones on numerous, if not practically all, military bases. The only thing keeping us from opening is finding suitable space here in Charlottesville,VA. We are unable to find space for a decent rate, other than $1.50 per square foot per month, which equals $6000 for 4000sq/ft. If we can find a space closer to a $1 per sq ft then the rate is set at $28 per hour. We have enough to supply 6 bays with each bay having it's own 12 drawer toolbox with a complete set of handtools. The list is too long to list here. My email is tracylcarver@yahoo.com. We have a disclaimer that will need to be agreed to before the patron is allowed to use the bay the first time. We have the business plan completed and almost have completed the SOP. We need to open to work out the little details that still elude us for we don't know which way is best to handle given situations. Any questions, email me. Tracy

 

You would have to worry about theft of tools. Wrenches would go missing and so would other little things that would add up over the year. Plus theres a liability issue. If someone got hurt or lost a finger or even worse....

Sounds like a great concept though. I work in marketing so I would love to help you with some ideas if you need any just ask.

 

i'm sure its been thought of b-4...however i dont see any of them in the area (1000 sq mi) but in my oppinion ..NO WAY...who will pay ...bacically for everything? rent, insurance, electricity,etc etc... like the other posts in this thread,stuff will vanish..and somebody will lose...i'd do it in a minute...but others can't be trusted..trust me ...zap!

 

I know I would be interested in a place like that.
You could also have mechanics on duty that you can pay extra for to recieve their advice/assistance.

 

Greetings fello Fordnuts, I have thought of trying this idea for the past 15 years after getting out of the military and have finally gotten up the nerve and maturity to try it. I have been putting it together for the past year and getting all of my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. I did an extensive market research here and some in other cities. I have asked people who have business experience and those who work on their own vehicles to be devils advocate. I have worked out a complete plan as much as possible without being open. This is part of how it will work. Without giving away trade secrets to soon. Some secrets will naturally come out when patrons use the shop. There will always be two(2) technicians on duty at all times. The shop will be open with no walls so all will be visible. Prior to renting the stall(bay) a employee will check you in and show you that all the tools are in the toolbox, for each tool will have it's own space cut into foam in the drawers. The jack and jackstands, creeper, seat, stool, and broom/dustpan will be in their designated places. The will be nothing on the floor and the bay will be neat and clean. When finished and checking out, a employee will check to make sure all the tools are back in their slots and the bay is swept and clean. The patron will be required to leave the bay as they found it, clean and neat. If not they will be charged an hour rental for the us to straighten it. If they don't like that then they can leave and not rent form us again. Nor will they be allowed on premises to help anybody else later. Technicians will be there to make sure that nothing dangerous is being done, like smoking around batteries or fuel, jacking the vehicle incorrectly and not using jackstands. The technicians will translate what the repair information from AllData or Mitchells' found on the shop computer that is included in the price of the rental. Diagnostics will be done by computer via Palm PDA with AutoEnginuity software. A complete diagnostic will be included with a hourly rental. A diagnostic alone will cost one hour rate but that will include a hour bay rental credit to be used later. My email is tracylcarver@yahoo.com for those of you who want to know more. Tracy