10-23-2007, 03:20 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 129
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
I'm really thinking it may be time to start a performance shop for spiders. Engine + Transmissions, along with custom drivetrain work and ECU build ups. Custom fabrication of fuel tanks, fuel lines and pump (notice singular!), fuel rail, injectors, etc...Should I give up my day job?  |
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10-23-2007, 07:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,021
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Ddouglas, I have a couple of constructive suggestions for you (in no particular order):
1) One thing you should seriously consider is spending some time road racing Alfas, with the SCCA or in vintage racing. The lessons learned in racing will be invaluable whether you are working on hot street cars or track cars. Racing and working on race cars is really an exercise in critical thinking under pressure and I think it can really accelerate the learning curve. Most of the really top notch Alfa mechanics I know have experience driving or preparing race cars, and I think it's part of what makes them great wrenches.
2) If you're going to start a shop, jump in with both feet and open a legitimate business. Get a commercial location with decent equipment. Get a tax ID and a retail license. Get insurance. In the long run, this approach will much better serve you and your customers.
3) Get as many Alfa special tools and factory manuals as possible, right away. They are becoming really scarce and believe it or not there are several that are real deal-breakers if you don't have them, especially for a business trying to make book rate.
Joe
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10-23-2007, 09:42 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sharonville/Cincinnati Ohio
Posts: 2,472
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Both of you guys make very valid points and constructive criticism, thank you! 
__________________
 1990 Alfa Camaro Spider Super Sport Special American/Italian Edition. Pizza Burner with Pizzaz!
1974 Chevrolet Camaro
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10-26-2007, 09:16 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sharonville/Cincinnati Ohio
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On a brighter note, just got a call from a pharmaceutical company, set up an interview for today, want to hire immediately for $1.15 more an hour than what I'm making at Klosterman's...It's a start in the right direction at least.
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1990 Alfa Camaro Spider Super Sport Special American/Italian Edition. Pizza Burner with Pizzaz!
1974 Chevrolet Camaro
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10-26-2007, 12:26 PM
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I am probably a year or 2 away from selling the tool collection, if you need parts supply or other items, pm me.
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10-26-2007, 01:02 PM
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FORZA ASSERGI
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
On a brighter note, just got a call from a pharmaceutical company, set up an interview for today, want to hire immediately for $1.15 more an hour than what I'm making at Klosterman's...It's a start in the right direction at least.
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__________________
Ciao tutti
Newly retired so, Non mi rompere i coglioni.
93 spider (red)
87 milano (not red)
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10-26-2007, 01:34 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sharonville/Cincinnati Ohio
Posts: 2,472
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alfa of-corse
I am probably a year or 2 away from selling the tool collection, if you need parts supply or other items, pm me.
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__________________
1990 Alfa Camaro Spider Super Sport Special American/Italian Edition. Pizza Burner with Pizzaz!
1974 Chevrolet Camaro
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10-26-2007, 01:35 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sharonville/Cincinnati Ohio
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aldo
Please tell me your not going to give up your dream for $1.15?????
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__________________
1990 Alfa Camaro Spider Super Sport Special American/Italian Edition. Pizza Burner with Pizzaz!
1974 Chevrolet Camaro
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10-26-2007, 01:46 PM
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FORZA ASSERGI
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
Why would you even reply after telling me to remove you from my mailing list?!?!!
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but..
Being self employed offers opportunities and satisfaction, things you shouldn't discount so quickly.
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Ciao tutti
Newly retired so, Non mi rompere i coglioni.
93 spider (red)
87 milano (not red)
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10-26-2007, 02:28 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sharonville/Cincinnati Ohio
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aldo
Sorry, I try to stay off of lists in general.
but..
Being self employed offers opportunities and satisfaction, things you shouldn't discount so quickly.
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__________________
1990 Alfa Camaro Spider Super Sport Special American/Italian Edition. Pizza Burner with Pizzaz!
1974 Chevrolet Camaro
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10-26-2007, 02:44 PM
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FORZA ASSERGI
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
No, not what you told me in PMs which is fine, please, stay out of my stuff if it offends you.
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Back to your original request for advice:
I worked for McNeil pharmaceutical for years as an in-house Architect. They provided me with a decent living and good benefits but it wasn't until I left to start my own practice that I really achieved success and had "fun". Do what makes you happy.
Hope this helps.
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Ciao tutti
Newly retired so, Non mi rompere i coglioni.
93 spider (red)
87 milano (not red)
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10-26-2007, 06:48 PM
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Registered Alfa Addict
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tempe, Arizona-US
Posts: 3,713
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
I'm really thinking it may be time to start a performance shop for spiders. Engine + Transmissions, along with custom drivetrain work and ECU build ups. Custom fabrication of fuel tanks, fuel lines and pump (notice singular!), fuel rail, injectors, etc...Should I give up my day job? |
First off are there any other shops around that your going to compete with?
What qualifies you to work on these cars? You realize it can take about 10 years before your business takes off and at $30/hr you would be in the poor house in no time. The going rate is around $75-95 an hour average.
First and foremost Have you actually done a Engine + Transmissions, along with custom drivetrain work and ECU build ups. Custom fabrication of fuel tanks, fuel lines and pump (notice singular!), fuel rail, injectors, etc ON a Spider?
If not don't get a business license application yet. Might want to do 1,2, 10 or 20 before going headfirst in the shallow end!
All your going to work on is spiders, thats it?
Do it on the side for a few years, get some experience and knowledge of the cars before diving in.
The first time you blow up someones motor and they come back asking for their money back or for you to rebuild the motor will be the day you wish you still had your day job. There is a lot that goes into your own business. Not just renting a place and saying your going to do all this and that. Lets not forget the rent, liability insurance, taxes EVERY month, paperwork up the yazo, bills (phone, heat/a/c, lights, gas whatever), advertising, supplies (includes Beer), materials, parts for stock, tools, where talking thousands of dollars a month. You would need at least 20-30K to get a good shop up and running. I had a neighbor who did this same thing, went all out and thought he could open a hot rod shop in Scottsdale, 5-6 months later when he could not pay the rent he bailed.
So keep the day job and leave the alfa as a side gig.
Now that all said, you can always do it. I would just want someone experienced. There are plenty of spiders around but most likely they have their mechanic's already. Kind of hard to break them away even at $30/hr. They rather pay more for experience. You may get some of the newbies from time to time but not enough to call for a shop.
Do some building. Test all your work. test everything for a long period of time, at least a year. If it is something worthwhile, maybe doing it out of your house or rent a spot in someone elses shop for awhile before going solo.
You have to have a product or service that has been proven.
For example. I have tested several spring kits over the years and tossed the bad ones and kept the good ones. I gave them all a 1 year test. Some shorter than others as they where terrible to begin with. You have to do things like this, because if it comes back or as I mentioned a transmission or motor comes back, guess who gets to fix it and waste is time a second time around and most likely lost a customer.
Also another issue is customer relations, have you ever spent time as a manager of anything for 3-5 years? I think that if you are not able or should I say do not have the knowledge of customer service or how to deal with issues that arise that could hurt your business. I am not sure any book will help you either. Real world is the only way to do it.
Just my advice.
Jason
Last edited by Alfissimo Int.; 10-26-2007 at 07:05 PM.
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10-27-2007, 06:11 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Long island, NY
Posts: 267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddouglas77
On a brighter note, just got a call from a pharmaceutical company, set up an interview for today, want to hire immediately for $1.15 more an hour than what I'm making at Klosterman's...It's a start in the right direction at least.
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__________________
Jeff Radovich
1986 Spider Quadrifoglio
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10-27-2007, 08:22 AM
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