Hey ok here we go. I had this idea for a buisness and I was wondering what everyone opinion would be of it.

Was thinking of a Garage with lifts, dyno and all the goodies that any repair shop would have, but instead of having employees, you like rent out time for people to use the equipment themselves. Obviously someone would have to be there to insure that saftey and proper use of the equipment is done as well as a signing a waver to get rid of liability problems.

you would have access to:
- Lifts
- Air tools/compresser/ other tools
- Dyno
- Tire mounting/Balancing
- mandrel bender
- other things as well

There would be different fee's as well as a open area in the garage to pull cars in for repair, pull engines and so forth. Basically a shop avalible for everyone who either doesnt have the equipment at home or no room. I havnt come up with any pricing ideas, right now its just in the idea stage.

Would you go to a place like this and pay to use equipment?


thanks

 

That'd be awesome, dunno where you're located, but something like that here would be cool for sure...I can't learn how to do anything with my car on my own just cuz I don't have access to the equipment. I give it a thumbs up

 

sounds like a very good idea, just better make sure that 1 or 2 people are there to check on things

 

Yeah location is probably the biggest issue for something like this I think. Not really set on any area for sure, like i said still a Idea.


liability is the only real issue waver or not i think but im trying to get past that and get some input on if people would actually do it.

 

Love that idea. They have a place like that on the Naval base that I work. Haven't been there yet, but I hear you pay the guys a few bucks and you have access to lifts, air tools, regular tools, the works. They get paid salary so they help you out all you want and you can do whatever. I'd definitely go. Great idea dude.

 

the biggest issue is liability. what if someone gets hurt? what insurance company would help you cover something like that? even with a waiver... it's been thought of, but it's not as easy as you think.

 

That right there would be perfect, have a couple guys on hand to help out too, or maybe even just one guy...that'd rock, perfect shop...do all the work yourself, with the help of someone who knows what they're doing...I'd pay more than a couple bucks for that...it'd be like, auto tech school, but better

 

Sounds like a good idea to me. Like people have said location is everything. As well as marketing. If you try hard enough and get the work I'm sure it would work out.

 

Yeah having someone on hand would be a definate. Training proper use of the equipment and even helping out everyone.

Any more ideas, comments, concerns are great.

 

I could possibly see people using it. Dyno might be cool...idk if I would trust myself setting it up though.

Keeping small hand tools under control might be a problem.

Ill tell you one thing, if I could get my hands on an awesome public mill, lathe, (maybe a CNC mill?) and TIG I would LOVE it...but that will never happen. There is a reason why mechanics have their own equipment....people *(&*# stuff up.

Nice idea though...need to work out some things...but something to think about!

 

I know that here at the Air Force Academy we've got that exact thing on base. It's just a shop with lifts, air tools, the works. You just go in and rent the time, get help from the mechanics when you need it, etc. It's a great deal for people with cars up here to really get some good wrench time in. I think it would be a great idea. I'm not sure how it would work on the open market (this is more of a service provided- not sure if they make much money since it'so cheap), so you may want to plan to have regular tuning/shop services available as well, at least at first. Most shops make the majority of their money from the wrench time they put in, so I guess you'd just have to factor that into the rental time cost. FWIW.

Jon

 

sounds cool to me. I would definitely take advantage of something like that.