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I understand and respect your operating philosophy. Assumed you already operated under a 501c3 for a portion of your revenue. Please consult an Accountant especially regarding how your labor expense applies to projects and the tax implications of labor against revenue for not only auto work but also video production. Also, the downside of running all operations through a 501c3 is that everyone has access to your annual financial filings. So, anyone with internet access can find out all of your financials.
[quote=”dblisle” post=154996]RCS1300,
As nice as it would be for us to see the recipe, I feel this could take away from the Fixing It forward series affect. No doubt the owner could be getting the recipe for work done, but we don’t really need to see it. From what I have seen the focus on the series is helping people out with their vehicle repairs that might seem difficult given economical or medical condition.[/quote]
The two primary benefits of the receipt are tangible financial value – if the vehicle owner wants to sell the vehicle, the receipt adds value to the sale so the owner can get more money. Second, ETCG gets a tax benefit which will provide ETCG more funds to perform more repairs.
[quote=”Cammed 05″ post=146482]Is it auto or manual? If it has been kept up they last forever.[/quote]
It’s manual. The owner basically changed oil and tires in 70,000 miles and ten years so the vehicle is likely ready for a clutch, brakes, brake rotors, struts and shocks, and fluids changed.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=146459]Never go by what the ‘reviews’ say. Each vehicle has it’s own unique life cycle. You have to assess the vehicles mechanical condition before you purchase ANY vehicle. Also, Carfax only covers what is reported, if repairs where done that weren’t reported, they won’t show up on a Carfax report. I’ve actually created this article with videos to address this very thing.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-look-for-in-a-used-car-purchase
Good luck and keep us updated on what you decide to do.[/quote]
What I have noticed is that some of the modern cars have many parts that seem manufactured for what appears to be a planned service life of ten years or approximately 100,000 miles. In particular, sensors, radiators, wheel bearings, shocks, struts, exhaust systems, gaskets – oil pan, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, etc. it is almost as if the manufacturers are cutting costs to provide just enough quality on parts for them to last ten years while the engines and transmissions can last 20 years. Are you seeing the same trends?
Maybe it is a strategy to keep the price of new cars competitive while increasing revenue streams from repair part sales.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=138606]
As for putting on constant tension hose clamps dealers will tell you whatever makes them money. [/quote]
You were right. I went to the Dealer and talked with the lead service Director. Let him know I was a 15 year customer and spent over $15,000 in their service shop. Showed him the factory service manual page that states caution: only use constant tension clamps on this system.
His reply was they have always used worm gear clamps and never had a problem. Let him know that I was disappointed, believe the hose was compromised with the worm gear clamps they installed, and now I need to replace the clamps and the hose. He offered free labor and I turned him down and thanked him for listening to my complaint.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=138606]I have experience with both. Neither of them are OTC but, in all honesty that actual plier ones are all pretty much the same.
OTC is a pretty good brand.
If you ask me as long as the regular worm style clamps are installed right it is not going to be a problem for a long long time.[/quote]
Thanks for the feedback. I purchased both OTC pliers and plan to change out the regular worm style clamps with constant tension clamps in the next week or so. Constant tension clamps from Mopar are not available for the heater core connectors so I will use breeze clamps for those.
Doing the test as a preventative measure.
My EVAP system needed a new solenoid valve and gas cap so I want to check all the important gas metered valves in the engine. As I understand the system, my pcm only adjusts fuel metering based on engine bank performance and not each engine cylinder performance so I want to make sure I do not have an out of bounds injector after ten years of use.
If I fire each injector only once with 50 pulses I assume I can then start the vehicle without a problem. Is that correct or is it mandatory to take the plugs out to remove the fuel?
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=132872]Thanks again for all your input. I’ll keep your thoughts in mind. Right now, I have plenty of work to do and a transmission to find for that van. After all, it’s not a show unless I’m working and creating videos. :)[/quote]
Your new concept fixing it forward is very powerful, at least for me. I am waiting with great anticipation to see what you are going to do with that minivan. I am checking your channel everyday now. Thank you for the inside clue on the transmission.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=132805]Thank you for your input. Truth is, I have a LOT of sponsors willing to contribute parts and tools. In fact, this was a way of working them into some of my productions without the normal push back I get from my tool reviews. That’s the hope anyway. This way, I can do quick shout outs during the video to the contributors, and not have to worry about everyone thinking I’m doing a commercial. As stated in the introductory video, it’s an opportunity for a lot of things to come together for a good cause. Bottom line, I’m not worried about the sponsors or anything like that, more will show up I’m sure, I’m more worried about the increased workload I’m bringing to myself and how I’m going to handle it. That is also a secondary concern to actually helping people, which is the reason I started ETCG in the first place. This is just a more direct way of doing it. As you stated, this will take things to another level.
Thanks again for your input.[/quote]
Okay. You are welcome.
As you go forward with your new concept maybe keep this in the back of your mind.
Fewer big sponsors and a simple platform video marketing approach means more time and resources to help more people and more time for yourself to recharge. Building relationships with big sponsors is good for the future. Big sponsors, like Autozone, have very large marketing budgets (Autozone’s is $60 million annual) and would think nothing of paying you several hundred thousand dollars a year to market them in social media after a successful proof of concept.
I can only speak for myself, but as a long time subscriber I would want this kind of success for you. Good luck.
Background article on Autozone:
http://adage.com/article/agency-news/doner-wins-autozone-advertising-account/227498/
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=116778]You can thank College man for bringing this topic up. It was his suggestion that spawned this video and discussion. So what are your thoughts on when it’s time to say goodbye?[/quote]
I would be interested in your thoughts on a couple of items not mentioned in the “when to let go” video.
First, parts availability. I have been operating under the assumption that manufacturers make parts for their vehicles for 15 years from launch. Is that true and a factor in deciding when to let go?
Second, general wear and tear. If a brand new vehicle has been maintained according the factory service manual is there a period of time (hours of operation) or miles that signal the overall wear out of the vehicle? Say 200,000 miles assuming rust is not an issue (I am thinking engine/transmission wear which are the most expensive components to replace/rebuild)?
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=116778]You can thank College man for bringing this topic up. It was his suggestion that spawned this video and discussion. So what are your thoughts on when it’s time to say goodbye?[/quote]
I would be interested in your thoughts on a couple of items not mentioned in the “when to let go” video.
First, parts availability. I have been operating under the assumption that manufacturers make parts for their vehicles for 15 years from launch. Is that true and a factor in deciding when to let go?
Second, general wear and tear. If a brand new vehicle has been maintained according the factory service manual is there a period of time (hours of operation) or miles that signal the overall wear out of the vehicle? Say 200,000 miles assuming rust is not an issue (I am thinking engine/transmission wear which are the most expensive components to replace/rebuild)?
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=120199]Thank you for your concern. I’m a bit tired these days due to the extra work load but I’m fine. I still run 2 miles every other day and lift on the opposite days. I feel pretty good actually.[/quote]
Excellent!
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=120199]Thank you for your concern. I’m a bit tired these days due to the extra work load but I’m fine. I still run 2 miles every other day and lift on the opposite days. I feel pretty good actually.[/quote]
Excellent!
[quote=”DaFirnz” post=118590]Links please. Or some pics/details.[/quote]
Here are the links:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-51-piece-max-axess-chrome-plated-alloy/p-00929309000P
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81215P-Polish-Teardrop-Ratchet/dp/B00BTEXQP2
I opted for the Gearwrench 120xp tool because of the 3 degree turn per click. I read that the Sears Max Axess socket to ratchet fit is a little loose and one needs to be careful not to strip a bolt when using that setup.
[quote=”DaFirnz” post=118590]Links please. Or some pics/details.[/quote]
Here are the links:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-51-piece-max-axess-chrome-plated-alloy/p-00929309000P
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81215P-Polish-Teardrop-Ratchet/dp/B00BTEXQP2
I opted for the Gearwrench 120xp tool because of the 3 degree turn per click. I read that the Sears Max Axess socket to ratchet fit is a little loose and one needs to be careful not to strip a bolt when using that setup.