Breakin out on my own.....

[monty101]

check out DRD in Weatherford. They may have some contract work for you.

[easyricer]

Give any thought to a trailer big enough to work out of ?

Yeah I did think about that for those same reasons and to go to the rallies and offer a mechanic with more abilities than just trouble shooting. I get called AAA all the time at the VNV rallies! The guys know I'm a mechanic and call on me anytime someone has problems. Spent alot of rally time wrenchin on someones ride so they can make it back home! (just need a good supply of beer and boobies to keep me motivated!)
Monty, I know Dave well. He's hurting too. Talked to him last week. He's wanting to get his beer license like we do to increase his traffic also. Even selling beer and cooking BBQ we can't seem to drag them in off the roads! Nobody in this town got any money to spend I guess!
EASY

[BikerJim44]

Easy, I know you know this but being on our own is a tough road to hoe. This is an especially tough time of the year for shops especially indies. While our good customers do support us throughout the year when it comes to the holiday season or end of riding season most are so strapped to buy the obligatory Christmas gifts that the bike is a moog point until riding season starts again then it's on. I have learned from the past years of being an indie that you just don't hold your breath and wait for them to walk in the door during the holidays as it's not going to happen. Oh sure, we get the occassional ones who have the money and want a build or something but that one build just doesn't cut it for the big picture. The worst part is the vendors see their revenues go down over this time of year so there go the price increases and that cuts into our pockets. The General Population doesn't take into consideration that we have expenses and want everything for nothing, sort of like the discussions about people bringing in their own parts and have us install them. I do it but grudgeingly as that is just more profit out of my pocket. I am happy that they got a deal but how about helping me out to keep the doors open. BlackhillsKen made a very good point in one of those threads about the pro shops with showroom, insurance, rent and so on and so on vs the back yard guy. I understand that you have a shop in a commercial zone and do have exposure but since you have a good clientel built and have an option to work out of the house then when you can no longer support the commercial shop it may not be an option to work from home. I have thought about the mobile shop thing but the cost to do it right is enormous. You need a trailer big enough to carry tools, lift/s, parts and inventory a tire machine and on and on. Now you are talking a minimum of a 35-40' trailer and a minimum of a one ton truck to pull it with. Now you have even more expense with living on the road, fuel, eating out all the time, lodging as you can only live in a trailer for so long, not to mention the time away from home and now you can't pay attention to your local customers who have been loyal and believe me if you aren't there they will go elsewhere. So lots to think about and I do wish you the very best in what ever decission you make. Wish we lived closer, I'd seriously consider throwing in with you. Spidey.

[Hillside Motorcycle]

Had our shop going for almost 3 decades now. I KNOW how you feel. Stick it out, hang tough, and continue to do what has gotten you to this point, and NEVER forget this winter. It'll make you a better business man come spring. Trust me on this.
Scott

[Ram]

This is not the best times for having trying to run anything business wise.  Everything all over is just creeping and somethings not in the right direction.

I wish you the best in keeping with it. And no pun on your signature when I say:

"If it was easy, someone else would be doing it!" 

Keep hanging on, there is going to be a light on in the tunnel sooner or later.

[FLTRI]

Easy, I know you know this but being on our own is a tough road to hoe. This is an especially tough time of the year for shops especially indies. While our good customers do support us throughout the year when it comes to the holiday season or end of riding season most are so strapped to buy the obligatory Christmas gifts that the bike is a moog point until riding season starts again then it's on. I have learned from the past years of being an indie that you just don't hold your breath and wait for them to walk in the door during the holidays as it's not going to happen. Oh sure, we get the occassional ones who have the money and want a build or something but that one build just doesn't cut it for the big picture. The worst part is the vendors see their revenues go down over this time of year so there go the price increases and that cuts into our pockets. The General Population doesn't take into consideration that we have expenses and want everything for nothing, sort of like the discussions about people bringing in their own parts and have us install them. I do it but grudgeingly as that is just more profit out of my pocket. I am happy that they got a deal but how about helping me out to keep the doors open. BlackhillsKen made a very good point in one of those threads about the pro shops with showroom, insurance, rent and so on and so on vs the back yard guy. I understand that you have a shop in a commercial zone and do have exposure but since you have a good clientel built and have an option to work out of the house then when you can no longer support the commercial shop it may not be an option to work from home. I have thought about the mobile shop thing but the cost to do it right is enormous. You need a trailer big enough to carry tools, lift/s, parts and inventory a tire machine and on and on. Now you are talking a minimum of a 35-40' trailer and a minimum of a one ton truck to pull it with. Now you have even more expense with living on the road, fuel, eating out all the time, lodging as you can only live in a trailer for so long, not to mention the time away from home and now you can't pay attention to your local customers who have been loyal and believe me if you aren't there they will go elsewhere. So lots to think about and I do wish you the very best in what ever decission you make. Wish we lived closer, I'd seriously consider throwing in with you. Spidey.

Jium,
Very well stated and I cannot add to that other than you are right on!!!
Bob