Lets take a closer look at the results of ASA's 1998 How's Your Business? survey - Mechanical Division results.

For starters, ASA mechanical members reported an average ticket price of $295 with 47 percent going to parts and 53 percent belonging to labor. By performing an average of 70 repair orders per week, weekly sales total generate $20,650. Sounds pretty good, but remember to factor in that approximately $10,200 goes directly to covering the cost of parts, leaving $10,450 remaining to cover technician salaries, utilities, advertising, equipment and building expenses.

Where are those parts coming from? According to the 1998 Counterman survey, 60 percent of parts purchased are from automotive repair shops. Those jobbers manage to get the parts there within 50 minutes and average 173 deliveries per week. Establishing a friendly relationship with your jobber and stressing the importance of your business is sure to be a business benefit.

With the busiest season of summer (according to ASA's survey) right around the corner, it's never too early to start planning promotional specials and customer service reminders. An average of $17,446 is spent yearly on advertising. This advertising my come in the form for radio, newspaper, direct mail or coupons such as a promotional coupon on a satisfied client's visor.

Other promotional tips and industry comparisons are now available on ASA's Web site at http://www.asashop.org within the Information Center, or contact Denise Caspersen at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236, for suggestions.

Stat Corner is written by Denise Caspersen, ASA's research management specialist. She can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236.

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