Ep 77 - Eric Merchant and Andrew Klement | Free Diag But Still Pay Your Techs!

Tekmetric opened my eyes to just how much a good SMS will do for a shop. Their software is top of the line, and with them, so is my shop. Try them for yourself HEREMy marketing before and after signing up with Turnkey Marketing is pretty scary. In a good way. Get your marketing right today HEREMake your techs happier with Detect Auto. They'll stop getting "check noise" or "check vibration" from advisors with the customer concern tool. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Book a demo HERESend your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HEREToday, Mike Allen is joined by Eric Merchant and Andrew Klement to talk about Eric's recent shop expansion and how Andrew has found IMMEDIATE success with free diag. Yes, he pays he techs, he just doesn't charge the customer for the diag. Don't get your panties in a wad! Timestamps:00:00 The Free Diag Debate: Paying Techs and Shop Owner Risks00:53 Live from Ignite 2026: Scottsdale (or “Snotsdale”) and Shop Size Rivalries02:58 Landing Airplanes on Shops & Zeb the Legend05:46 Meet Andrew: Quitting a Job & Opening His Own Shop07:58 Used Alignment Machine Drama & DIY Repair Stories10:00 The Swingline Stapler Mystery – Office Space Reference Exposed12:11 Barrett-Jackson Recap and Shop Marketing Tactics14:13 Paying Techs Fairly, Navigating Free Diag, & Owner Lessons Learned16:32 Charity Work & Community Service: Shop Owner Outreach18:53 YouTube Fame from Contractor Nightmares21:26 Confession Call-Ins and Vanity Phone Number Strategies31:43 Bonus: Crushing Spirits at the Elite Pro Service Racing Challenge32:56 Alignment Maintenance Advice & $14K in Equipment Headaches35:14 Wrapping Up: Shop Ownership is Never Boring