[EA]

I've been doing a lot of mechanic work lately. I travel around town. I'm real tired of loading up my tools in the car. I have a good customer base. I want to open up a shop. I'm just a little lost on location. I'm thinking central would be best.
I live on the east side and I know no one wants to come over this way. Where would you put one? How far would you drive for a low priced quality mechanic?

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by EA

I've been doing a lot of mechanic work lately. I travel around town. I'm real tired of loading up my tools in the car. I have a good customer base. I want to open up a shop. I'm just a little lost on location. I'm thinking central would be best.
I live on the east side and I know no one wants to come over this way. Where would you put one? How far would you drive for a low priced quality mechanic?

Try just west of the strip. South a bit and you can probably find a two holer...

You had a predecessor who did business there. I used him and liked him...think Airics had trouble with him.

Again though that may not be right for you. This was quick one or two day stuff. if longer term find a cheap and bigger place wherever.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by EA

I've been doing a lot of mechanic work lately. I travel around town. I'm real tired of loading up my tools in the car. I have a good customer base. I want to open up a shop. I'm just a little lost on location. I'm thinking central would be best.
I live on the east side and I know no one wants to come over this way. Where would you put one? How far would you drive for a low priced quality mechanic?

I used to use mobile mechanics in Phoenix, and never had any problems. I had been driving my 1991 Ford Escort for 9 years with a bad cv axle. In 2017, it finally gave out, jerking the wheel and clicking and popping real loud. It was still drivable, but barely. I called a mobile mechanic on craigslist, confirmed the appointment for the next morning. He never showed, and would not reply. I then found another where his ad referred to the mobile mechanics being unreliable and never showing up. I made an appointment with him, and he did the same thing, no call/no show! After this, I decided to pay a little more and used Carl's Cool Cars, who LVMENSCH is referring to. He did a good job, but it cost me an additional $100 or so.

So there is the issue. I would gladly use you as my mechanic if you are reliable. I would recommend you work out of your house. If you can continue driving to people's houses, that will work too. But, if you open your own shop, you will now have high overhead expenses, and will not be able to compete with the mobile mechanics as your prices will have to go way up. Instead, you will be competing with the big shops.

[EA]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I used to use mobile mechanics in Phoenix, and never had any problems. I had been driving my 1991 Ford Escort for 9 years with a bad cv axle. In 2017, it finally gave out, jerking the wheel and clicking and popping real loud. It was still drivable, but barely. I called a mobile mechanic on craigslist, confirmed the appointment for the next morning. He never showed, and would not reply. I then found another where his ad referred to the mobile mechanics being unreliable and never showing up. I made an appointment with him, and he did the same thing, no call/no show! After this, I decided to pay a little more and used Carl's Cool Cars, who LVMENSCH is referring to. He did a good job, but it cost me an additional $100 or so.

So there is the issue. I would gladly use you as my mechanic if you are reliable. I would recommend you work out of your house. If you can continue driving to people's houses, that will work too. But, if you open your own shop, you will now have high overhead expenses, and will not be able to compete with the mobile mechanics as your prices will have to go way up. Instead, you will be competing with the big shops.

I would LOVE to work out of my garage at home but there's an hoa. I do have a business license but it's still not zoned for it.
My wife also wants to be able to park in the garage.

[mojavedxer]

Lots of cheap shops near Main and Commerce.

[airics]

Originally Posted by lvmensch

Try just west of the strip. South a bit and you can probably find a two holer...

You had a predecessor who did business there. I used him and liked him...think Airics had trouble with him.

Again though that may not be right for you. This was quick one or two day stuff. if longer term find a cheap and bigger place wherever.

If you are referring to Carl’s Cool Cars - I was ripped off, my neighbor was ripped off, and another board member here was too

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by airics

If you are referring to Carl’s Cool Cars - I was ripped off, my neighbor was ripped off, and another board member here was too

That is why I quoted you. I did not have that experience but I decided he was competent but not worth the drove and the logistics.

[johninvegas]

Two shops I tend to frequent, one a 4x4 shop and the other a truck/trailer shop, are both about 20 miles from me. But they provide a service that I can't find in my area so I travel to them. As for regular work, I tend to use the shop which is about a half mile from my house, that way I can drop off my truck and walk home.

[EA]

Originally Posted by mojavedxer

Lots of cheap shops near Main and Commerce.

I had a store front between flamingo and twain on Valley View. I'd like to be in that general area. Within a couple miles.

I had it in the lease that I could move to another spot in their complex without penalty because I planned to open the shop to go with the store. But they decided a couple months in that they were no longer allowed automotive shops in their plaza. My buddy got kicked out of his shop there. He was paid 6 months in advance on rent and was a model tenant. They didn't care. Had to pay 1700 to get out of the lease. Ticked me off so bad.
So next time I want an iron clad lease in a decent area.


I definitely plan to be on the west side of the strip.

[Gatopescado]

Consider getting yourself a dedicated work vehicle to keep your tools in (van or truck) and stay mobile. It would seem to me it leaves you more options and avoids the high over-head of a lease/rent.

Can't tell you how many stories I've heard of the small, successful business that takes the next step of opening a "location" only to be out of business and in the hole within a year.