I don't see it as giving anything away, if they are telling all their friends that I really know my stuff, and am capable of figuring out problems that nobody else could. I have heard those stories from every new customer that walks in my door.

The last shop in this location was a meth addict, and ripped off everybody. He even charged customers for services not rendered, and sold used parts as new, which is the real reason for giving away services to those that are testing the waters.

To me, scanning for codes takes two minutes. You tell the customer what the code is, and then inform them that to diagnose it is $x.xx. If it is an evap code, and the cap is loose, I just tighten the cap, clear the codes, and tell them if the light comes back on, then it will require in depth diagnosis for $x.xx. Those customers have always come back for other work, or to diagnose the problem.

Sean Van Horn
Owner/Technician
Red's Auto Rehab
Cornville, Arizona, USA