Giving fair price estimates is one of the most important skills that an independent auto trimmer needs in order to succeed. While over charging isn’t good for customers, under charging isn’t good for shops. In effect, estimates can either make or break an auto upholstery business. … [Read more...] about Estimating 101: What You Need to Know
Better Business
Paying Staff Hourly, Salary or Commission?
What follows is a touching personal account by Marc Fisher of Auto Trim by Fisher in Lubbock, TX on how he got his start in auto upholstery, as well as a few of the lessons he learned along the way about how to compensate employees. These are the types of stories and life lessons that only true veterans of the craft could share... … [Read more...] about Paying Staff Hourly, Salary or Commission?
Sage Advice from a Fellow Upholstery Shop
The Fresno Bee, a local California newspaper, recently published a short profile and Q&A with Christopher Cooke of Cookie's Custom Auto & Furniture Upholstery. The article tells the unique story of how Christopher's shop was established, went out of business and made a comeback. However, the most valuable part of the story is the sage advice he offers other auto … [Read more...] about Sage Advice from a Fellow Upholstery Shop
How to Choose a Vendor for Your Trim Shop
Hotrod & Restoration Magazine is back with another "Interior Insights" article by Harry Weimann – director of education at WyoTech Blairsville and owner of Weimann’s Interiors in Delmont, PA. In this month's column, he discusses how to choose a vendor – an issue every auto upholstery shop must contend with. … [Read more...] about How to Choose a Vendor for Your Trim Shop
Price Wars: Compete Without Slashing Profit
Through The Hog Ring, Nadeem and I have been fortunate enough to forge relationships with auto upholstery shops all over the world. In our many conversations with professional trimmers, we’ve gathered that their number one industry concern is pricing. … [Read more...] about Price Wars: Compete Without Slashing Profit
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