Good or Bad? Business content advice needed inside.

I don't think there's enough demand for a service like that, and I certainly don't understand why SVreX is having so much trouble with reading comprehension.

Ranger50 wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: I'm trying to figure out how this is a low cost business. You won't be able to flash most newer vehicles properly without the factory scan tool, so there is a grand or two per manufacturer, and if you think there is an aftermarket tool that will do the job adequately, you've been lied to by a salesman. Then you have to buy a subscription to each manufacturers website to get the downloads. The tools you bought recently will soon be out of date, although that may end up being ok, since it seems a lot of the OEMs are going to laptop based scan tools. The investment in tooling will have to be matched by your investment in training, because I'd be unhappy with you if I needed you to code a new module for me and you locked it up by not doing it correctly. Another problem is that you are likely to be working for lower end shops, since anybody now that is serious about the game probably has the tools and subscription they need for their specialty. Now, having said that, there are people that do that exact job, but they are generally very smart, highly experienced diagnosticians who can come to your shop and figure out which module is pulling the CAN bus down, and fix it for you. If thats your skill level, go for it. If you think its kinda like updating Windows, you are probably going to get a rude education. Keep your eyes wide open on this idea.

Low cost is less then 25k, much less then even opening a one bay no lift garage for one year. I would only start with GM, Ford, and Chrysler, since I already have dealt with them through the various dealerships where I have worked. OEM scan tools are now laptop based with the associated dongle to make it communicate with the vehicle. I looked at just those three manufacturers and I would be out 15k including an all-in-one service manual, wiring diagrams, TSB's, recall information, and flash capability 1 yr subscription for each manufacturer along with a high-zoot laptop, each dongle needed, and a reflash module. Nobody and I really mean nobody, around here wants to invest in the tools to fix and/or upgrade electrical or module problems, unless it is the simple no power or lost ground to the module fix. I have been that guy that fixes those exact problems. CAN bus architecture isn't that hard to diagnose. You just spend your time trying to get to that module taking down the bus. To say I am going to leave the customer high and dry is ignorant. No good tech or shop owner is going to let that happen. You can't flash a module that doesn't communicate, but that could be found out when they call you. To not ask the circumstances and act blindly is ignorant.

OK. I was worried you didn't have the background, and thought it was an easy way to get rich, cause, you know, mechanics are just stupid and cars are easy to work on.... I know there are guys out there with mobile services exactly like you are looking at. The biggest trick will be building the trust of the shops that are to be your client base.

I'm kind of confused what you are suggesting to do- is this it?

Independant shops replace modules in vehicles that they think are causing a problem, and the modules require some kind of reporgramming to work in the car, and you want to be the business that reflashes those modules?

Outside of the cost of the tools, and the licences that you would be required to do, I would wonder the need over all that. Granted, there is some need, but it is enough to make a living off of? Can you make $50k a year doing that, so that you can take home enough to live on? How expensive would the annual subscriptions be? And how many re-flahses would it take to pay that off?

And location would really, really matter. As would the reputation of the local dealers.

If the demand is high enough, then the next step would make sense to talk about.

alfadriver wrote: I would wonder the need over all that.

Everything has to be introduced to the car now. On Volvo, you can't install new power window switches without introducing them to the rest of the car with a factory, or very good aftermarket tool.

alfadriver wrote: I'm kind of confused what you are suggesting to do- is this it? Independant shops replace modules in vehicles that they think are causing a problem, and the modules require some kind of reporgramming to work in the car, and you want to be the business that reflashes those modules? Outside of the cost of the tools, and the licences that you would be required to do, I would wonder the need over all that. Granted, there is some need, but it is enough to make a living off of? Can you make $50k a year doing that, so that you can take home enough to live on? How expensive would the annual subscriptions be? And how many re-flahses would it take to pay that off? And location would really, really matter. As would the reputation of the local dealers. If the demand is high enough, then the next step would make sense to talk about.

To finish it up and put it to bed....

Correct.

After making on average just over $14k/yr, what do I really have to lose?

Annual subscriptions for the "Big 3" are about $4k/yr. The scan tools themselves brand new are about 3-5k each depending on what you get included in the bundle. Most of the used versions are about half that price, that I can find.

Depends on the price, $100-150 sound fair?

Location is mobile. I would go to the shop that needs the service. I know the local dealer group to me can't find their ass with both hands and will charge you twice for their screw up.