Just a story:

As I walked in the front door, waving at the owner who was busy with a customer, I proceeded to the shop and briefly talked to the top drive-ability guy.  He is a very smart and intelligent tech and we get along extremely well.  I asked him if he had some interesting scope patterns to share and he responded that he had no need for a scope lately…!

I knew very well that business was slow so that there was no reason that he ran out of time. I wondered why?  What was the reason:  not interested to learn something new?  Lag of interest to explore new ways?

So, our conversation did lead to the new guy in the far bay doing an oil change.  I was told that he was hired 3 weeks ago and was a graduate of the local skill center.

I walked over, introduced myself and asked him how he liked the job.  He shucked his shoulders and replied OK.

After prying a little more he confessed “It’s boring”. The routine was always the same, Oil/Lube/Filter, rotate or fix tires, sweeping floor, etc.

It was lunch time, and I asked him if he ever tested the total Starting and Charging system in 5 seconds and get 5 times more information than the VAT-40 with carbon pile sitting in the corner collecting dust?

He stared at me in unbelief and I handed him the Amp- probe and Voltage leads.  I asked him to hook it up to the car he just finished and showed him how I programmed the scope on the laptop for 5 seconds for single sweep. I got in the car, started the engine and turn the key off. 

I said (pointed at the scope) “That scope pattern says it all, from Starter to Battery to Alternator and Regulator functions. He got so exited that I showed him how to store every pattern and promised to be back next week to interpret Good and Fail. I informed the front office of my intention.

One week later we explored 18 captures and found 4 minor problems and one major where the scope identified a voltage drop between alternator output and battery.  I explained the difference between a bad connection at the battery terminal verses somewhere towards alternator output connection.

This intrigued management and it opened the door to the next step of making printouts for every customer. This gave me time to develop an informative text on the template leaving room for printing the scope capture of the actual test results in color.

To make a long story short:  Within two months, the shop had purchased the B.A.S.Training course and our trainee became a PRO. He was allowed to explain the failure test results of the scope analysis to the customer. While it did not produce much additional major repair work from the test results itself, the printout did increase more traffic from word of mouth promotion. The whole objective was to get the word out that this was a technical skilled shop, very concerned about its customers, by offering this service free of charge.

The ironic part is that we are so accustomed telling car owners what is wrong with their car, that we seldom mention all the good and positive test results.  Therefore to hear that something is in excellent condition is music in their ears, and the printout (with the shops name on it) becomes something to brag about at the water cooler.

  

What did it cost?  It takes very little time to hang an amp-probe and voltage leads on the vehicle since programming is preset for the entire day. To store the data is performed while the oil is draining. The cost of a color cartridge and a ream of paper, last at least 2 months for under $50.00.  Considering that a periodic flyer, promoting specials and discounts, is by far more costly, not only in distribution but also in giving your profit margin away, this program is a Win-Win alternative. 

More details about the training course including promotion material with a custom made heading, can be found on the following web-site:  datec.us  -  then click on Products and scroll to the bottom of the list.