Can you help us reach $2,500? Our overall goal is to reach $30,000.

 

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The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has scheduled its quarterly BAR Advisory Group (BAG) meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The BAG meeting will be from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Department of Consumer Affairs, HQ2, Hearing Room 186, located at 1747 North Market Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95834.

 

BAR will also conduct a public workshop to review the Automotive Repair Act, changes in automotive technology, and current exemptions from the definition of "repair of motor vehicles."  The workshop is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the same meeting location.

 

Agenda
Workshop Notice 

Scott Brown, iATN President, writes: "In this edition of the iATN Review we cover some excellent topics: shorted class 2 network buses, Mazda 6 timing and related codes, GM TIS2Web, Nissan NATS I-Key, differentials & noises, intermittent battery drain, used BCMs in GM products and more."

 

Read the iATN Review

 

Maintaining customer loyalty is critical for your auto shop's success. Why do regular customers leave? Curiously, most business owners and managers have the exact wrong idea about why customers leave. Most people believe that customers leave because they found a lower price, or because their needs have changed.... Drum roll please - Wrong! 

 

Read "Best Ways to Keep Customers From Leaving" from Inc.com

 

BAR is planning to develop new exams for both the brake and lamp adjuster licenses and needs subject matter experts (SMEs). BAR is asking our members who hold a brake and/or lamp license if they would like to participate. The SMEs will work with DCA's Office of Professional Examination Services to write the exam questions. This ensures the exams are relevant, fair and defensible.  BAR plans to begin working on the exams within the next year or so and would like to start a list of SMEs. BAR does offer compensation to SME's for certain projects/ exams/ workshops as well as travel reimbursement. Anyone interested in becoming an SME should email Janelle Calindas, of the BAR, Smog Check Engineering & Research Branch, or call her at 916-403-0151, and get your name added to the BAR list.

Intent on shooting down a proposal to raise California's minimum wage to $13 an hour, a trade group for restaurants released a report Tuesday that showed the law would hike up costs to the state up to $840 million, without providing a mechanism to cover those costs.

 

Read the rest of the article from The Sacramento Business Journal

 

To commemorate ASCCA's 75th Anniversary and help grow our members, our Board of Directors approved a limited offer to new members: $75 membership, starting now! Help us grow the association by recruiting new members! Chapters can sweeten the pot by adding their own incentive. Fine print: $55 application fee applies; Canceled members in the last 12 months are not eligible; No point/spiff for One Member Can! campaign; Regular (ARD) members only.

 

According to the marketing group ODM, about 90% of consumers trust the word of people they know and 70% of consumers trust the word of people they don't know! The most powerful persuader in the marketplace, apart from a customer's own experience, is the opinion of someone they know. The majority of prospective customers spend time researching online or through social media before they buy.

 

Read "6 Overlooked Ways to Use Client Testimonials" from Business.com

 

Rory Balmer of Twin Peaks Auto Service in Twin Peaks is ASCCA's Member of the Month. Rory is a past ASCCA Chapter 14 President and a past ASCCA Membership Committee Chair. While working full-time at his business, he also attends De Vry University, where he is completing a BA degree in technical management. He will be attending Washington State University, entering into the Executive MBA program. ASCCA Past President Mary Kemnitz says Rory is "One of the most effective committee members I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He has won the "One Member Can Campaign" twice. He has had a significant impact on the growth and energy within Chapter 14.

 

Read about past members of the month here.

 

We are extending the early bird cut off for registering for the ASCCA Summer Conference to April 24. That means you can still register and save up to $100! The full conference rate for Management is $299 now and will be $399 after April 3. Conference details can be found at our summer conference web page. Questions? Contact Rachel Hickerson in the ASCCA office (rhickerson@amgroup.us or 800-810-4272)

 

Order Raffle Tickets Here

 

Skyline College in San Bruno is hosting the Spring CAT 2015 Conference held April 24-25. Eleven hours of training are planned to meet NATEF requirements. On Friday and Saturday, there will be technical seminars, exhibitors, and door prizes. RSVP by April 13, 2015.

 

More info and to register

 

G&K Services offers several first aid kits and cabinets for mobile units and shops, which exceed all industry regulations, including OSHA and ANSI standards. Other new products include blood borne pathogen kits and a first aid responder eye wash station. For more information, email Leslie Kipnis or call 949-877-2750, or email Kathryn Kuskie or call 562-246-3022.

Seminar courses are normally $149.95. ASCCA members pay only $95 per attendee -- a savings of almost $55 per class! Service writer courses are normally $1,500. ASCCA members pay only $950 per attendee!

 

Click here to take advantage of this offer