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Podcast Episode

Ep 100 - Andrew Fischer | Why Most Technicians Shouldn't Own a Shop

Confessions of a Shop Owner··16 July 2026·54 min

About this episode

Tekmetric transformed my shop. Plain and simple. Want that for yours? Touch HEREASTA is coming up September 24-26 in Raleigh. Be there or be square, dog! Register now and use code confess25 for $25.00 off your registration. Sign up HEREIf you're like me and aren't good at marketing, don't do it on your own. Let the experts handle it. Touch HERE for more on Turnkey Marketing.Tired of your shop’s social media looking like every other repair shop on the internet? Stand out with 47 Consulting. Learn more HERESend your service advisor to hands down the BEST service advisor training in the industry (even other coaching companies agree). It's Elite Worldwide's Masters Program. The next one is happening in Dallas Texas, September 10-12. Learn more HERE When I used the maintenance tool for the fist time with Detect Auto, my mind was blown. My advisors had the same reaction - and then SO MUCH MORE TIME. Learn more about Detect Auto and book a free demo now! This episode is Mikeless - just how we like it. HA! Today Bryan rides solo at TOOLS 2026 and talks dynamics between technicians and service advisors Andrew Fischer. They bring up the importance of fundamentals and communication—technicians often overlook basic testing but expect to dive into advanced diagnostics, leading to costly mistakes and frustration. They also talk about ego and misunderstanding: both between team members in the shop and toward customers, highlighting how crucial it is to clearly explain repairs and processes, not just rely on expertise. Timestamps: 00:00 The real hardest job in the shop: service advisor confessions 03:08 Training struggles, being away from family, and the reality of evening classes 05:02 Why owners MUST vet what you’re paying for in auto training 07:11 Technicians skipping fundamentals—and how it comes back to bite your shop 10:20 Ego, ignorance, and the "alphabet soup" of tech skill levels 13:13 Fast techs vs fixed cars: the hidden cost of comebacks and efficiency 16:19 Communicating diagnostics: where most techs screw up (and how AI helps) 19:06 Why the front counter is pure chaos—and techs can’t handle customers 21:13 Explaining diagnoses in a way anyone can understand (with help from AI) 25:26 The service advisor’s secret: what customers REALLY want to know 28:12 The "zip code" analogy for why testing matters 30:28 Shops that charge for time vs selling fixed vehicles—who really wins? 32:40 Real-life story: four shops, still not fixed (and how a dead battery fooled them all) 34:35 What to do when you just can’t fix the car (real talk and lessons learned) 41:33 The problem with technician forums & why the smartest avoid them 44:28 Why most technicians will never be ready for business ownership 47:46 Full circle: gratitude, getting humbled, and growing as a leader 50:02 What every technician NEEDS to understand before running a shop