CINCINNATI, OH – September 27, 2016 – Just over a dozen years ago, when Nick Carpinello, owner of the Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center in Cincinnati, Ohio, began looking for an auto repair business, he had four concepts in mind:
1. With auto repair there is a reasonable expectation of an unlimited supply of customers. “Cars are breaking all the time. There are a lot of things you may have to do to capture that business, but it’s out there.”
2. The ability to provide good customer service. “Which meant that I had to have a good sense of customer service, which he felt he had.”
3. The potential for good employees. “They needed to be capable, have good, stable relationships.”
4. The potential for profit.
After evaluating a number of businesses, he chose Cottman.
Like many Cottman center owners, Nick had no formal automotive training. “I earned a degree in accounting and became a CPA back in the late ’70s.” Over the years, he held several positions in a variety of businesses, including CFO for an international company that built armored cars.
On the other hand, he had a family history in the automotive business. “My father was a mechanic and an auto parts manager, and I was hands-on with cars over the years; basically tinkering under the hood.”
After several years working for other companies, Nick decided he’d like to own his own business. The automotive repair industry was particularly inviting, in part because of his family history, and because it promised to meet his criteria for a business model.
“I looked at buying a couple individually owned auto repair businesses but wasn’t getting any traction. Then I went to an industry event where several franchises were represented. A franchise business advisor went over potential franchises with me, and one of them was Cottman.”
Nick looked into Cottman’s program and liked what he saw. 12 years later, he’s happy with his success.
“I didn’t buy an operating business: I found a building, equipped it, and started a transmission shop in an area where there were already three others.” Since then, two of those shops have closed.
“But we have a good market here and I believe a lot of that is because of the level of service we provide. We work hard to make sure our customers feel they received value for their dollar and their expectations were met. We always try to exceed the customer’s expectations. Providing detail information about issues with their vehicle and alternatives to get them back on the road continues to promote our customers’ trust in us.”
And their reviews back that up: “Every day we have customers — even those who’ve been referred to us — who tell us that ‘You guys have great reviews!’” The last two years Cottman of Cincinnati earned Angie’s List Super Service Award.
Nick, his center, and technicians have been recognized many times by Cottman Home Office for outstanding performance.
Nick is a Vietnam veteran and continues to have a soft spot for veterans going out of his way to be helpful to vets in need of his services.
For the future, Nick is looking at ways to create a more well-defined outside sales program. “On the other hand, if you went to local repair shops that don’t repair transmissions and asked for a referral, they’d tell you to take it to Cottman.”
According to Nick, the most important thing he and his employees can do to keep customers satisfied is to treat those customers the way they’d like to be treated.
“I tell my staff that ”Your attitude oozes out of you, whether you think it does or not. And if you have a positive, I’m-willing-to-do-what-it-takes attitude, people can sense it. So it’s critical to have a genuine intent to treat people fairly and with respect. They’ll recognize that and appreciate it.’”
With that attitude, it’ll be no surprise to see Nick’s shop profiled again 12 years from now!
Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care offer’s a rare franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in a proven and reputable brand in the fast growing automotive aftermarket industry. Interested candidates should have a minimum net worth of $100,000 and liquid assets of at least $65,000 per center. The initial franchise investment for a Cottman center is between $190,000 to $235,000, which includes a $37,500 franchise fee. For honorably discharged veterans, Cottman offers a reduced franchise fee.
To learn more about Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care and its available franchise opportunities please visit https://cottman.com/cottman-franchise-opportunities/.
About Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care:
With locations across the U.S., Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is a transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care centers specialize in complete transmission service, brakes, suspension, air conditioning service and much more. Cottman’s headquarters is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.Cottman.com and www.TheCottmanManBlog.com.
