Ratchet+Wrench

Ratchet+Wrench stands out as the top media brand dedicated solely to the needs of auto care center owners and operators. It delves into real-world challenges, achievements, and solutions within the industry. By offering valuable insights and resources, it aims to inspire and equip our readers and users with the tools they need to thrive in the auto care center business.

Trade/B2B

English

Magazine

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Ranking

Global

#1120478

United States

#295503

Vehicles/Automotive Industry

#2927

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Monthly visitors

Articles

Bennett: Top Strategies for Rethinking Sales Tactics in a Chaotic Economy

1 week ago | ratchetandwrench.com | Mike Bennett

Let's face it, the economy is weird right now. Consumers are tightening their belts, debt loads are rising, and inflation has reshaped what "affordable" means for the average household. In the auto repair industry, we're feeling that squeeze from both sides: rising operational costs and increasingly cautious customers who wince with every estimate. Yes, consumers are more cautious, but they’re still spending. They're just being a lot more discerning about where and how they spend.
Bennett: Maximizing Shop Efficiency: Key Strategies for Shop Owners in 2025

Feb 7, 2025 | ratchetandwrench.com | Mike Bennett

Running a successful auto repair shop isn’t for the faint of heart. Between managing daily operations, keeping up with technological advancements, navigating rising costs, and competing for skilled talent, the demands are relentless. But the real game-changer? Customer expectations have evolved—drastically. The days of simply being "good at fixing cars" are over.
Podcast: Instilling a Culture of Pride in the Industry

Jan 16, 2025 | ratchetandwrench.com | Chris Jones

Multimedia PodcastsPodcast: Instilling a Culture of Pride in the Industry Carm Capriotto, founder of Remarkable Results Radio, talks about his declaration, “The Rise of the Mechanical and Technical Specialist.”
The Data Debate: Understanding Both Sides of ‘Right to Repair’

Jan 9, 2025 | ratchetandwrench.com | Kacey Frederick

The discussion surrounding high-tech vehicle data access has only grown more relevant in the auto repair industry—but not everyone has the same stance on how to best handle the issue. While Right to Repair has gained incredible traction, some shop owners in the industry have concerns with how it may ultimately impact their day-to-day operations. So, what exactly is the REPAIR Act calling for? Ratchet+Wrench sat down with Scott Benavidez, owner of Mr. B’s Paint and Body Shop Inc.
Saeli: Building a Strong Auto Repair Shop Culture: The Power of Celebrating Wins

Dec 9, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Jim Saeli

It’s easy to just think and talk about what needs to be done … the need to fix things that aren’t great at your shop … a team member who isn’t performing to your standards…the ups and downs of car count. But don’t lose sight of what’s going right. Recognizing wins and being positive with your employees—and yourself—is crucial to have your business move forward and grow. Running an auto repair shop is no small feat.
Bennett: Why Hiring Should be Hard

Dec 5, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Mike Bennett

Too often, as business owners, we fall into the trap of making emergency or reactive hires. It’s that feeling of urgency. Your star teammate just put in their notice, or you're struggling to keep up with demand, and suddenly, anyone with a pulse or the right certifications or the right experience seems like the answer. It’s easy to see them as a "can't live without them" savior candidate. But the reality is that rushing to hire based on qualifications alone can be incredibly costly.
Shop View: Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service

Nov 25, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Kacey Frederick

After taking over Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service from his uncle, Rob Ferber has spent the past 19 years expanding the business to new locations throughout Virginia. The company’s newest store in Richmond, Virginia, is the biggest store they’ve had yet, and has been a blank canvas for them to create a comfortable environment for both their customers and staff.
Maine’s Right to Repair: The Work Being Done to Implement It

Nov 22, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Kacey Frederick

The fight for Right to Repair at a federal level continues, but in the meantime, states like Massachusetts and Maine have fought to make it law on a state level—the latter of which most recently passed its own Right to Repair bill in 2023. Being one of just a few states that has Right to Repair legislation, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before it can start being fully enforced.
Strengthen Your Leadership Muscles: 12 Must-Read Books to Fuel Success in 2025

Nov 21, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Leona Scott

Kick off the new year with insight and inspiration from fellow shop owners on their top book recommendations that have helped them stay fit mentally while refining their leadership, operational excellence and customer service strategies. As the new year approaches, many people make resolutions to hit the gym, adopt healthier routines or level up their fitness goals. But what about fitness for the mind?
Broski: The Benefits of Taking Care of your Customer

Nov 18, 2024 | ratchetandwrench.com | Victor Broski

I finally have supporting evidence for one of the claims I made months ago: if you take care of your customer, they will take care of you. A customer called asking if she could text over picture.She wanted to send a picture of a business card from an A/C shop that she was very happy with. I’ll add some context here. She just wanted a simple A/C recharge on her 2003 BMW 325. She went to a nearby shop that does air conditioning service and repair, but it’s not that shop’s specialty.