Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.

Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!

In this episode, David and Lucas sit down with Eric Merchant, the diesel performance legend behind Merchant Automotive LLC in Zeeland, Michigan. Eric has been in the diesel industry for over two decades and has become a go-to resource for anyone looking to upgrade or repair their Duramax diesel vehicle.

During their candid conversation, Eric shares insights as he looks to transform the repair side of his business.

Taking a picture of the gram. 0:00

How to get out of the grocery store for less. 4:42

What’s the younger generation doing on Facebook? 8:59

The Discord server is like a giant chat group. 14:06

The headliner was the breaking point. 18:57

Duramax parts are becoming more and more obsolete. 23:07

What are some of the problems with the companies that make a living off of these chips? 26:37

Is there an advantage to releasing older trucks? 28:18

How did your name go out in front of everybody else’s? 33:45

Why you need to pay someone to help you with your business. 39:44

Don't hire someone to mow your lawn. 40:42

The importance of having a succession plan for your business. 44:10

Letting go and letting someone else do it. 45:55

Why it’s so hard for him to unload a project. 47:55

If you don’t back up and understand, you’ll always be the bottleneck. 52:00

Charging what you’re worth. 57:40

How you guys are going off a book time? 1:04:46

Selling to the right clients. 1:10:28

Managing Expectations. 1:14:01

How do you know if you’re undercharging? 1:16:09

Why the service department should be the most profitable part of the company. 1:21:21

The challenges of outsourcing and dealing with outside lead times. 1:27:21