Mike Collins: Father, Shop Owner, and Leader.

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Read time: 3 min

My passion for auto repair started off in my garage. It was the coolest garage in the neighborhood. I had pull-down air-hoses, and it was kind of like a little dream shop. All I did was have car hobbies and help friends work on their vehicles.

There were so many of my friends that went and talked to my wife and said, "He's got to open up a real shop one day, and you've got to encourage him to do it.”  

Before joining the auto repair industry, I was in the restaurant industry, but I always worked on cars as a hobby in my spare time. Being in the restaurant industry was very time consuming. I was working more than 100 hours a week.

I thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant industry when I had the time for it, but then my son was born. When my son was 6 months old, I was kissing him goodbye when he was in his crib, and I realized I hadn't seen him while he was awake in almost 6 months.

Eventually my wife said to me, and I’ll never forget this, she said, “Mike, you need to open up a shop. You have the passion for it. Working on cars is what you love, and I can tell you’re happy doing it.”

So I did it. I opened up my own auto repair shop. It wasn’t easy though. I worked more than I had ever worked before. That was 22 years ago now.  

We started off as a performance only shop, but there was not a whole lot of money in performance repairs. We had a really good reputation. I kept telling myself, “Just keep doing what you do, and as long as you're patient, the money will follow.”

In 2012, we decided to start working on regular vehicles as well. The front half of the shop was general mechanic work, and the back half was performance only. We put ourselves on a waiting list at that point. Things got a lot better, the money came easier, and we applied a lot of what we knew from the performance side to general mechanic work.

“As we started to grow, I began to learn from my team.The new sets of eyes would see something I couldn’t. That’s exactly what I needed to grow.”

This isn’t to say I did everything perfectly. I did a lot of things wrong early on. I knew my ways, and I had my rules, down to the exact procedures. But as we started to grow, I began to learn from my team. I'd been doing it the same way for so long, and the new sets of eyes would see something I couldn’t. That’s exactly what I needed to grow. I love learning from those around me.

I woke up one day about 6 months ago and thought to myself, “I'm in the people business. That's my passion. That's what I love, and that's what drives me.”

I don't turn the wrenches anymore. I don't work the front counter anymore. I do the paperwork stuff for the business, but what drives me is the satisfaction of growing people and to see somebody taking steps in personal and business growth.

We went from averaging 100 cars a month to now, where a very slow month is 450 and a busy month is around 650 cars.

It all worked out in the end. My son works with me now, and it's great to be able to see him everyday.

Visit Collins Auto Care for more info.

FAQ

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The automotive repair industry is constantly evolving, and shop owners need software that keeps pace. ​​Tekmetric offers auto repair shops an all-in-one platform–built with firsthand shop insight–to manage workflow, customers, and profitability.

No single solution fits every business perfectly, and a variety of Tekmetric competitors offer alternative functionalities and approaches. This overview provides an honest look at Tekmetric through the lens of customer feedback and core product strengths. Whether actively comparing software options or simply exploring what’s available, this guide is designed to help you make confident, informed decisions.

What is Tekmetric?

Tekmetric is the all-in-one solution for modern auto repair shops. Tekmetric is designed to streamline operations, enhance profitability, and improve customer communication for automotive repair businesses.

An all-in-one solution, Tekmetric provides a centralized platform for managing various aspects of a repair shop's daily workflow. Its focus on real-time data and a user-friendly interface has made it a popular choice for modern automotive repair shops.

Most importantly, Tekmetric is the only auto repair shop software in the market that was created by a former shop owner – so every feature was designed with firsthand insight into what shops actually need.

Why choose Tekmetric?

Shopmonkey, AutoLeap, Mitchell 1, and other competitors offer robust features and may look similar on the surface. Researching the pros and cons of each software takes time, so we boiled it down for you and highlighted five reasons why Tekmetric is the leading shop software.

  1. Built by a former shop owner: Tekmetric is built to solve real pain points for shops, not generic SaaS assumptions.
  2. All-in-one solution: Tekmetric offers cloud-based shop management software, payments, marketing, mobile app and more.
  3. Multiple integrations: 70+ integrations consolidated into one workflow.
  4. Unlimited users + No long-term contract: Pricing model designed to scale seasonally without renegotiation.
  5. Trusted support: U.S.-based phone, chat, and email support plus industry-leading uptime.

Tek-Tip: Prefer to test drive? Take Tekmetric for a self-guided spin or book a demo.

How Tekmetric Compares to Other Auto Repair Shop Software

While Tekmetric is a prominent software in the industry, several Tekmetric competitors provide compelling alternatives. Let's compare Tekmetric in terms of features, integrations, customer support, pricing, and customer reviews.

Features

Overview of Tekmetric key features.

Tekmetric offers a variety of features that cater to the diverse needs of auto repair shops. Some of its core functionalities include:

  • Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs): DVIs allow technicians to capture photos and videos on their mobile devices to visually communicate findings to customers. This transparency helps build trust and often leads to higher approval rates for recommended services.
  • Payments and Flexible Financing: Tekmetric Payments gives you the POS tools to get paid faster and more reliably, whether customers pay upfront or over time. With secure, encrypted transactions and flexible financing options like Buy Now, Pay Later, you can offer your customers a payment schedule that fits their budget, and get more repair orders approved in the process.
  • Marketing and CRM: Need help building your repair shop website, managing online reviews, or taking online appointments? Tekmetric Marketing has you covered with modern CRM features to enhance your customer engagement.
  • Repair Orders and Estimates: Tekmetric simplifies the creation and management of repair orders, enabling shops to quickly generate accurate estimates, track progress, and convert estimates into invoices. It can automate parts and labor calculations, improving efficiency.
  • Customer Communication: The software facilitates seamless customer communication through SMS and email notifications, allowing shops to provide real-time updates on vehicle status, share inspection results, and send payment links.
  • Inventory Management: Shop owners can efficiently manage parts inventory, track stock levels, and integrate with parts ordering platforms like PartsTech and Nexpart to streamline the procurement process.
  • Reporting and Analytics: The platform provides valuable insights into key performance indicators (KPIs) such as gross profit, average repair order (ARO), and close ratio, enabling shop owners to make data-driven decisions to boost profitability.

Integrations

Integrations are crucial for any efficient shop management solution. Tekmetric excels here by offering the most integrations in the industry. Tekmetric integrates with 70+ tools like ALLDATA, Advance Auto Parts, and PartsTech to streamline your workflow.

When comparing auto repair shop management software, make sure you choose a software that supports your entire workflow and can grow with your business.

Customer Support

Customer support is a vital aspect of any software solution. Tekmetric prides itself with industry-leading uptime and customer support. Our US-based support team is ready to answer your call, email, or chat message.

Don’t believe us? Our G2 reviews speak for themselves.

Pricing

Pricing structures for shop management systems can vary significantly. Some offer tiered pricing based on the number of users or repair orders, while others have flat monthly fees. Tekmetric's pricing offers a monthly subscription (no long-term contracts), unlimited users, with add-ons available for specific features.

Tekmetric starts at $179/mo, offering a competitive price and the ability to cancel at any time. We believe in earning your business every month.

How Do Customers Feel About Tekmetric?

Customer feedback, particularly from platforms like G2, provides insight into the real-world user experience. Some of the common themes in Tekmetric reviews include:

  • User-friendly Interface: Many users find Tekmetric intuitive and easy to navigate, which helps with quicker onboarding for staff and improved daily workflow.
  • Comprehensive Functionality: Customers appreciate the all-in-one nature of Tekmetric, noting its effectiveness in handling everything from digital vehicle inspections to repair orders, inventory, and customer communication.
  • Strong Integrations: The seamless integration with other essential tools is frequently highlighted as a major benefit, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient operation.
  • Responsive Customer Support: Numerous reviews commend Tekmetric's customer support team for their promptness, knowledge, and willingness to assist. This level of support contributes significantly to a positive customer experience.
  • Improved Efficiency and Profitability: Shop owners often report an increase in efficiency and a positive impact on their profitability due to Tekmetric's reporting capabilities and real-time insights.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right shop management software is a critical decision for any auto repair business. Tekmetric offers a powerful cloud-based solution with a strong set of features, excellent integrations, and highly-regarded customer support.

Shop owners should carefully evaluate their specific needs, budget, desired functionalities, and the importance of various integrations when considering a software solution. The goal is to find a solution that not only meets current demands but also scales with the future growth of the business, ensuring a smooth and efficient customer experience for years to come.

Tekmetric Compared: Alternatives and Competitors

July 21, 2025

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Entrepreneurs play a vital role in transforming our lives by disrupting markets and revolutionizing industries. We are thrilled that Sunil Patel, Founder & CEO of Tekmetric is to be recognized as a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year®. 2025 Gulf South program. As the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs, now in its 40th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is at the forefront of identifying game-changing business leaders. The program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as Howard Schultz of Starbucks Corporation, Eric Yuan of Zoom, Jodi Berg of Vitamix and Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC.

We're honored to have Sunil recognized among so many other ambitious business leaders in the Gulf South. Learn more about the Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South program and follow us along on our journey to the regional awards celebration!

Link to full article

Learn more about the story of Tekmetric and Sunil Patel in our latest documentary.

Sunil Patel Earns Finalist in Entrepreneur Of The Year

May 13, 2025

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We're happy to announce that our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has been recognized! For Spring 2025, G2 has awarded Tekmetric with a range of badges, including Momentum Leader, Best Results, Best Usability, Most Implementable, and Grid Leader.

These awards reflect our customers' experiences and trust in Tekmetric, highlighting their role in our success. 

What These Badges Mean

G2 award badges for Tekmetric.
  • Momentum Leader: We're leading the pack, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the automotive industry.
  • Best Results & Best Usability: Tekmetric is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, helping you achieve the results you want.
  • Most Implementable:  Change can be scary – That's why we've made it easy to get started and integrate with Tekmetric so you can hit the ground running.
  • Grid Leader: This badge showcases how our customers describe Tekmetric as the go-to solution for auto shop management.

Thank You to Our Customers

We couldn't have done it without our customers! Your feedback and support drive us to continually improve and deliver the best possible shop management experience. We're excited to continue this journey with you and can't wait to see what we accomplish together in the future. We'll continue to innovate, listen to your feedback, and provide the tools you need to run your shop.

Spring Forward with New G2 Badges!

April 2, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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