Repair Shop Reckoning

Featuring Kevin Brown, host of Repair Shop Reckoning, and Jason Tracey — this one is a full-blown reality check for shop owners who are sick of getting squeezed from every direction. Kevin doesn’t sugarcoat it: the collision world is sliding into a Race to Zero where shops keep dropping prices to “win” work… and end up financing repairs out of their own pocket. Meanwhile, insurers keep tightening...

What happens when you put a real Corvette guy in the room… and let him talk? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Alan Johnson from Matick Chevrolet, one of the most dialed-in Corvette minds you’ll hear anywhere. This isn’t “car talk” for clicks. It’s a deep dive into what’s actually happening inside GM right now… and why so many dealerships are falling behind. They hit everything from the 3.0 Du...

This episode is for new shop owners, mobile mechanics, and anyone thinking about going out on their own. Kevin sits down with Ben Higgins, owner of The Wrench Wagon, for a real conversation about what actually happens when you transition from technician to business owner and why so many good techs fail once they open their own shop. This is not another episode bitching about flat rate, dealerships...

WARNING: This episode is not scripted, polished, and it sure as hell is not safe for soft ears... Welcome to the Christmas Special you always dreamed of. A behind the scenes look into shop life, recorded with the full Garrett Truck and Auto crew. The team come straight from the shop, with the doors open and the truth turned all the way up. No guests. No filters. Just the people who actually do the...

In this episode of Repair Shop Reckoning: Race to Zero, Kevin and Jason go straight at the root problem most people keep dodging. Flat rate is brutal, but the real villain is wasted time caused by bad leadership, weak policies, and broken processes. When the parts department is late, when the advisor does not verify parts, when approvals drag, when meetings steal wrench time, when techs are forced...

Welcome to another episode of Repair Shop Reckoning! Buckle up, because this one is a straight punch to the throat of the collision industry. Kevin sits down with Jim Gray, partner at Motor City and a 40-year veteran of the collision world, to break down everything the insurance companies never want shop owners, techs, or customers to know. If you think you’ve heard Kevin talk shit before… this ep...

This one started with a viral TikTok clip, a little heat, and a whole lot of misunderstanding but instead of hiding behind keyboards, we did what grown men are supposed to do when Kevin picked up the phone. And then invited them onto Repair Shop Reckoning. In this episode Kevin sits down with Mr MasterTech and Chris MF Craig two guys who had every reason to throw shots at each other online and we...

This one is for the keyboard warriors and the men that are soft as tissue. The TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE...BUT FIRST IT WILL PISS YOU OFF. Or if you are our type of people it will make you laugh your ass off. We sure had a ton of fun recording it. In this episode Kevin brings in two of his own, Phil at the front counter and Jake the Marine turned mechanic, to pull the curtain back on what really hap...

Buckle up because this one comes in hot. Kevin sits down with Check Engine Chuck for a brutally honest, no filters allowed conversation about what is really happening inside repair shops today. And it hits every nerve in the industry. This episode does not just talk about soft techs or generational gaps. It digs into the harsh truth that most techs never see and most owners are too scared to say....

Buckle up because this week Kevin and Jason crack open the ugly truth behind the collision repair industry, and it’s a full-on reckoning. Kevin goes off on how insurance companies have hijacked the business by setting prices, dictating parts, and forcing shops into losing money on every “approved” repair. From fake adjusters behind desks to clueless inspectors who’ve never turned a wrench in their...

This one’s personal. In this special episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin sits down with his wife of 29 years, Marilyn Brown.  The woman who’s been there since the beginning. From beer bottles at Frigate’s in Walled Lake to building a family, surviving broke-as-hell Christmases, and running businesses together, nothing’s off-limits in this conversation.  They dive into the real side of marriage...

What happens when a dealership tech decides he’s done turning wrenches for someone else and builds his own shop from the ground up? In this episode, Kevin Brown sits down with Donovan from Cypress Ridge Automotive, a former Ford dealership tech who walked away from the flat rate life, built a shop in his backyard, and turned it into a thriving business. The two dig into what it really takes to go...

In this hard-hitting episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin sits down with Travis Smith, his financial advisor for the past 9 years, a trusted partner in planning the future of both his companies and his team. If you’re a shop owner, blue-collar entrepreneur, or hard-working technician wondering what retirement will really look like, this conversation will hit home. Kevin and Travis break down wh...

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Chris Craig returns to Repair Shop Reckoning to tear the lid off the real issue plaguing the automotive industry: Toxic Leadership!  From the dealership drama to independent shop dynamics, Chris and Kevin dive deep into the culture clashes, ego-driven managers, and leadership failures that fuel technician burnout, broken systems, and the ongoing skilled lab...

In this no filter, full throttle episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin and Jason tackle the real reason your shop culture sucks — and it starts at the top. Forget the fluff about happy cultures and Google-style perks. This is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and building a shop that actually works. If you’re a shop owner, manager, or tech tired of excuses, underperformers, or being t...

What if the reason your shop is struggling isn’t flat rate… but your culture, your pricing, and your leadership? In this solo deep dive, Kevin peels back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful, profitable, no-BS repair business in today’s climate. From dealing with walkout employees and overhyped social media critics to offering benefits, 401(k) matches, paid vacations, and even p...

In this no filter, full throttle episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin and Jason tackle the real reason your shop culture sucks and it starts at the top. Forget the fluff about happy cultures and Google-style perks. This is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and building a shop that actually works. If you’re a shop owner, manager, or tech tired of excuses, underperformers, or being the...

Is flat rate the future or the failure of the industry? In this unfiltered episode, Kevin and Jason rip into the growing wave of online whining about flat rate and expose the real reason so many techs are struggling. From union bloat to dealership greed, from lazy techs to clueless service advisors, this is a full-throttle breakdown of what’s working, what’s broken, and how to stop being a victim...

In Part 2, Kevin Brown and Jason Tracey return with a deeper dive into ownership mindset—this time spotlighting opportunity in adversity. From turning a rival Verizon store into a revenue boost to teaching smartphone classes that built lasting loyalty, it’s all about service as a differentiator. Jason shares how recognizing overlooked talent, embracing risk, and refusing to be boxed in by limiting...

Kevin Brown sits down with Jason Tracey to tackle the harsh realities of business ownership. From handling tough customers to surviving economic downturns like COVID-19, they break down the entrepreneurial mindset—how it feels to be on top versus scrambling to survive. Optimism and resilience are key, but so is knowing your numbers. They dig into financial literacy, stressing the importance of und...

In Part 2 of this Repair Shop Reckoning conversation, Kevin Brown and Shane shift gears—literally—kicking off with a deep dive into the electric vehicle revolution. From early skepticism to firsthand experiences with self-driving tech, Shane breaks down how EVs are changing the game. But that’s just the start. They tackle the realities of business today—how AI is reshaping sales, why an online pre...

This week on Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin Brown sits down with Shane Meren to break down the raw realities of business, sales, and survival. From hustling door-to-door fixing computers to selling websites when people thought the internet was a fad, Shane learned early that success isn’t about what you’re selling—it’s about solving problems. They get into the tough lessons—losing money on bad colle...

In this part 2, Dave Davis, from Hunter Engineering, tackles  the challenges facing the automotive industry, including staffing shortages, EV reliability, and the complexities of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). He touches on the evolving role of calibration technology, the importance of customer service, and the pressures of rising repair costs. With personal stories and a look at the w...

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Dave Davis from Hunter Engineering, who shares insights into the evolving landscape of aftermarket sales, focusing on tire changers, balancers, alignment tools, and automated drive assist technology. He discusses the challenges facing the automotive industry, including staffing shortages, skill gaps, and technician frustrations, while also highlighting Hunter's...

In part two of this discussion, Bill Griffin of Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic continues his conversation with Kevin about the challenges facing mechanics and the realities of running an independent repair shop. He delves deeper into the struggles of hiring, cautioning against dealership-trained techs and their rigid approaches. Bill stresses the importance of hands-on experience over certific...