Spring is Here… and So Is That First Push of the A/C Button

And why this runs even deeper than you might think Ever gone in for an oil change or minor repair and come out with a $1,200 estimate for a list of things you’ve never heard of? You’re not alone. That moment—the surprise, the skepticism, the sudden need to phone a friend... It’s the result of a system that’s stacked against you. Actually, it’s double-stacked against you. It’s been around forever in the automotive world—and it wasn’t built with your best interest in mind. Here’s why we say it’s double-stacked—and why we don’t play that game… It’s why we’re called “Maverick”, and why so many of you have come to trust us for all your service and repairs. more We’re not saying all shops are bad, and that everyone is out to take advantage of you—you might know a great shop, or an awesome person who operates with complete integrity—it's just that they’re often working in a system that’s built for profit, not for you. Here’s how it works in 85-90% of shops (that's my estimate, but confirmed by ChatGPT ;)) Most service advisors (the folks at the counter you typically talk to) are paid a smaller salary, with commissions or bonuses based on their sales. Wait... sales? I thought this was about service... Well, in most shops, the person at the counter is "selling" you on the work they're recommending. And the more parts and labor they sell, the more they earn. On top of that, most technicians are paid using what’s called “flat rate”—meaning they’re paid by the job, not by their time. So if a job is “booked” for three hours but the tech finishes it in one, they still get paid (and you get charged) for all three hours. The more repairs they suggest, and the faster they move, the more they earn in the same amount of time (more details on that next time) But see the issue? This is why we say it's double-stacked against you. The technician actually working on your car is incentivized to suggest the most work that you "might need", that they can then try to do in less time; while the person at the counter is incentivized to upsell you on all of it and then some. That’s why we say it’s double-stacked against you, and this creates exactly the kind of mistrust the auto industry has become known for—and for good reason. (more details on this next time, for those that want to learn the nitty gritty) Since day one, here’s what we’ve done different ly—stacking the system in your favor. Salaried advisors (no sales commission) They don’t earn a dime more based on selling you more. Their job isn’t to sell you—it’s to advise you—to understand what your car genuinely needs, what can wait, and what might not need to be done at all. That’s it. Hourly techs (not incentivized to rush) They're paid for their knowledge and skill, not for how fast they crank out jobs or how many parts they can replace in a day. That means they have time to do things right. They’re not rushing. They’re not guessing. They’re taking the time to get it right, and they’re proud of that. Different people (motivated by trust and relationships) This maverick approach has attracted different people — the type of technicians and advisors who want to focus on quality over speed, helping over selling, and trust over profits—and while lots of service people claim that’s who they are, or they want to be this way, we’ve found the ones who actually sought out the change and are making it happen. So not only are they not incentivized against your best interest, they’re just different people at heart. We call them mavericks. You might just call them your kind of people. So if you’ve ever felt like you needed a second opinion—or that nagging feeling that something didn’t quite add up—you’re not crazy. The system is often stacked against you. We choose not to play that game, and instead stack it in your favor. Because building trust matters more to us than anything else.

Our parody of a “ribbon cutting” for our new 6-bay shop. Yep, that is duct tape, and they are “cutting” with a blow torch, sledge hammer, pipe wrench, flashlight, and yes, even a banana 😜 So many of you have come to trust us with your vehicle maintenance and repairs, that we started running out of shop space. To keep up, we recently opened a second shop nearby just for prepping new inventory. That move freed up six service bays at our main location—dedicated entirely to you and your vehicles. And since you’re the reason we’ve been able to grow, we want to pay it forward in a meaningful way. So through the month of May, those freed up bays will be open for free diagnostics and repairs —for your friends and family in need of a mechanic’s helping hand. We can’t cover the parts cost, but our awesome crew is ready to roll up their sleeves and get the work done, to keep good people you know on the road. With your help, we’ll show them they’re not alone—and that Boise takes care of its own. more Who this is for: We know this would be “nice” for a lot of people. We’re looking to serve those who really need it. We're talking about f amilies who are really, truly struggling. Situations where this is their only car in the household, and they’re just trying to get to work, or to take care of their family—but can’t afford to fix what’s broken. So please help us serve those people specifically. Nomination Guidelines: To make sure this effort reaches those who truly need it most, here’s a quick look at who we’re aiming to serve: Nominations must come from someone else, not directly from the person needing the service You should know the person you’re nominating personally Their household has only one vehicle That vehicle has a serious issue they can’t afford to fix — it’s either undriveable or unsafe to drive There’s some means for covering the cost of parts needed for the repair. We understand that sometimes you may be in need yourself, but this time around we’re giving first priority to those who are nominated by someone else who knows their situation firsthand. Scheduling: We’ll be scheduling all free services in advance, and only through our nomination form below. Please don’t call the office or send someone down without an appointment - it will be a waste of a trip (and if they’re in this situation, the extra driving and expense for gas isn’t going to help). Click Here to nominate someone in this kind of need

Halloween hits differently when you’re standing in a downpour, surrounded by superheroes, princesses, and parents in ponchos. We rolled into Meridian Speedway with one of our slick black Jeeps, a mountain of rubber ducks, and unsure how many candy-hungry kids would show up in the rain. Turns out, thousands did. A sea of umbrellas, soaked costumes, and laughter that made the weather irrelevant. It was chaos, puddles, and pure community… the kind of night that reminds you why we show up, rain or shine. more ----------------------------------------   Halloween came early this year, and Mother Nature decided to join in. From setup to sundown, it poured. Buckets. We waded through puddles, hid out in the Jeep before the gates opened, and laughed until our rain boots filled up. But even with soaked decor and slippery candy bags, the turnout was unbelievable… literally thousands of families braving the weather, smiling through it, and proving Idaho kids are built different. Our setup? A lifted black-on-black Jeep decked out in Maverick ducks, prizes, and candy. If you’ve heard of “Jeep ducking”, you know the drill. If not… picture kids on a mission, a jar full of rubber ducks, and parents guessing how many for a chance at free details, oil changes, and gear. But the real highlight though? Watching families forget the rain for a few minutes, laughing together under umbrellas and snapping photos like it was the sunniest day of the year. For us, the giveaways were fun but what we loved the most were the grins, the soaked costumes, and the reminder that connection doesn’t melt in the rain.   Huge thanks to Meridian Speedway for hosting an unforgettable time and to everyone who made memories with us (mud, mist, and all). See you next year. We’ll bring the extra towels.