Auto shop step 2: parts and labour

A garage sells two kinds of things: parts you keep on the shelf (filters, pads, batteries, tires, fluids, wipers) and labour you sell by the job or the hour. Both are products in SmartPOS Hub, so they work the same on the POS, on job cards and in reports.

Before you start

• Enable Brands and Enable Warranty are on (step 1).
• Categories are set up, for example Brakes › Pads, Filters › Oil Filters, Oil & Fluids › Motor Oil, Tires › Passenger, and Labor & Services.

Add parts

1. Open Products › Add Product (or Products › Import Products for a long list).
2. Enter the name with the part number and fitment, for example “9006 Headlight Bulbs (pair)”.
3. Use the manufacturer’s barcode or your part number as the SKU. Pick the Brand, Category and Unit (Pieces, Quart…).
4. Choose a Warranty (for example 3 years on a battery).
5. On Pricing, enter the purchase price and selling price; on Stock, keep Manage Stock? ticked and set an Alert quantity.
6. Save.

Add labour as products without stock

1. Open Products › Add Product.
2. Name it after the job, for example “A/C Performance Check & Recharge”, “Brake pad replacement - labour” or “Diagnostic - 1 hour”.
3. Category Labor & Services, unit Pieces or an hour unit.
4. Untick Manage Stock? so it never runs out.
5. Enter the price. Save.

/products

Parts with stock and labour without stock (the A/C check shows -- in Current stock).

Tip

Create one “Shop supplies” product (rags, cleaner, small hardware) without stock and add it to jobs at a fixed price or percentage you agree with customers.

Link parts to car models (optional)

In Repair › Device models you keep the models you service most (Honda Civic, Ford F-150…). To link a part, edit it in Products › List Products and choose the model under Device model (for parts); the model list shows how many parts are linked. On a job card for that model, those parts are suggested first.

Sell parts over the counter with vehicle details

A parts-only sale does not need a job card. If you want the plate, VIN or mileage on the sale (to check fitment or for returns), switch on Order options & personalisation and import the Part for my vehicle form from Products › Order options › Import prebuilt. The form opens when the part is added to the sale. See Order options.

Tips and mistakes to avoid

• Keep labour and parts in separate categories; the profit report then shows labour margin and parts margin clearly.
• Don’t put tire sizes only in the description. Put them in the name so cashiers can search “205/55R16”.
• Core charges (battery or alternator cores) can be a separate product without stock that you add and refund on return.

Next: step 3: set up Repair for vehicles.

Add products

Import products from Excel

Combo and service products

Order options