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Seeing is believing at Mann's Auto Photo by Steve Johnson Ken Mann, owner of Mann's Automotive south of Medford, gave his recently opened auto shop a new twist -- a Web-cam that lets customers watch the progress of repairs over the Internet. Medford shop's Web-cam lets you check repairs online By DAVID PRESZLER When longtime auto restorer Ken Mann decided to open a repair shop, he took his eyes off the past and looked into what may be a future fixture in auto repair. A camera takes a photo of the shop at Mann's Performance Automotive every five minutes and posts it on the Internet at www.mannsauto.com, allowing customers to check in on repairs from home or the office. The basic idea, which came from Mann's brother, is to show customers that they are being treated fairly and that the shop has nothing to hide. "It gets across the message about us being honest," he says. Of course, Mann acknowledges the quality of the shop's work and the relationships it builds with customers will be the key factor in establishing its reputation. "The camera just reinforces that," he says. The photos don't show repair work in enough detail for customers to follow along closely, he admits. They are essentially overview shots and Mann has to constantly adjust the lighting during the day or viewers can't see much. But customers can see if their cars are actually being worked on and check on the progress. For one thing, they get an idea if the work is finished: If the car's still on the lift, it probably isn't done. "We figured that would be the main advantage, being able to tell, `Hey, they are working on the car,"' he says. Web-cams, which regularly post photos or videos on the Internet, are gaining popularity. In the Rogue Valley, two of the best known are the ones posted on Interstate 5 near the top of the Siskiyous and on Highway 140 near Lake of the Woods that give road condition photos. Nationally, Web-cams have been used to let parents check on children in day care and even to let the more voyeuristic among us watch other people live their everyday lives. Mann found one other shop using the same brand of camera and guesses they are probably a number of shops around the country using them. The system cost about $1,500 and does require some time -- particularly to adjust the lighting as the day goes on. The camera isn't the only online feature on the shop's Web site. You can schedule a repair visit by e-mail, get tips on what to expect from a repair shop, a list of services offered and coupons for specials. The site also has services for Mann's other business, Medford Auto Brokers. He buys and sells vehicles on a limited basis, looking for unique opportunities. Potential buyers looking for a specific car can place requests online or look through those he has for sale. Mann, a 33-year-old Medford native, opened the repair shop Jan. 1 after spending 10 years in the auto-restoration business. He still does restorations but added repair services and a full shop to increase revenue and broaden the business. "It was a natural progression from a restoration shop to a repair shop," he says. "The restoration stuff is fun, it's rewarding, but it's sporadic." When he decided to open the shop, he got together to brainstorm with his brother Alex -- a state tax auditor -- for ways to market it and make it unique. The Web-cam and online presence were two ideas that came out that. The South Pacific Highway shop's exterior was another. To make the shop memorable and easy to find, the two decided to paint it a color Mann has dubbed "painfully yellow." Adjusting the Web site, running the auto broker business and getting the shop going has given Mann a full plate, but he's convinced it will pay off. "It's tough to do all this stuff," he says, "but it's got to be that way for awhile." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA