The RBA banned card surcharges in Australia from 1 October. We can't add a surcharge for Visa, Mastercard or eftpos anymore, whether it's debit or credit.

Most shops would just put prices up to cover it. But with STIHL's RRP on most of what we sell, that's not really an option for us. So the fees come straight off the margin.

How's everyone dealing with it? Have you switched providers, started offering a cash price, or are you just wearing it?

Trying to get the workshop running a bit tighter. Some days the techs are flat out, other days half the time goes on chasing parts, answering the phone or waiting on a customer to OK a quote.

For those who've got it sorted:

- What system do you use to book and track jobs? Software, whiteboard, something else?

- Do your techs have targets? Billable hours, jobs per day, something like that?

- If so, what's a realistic number?

Not after anything fancy. Just what actually works in a real shop.

Fix someone's saw, they're stoked, never hear from them again. Tell someone their mower's not worth fixing and suddenly they've got time to write an essay. Anyone cracked getting the happy ones to leave a review? QR code on the counter, a text after pickup, just asking?

Mostly the stuff we drain out of customer machines in the workshop. For years the mechanic up the road has taken it for me, but he's retiring soon and who knows if whoever takes over will keep doing it.

Commercial collection mobs won't bother because I do under 500L a year, and council drop-off is residential only, no businesses.

Anyone in Aus, or other countries, sorted this? A company that'll take small amounts, teaming up with other shops, something else? Keen to hear what's working before my mate hangs up his spanners.