Florida has been one of the worst hit states by the economy. Really bad in Central Florida where there are only two types of customers. Building trade and distribution to the tourists. Well with no houses getting built and less tourists because gas is so expensive and unemployment so high, it's killing us.

I personally have been laid off twice since last September and I am at the management level. I had 23 techs at one dealership who is now down to 9, I had 18 at the next and they are at 6 and the dealership I am currently the service manager at had 18 and now has 7. (my previous two employers do not even have service managers currently) Service business is off 50 to 55 percent and parts 35 to 40 percent, which indicates a few customers have taken on the challenge of trying to do repairs on their own.

Road work right now for 6 guys is barely enough for them to get 35-40 hours and the shop is very hit and miss. I have friends at almost every major dealer in town and we are all suffering the same fate right now.

Other areas in the state where there are shipping ports have it a little better but not much. It's been very ugly in Central Florida now for a little over two years. Hopefully it breaks soon.