Determined to Make a Difference: Jon Owens is the New Publisher of Bodyshop Business Magazine
Welcome to my tenure as publisher of BodyShop Business magazine. I must say it’s an honor to serve this tremendous industry. While I may be new to the collision repair industry, I’m a lifelong automotive aftermarketer, having spent the last 20 years of my life in various sales and marketing positions, mostly on the aftermarket
Does Association Membership Benefit a Collision Repair Shop?
Richard Lata, owner Martinsville Collision Martinsville, Va. Opinion: No We’re on DRPs with 12 different insurance companies, and we’re not even a big shop – I’m only 6,500 square feet. I’m an independent, and I’ve only been in business five years. In that five years time, I’ve learned how to go out and get work
Chasing the Dream: Transition from Technician to Shop Owner
Making a successful transition from technician to shop owner is possible – provided you realize that you’ll need a completely new set of skills to manage a shop.
Thought You Wanted Fastener Kits?
When repairers make requests but fail to act when an OEM delivers, it becomes less and less likely an OEM will act when subsequent requests are made.
Billing in Dollar$ Makes More Cents
No longer will you have to use (and justify) the labor hour “two-fer” ratio. Labor hours become irrelevant – and so does the insurance industry’s so-called “prevailing competitive price.”
Bottom Line: Database Differences Cost You
If our estimates match in content but a “database difference” hoses me out of money, I insist the insurance appraiser split the difference with me.
Paid in Full
A new service dedicated to collecting overdue and insurer-contested accounts takes the frustrating, time-consuming burden off your back — and gets you paid fairly for what you do.
Pearl Tricoat: Refinishing Made Easy
The problem: You don’t know how many coats of pearl the OEM applied at the factory. The solution: Make a letdown panel.
Mentoring Works
This real-life success story shows how mentoring can help to bring talented youngsters into your shop — and into
an industry in need of recruits.
Illinois Supreme Court Overturns Avery v State Farm
The billion-dollar judgment against State Farm for deceiving policyholders by specifying the use of non-OEM parts was tossed on a technicality — while massive amounts of evidence went unnoticed (or, as one justice contends, ignored).
Sink or Swim: Adjuster Trainee
A local Mickey D’s manager is now a Progressive adjuster trainee," writes a Kansas repairer on Autobody Online’s discussion board. "I swear, he’s the same guy that handed me my McGriddle two weeks ago!" "AHH I get it now," writes a Michigan repairer in response. "That’s why Progressive adjusters are about three fries short of
Recognizing What’s Valuable: Doing your best. Giving your all.
“Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even into your smallest acts. This is the secret to success.” – Sivananda Sarasvati