Panel Bonding One (Uh)Oh One
If the vehicle manufacturer doesn’t endorse a procedure,
who the heck are you to override their decision?
Tricked-Out Trike Wins “What Can You HEMI” Contest
That (thing) trike got a HEMI? As a matter of fact, it does – thanks to Marcus Braun, Chrysler’s “What Can You HEMI?” grand-prize winner. Braun not only takes home a new car for his invention, but the satisfaction that his super-sized HEMI-powered tricycle – more fit for the freeway than the sidewalk – is
Build a Better Mousetrap, and the World Will Beat a Path to Your Door
7 strategies for quality-driven shops to maintain profitability in a marketplace fixated on “fast” and “cheap.”
Spotting Trouble: Arbitrary Changing of Paint Times
Been asked by an adjuster to change the paint time on a panel? If insurers would pay for the prep and want a spot paint – and as long as the hours equal the full time – shops might embrace the procedure. Since that’s not happening, shops need to learn how to justify their estimates.
Shrewd Player, Poor Payer: Progressive’s “Concierge” Program
Despite Progressive’s hardball reputation, it’s had no trouble recruiting shops for its “concierge” program – which eliminates all shop/customer contact and makes Progressive liable for repairs.
M2 San Ramon Shop’s Demise: It Could Be You
People with no experience in the business came in, making major changes,” says Rick Wood of Wood’s Collision (who bought the M2 San Ramon shop) about M2’s demise. “Funny isn’t it, how a lot of smart, better educated people thought they could do a better job than those of us who have been here for
Losing Control: Whatever Happened to Transitions?
“How did I get here? Somebody pushed me. Somebody must have set me off in this direction and clusters of other hands must have touched themselves to the controls at various times for I would never have picked this way for the world.” — Joseph Heller You remember them. As Webster describes, transitions are the
Insurers Don’t Set Prices – Unless We Let Them
It’s time that we, as repairers, start holding insurers, information providers – and each other – accountable for the state of our industry.
Looney for Toon Cars
When my favorite childhood cartoon, Jem and the Holograms, was released on DVD, I realized that I’d forgotten one important thing about this classic – Jem’s cool convertible, the Rockin’ Roadster. But Jem isn’t the only ‘toon with a cool car. Take this quiz to see which cartoon car suits you best. 1. My dream
Putting the “Expert” in Witness
By using your repair knowledge in the courtroom, you can make upward of $150 an hour – and educate and protect consumers at the same time.
Know Your Customer
Insurers are contractually responsible to reimburse their insureds for the reasonable costs of repair. Shops are contractually responsible to the owner of the vehicle for performing a repair as per the estimate/RO. In other words, you have no legal obligation to negotiate with insurers.
Roll With It Baby: Save Labor Time, Use Less Product and Get Build in Fewer Coats.
Sound good? Even if you use roll-on primer on only one car per day, you’ll still save roughly $3,000 a year.