If Customers Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy
While progressive collision repairers are relying more and more on computerized equipment, paperless processing and electronic transactions, old fashioned customer care – friendly, timely, convenient and cost-effective service – is still the key to repeat and referral business.
Saving Made Simple
Not only are “Simple” IRA contributions tax deductible for employers, but they’re excluded from an employee’s income for federal income tax purposes in the year contributed.
May the (Work) Force Be with You
The collision industry’s workforce is dwindling at an alarming rate, and journeymen are just about as hard to come by as Jedi Masters. To combat this shortage and to stay competitive in the years to come, take a cue from the Jedi Code: Pair an apprentice with a mentor.
The Case of the Disappearing Tech
The talk about the lack of the human resources in this industry.
A View of the Industry
A snapshot of the “Collision Industry” survey.
All In a State Over Allstate
Dear Georgina, After reading your Editor’s Notes in the current issue (June 2001, “All in a State Over Allstate”), I felt compelled to share what we’ve done concerning Allstate. On Feb. 14, 2001, we had a meeting with our Allstate DRP representative. Her boss was also invited but didn’t come to the meeting. Our agenda
The Jury’s Still Out: the Debate about Aftermarket Crash Parts
Two years after the landmark $1.2 billion State Farm class-action verdict, the debate about aftermarket crash parts still rages. What does the future hold for these OE counterparts? If you thought the controversy ended when the verdict came down, think again.
Personnel Profile
That was then … An unthinkable thing happened on Jan. 14, 1914: Henry Ford had the audacity to raise Ford Motor Company’s minimum wage to $5 a day – and then, as if that weren’t enough, he allocated $10 million of the $25 million in company profits for his workers. This will ruin the industry,
‘Til Death Do Us Part
Not all DRP marriages end in divorce. For this Chicago shop owner, DRPs have benefited his business and boosted his bottom line – making it easy to put his bachelor days behind him.
DOIs: Help, Hurt or Hinder?
"Why don’t body shops have any rights with their state Department of Insurance?" — Walter Danalevich, owner, Santa Barbara Auto Refinishing, Santa Barbara, Calif. Over the years, collision repairers across America have looked to state insurance departments for help and assistance in dealing with unprofessional and unethical insurance company practices. The results have been disappointing