A ‘How-To’ Guide for Increasing Labor Rates, BodyShop Business, February 2006
Rather than belabor the exhaustive list of reasons labor rates need to rise, let’s focus on what type of market conditions act to create higher – or more frequently increasing – prevailing rates in individual markets. By Tigger (from his view in the Thousland Acre Wood) No one in the collision repair industry would argue
Will Insurers Eventually Purchase All Parts Directly from OEMs, Eliminating Shop Profits on Parts?
I’m going to play the devil’s advocate and say, ‘Yes, but only if we continue in our present path of doing nothing to stop them.’ We wouldn’t even be discussing this problem if all shops realized that the repair contract is between you (the shop) and the vehicle owner. Contrary to common, but misinformed belief,
Eyes Wide Open: Two Techs Make the Transition from Shop Employee to Shop Owner!
With 60 years of industry experience between them, these two techs decided it was time to make the transition from shop employee to shop owner.
Turning Freeloaders into Paying Customers: This Simple Strategy Helped Us to Increase Walk-in Sales by 35 Percent
When your day is so hectic that your lunch consists of complimentary donuts from the local car rental company, the last interruption you want to deal with is a free estimate. Time is money. But don’t slash mention of the "F" word from next month’s ad copy just yet. With the proper system in place,
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.
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.
Creating Your (Business) Plan of Attack
Whether you’re starting a new shop or you’re a veteran shop owner, writing and maintaining a solid business plan helps to ensure the continued success and growth of your organization.
Smart Start: Strategies for Opening a Shop
Once upon a time in the body shop industry, all you needed to start a shop was a garage, a couple pieces of used equipment and a good work ethic. These days, however, that formula no longer adds up to success. The advent of direct-repair programs (DRPs), the increased influence of insurance companies in determining
Examining the State of the Industry
What’s happening in your shop and your local market aren’t the only factors influencing your shop’s profitability. Pay attention to the world around you.
Are You Paying Uncle Sam Too Much
Because running a shop involves a lot of capital investments – spraybooths, frame machines, etc. – choosing the right depreciation method will minimize what you pay in taxes and maximize your chances of getting a loan when you need one.