Shoestrings Controlling Wipers Win Shop’s ‘Don’t Quit Your Day Job’ Contest
Eric Nolting of Springfield, Ill., proudly sits atop the masses of do-it-yourself auto body repair aficionados who are masters of duct tape, plastic cable ties and garbage bags. Nolting was awarded $500 Sept. 2 as the winner of the Don’t Quit Your Day Job contest sponsored by Zara’s Collision Center, Brad Zara, owner of Zara’s
Connecticut AG Calls for Federal Investigation of Insurer Steering
In response to a nationwide petition circulated by the Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC), Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal this week urged U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., to uphold federal consumer protection laws against "deceptive referrals" by insurers and other similar unlawful activities that Blumenthal claims violate consumer rights. Blumenthal also asked
Customer Told DRP Shop ‘Approved,’ Falls Victim to Steering
Body shop owner John Ticktin is fuming mad and is accusing Erie Insurance of steering after a customer decided to go to one of the insurer’s DRP shops because Erie said the shop was "approved." "Erie could give a s—. This is just ridiculous," said Ticktin, who owns JT Auto Service in Bethesda, Md. "I
Sherwin-Williams Hosting ‘State of the Industry’ Meeting in Albuquerque
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp (SWAFC) A-Plus Network announced it will present its Discovery Meeting: The State of the Collision Repair Industry, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Albuquerque Aquarium Shark Tank. The Discovery Meeting will examine the challenges and opportunities collision repair professionals face with OEM, insurer and regulatory
PPG Announces Nashville Conference Speaker Lineup
PPG announced that the theme and focus of its MVP Business Solutions Conference – Sept. 13-15 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville – is "Accelerating Performance." “We have an exciting and powerful mix of speakers, seminars and discussion groups, all targeted at helping collision center owners and managers strengthen their leadership and execution skills
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Should Labor Rate Surveys Be Abolished?
YES By Lee Amaradio Jr. A labor rate survey’s intended purpose is to establish a starting point so labor rate negotiations can begin. It’s intended to create a floor to build upon, not create labor rate caps. Today, it’s not serving any purpose other than keeping costs down for insurance companies. The major problem with
TECH FEATURE: No Raw Deal Here
Refinishing raw, unprimed bumper covers is more involved than refinishing primed ones. You can do a quality job by following certain steps, but you need to charge for the additional labor.
Eliminate Yourself and Add $50,000 to the Bottom Line
I have a solution to increasing insurance pressure, increasing costs and dwindling profits: Eliminate yourself.
CAR-O-LINER Names Randy Profeta Director of Technical Services and Industry Relations
CAR-O-LINER Company has named Randy Profeta its new director of technical services and industry relations. Profeta has worked in the automotive and collision repair industry for more than 30 years, including job assignments in both the retail and wholesale segments of the automotive industry. Before joining CAR-O-LINER, Profeta worked as a senior consultant and project
COVER STORY: Brand on the Brain
Want to get consumers thinking about your shop all the time? The key is to create a marketing plan that emphasizes repetition and consistency.
