In SOPs We Trust
Standard operating procedures could offer a body shop owner more freedom and the ability to attract new insurance business by creating ‘verifiable’ trust.
Auto Repair at Autobahn Speeds
Germans are known for their engineering prowess, which is reflected in the vehicles they produce — Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen — and the speed limits they post. And though Germans’ love for their automobiles has lessened and insurers love of meddling has grown, collision repairers are still finding business profitable.
Guilty! State Farm to Pay $1.19 Billion
When the jury for the aftermarket parts trial against State Farm awarded the plaintiffs $456 million and the judge ruled the insurance giant committed fraud and awarded the plaintiffs an additional $730 million, some people cheered, some people jeered and others shed tears. But how will all this ultimately affect consumers — and repairers?
In Court with State Farm
The trial against State Farm for its usage of aftermarket crash parts is underway. Since you can’t be there in the courtroom, we’re doing the next best thing: bringing the courtroom to you.
Pinstriping Possibilities
Your techs don’t need the artistic skills of Picasso to repair or create pinstriping patterns. With a small investment in tools and supplies, they can accent customers’ vehicles — and your bottom line.
You Can Look, But You Can’t Have: 1999 Concept Cars
Out-of-this-world objects were sighted in Detroit, where dozens of futuristic concept cars landed at the 1999 North American International Auto Show.
The Science of Paint
Funky flakes and effect pigments aren’t new, but it wasn’t until OEMs determined they were lucrative that they showed up on production vehicles. Now we’ve got rainbow, holograph and even glass-chip effects.
Deep in the Heart of Texas: The NACE Convention
Round ’em up and move ’em out! NACE is headed for Dallas!
A New Profit Center: You
Most shop owners pay themselves a salary for their administrative tasks, but how many bill for their “professional” services – for their knowledge of cars that comes from years of experience?
Straighten or Fill?
Many techs look at a job and immediately think about how to fill it, never considering straightening. In fact, some techs believe no job is complete without plastic filler.