Check It Out: Quality-Control Inspection
If you want happier customers (and less headaches), perform a systematic quality-control inspection before
releasing the vehicle.
Letters
Dear Georgina: I enjoyed reading your article on paint judgment times [Editor’s Notes, March, pg. 6]. I see more and more insurance adjusters’ estimates calling for blend within the panels on repaired panels. Allstate and Farmers have been the worst for taking advantage of this. Once Allstate wanted to repair a quarter panel for 12
What a Tech Wants: Dealership Over an Independent
There are reasons techs choose a dealership over an independent or vice versa. More importantly, there are things you can do to convince them to choose your shop.
The Rental Car Roller Coaster
I’ve been renting cars for 23 years. If you’re also thinking of getting into the rental car business, I’ve got two words of advice: Hang on!
Send Me Your Best Student – Partnering with Vo-Tech Schools
Looking to take the local vo-tech school’s best and brightest? Fat chance – unless you’ve been partnering with that vo-tech school all along. If you’re all take and no give, don’t expect instructors to do you any favors when you suddenly need to hire.
Taking Control
Why are shop rates so low compared to other trades? Can I ditch my DRPs and still stay in business? What the heck should I pay my shop manager? If you’re like most of us, you’ve had questions but no one to answer them. That’s why we started this annual Readers Choice issue, now in
Producing a Buff-Free Finish
Are you one of those people who thinks it’s impossible to do a paint job without having to buff it before delivery? If so, think again.
You CAN Create Customers
Shop co-owner Chuck Logan asks whether he can tell DRPs to take a hike and still stay in business.
By Door Rate Dollars, We’re In the Dumper
Autobody shop rates.
Shop Manager, Show Me the Money
eff Rice, body shop manager, Pace Collision Center, Huntington, Indiana, says, “I always see what you’re supposed to pay techs, but what should managers make?