May the Best Parts Supplier Win: “Aftermarket” Parts
As I continue my “learning” curve in this industry, one of the most intriguing debates I’ve heard is the one involving “aftermarket” parts. On the mechanical repair side of the automotive aftermarket, the term “aftermarket” has nowhere near the stigma it does across the collision repair industry. Often, I’ve wondered, “Why?” There was a time
Disproving the Wheel Alignment Fallacy
The next time an adjuster wants to pay you tire-center prices for a collision wheel alignment, get out the P-pages and educate him till he gets it.
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.
Billing in Dollar$ Makes More Cents
No longer will you have to use (and justify) the labor hour “two-fer” ratio. Labor hours become irrelevant – and so does the insurance industry’s so-called “prevailing competitive price.”
Insurers Don’t Set Prices – Unless We Let Them
It’s time that we, as repairers, start holding insurers, information providers – and each other – accountable for the state of our industry.
Renewing the Passion
People who’ve been writing bids, banging sheet metal and shooting color for most of their lives can end up indifferent and disgruntled. The “trickle down effect” may be just what you need to rekindle their love of the industry.
Truce: Working with Insurance Adjusters
If you ever need to energize a bunch of bored shop owners, bring up working with insurance adjusters. This topic can incite a lively discussion among even a reserved group of repairers. That’s because everyone has a war story or two about an adjuster experience and they’re usually eager to share it. One of my
Whose Liner Is It Anyway: Spray-on Bedliners
In search of a niche where the insurance industry isn’t involved and consumers pay out of pocket? Research shows that spray-on bedliners generate $110 million a year. There’s money to be made there. Could it be yours? You know they’re out there. You see them in your shop all the time. You’re even fairly sure
Gunning for You: HVLP Gravity-feed Spray
Becoming the industry’s “gun of choice,” HVLP gravity-feed spray guns save you money and do most of the work for you. I recently visited autobody paint shops in far corners of the country. Every single one was using gravity-feed spray guns, most of them high volume, low-pressure (HVLP). How did this style of spray gun
There’s Money In the Details
If you were asked what business you’re in, you’d probably say the collision repair business. But the truth is, the business you’re really in is the “cosmetic car care business,” which is probably bigger than collision repair and detailing put together. Many of you, however, aren’t taking advantage of it. What do I mean by
