Out of Retirement: Full-framed Vehicles
Just when you thought they were gone for good, MJ, bell bottoms and full-framed vehicles are back. Though Jordan can still score 40 points per game and bell bottoms are still … scary, today’s full frames aren’t the same as the ones produced in the past. And the repair procedures aren’t the same either. by
When Does Insurer Steering Become Illegal?
Every day, insurers tell customers: "They’re not on our list of shops." "We can’t guarantee their work." "We may not be able to help you as much as we’d like if you take your car to that shop." Fed up, a few shop owners across the country have gathered evidence that insurer actions are depriving them of their right to compete and have filed tortious interference lawsuits. The result: multimillion-dollar settlements.
It’s Nice to Fool Mother Nature
Climates can be pretty extreme (too hot, too cold, too dry, too humid), but these days, the right preparation, products and professionalism are a solid defense against weather problems that try to attack a good paint job.
Controlling Weather Conditions in Your Paint Shop
Blue skies are ahead when you learn you can’t control Mother Nature – but you can control how her moods affect your shop.
Behind Closed Doors: CARA Collision & Glass Bankruptcy
Since CARA Collision & Glass filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, many in the industry are wondering what the heck is going on. Though the future is unclear, a few things are certain: Employees are out of jobs and former shop owners who took stock in the company are out of luck
Busting at the Seams
Growth isn’t as important as retaining quality and, most importantly, profitability.
Price Fixing or Price Negotiating
“Why do insurance companies control a shop’s labor rates? Isn’t this price fixing?” –– Ron Humphress, former parts manager, Good News Auto Body Shop, Salisbury, Md. Black Law Dictionary, 7th Edition, defines price fixing as an “artificial setting or maintenance of prices at a certain level contrary to the workings of the free market.” Price
The Incredibly Shrinking Industry
Until three years ago, the prospect of some Wall Street investor teaming up with a body shop owner was incomprehensible. Today, it’s reality. Welcome to the brave, new — consolidating — world of collision repair.
The Next Generation: Difficulties Shop Owners have Recruiting New Blood into the Industry
The economy of our great nation has been strong enough of late that young folks who have the desire to succeed and become proficient at something can choose many career routes to follow. Unfortunately for us, repairing damaged vehicles doesn’t seem to be at the top of their wish lists. Computers, sales, various unionized trades … these choices rate higher than our industry. Just look at attendance at various vo-tech schools. More class space is allocated to other career choices, and more students attend classes for other career choices than they do for autobody repair.
Expert Advice: Growing or Selling Your Business
Whether you want to grow your business or sell your business, it’s wise to follow in the footsteps of shop owners who’ve gone where you’d like to go.