Digital Edition of BodyShop Business April 2015 Issue Now Available
Our 16th annual Reader’s Choice issue puts you, the reader, in the spotlight as we answer your questions and hand out cash galore!
Digital Edition of April BodyShop Business Now Available
Our 15th Annual Reader’s Choice issue covers everything from aluminum preparation to shop expansion.
Getting Paid for Paint and Materials
Reader’s Choice question: “Why is paint and materials tied to paint labor rate? It should be invoiced and marked up accordingly. How do we change this? We went from a 35 percent profit on paint and materials to 2 percent in the last two years.” – Jim Patrick, collision repair manager, Langs Chevrolet, Beavercreek, Ohio
Capturing the Job by Closing the Sale
Reader’s Choice question: “With the current economy, how would you address the importance of capturing the job during the repair estimate? With volume down and shop efficiency increasing, what are the main issues we need to focus on to increase sales?” – Mark Levell, marketing director, Precision Collision Auto Body, Seattle, Wash.
Uniting Body Shops
Reader’s Choice question: “How can we unite the body shop industry in a large metro area in order to protect our rights and not get bullied by insurance companies?” – Kyle Kuzdell, manager, Szott M59 Collision, White Lake, Mich.
Getting Paid for Not-Included Labor Items
Reader’s Choice Question – “How do you get paid for rust, fused, pinched and fudge time factors that aren’t listed in the regular new parts on and off sections of the P-pages and estimating guides? When will true reality begin so that the time necessary to cut, heat up, unscrew, unfuse or unclip two different kinds of metals without burning up or exploding the rest of the car will be included?” – Rosemarie Seppala, office manager, Seppala’s Body Shop & Restoration
Strainer Sizes for Waterborne Paint
Reader’s Choice Question: “What strainer sizes are required with each brand’s waterborne paint? Some paint companies say 125 microns, some call for 200, some for a range of sizes. When considering a disposable paint cup system, which is supposedly better for waterborne paint?”
– Biag Pellegrino, head painter, Chaffee’s Auto Body, Franklin, Mass.
Top 5 Stories of the Week
A recap of the top five stories on bodyshopbusiness.com during the week of April 17.
OEM Training, Tech Compensation and the Tech Shortage
Where do you see the industry heading as far as OEM training is concerned, especially with all the consolidation going on?
Top 5 Stories of the Week
A recap of the top five stories on bodyshopbusiness.com during the week of May 2.