The Total Story
Why are some cars repaired when they should be totaled, and others totaled when they should be repaired? Because, too often, poorly trained people are estimating damages. If it’s a total, then total it. If it’s a borderline case, communicate with your customer and your tech. But keep in mind that customer safety is your No. 1 priority.
Fixing Plastics is Possible – and Profitable
It was 1968 and this shop was successfully repairing plastics. So why is it that shops today aren’t?
What’s Your Sign? OSHA Requirements
Caution, No smoking, High voltage, EEOC — your shop may be full of signs like these. Do you know which ones the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires your shop to have? If you don’t, all signs point to you sitting down and reading this.
Body Shop Fraud: A Question of Intent
A New Jersey body shop customer has some questions that no one, it seems, wants to answer.
10 Steps For Delivering a Lean, Mean, Clean Machine
When you carefully detail vehicles, customers are reassured the entire repair was equally well done. In fact, their satisfaction will increase by as much as 40 percent if their vehicles are truly sparkling clean on delivery.
If You Build It: New Century Collision Center, Winchester, Va.
Name: New Century Collision Center Location: Winchester, Va. President: Bud Harlow Established: 2001 Shop Size: 32,000 square feet Number of Employees: 13 Average Repair Ticket: $1,457 In the collision repair industry since 1955, Bud Harlow has learned every aspect of the trade – from working as a line tech and a shop manager to being
See Spot Run: Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welder
Despite it’s long history, “resistance welding” is aptly named – because many technicians still continue to resist using it.
Why Must We Fight for Every Dollar: Paying the Prevailing Labor Rate
It’s happened again! Some insurance companies still think they don’t need collision repair shops to fix vehicles. After years of progress toward common ground, Allstate Insurance has taken a reverse tactic: not paying the prevailing labor rate as they see fit. Sounds like selective p-page operations, doesn’t it?
The Spraybooth School of Hard Knocks
Everybody makes mistakes. (Trust me, I’ve been party to some big ones.) But if you learn from those mishaps instead of dwelling on them, you’ll come out ahead – and may even avoid a repeat performance.
Dealing With Mr. “I-Can’t-Pay-My-Deductible”
It may be tempting to do your customers a favor when they threaten to take their business elsewhere. But when you see how this adversely affects the industry and your own shop, you’ll realize that you’re a moron if you allow some whiner with a eductible problem to peer pressure you.