Taking the Despair Out of Door Skin Repair
To make this often-dreaded task more appealing to techs – and more profitable to your shop – re-think door skin replacement during the estimating process. Then after writing an estimate that includes all the necessary procedures, enlist a few special techniques and tools to speed up the actual repair.
Tapping Education and Training Sources
Here we go with another story on the technician shortage. But you may be surprised to learn that the tools you need to combat the problem are tools you already have – and tapping these sources for education and training can lead to a steady flow of qualified and loyal technicians.
Why Use Used Parts?
"Why isn’t there a higher mark-up or other incentive for shops to use salvage parts?" — P. Michael Riffert, pres., Engle’s Frame & Body Service, Ephrata, Pa. Any of us are in the collision repair industry because we love it. And when you like your occupation, 99 times out of 100 you’ll produce a better
Point/Counterpoint, Should an Insurer Pay for Both Tint and Blend?
First, the fact that color variance decks are available indicates that the colors of many vehicles in the field drift from the factory standards. I sold autobody/refinishing supplies for 20 years and worked with paint manufacturers to develop blendable matches for numerous colors. It was necessary to tint the color, spray it out, compare it
The Unofficial Collision Repair Dictionary
Many terms are used every day at our shops, but their true meanings are often muddled by the craziness of our business. A quick check of the dictionary can get us back on track.
The Power of Video: Pre-exisiting Damage?
After the repairs to the left door and left quarter panel of Lisa Harrington’s 1997 Honda Accord were completed, the vehicle was detailed and parked near the front of the office for delivery. When the customer arrived that afternoon, she seemed quite pleased with the repairs, until she noticed a rather sizable dent in the
Liability For Sale
With more than $3 trillion in assets belonging to the insurance industry, the acceptance of liability must be a valuable commodity — and the sale of liability must be a profitable business. So why are you only charging the wholesale time it takes you to do a task without financial consideration for the liability you accept?
Acquiring an Estimating System
Whether you’re going to purchase the preferred system of an insurer or the system you prefer, your new estimating system won’t do you a darn bit of good unless you know what you’re getting — and how to use it.
Court is Now in Session: State Farm Aftermarket trial in Illinois
r what verdict the jury turns in, their decision is bound to somehow — whether negatively or positively — affect the collision repair industry.
Air-Bag Smarts
Accidental air-bag deployment can be dangerous and costly, which is why shop owners and technicians need to learn how to prevent it.