Disposable Cars?
More repair-friendly vehicles don’t appear to be in our future, equating to fewer vehicles being repairable and those that aren’t totaled costing more to repair.
The Best Definition of Leadership: Crime Doesn’t Pay (the Deductible)
Though the story seems like perfect fodder for a Dragnet episode, the following event is, well, just the facts. This is the city, Fort Worth, Texas. Doug Germany works here. He carries a clipboard. [Enter theme music – “Dum-de-dum-dum. Dum-de-dum-dum-dum …”] It’s 10 a.m., and the day at Craig’s Collision Center, on Beach Street, starts
Keep This Job
Insurers are illegally trying to control the cost of repairs by steering consumers to particular shops, while at the same time, trying to distance themselves from any liability associated with negligent repairs.
Through the Looking Glass – Head First?
Considering the complex nature of collision repairs compared to those of glass, it’s debatable whether networking collision shops will be doable. It’s also debatable whether networks are in the best long-term interest of the collision industry, consumers or even insurers.
Are You My Customer?
It’s the consumer. Always.
Smart Cars: Taking Away Americans Right to Wreck?
Night vision cameras that project an image of the road ahead on a small area of the windshield? Cruise control that regulates the distance from other cars? A system that “sees” around corners? New features that car companies are developing to help prevent accidents make me wonder: What are the OEMs trying to do? Put
OE Direct: Friend or Foe?
OED discounts OE parts, making them more appealing to the insurance industry and benefiting the repairer, who might have otherwise had to use aftermarket. But the forced vendor relationships, erosion of parts profits and possible insurer involvement are raising repairer eyebrows and concerns.
Letters
Addressing Anti-trust Georgina: Nice article on Anti-trust [Editor’s Notes, May, pg. 6]. Just read it while I ate my lunch. If my so-called competitors wouldn’t be so afraid of their own shadow (Puxatawney Phil would be ashamed!), maybe the industry could move forward. Charge what you need to charge; the rest will figure itself out.
Check It Out: Quality-Control Inspection
If you want happier customers (and less headaches), perform a systematic quality-control inspection before
releasing the vehicle.
