Renewing the Passion
People who’ve been writing bids, banging sheet metal and shooting color for most of their lives can end up indifferent and disgruntled. The “trickle down effect” may be just what you need to rekindle their love of the industry.
Shop Profile: Working Smart
Shop Name: Quality Collision Repair Inc. Location: Rockledge, Fla. Established: 1983 Square Footage: 6,642 Owners: Everette and Sandy Sharpe No. of Employees: 10 Repair Volume/No. of Cars Per Month: 60 cars per month Average Repair Cost: $1400 Shop Layout Working on his business – rather than in his business – has allowed this shop owner
Birds of a Feather
A strange phenomenon occurred in the metal department when we moved to a larger facility: The guys began to “nest” in one corner of the shop – recreating the disorganized, inefficient setup from the old building.
DRPs: Our Business Skills
Stop the finger pointing. How well we do in this trade has a lot more to do with our business skills than with how “bad” insurers are. In fact, direct-repair programs have, dare I say it, made many shops more efficient and profitable. It was more than 40 years ago, but I still remember sitting
Blind Claims Auditors: A Deal’s a Deal?
In one of my favorite films, Fargo, the general sales manager of a new car dealership is on the phone with the slime balls he conspired with to kidnap his own wife. Upon learning the circumstances had changed and the villains wanted more of the ransom, the sales manager/husband played by William Macy exclaims: "Hey,
Learning to Grow Your Business
Finding ways of dealing with the evolutionary and revolutionary changes of this industry.
By Door Rate Dollars, We’re In the Dumper
Autobody shop rates.
Why Was He Fired?
Progressive wasn’t thrilled with me exposing the fact that they’re now writing some paint times as ‘judgment times.’ In fact, they were furious,” says Mark, a tech with 33 years experience who lost his job after sending in a “Letter to the Editor” about how area Progressive direct-repair shops are being told by adjusters that if they’re not painting color on the whole panel, it’s a blend and only pays partial paint time.
Shattered Market: The Body Shop Glass Business
NAGS list price discounts are increasing, labor payments aredecreasing and deals made behind our backs are eroding profitability. Still, you might want to consider performing your own glass installations since, ultimately, you’re the one shouldering the liability.
Sold: Have You Ever Wondered What Happens to Shop Owners Who Sell Their Businesses?
Part four of a five-part series.