If You Do It, Charge For It
It’s like the old saying, “Why buy the cow if the milk is free?” Insurers aren’t going to offer to pay for materials and procedures if you don’t charge for them. That would be crazy. It’s even crazier if you aren’t charging them.
A View of the Industry
A snapshot of the “Collision Industry” survey.
Getting Savvy With E-Commerce
E-commerce. A lot of people talk about it, but what does it mean to your business?
All In a State Over Allstate
Dear Georgina, After reading your Editor’s Notes in the current issue (June 2001, “All in a State Over Allstate”), I felt compelled to share what we’ve done concerning Allstate. On Feb. 14, 2001, we had a meeting with our Allstate DRP representative. Her boss was also invited but didn’t come to the meeting. Our agenda
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
It’s Nice to Fool Mother Nature
Climates can be pretty extreme (too hot, too cold, too dry, too humid), but these days, the right preparation, products and professionalism are a solid defense against weather problems that try to attack a good paint job.
What to Do With Sagging Sales
In May, we examined how insufficient volume can put you in the red. But volume is only half the problem. Insufficient production also poses a serious threat to your shop’s sales. Luckily, it’s all fixable.
Behind the Blend
It takes more than technical know-how to create an invisible blend. Communication between customers, technicians and other shop staff is also an important ingredient. Mix them all together, and you’ve got the makings of a flawless repair.
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.
Purchasing Profile: Aftermarket Crash Parts
You know you have to spend money to make money – but sometimes it’s on stuff you’d rather not buy.