Who’s the Expert?
We’re the collision repair experts yet we allow insurers to dictate how repairs are done and let them pay us a mere pittance for it. The potential result is my biggest fear: an industry full of unqualified technicians
Enough is Enough
Progressive allegedly steering customers from shop.
Achieving Consistent Volume
“With 21 DRPs, we still see peaks and valleys. What’s the best approach to having a consistent flow of work?”
DRPs, Here We Come?
Having systems in place is key to being able to offer guaranteed delivery dates. And that could be our key to making a DRP relationship a profitable one. Part 8 of a series.
Do Something
“We’re losing our collective asses at the front door because we’ve quietly accepted our current situation as being beyond our control,” says a Mississippi shop owner, summing up perfectly the state of the industry and the mentality of many in it. His point? Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Take the recent change
DRPs, Here We Come?
With standard operating procedures in place that support our team vision, our DRP goals may be attainable. Part 7 of a series.
Democracy in Action
Back in early November, a series of e-mails began to circulate at a rather hectic pace among several industry people (shop owners, industry advisors, various media types, association and committee representatives, etc.). Typically, when you find yourself among the many who are copied on these e-mail strings, the tendency is to drop out quickly so
Repairers Take Action
“Ditching this disingenuous ad is a victory for consumers — and a better business practice for GEICO. This incident should send a message that higher standards in insurance industry dealings are appropriate and necessary.” — Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, after GEICO complied with his request to pull a TV ad that features actress
DRPs, Here We Come?
In talking with shop owners involved in DRPs – who changed their operations to serve the needs of only one market – I realized the importance of diversification. Part 6 of a year-long series.
The Business of Steering
Every day, insurance companies steer vehicle owners away from shops they consider “troublesome” and toward shops they don’t. Sometimes, their steering is perfectly legal. Sometimes, it’s not. When it’s not, they’re often betting that neither the vehicle owner nor the shop owner will be knowledgeable enough of the law to know that they’re breaking it.
DRPs Key Part of Puzzle
Over the past few months, the Research Department here at BodyShop Business has been busy gathering input and data for an upcoming, comprehensive all-industry report that we’ll be publishing soon. In reviewing some of the initial tabulations, we’re noticing some interesting trends out in the market and gaining a better understanding of how shops are