AUTOFIXBLOG.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on Training at NACE 2010

2010-09-21T23:42:20Z

We are very pleased to hear about the participation from the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI). This is an awesome new addition to the ASRW.

Comment on Ford tests slam aftermarket structural parts at CIC

2010-07-29T18:47:25Z

Great work by Ford. I think we should take all the crappy imitation sheet metal and crush it in order to reform the metal to make a statute of Toby Chess. He is the guy who got the ball rolling and we need to acknowledge his effort.

My only worry is the inferior metal would rust away.

Comment on Masters Can Move Markets

2010-07-03T03:31:17Z

I too loved the book, and another point the book pointed out was that business does not act as science has proved. What is it going to take for our industry to get that simple fact that carrots and sticks don't work? Behavioral change is key and I see the industry moving backwards from a behavioral standpoint. The call to action you speak of, who is listening?

Comment on What is Arizona's Aftermarket Disclosure Law?

2010-06-22T17:19:52Z

This is good info. Just about every insurer and shop does not follow this rule. We just looked at a fender installed by a local shop that is very popular with the little lizard. You almost needed a microscope to see "Gordon" on the part and it fit like a Ford fender on this Infiniti.

When will shops learn who the real customer is? Imitation parts don't cut the mustard and shops should not use them.

Comment on The Accuracy of the State Farm Prevailing Survey Depends on You!

2010-01-14T19:07:31Z

Happy New Year to everyone, Best wishes on a successful 2010. Just as a reminder, if your cost of doing business has changed, you need to update your information on the survey.

Comment on The Accuracy of the State Farm Prevailing Survey Depends on You!

2009-12-22T03:13:20Z

Just a reminder to all that if there have been any changes in your cost of doing business, you may want to update your survey on the State Farm B2B website.

Wishing you a successful New Year!!!!

Comment on Cycle Time Is A Joke And A Lie!

2009-11-20T13:56:52Z

Although I agree with your comment, however, the reality is that there are many shop owners and managers that do not understand how to deal with issues related to cycle time pressure. Knowledge is the key to navigation, I believe the article sheds some light on th subject for those that need a few more arrows in their quiver.

Comment on Cycle Time Is A Joke And A Lie!

2009-11-11T14:36:17Z

Why all the fuss about "cycle time"? The vehicle is "done when it's done". The majority of delays are caused by insurers who write horrific "low ball" sheets. It takes St.Farm 3-10 days to reinspect. One estimate was $700 and repairs were just under $7,000. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE.

No shop is sitting around causing a job to be delayed. We can normally fix a car faster than an insurer can write a check and we have a saying, "no tickee no laundry".

So don't fret cycle time. It is what it is and if the insurer bitches tell them to go pound sand. Insurers spend so much time and money "micro managing" the repair/cycle time when the reality is that it is the insurer, not the shop, that is delaying the repair.

I wonder if the rocket scientists at the insurance companies ever figured out that putting deadlines or penalties on repair times cause some shops to take shortcuts and can have an effect on the quality? Oh--I forget--they don't care.

I find it comical that my Audatex system asks the exact date, hour, moment and "second" that a car is dropped off but it does not have space for a 5 digit telephone extension.

Comment on Am I The Only One?

2009-11-04T21:19:59Z

    Well I may not be 100 correct Bob, however I have been listening to same issues from Body shops since 1988,hence my reason as a vendor to become involved and interested in the collision industry, my recent point was to stir the pot, get people to come forward with facts that they already know, business is different now(unless you live in a cave) , more so than it has ever been, to survive one must analyze daily and be in a position to move quickly, the insurance companies know this and because they are strong together they keep you constantly on the defensive.
    In order for independent owners not to be constantly on the defensive, owners,and managers need to work together for the common cause, set aside any personal issues, and get involved on the nasty political end of this industry.
However if you can side track all that nasty political stuff, and figure out how to keep your businesses intact with out labor rate or labor time issues, then more power to you, My understanding is that unless you want to be out, or gobbled up, then you need to speak out unafraid of the issues your confronted with daily.
    I believe that is the reason for the ASA and Associations across the nation.

Comment on Am I The Only One?

2009-11-01T21:58:38Z

Francine, I'm sure whatever you told him he had coming. We have also been forced to tell Geico customers they will have out of pocket costs if we do their repairs.

There is an article in Body Shop Business this month (Take your Customers Back)that was written by a shop owner in California. He actually rewards customers for switching to insurance companies that handle claims fairer. Interesting....