As shop owners and managers, the busier we are, the better the business. But do you ever feel that something is happening, and you’re too busy to pay attention? You really need to pay attention. At the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers…
To sell tires, or not to sell tires? How one shop owner’s inquiry into new technology led him to burn rubber in a new direction. Some “truths” are true or untrue, depending on an individual’s perspective. For example, up until…
Check out these nine expert tips for streamlining your collision estimating process and learn how to apply them in your shop. Estimating the cost of repairs in a collision shop is one of the most important steps in the repair…
The essential questions you must ask, and answer, before spending a penny on marketing your services and yourself. “Marketing” is such a broad term. It includes everything from a billboard to a tweet. How do you deal with your marketing…
Panelists question why repairs limited to dealers only. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a one-day public workshop to explore competition and related issues in the context of state regulation of motor vehicle distribution and to promote more informed…
Fun and functional high–tech tools that you might not think to buy - but should. We’ve found the Droid MAXX smartphones to be a stable platform with tons of battery life. These phones get plugged in…
He’s a talented but belligerent tech, and he’s ruining the morale in the shop. What you can do to make peace. I was finally able to hire a tech that I had been chasing for a few years. His knowledge…
How to make your shop a success by making it the kind of place where you’d want to work. It’s no secret that we have an extreme shortage of competent people throughout our industry. As an employer, you’ve got to…
Mark Sanders grew up in the collision repair business. Now he operates the largest such company in the nation. What does he know that you don’t? Mark Sanders might…
Use these expert tips to avoid the pitfalls of converting your shop to ‘advanced material’ repairs. Aluminum repair is more a business challenge for collision repairers than a technical one. Aluminum hoods 1have been in use for years, and even…
What it takes to rebuild your employees’ morale and get everybody working toward the same goals. I was reading an article from the Society For Human Resource Management and came across this statement: “With a daily diet of news about…
Insurance committee considers ASA position on parts procurement bill. The Michigan legislature is back in session and has insurer-mandated parts procurement legislation on its agenda. Michigan State Sen. Joe Hune, R-22, chairman of the…
At Chicago’s Sinclair Auto Clinic, the cars and the times have changed but not the treatment. No doubt about it. James F. “Jim” Sinclair is old school.…
What’s in it for you to perform courtesy checks? Plenty. But getting your techs into the habit takes planning and effort. Here’s how. A lot has been written about the value of the courtesy-check process – mostly about how important…
How Honda’s new steels and safety systems will impact collision repairs. The 2016 Honda Civic, available since November 2015, was recently named AutoGuide.com 2016 Car of the Year. According to Colum Wood, AutoGuide group editorial director, “A car that’s this…
How innovative necessity and conservative thinking can work together to change your business and achieve future success. We’re still in the first few months of 2016. Each new year brings with it an arbitrary clean slate, a period of time…
How will it impact automotive repair shops? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its new air quality standards for ground level ozone. The level had been established at 75 parts per billion…
Should your customers fix their old cars or buy new ones? It depends on if they understand “cost of ownership.” Do you? By Pete Rudloff It’s not unusual to have a customer in my shop who is pondering whether to…
