Let’s face, your profit margins are consciously being squeezed. The way to combat this issue is to evolve into new products and services that are right at reach. Your collision shop is just another retail outlet; your business has much more potential than just changing a fender. The time to be nimble and creative is here. As with any retail center, the hardest part is getting the customer in the door. Once they have agreed for you to repair their vehicle, it is time to up sell them on numerous other products and services that they might desire. I have listed five ways to build your profit in this sagging economy.
• Rentals: Do you offer any rental service? Do you have a free loner vehicle? A free loner does not make you money, it might add as a customer value item, needed to get the job, but in reality that is not necessarily your business. Well, let’s make it your business; maybe have a few vehicles that you offer for $30/day. Maybe waive that fee to loyal customers. Many insurance polices have rental coverage, maybe it is time to get a piece of that pie. Or better yet, do not have any rentals, contact all your local rental agencies and create an affiliate program with them. See who will give you the best rates for your customers and what referral they will pay. I would set it up so the rental agency can pick up your customer right at your shop, this could create better customer service, alleviate you owning and renting vehicles, and make a few dollars.
• Value added products & services: This is where you need to think outside of the box. What kind of products can I sell this customer in need? 3M just came out with a great headlamp restoration system. You can polish the old composite headlamps to look like new, I am sure you could sell this to anyone with those fogged over yellow lamps. Seems like this could be somewhat of an easy sale. What about a vehicle polish, “exterior detail”? Here is an example; Hi Mr. customer, I notice that your vehicle’s finish is looking a little dull, for $79.99 we can polish your vehicle back as close as possible to the factory finish.
• Detail: Offer a $99.99 interior detail. Again, if it is viable and you have the space, do it in house. If it is not something you are interested in doing, start an affiliate program with a local detail company. I would contact all in the area and work something out. Have the detail company pick customer vehicle up and drop off. This way, you can collect the money from the customer at your detail rate, and pay the detail shop the rates you have worked out. I know this would be a good market, most people getting auto body repair work want they auto back in clean and as new condition as possible.
• Suppliers: Wither it is a parts supplier or materials supplier, you need to squeeze their profit margin as well. I would contact all my suppliers on a quarterly basis and see if they can give you a deal. I am not suggesting dropping old ones and adding new, but just see what they can do. It never hurts to ask. Competition in these markets are fierce, let those forces work for you. You are the customer in this situation. Keystone is a leader in remanufactured wheels and bumpers, but there are numerous others that compete against them, just see what the comparison is. The same goes for OEM parts suppliers, they are very cut throat. Just like it is challenging to get a customer in the shop, it is as challenging for a vender to get and retain you as a customer.
• Insurance Company Relations: Build your relationship with the insurance companies and appraisers. Wither you like it or not, insurance companies are your largest clientele. I am not suggesting any sort of “DRP” direct repair programs. I actually am a huge advocate against this sort of monopolistic rule. It is troublesome that the government allows this; these programs should be banned ASAP. Anyhow, I would work with the carriers and let them know we all have to make a living, if your walk in hourly rate is x dollars, that is what it is.
I hope that if anything, this article gets you to ponder all the revenue possibilities at hand. You own and operate a large retail center; with a little forward think you should be able to realize all the profit potential at hand. Once the customer is in your store, start selling them on all the other great products and services you offer. Affiliate programs I personally think work the best. Good luck. Please join our Auto Body Repair Industry talk at www.CrashChat.com
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Club Endorsment
Inspected a stolen and recovered vehicle today, this proves the club really works, just that in Detroit the club is used as leverage to tear off the steering wheel.
View more and get talking today,
www.CrashChat.com
Builit for all involved in the Collision Industry.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Auto Body Repair Industry in need of Unity
The auto body repair industry is in a major need of a communication overhaul. Seems everyday you hear one another bash each other. Wither it is a repair shop bashing an insurance company or an insurance company bashing a shop. We need to form a line of communications and avoid all this nonproductive yak. If you look at the whole picture, we are all in this together, and our job is to get the customers vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
My intentions of this article is to bond our industry, not hold hands and talk about our feelings, but get the pessimistic view cleared of each trading partner. Need to overhaul our communications to make the complete claims and repair process run more smoothly.
DRP (Direct Repair Programs); To start with, I think DRPS should be banned. Curbing and labor rate suppression are the two biggest issues at this time. DRPS can destroy a shop. This brings me to my first point of unity, unity within the auto body shop owners. If they where able to bond and refuse the direct repair programs than the marketplace would force the DRPS out, and go back to free markets, of which our great country was founded on. I know there are some good DRPS out there, but the majority are bad for business. I understand that the penetration with these programs have given some shops no choice, they need volume. By giving in, you make them stronger and you weaker. The old days where much better, better margins, etc.
Auto adjusters and the shop; Seems there is always some adomosity in this relationship. A shop’s objective is to repair the customers’ vehicle for a reasonable amount, via industry standards, and make some money. This is the same motive for any business. An insurance companies objective is to sell a customer a policy, if an accident occurs, put them in the position they where in prior to the accident. The conflict normally occurs in the adjuster and shop dealings. The adjuster writes an estimate according to the policy, industry, and state guidelines. The shop might do the same. The shop might review the adjuster’s estimate and just flat out say no way. This could be the result of many issues. An incompetent adjuster, there are numerous adjusters in the field with 0 days of shop experience. A shop has a hard to time trying to deal with someone that has never done the work they are expecting an experienced technician to perform. This is probably the most frustrating issue a shop deals with. Especially when it comes down to labor times on repairing panels. On the flip side, the adjuster feels that shops have lost most of their talents, and are pretty much just part changers. Adjuster’s might also feel, that the shop is trying to maximize there profits at their companies expense. What is wrong with that? That is what any good business does. This is assuming it is legitimate. What about alternative parts, sometimes the adjuster might find lower priced parts from vendors the shop does not use, this is hard to expect a shop to use an outside vendor. Especially if they have had problems with that vendor in the past.
Let’s get these issues resolved; there is such a mix of auto body shops out there. There are massive chains, mom & pop shops, and dealership shops. They are all ran differently, all have different objectives, and all compete with each other on some scale. DRPS, etc. First off, the body shop owners need to bond together and fight some of these ludicrous industry changes. If this does not start now, it is only going to get worse and worse, you margins will shrink and shrink. I was also reading about an insurance company in Texas that was buying shops, the law has since stopped them. But when will it end? The associations out there are helping, but seems like they need much more. Shops seem too independent, they need to get together.
Shops and adjusters; Shops need to be more descriptive with the adjusters. If problems arise, explain why you need the part or time. The shop needs to keep in mind; this adjuster is the one writing the check. Show the adjuster why this panel could not be repaired, or why this panel could be repaired. The first person that raises their voice losses. The adjuster needs to do the same, show the shop why they think this repair procedure is appropriate. There are numerous stories out there of shops throwing out adjusters, this will resolve nothing. Better to hash out the estimate and get working. The most important part of this whole transaction is the customer. If the shop decides they are not able to repair for the adjuster’s estimate, they should tell the adjuster to please move the vehicle off their property to another repair facility. If the adjuster is unable to resolve with the shop, it might be a good idea to see if the customer has any other repair facilities in mind. This obviously is for extreme situations. The bottom line is we need to all work together. We are all from different sides of the transaction, but need to realize we all need to make a living. Please share your stories and discussions on http://www.CrashChat.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
State Collision Association Directory
State Associations
Alabama
Alabama Collision Repairer Association
Phone: (334) 262-4656
IRBA Alabama
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Arizona
ASA Arizona
Phone: (800) 576-2963
www.asaaz.org
Arizona Collision Craftsmen’s Association
Phone: (480) 893-1222 ext. 20
www.az-cca.com
Arkansas
Arkansas Collision Repair Association
Phone: (501) 968-4471
California
Automotive Service Councils of California ASC
Phone: (916) 924-9054
www.ascca.com
East Bay Autobody Association CAA
Phone: (916) 646-8111
www.calautobody.com
Collision Repair Association of California
Phone: (916) 837-2362
www.cra-ca.com
Colorado
ASA Colorado
Phone: (303) 202-5231
www.asacolorado.org
Colorado Collision Association
Phone: (303) 791-0975
Connecticut
Auto Body Association of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 848-0534
www.abaconn.com
D.C.
Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
Phone: (202) 363-1858
www.wmaba.com
Delaware
AASP Pennsylvania & Delaware
Phone: (717) 564-8400
Florida
ASA Florida
Phone (800) 434-8372
www.fataonline.org
Georgia
ASA Georgia
Phone: (706) 832-7242
www.asagashop.org
Georgia Auto Body Association
Phone: (912) 743-1594
CRSA Collision Industry Association
Phone (706) 722-7222
www.cciagasc.org
Georgia Collision Industry Association
Phone: (779) 641-1810
www.gcia.org
Hawaii
Automotive Body Painting Association of Hawaii
Phone: (808) 553-6750
Idaho
Idaho Automotive Craftsmen Association
Phone: (208) 362-6611
Illinois
AASPI Illinois
Phone; (217) 528-5230
www.aaspi.org
Indiana
Indiana Auto Body Association
Phone: (317) 290-0611 ext. 88
Iowa
Iowa Collision Repair Association
Phone: (319) 560-8820
www.iowacra.com
Kansas
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
Kentucky
Automotive Service Council ASC of Kentucky
Phone: (502) 857-4284
www.ascky.org
Louisiana
ASA Baton Rouge
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
ASA New Orleans
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
Louisiana Collision Association
Phone: (281) 292-9058
Maine
AASP Maine
Phone: (207) 773-8560
Massachusetts
AASP Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Massachusetts Auto Body Association MABA
Phone: (800) 826-0593
www.massautobody.org
Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
Phone: (978) 562-5300
Michigan
ASA Michigan
Phone: (734) 354-9250
www.asamichigan.com
Minnesota
AASP Minnesota
Phone: (612) 623-1110
www.aaspmn.org
Mississippi
Mississippi Collision Repair Association
Phone: (601) 835-3377
Mississippi Auto Body Association
Phone: (601) 856-0700
Missouri
AASPI Missouri
Phone: (800) 288-3683
www.aasp-mo.org
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
SCRS Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 298-0146
www.scrsmokan.com
Missouri Collision Coalition
Phone: (816) 254-9900
Montana
Montana Collision Repair Specialists
Phone: (406) 652-1440
Nebraska
Nebraska Autobody Association
Phone: (402) 762-3362
www.nebraskaautobody.com
ASA Nebraska
Phone: (402) 434-6961
Nevada
Nevada Collision Industry Association NCIA
Phone: (702) 450-4822
New Hampshire
Automotive Collision Repair Services ACRS
Phone: (603) 886-1800
www.acrsnetwork.com
New Jersey
AASP NJ
Phone: (732) 269-9893
www.aaspnj.org
New York
AASP New York
Phone: (315) 455-1301
Autobody Craftsman Guild
Phone (718) 448-4075
New York Sate Automotive Collision Technicians Association NYSACTA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association LIABRA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Westchester – Putman – Rockland Auto Body Association
Phone: (914) 835-5688
North Carolina
ASA North Carolina
Phone: (919) 846-8799
www.asanc.org
Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina Inc. IGONC
Phone; (800) 243-1560
www.igonc.com
North Dakota
North Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone: (701) 475-2830
www.ndautobody.org
Ohio
ASA Ohio
Phone: (800) 441-6518
www.asaohio.org
ASA Greater Cleveland
Phone: (440) 449-3334
Ohio Body Shop Owners Association
Phone: (614) 589-OBOA
www.oba.net
Oklahoma
Fellowship of Concerned Repairers of Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 751-1337
Oregon
IABA Oregon
Phone; (336) 210-1947
Northwest Automotive Trades Association
Phone: (503) 253-9898
www.aboutnata.org
Oregon Auto Body Craftsman Association
Phone: (503) 252-4201
Oregon Collision Repair Specialists OCRS
Phone: (503) 250-1134
Pennsylvania
AASP Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org
Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild PCTG
Phone: (215) 342-1818
www.pctg.org
Rhode Island
ASA Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 942-5107
AASP Massachusetts – Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Auto Body Association of Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 467-7575
www.abari.net
South Carolina
ASA South Carolina
Phone (803) 736-1489
www.asasc.org
IABA South Carolina
Phone: (336) 210-1947
South Dakota
ASA South Dakota
Phone; (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
South Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone (605) 692-4024
Tennessee
IABA Tennessee
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Tennessee Collision Repairers Association
Phone; (731) 668-9263
Texas
ASE Texas
Phone: (830) 896-6842
www.asatx.org
IABA Texas
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Utah
Auto Body Owners of Utah
Phone: (801) 566-1215
Vermont
Vermont Auto Body Association
Phone: (802) 775-3777
www.vaba.org
Virginia
IABA Virginia
Phone: (336) 210-1947
VABA Virginia Auto Body Association
Phone: (804) 779-0611
Washington
Autobody Craftsman Association
Phone: (206) 575-8893
www.acanw.com
ASA Washington
Phone: (253) 473-6970
www.asawa.com
West Virginia
West Virginia Auto Body Repair Association
Phone: (304) 599-9545
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Auto Collision Technician Association
Phone; (800) 366-9472
www.wactal.com
Alabama
Alabama Collision Repairer Association
Phone: (334) 262-4656
IRBA Alabama
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Arizona
ASA Arizona
Phone: (800) 576-2963
www.asaaz.org
Arizona Collision Craftsmen’s Association
Phone: (480) 893-1222 ext. 20
www.az-cca.com
Arkansas
Arkansas Collision Repair Association
Phone: (501) 968-4471
California
Automotive Service Councils of California ASC
Phone: (916) 924-9054
www.ascca.com
East Bay Autobody Association CAA
Phone: (916) 646-8111
www.calautobody.com
Collision Repair Association of California
Phone: (916) 837-2362
www.cra-ca.com
Colorado
ASA Colorado
Phone: (303) 202-5231
www.asacolorado.org
Colorado Collision Association
Phone: (303) 791-0975
Connecticut
Auto Body Association of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 848-0534
www.abaconn.com
D.C.
Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
Phone: (202) 363-1858
www.wmaba.com
Delaware
AASP Pennsylvania & Delaware
Phone: (717) 564-8400
Florida
ASA Florida
Phone (800) 434-8372
www.fataonline.org
Georgia
ASA Georgia
Phone: (706) 832-7242
www.asagashop.org
Georgia Auto Body Association
Phone: (912) 743-1594
CRSA Collision Industry Association
Phone (706) 722-7222
www.cciagasc.org
Georgia Collision Industry Association
Phone: (779) 641-1810
www.gcia.org
Hawaii
Automotive Body Painting Association of Hawaii
Phone: (808) 553-6750
Idaho
Idaho Automotive Craftsmen Association
Phone: (208) 362-6611
Illinois
AASPI Illinois
Phone; (217) 528-5230
www.aaspi.org
Indiana
Indiana Auto Body Association
Phone: (317) 290-0611 ext. 88
Iowa
Iowa Collision Repair Association
Phone: (319) 560-8820
www.iowacra.com
Kansas
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
Kentucky
Automotive Service Council ASC of Kentucky
Phone: (502) 857-4284
www.ascky.org
Louisiana
ASA Baton Rouge
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
ASA New Orleans
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
Louisiana Collision Association
Phone: (281) 292-9058
Maine
AASP Maine
Phone: (207) 773-8560
Massachusetts
AASP Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Massachusetts Auto Body Association MABA
Phone: (800) 826-0593
www.massautobody.org
Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
Phone: (978) 562-5300
Michigan
ASA Michigan
Phone: (734) 354-9250
www.asamichigan.com
Minnesota
AASP Minnesota
Phone: (612) 623-1110
www.aaspmn.org
Mississippi
Mississippi Collision Repair Association
Phone: (601) 835-3377
Mississippi Auto Body Association
Phone: (601) 856-0700
Missouri
AASPI Missouri
Phone: (800) 288-3683
www.aasp-mo.org
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
SCRS Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 298-0146
www.scrsmokan.com
Missouri Collision Coalition
Phone: (816) 254-9900
Montana
Montana Collision Repair Specialists
Phone: (406) 652-1440
Nebraska
Nebraska Autobody Association
Phone: (402) 762-3362
www.nebraskaautobody.com
ASA Nebraska
Phone: (402) 434-6961
Nevada
Nevada Collision Industry Association NCIA
Phone: (702) 450-4822
New Hampshire
Automotive Collision Repair Services ACRS
Phone: (603) 886-1800
www.acrsnetwork.com
New Jersey
AASP NJ
Phone: (732) 269-9893
www.aaspnj.org
New York
AASP New York
Phone: (315) 455-1301
Autobody Craftsman Guild
Phone (718) 448-4075
New York Sate Automotive Collision Technicians Association NYSACTA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association LIABRA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Westchester – Putman – Rockland Auto Body Association
Phone: (914) 835-5688
North Carolina
ASA North Carolina
Phone: (919) 846-8799
www.asanc.org
Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina Inc. IGONC
Phone; (800) 243-1560
www.igonc.com
North Dakota
North Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone: (701) 475-2830
www.ndautobody.org
Ohio
ASA Ohio
Phone: (800) 441-6518
www.asaohio.org
ASA Greater Cleveland
Phone: (440) 449-3334
Ohio Body Shop Owners Association
Phone: (614) 589-OBOA
www.oba.net
Oklahoma
Fellowship of Concerned Repairers of Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 751-1337
Oregon
IABA Oregon
Phone; (336) 210-1947
Northwest Automotive Trades Association
Phone: (503) 253-9898
www.aboutnata.org
Oregon Auto Body Craftsman Association
Phone: (503) 252-4201
Oregon Collision Repair Specialists OCRS
Phone: (503) 250-1134
Pennsylvania
AASP Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org
Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild PCTG
Phone: (215) 342-1818
www.pctg.org
Rhode Island
ASA Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 942-5107
AASP Massachusetts – Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Auto Body Association of Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 467-7575
www.abari.net
South Carolina
ASA South Carolina
Phone (803) 736-1489
www.asasc.org
IABA South Carolina
Phone: (336) 210-1947
South Dakota
ASA South Dakota
Phone; (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
South Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone (605) 692-4024
Tennessee
IABA Tennessee
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Tennessee Collision Repairers Association
Phone; (731) 668-9263
Texas
ASE Texas
Phone: (830) 896-6842
www.asatx.org
IABA Texas
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Utah
Auto Body Owners of Utah
Phone: (801) 566-1215
Vermont
Vermont Auto Body Association
Phone: (802) 775-3777
www.vaba.org
Virginia
IABA Virginia
Phone: (336) 210-1947
VABA Virginia Auto Body Association
Phone: (804) 779-0611
Washington
Autobody Craftsman Association
Phone: (206) 575-8893
www.acanw.com
ASA Washington
Phone: (253) 473-6970
www.asawa.com
West Virginia
West Virginia Auto Body Repair Association
Phone: (304) 599-9545
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Auto Collision Technician Association
Phone; (800) 366-9472
www.wactal.com
State Collision Association Directory
State Associations
Alabama
Alabama Collision Repairer Association
Phone: (334) 262-4656
IRBA Alabama
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Arizona
ASA Arizona
Phone: (800) 576-2963
www.asaaz.org
Arizona Collision Craftsmen’s Association
Phone: (480) 893-1222 ext. 20
www.az-cca.com
Arkansas
Arkansas Collision Repair Association
Phone: (501) 968-4471
California
Automotive Service Councils of California ASC
Phone: (916) 924-9054
www.ascca.com
East Bay Autobody Association CAA
Phone: (916) 646-8111
www.calautobody.com
Collision Repair Association of California
Phone: (916) 837-2362
www.cra-ca.com
Colorado
ASA Colorado
Phone: (303) 202-5231
www.asacolorado.org
Colorado Collision Association
Phone: (303) 791-0975
Connecticut
Auto Body Association of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 848-0534
www.abaconn.com
D.C.
Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
Phone: (202) 363-1858
www.wmaba.com
Delaware
AASP Pennsylvania & Delaware
Phone: (717) 564-8400
Florida
ASA Florida
Phone (800) 434-8372
www.fataonline.org
Georgia
ASA Georgia
Phone: (706) 832-7242
www.asagashop.org
Georgia Auto Body Association
Phone: (912) 743-1594
CRSA Collision Industry Association
Phone (706) 722-7222
www.cciagasc.org
Georgia Collision Industry Association
Phone: (779) 641-1810
www.gcia.org
Hawaii
Automotive Body Painting Association of Hawaii
Phone: (808) 553-6750
Idaho
Idaho Automotive Craftsmen Association
Phone: (208) 362-6611
Illinois
AASPI Illinois
Phone; (217) 528-5230
www.aaspi.org
Indiana
Indiana Auto Body Association
Phone: (317) 290-0611 ext. 88
Iowa
Iowa Collision Repair Association
Phone: (319) 560-8820
www.iowacra.com
Kansas
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
Kentucky
Automotive Service Council ASC of Kentucky
Phone: (502) 857-4284
www.ascky.org
Louisiana
ASA Baton Rouge
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
ASA New Orleans
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
Louisiana Collision Association
Phone: (281) 292-9058
Maine
AASP Maine
Phone: (207) 773-8560
Massachusetts
AASP Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Massachusetts Auto Body Association MABA
Phone: (800) 826-0593
www.massautobody.org
Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
Phone: (978) 562-5300
Michigan
ASA Michigan
Phone: (734) 354-9250
www.asamichigan.com
Minnesota
AASP Minnesota
Phone: (612) 623-1110
www.aaspmn.org
Mississippi
Mississippi Collision Repair Association
Phone: (601) 835-3377
Mississippi Auto Body Association
Phone: (601) 856-0700
Missouri
AASPI Missouri
Phone: (800) 288-3683
www.aasp-mo.org
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
SCRS Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 298-0146
www.scrsmokan.com
Missouri Collision Coalition
Phone: (816) 254-9900
Montana
Montana Collision Repair Specialists
Phone: (406) 652-1440
Nebraska
Nebraska Autobody Association
Phone: (402) 762-3362
www.nebraskaautobody.com
ASA Nebraska
Phone: (402) 434-6961
Nevada
Nevada Collision Industry Association NCIA
Phone: (702) 450-4822
New Hampshire
Automotive Collision Repair Services ACRS
Phone: (603) 886-1800
www.acrsnetwork.com
New Jersey
AASP NJ
Phone: (732) 269-9893
www.aaspnj.org
New York
AASP New York
Phone: (315) 455-1301
Autobody Craftsman Guild
Phone (718) 448-4075
New York Sate Automotive Collision Technicians Association NYSACTA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association LIABRA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Westchester – Putman – Rockland Auto Body Association
Phone: (914) 835-5688
North Carolina
ASA North Carolina
Phone: (919) 846-8799
www.asanc.org
Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina Inc. IGONC
Phone; (800) 243-1560
www.igonc.com
North Dakota
North Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone: (701) 475-2830
www.ndautobody.org
Ohio
ASA Ohio
Phone: (800) 441-6518
www.asaohio.org
ASA Greater Cleveland
Phone: (440) 449-3334
Ohio Body Shop Owners Association
Phone: (614) 589-OBOA
www.oba.net
Oklahoma
Fellowship of Concerned Repairers of Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 751-1337
Oregon
IABA Oregon
Phone; (336) 210-1947
Northwest Automotive Trades Association
Phone: (503) 253-9898
www.aboutnata.org
Oregon Auto Body Craftsman Association
Phone: (503) 252-4201
Oregon Collision Repair Specialists OCRS
Phone: (503) 250-1134
Pennsylvania
AASP Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org
Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild PCTG
Phone: (215) 342-1818
www.pctg.org
Rhode Island
ASA Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 942-5107
AASP Massachusetts – Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Auto Body Association of Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 467-7575
www.abari.net
South Carolina
ASA South Carolina
Phone (803) 736-1489
www.asasc.org
IABA South Carolina
Phone: (336) 210-1947
South Dakota
ASA South Dakota
Phone; (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
South Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone (605) 692-4024
Tennessee
IABA Tennessee
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Tennessee Collision Repairers Association
Phone; (731) 668-9263
Texas
ASE Texas
Phone: (830) 896-6842
www.asatx.org
IABA Texas
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Utah
Auto Body Owners of Utah
Phone: (801) 566-1215
Vermont
Vermont Auto Body Association
Phone: (802) 775-3777
www.vaba.org
Virginia
IABA Virginia
Phone: (336) 210-1947
VABA Virginia Auto Body Association
Phone: (804) 779-0611
Washington
Autobody Craftsman Association
Phone: (206) 575-8893
www.acanw.com
ASA Washington
Phone: (253) 473-6970
www.asawa.com
West Virginia
West Virginia Auto Body Repair Association
Phone: (304) 599-9545
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Auto Collision Technician Association
Phone; (800) 366-9472
www.wactal.com
Alabama
Alabama Collision Repairer Association
Phone: (334) 262-4656
IRBA Alabama
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Arizona
ASA Arizona
Phone: (800) 576-2963
www.asaaz.org
Arizona Collision Craftsmen’s Association
Phone: (480) 893-1222 ext. 20
www.az-cca.com
Arkansas
Arkansas Collision Repair Association
Phone: (501) 968-4471
California
Automotive Service Councils of California ASC
Phone: (916) 924-9054
www.ascca.com
East Bay Autobody Association CAA
Phone: (916) 646-8111
www.calautobody.com
Collision Repair Association of California
Phone: (916) 837-2362
www.cra-ca.com
Colorado
ASA Colorado
Phone: (303) 202-5231
www.asacolorado.org
Colorado Collision Association
Phone: (303) 791-0975
Connecticut
Auto Body Association of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 848-0534
www.abaconn.com
D.C.
Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
Phone: (202) 363-1858
www.wmaba.com
Delaware
AASP Pennsylvania & Delaware
Phone: (717) 564-8400
Florida
ASA Florida
Phone (800) 434-8372
www.fataonline.org
Georgia
ASA Georgia
Phone: (706) 832-7242
www.asagashop.org
Georgia Auto Body Association
Phone: (912) 743-1594
CRSA Collision Industry Association
Phone (706) 722-7222
www.cciagasc.org
Georgia Collision Industry Association
Phone: (779) 641-1810
www.gcia.org
Hawaii
Automotive Body Painting Association of Hawaii
Phone: (808) 553-6750
Idaho
Idaho Automotive Craftsmen Association
Phone: (208) 362-6611
Illinois
AASPI Illinois
Phone; (217) 528-5230
www.aaspi.org
Indiana
Indiana Auto Body Association
Phone: (317) 290-0611 ext. 88
Iowa
Iowa Collision Repair Association
Phone: (319) 560-8820
www.iowacra.com
Kansas
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
Kentucky
Automotive Service Council ASC of Kentucky
Phone: (502) 857-4284
www.ascky.org
Louisiana
ASA Baton Rouge
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
ASA New Orleans
Phone (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
Louisiana Collision Association
Phone: (281) 292-9058
Maine
AASP Maine
Phone: (207) 773-8560
Massachusetts
AASP Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Massachusetts Auto Body Association MABA
Phone: (800) 826-0593
www.massautobody.org
Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
Phone: (978) 562-5300
Michigan
ASA Michigan
Phone: (734) 354-9250
www.asamichigan.com
Minnesota
AASP Minnesota
Phone: (612) 623-1110
www.aaspmn.org
Mississippi
Mississippi Collision Repair Association
Phone: (601) 835-3377
Mississippi Auto Body Association
Phone: (601) 856-0700
Missouri
AASPI Missouri
Phone: (800) 288-3683
www.aasp-mo.org
ASA Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 781-5801
www.asamokan.org
SCRS Missouri Kansas
Phone: (816) 298-0146
www.scrsmokan.com
Missouri Collision Coalition
Phone: (816) 254-9900
Montana
Montana Collision Repair Specialists
Phone: (406) 652-1440
Nebraska
Nebraska Autobody Association
Phone: (402) 762-3362
www.nebraskaautobody.com
ASA Nebraska
Phone: (402) 434-6961
Nevada
Nevada Collision Industry Association NCIA
Phone: (702) 450-4822
New Hampshire
Automotive Collision Repair Services ACRS
Phone: (603) 886-1800
www.acrsnetwork.com
New Jersey
AASP NJ
Phone: (732) 269-9893
www.aaspnj.org
New York
AASP New York
Phone: (315) 455-1301
Autobody Craftsman Guild
Phone (718) 448-4075
New York Sate Automotive Collision Technicians Association NYSACTA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association LIABRA
Phone: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com
Westchester – Putman – Rockland Auto Body Association
Phone: (914) 835-5688
North Carolina
ASA North Carolina
Phone: (919) 846-8799
www.asanc.org
Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina Inc. IGONC
Phone; (800) 243-1560
www.igonc.com
North Dakota
North Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone: (701) 475-2830
www.ndautobody.org
Ohio
ASA Ohio
Phone: (800) 441-6518
www.asaohio.org
ASA Greater Cleveland
Phone: (440) 449-3334
Ohio Body Shop Owners Association
Phone: (614) 589-OBOA
www.oba.net
Oklahoma
Fellowship of Concerned Repairers of Oklahoma
Phone: (405) 751-1337
Oregon
IABA Oregon
Phone; (336) 210-1947
Northwest Automotive Trades Association
Phone: (503) 253-9898
www.aboutnata.org
Oregon Auto Body Craftsman Association
Phone: (503) 252-4201
Oregon Collision Repair Specialists OCRS
Phone: (503) 250-1134
Pennsylvania
AASP Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org
Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild PCTG
Phone: (215) 342-1818
www.pctg.org
Rhode Island
ASA Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 942-5107
AASP Massachusetts – Rhode Island
Phone: (978) 430-9214
www.aaspmari.org
Auto Body Association of Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 467-7575
www.abari.net
South Carolina
ASA South Carolina
Phone (803) 736-1489
www.asasc.org
IABA South Carolina
Phone: (336) 210-1947
South Dakota
ASA South Dakota
Phone; (800) 272-7467 ext. 213
South Dakota Auto Body Association
Phone (605) 692-4024
Tennessee
IABA Tennessee
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Tennessee Collision Repairers Association
Phone; (731) 668-9263
Texas
ASE Texas
Phone: (830) 896-6842
www.asatx.org
IABA Texas
Phone: (336) 210-1947
Utah
Auto Body Owners of Utah
Phone: (801) 566-1215
Vermont
Vermont Auto Body Association
Phone: (802) 775-3777
www.vaba.org
Virginia
IABA Virginia
Phone: (336) 210-1947
VABA Virginia Auto Body Association
Phone: (804) 779-0611
Washington
Autobody Craftsman Association
Phone: (206) 575-8893
www.acanw.com
ASA Washington
Phone: (253) 473-6970
www.asawa.com
West Virginia
West Virginia Auto Body Repair Association
Phone: (304) 599-9545
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Auto Collision Technician Association
Phone; (800) 366-9472
www.wactal.com
National Collision Association Directory
National Collision Associations
Networking and discussion for the auto body repair industry. Body shops, technicians, appraisers, estimators, adjusters, and anyone involved in the industry is welcome.
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP)
Phone: (651) 265-7853
www.autoserviceproviders.com
Automotive Service Association (ASA)
Phone: (800) 272-7467
www.asashop.org
Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE)
Phone: (877) 770-7743
www.theccre.com
Collision Industry Relief
Phone: (888) 667-7743
www.collisionindustryrelief.com
Independent Auto Body Association (IABA)
Phone: (336) 210-1947
www.autobodyassn.com
National Association of PDR Technicians (NAPDRT)
www.napdrt.org
National Auto Body Council (NABC)
Phone: (888) 667-0433
www.autobodycouncil.org
National Collision Industry Alliance (NCIA)
Phone: (402) 762-5510
www.nationalcia.com
NASFT Collision Repair Committee
Phone: (703) 669-6600
www.nastf.orh
Society of Collision Repair Committee
Phone: (877) 841-0660
www.scrs.com
U.S. Alliance of Collision Professionals
www.usacp.org
Networking and discussion for the auto body repair industry. Body shops, technicians, appraisers, estimators, adjusters, and anyone involved in the industry is welcome.
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP)
Phone: (651) 265-7853
www.autoserviceproviders.com
Automotive Service Association (ASA)
Phone: (800) 272-7467
www.asashop.org
Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE)
Phone: (877) 770-7743
www.theccre.com
Collision Industry Relief
Phone: (888) 667-7743
www.collisionindustryrelief.com
Independent Auto Body Association (IABA)
Phone: (336) 210-1947
www.autobodyassn.com
National Association of PDR Technicians (NAPDRT)
www.napdrt.org
National Auto Body Council (NABC)
Phone: (888) 667-0433
www.autobodycouncil.org
National Collision Industry Alliance (NCIA)
Phone: (402) 762-5510
www.nationalcia.com
NASFT Collision Repair Committee
Phone: (703) 669-6600
www.nastf.orh
Society of Collision Repair Committee
Phone: (877) 841-0660
www.scrs.com
U.S. Alliance of Collision Professionals
www.usacp.org
Friday, September 12, 2008
Auto body repair business marketing for less than $100 a year.
There are ups and downs in any sort of business, follow these five marketing strategies to keep a steady flow of business. I have been in the auto body repair business for over 16 years, and have done countless studies on the marketing of this type of business. I have formulated five steps plan that costs less than $100 a year to run.
• Step one, build a website. Have a functioning website. I hope that a majority of shop owners have completed this step years ago. But if not, do not worry, technology costs have dropped. You can use a simple premade template site, add photos, contact information, and have it up and running in less than a few hours. You can buy a domain (example.com) from numerous providers. I would recommend GoDaddy.com; they offer great customer service and numerous website templates. You can buy a domain for as little as $7.00. Please, refrain from any domain not a dot com; avoid .net, .us, etc. These tried hard to work, but dot com is the easiest and most recognized. You can host a simple site for as little as $4.00 a month. Studies show that consumers are not using the phone book anymore that is history. People go onto the internet and type in a search engine what they are looking for. An example is as follows, I need some auto body repair work done, I am new to this area, go to www.google.com and type “auto body repair”; it would pop up numerous ads in the surrounding area. If your ad is not there, you are not going to get that call. So step one, get a good looking website.
• Step two, list with major search engines. Now that you have your auto body repair site up and running, list it with some major search engines. This is free, takes less than a minute, and will get you great results. I would list with Google, Yahoo, MSN; these are probably all you need. Just type in the search box, list url on Google, Yahoo, and MSN. That should bring up the submission pages. Submit your site and wait. It can take up to three months for your site to be indexed. No need to be disappointed, it all takes time.
• Step three, list with directories or classifieds. Every heard of www.CraigsList.com ? This is one of the highest traffic sites on the internet. Will work wonders for your shop, and is free. Takes less than three minutes to post an add. You obviously would post your shop information under, services – automotive. Cragislist is meant for local areas, so best to only list in your areas, if you attempt to list all over the country, your account will be deleted. Another great local site is www.LaborTrader.com This site has numerous areas for your listings, listings are by county. You could list all of your services, auto glass, body repair, towing, mechanical, etc. Labortrader.com also has a great contract system, you are able to get all your work in writing, and a rating system, LaborTrader.com also is completely free. Make sure when you list on these sites to also list your website, it will be linked to your listing page. This will direct interested customers to your site if they desire more information.
• Step four, get connected via message boards. There are message boards and forums for pretty much every industry. CrashChat, www.CrashChat.com was just started and is strictly for the networking and discussion of the auto body repair industry. Get talking and connect with others in the auto body repair field. Keep in mind; we are all in this together. Let’s help each other out. Spread our knowledge. There will also be a directory soon, to where you will be able to list your body shop, towing facility, etc. When using forums and message boards, make sure to list your website address. Let your address get spread around, get people interested.
• Step five, start an email campaign. This is not nearly as hard as it sounds. What you need to do is start collecting customer’s emails. If the customer or user gives you permission, that is called “opt in” and you will be able to send them information pertaining to your business. You could collect emails from customers visiting your shop, or put a sign up list on your website. Again, as long as the email addresses you are sending information to are “opt in” this is not considered spam, and you have a great marketing tool. I would not bombard customers with random information, but send them a monthly email with all your specials, changes, updates, etc. A great email marketing campaign is offered through GoDaddy. Again, Godaddy is easy to use and there customer service is stellar.
Please follow these five steps, see if it can help your auto body repair business advertising campaign. Consistent marketing is needed to stay afloat in any business. Rome was not built in one day, give a try and do not give up. Please also share your stories and anything to do with the auto body repair industry at www.CrashChat.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
