Ahhh, Summertime!

Summertime is typically a time of year folks look forward to. For most, it is a time to kick back, relax and enjoy. For those of us in the collision repair business, it is a time of year that can be a bit unsettling and worrisome, especially after a winter that was unusually low in snowfall totals and other foul weather that typically leads to an increase in collision losses. When we come out of a winter which leads to a shorter backlog of work and future appointments, we have the tendency to change up what we have been doing in our business, but not always in a good way. What do you have planned for your shop in the next few months? Here are a few suggestions that could prove to be very beneficial and help you set the foundation for great success in the future.

Just as important as catching your breath when there’s a bit of a lull is using the “downtime” for some quality self-assessment to strategically prepare your business for greater success in the future. First on your list should be an assessment of the items we tend to complain about the most (and have the absolute power to change), but tend to fear the most to actually take action to correct. This statement does NOT apply to everyone. Obviously, this is a matter of the rates each shop chooses to charge for the work they perform and based on one’s own business expenses. As mentioned, this does not apply to everyone because more and more shops have been evaluating the effects of the historic

Staff

PUBLISHER

Thomas Greco | thomas@grecopublishing.com

VICE PRESIDENT/SALES DIRECTOR

Alicia Figurelli | alicia@grecopublishing.com

EDITORIAL/CREATIVE COORDINATOR

Alana Quartuccio | alana@grecopublishing.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Donna Greco | donna@grecopublishing.com

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Joe Greco | joe@grecopublishing.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Chasidy Rae Sisk | chasidy@grecopublishing.com

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.

244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110

Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963 www.grecopublishing.com

@grecopublishing rise in CPI we have experienced and have started adjusting their rates accordingly. These same shops have made the independent business decision, when insurance appraisers fail to negotiate based upon that individual shop’s posted labor rates, to charge the vehicle owner a copay, representing the failure of their insurer to fully indemnify them by covering the full cost of repairs.

Day in and day out, shops have been proving to themselves that they can get paid fairly and properly for the work they perform. Through an educational discussion with their customers, they know they can justify why a copay has become necessary. They prove to themselves that their customers understand and are willing to pay for a quality repair, even if their insurer will not cover the full cost. These same customers, armed with the knowledge provided to them by their shops, are successful in obtaining reimbursement from their own or the third-party insurer in many instances. Consider using the “summer lull” to fine-tune your salesmanship and that of your staff to promote safe professional repairs performed by well-trained and equipped technicians versus having your customers be steered to a shop that has elected to sign a contract potentially giving away some of the customer’s rights to the insurer regarding the cost of safe repairs. You may even want continued on pg. 40

ZONE

John Studer

Dan Wenzel

Affiliate Director

Al Correia

Brent Dabrosca

C.J. Ellis

Jimmy Kelsey

Russ Oagles

Begin

AASP/MA Executive Director

Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg

Andrew Potter Brian Stone

Affiliate Directors Mike Nawrocki

McColl Rhodes

AASP/MA Administrative Assistant

Alana Quartuccio

ZONE 4 Kevin Kyes

Dean Luther

Jeff White

Affiliate Directors

J.R. Force

Simon Frietas

Jayce Mitchell

Gregg Tanguay

Scott Varney

P. O. Box 850210 Braintree, MA 02185 617-574-0741

Membership Application 2023-2024

Please complete this form and return to our office via mail, email or fax with your dues payment. Thank You!

BUSINESS INFORMATION

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I hereby make this application for membership with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of MA (AASP/ MA) for membership dues 2023-2024 as provided for in this contract.

*Membership Dues are for a twelve-month period commencing on your anniversary month of membership.

RECOMMENDED BY:__________________ FROM BUSINESS NAME: ___________________