New Jersey Automotive January 2017 by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS/NEW JERSEY (www.AASPNJ.org) AND THE AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY (www.ARANJ.org)

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P.O. Box 734 Neptune, NJ 07753 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Charles Bryant 732-922-8909 / setlit4u@msn.com 2015 - 2017 OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jeff McDowell, Leslie’s Auto Body 732-738-1948 / chacki@aol.com COLLISION CHAIRMAN Jerry McNee, Ultimate Collision Repair, Inc. 732-494-1900 / ultimatecollision@att.net MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN Keith Krehel, Krehel Automotive Repair, Inc. 973-546-2828 / krehelauto@aol.com

VOLUME 47, NUMBER 1 | January 2017

CONTENTS 10 OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES 12 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 14 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

20 22 28 70

COLLISION CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE ABD HOLIDAY PARTY HIGHLIGHTS I-CAR CALENDAR NJA ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

TREASURER Tom Elder, Compact Kars, Inc. 609-259-6373 / compactkars@aol.com SECRETARY Thomas Greco, Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 973-667-6922 / thomas@grecopublishing.com BOARD Dennis Cataldo, Jr., D&M Auto Body 732-251-4313 / jr@dnmautobody.com Dave Laganella, Peters Body and Fender 201-337-1200 / petersbandf@gmail.com Sam Mikhail, Prestige Auto Body 908-789-2020 / mikhail@goldcar.com Ted Rainer, Ocean Bay Auto Body 732-899-7900 / ted@oceanbayautobody.com Anthony Sauta, East Coast Auto Body 732-869-9999 / ecabofnj@aol.com Randy Scoras, Holmdel Auto Body 732-946-8388 / randy@holmdelautobody.com Anthony Trama, Bloomfield Auto Body 973-748-2608 / anthony@bloomfieldautobody.com BOARD ALLIED Joe Amato, The Amato Agency 732-530-6740 / joesr@amatoagency.com Mike Kaufmann, Advantage Dealer Services 973-332-7014 / mkaufmann@advantageds.com PAST PRESIDENT ATTENDING Tom Elder, Compact Kars 609-259-6373 / compactkars@aol.com

NORTHEAST® SPOTLIGHT 30 Certification, Mike Anderson to Highlight 40th Annual NORTHEAST LOCAL NEWS 34 Kearny High School Takes Fourth Place in Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” 38 Ocean Bay Auto Body Tech Awarded Russ Robson Scholarship 42 Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders Spreads Holiday Cheer AASP/NJ MEMBER SHOP PROFILE 46 Fanelli Brothers Auto Body, LLC: From the Bank to the Body Shop

50 COVER STORY by Joel Gausten The Threat Returns: Inside PartsTrader’s Shocking Expansion LEGAL PERSPECTIVE by Mitchell H. Portnoi, Esq. 56 Civil versus Criminal Trial Work NO BRAKES by Ron Ananian 62 Truth and Consequences

PUBLISHER Thomas Greco (thomas@grecopublishing.com) SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli (alicia@grecopublishing.com) EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joel Gausten (joel@grecopublishing.com) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lea Velocci (lea@grecopublishing.com) OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco (donna@grecopublishing.com)

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 64 Wharton Insurance Briefs THE LIST 68 What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Charles Bryant • Mario DeFilippis • Jeff McDowell Mitch Portnoi • Ron Ananian • Keith Krehel Jerry McNee Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110 Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963

NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published monthly and is sent to AASP/NJ and ARANJ members free of charge. Subscriptions are $24 per year. NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc., 244 Chestnut St., Nutley, NJ 07110. The editorial contents of NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE are copyright © 2017 by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher and/or editor. Articles in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. Cover and Stock Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com.

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OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES

LEGACY There’s been a lot of talk recently about legacies, particularly from President Obama. In fact, he spent about six months referencing them while on the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton. Unfortunately for him, the results of the election aren’t really a good sign for our current Commander in Chief’s legacy. Think about it. What is a legacy? Is it all about your accomplishments, or is it just what people think of you? Do you ever think about it? After all, we all are going to leave a legacy in one way or another. Anyone can have a legacy – doctors, rock stars, movie stars, lawyers (hey, I never said all legacies were good), postal workers, moms, dads, small business owners, even publishers. But since I started this with President Obama, I figured we’d stick with presidents for this piece. Let’s start at the very beginning. Washington? Father

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by THOMAS GRECO, PUBLISHER

of our country. Lincoln? Abolishing slavery. FDR? WWII. Truman? Hiroshima. Eisenhower? Although he was a president, his legacy will always be his accomplishments as a general. JFK? Sadly, that day in Dallas haunts anyone who knows history, and it overshadows Cuba and the Bay of Pigs. LBJ? Despite the Great Society and civil rights, his legacy comes down to one word: Vietnam. Nixon? Amazing on foreign policy, but it doesn’t matter. His legacy will forever be Watergate. Ford? Ummm. I guess Chevy Chase. Carter? He has done a lot of things post-presidency, but his legacy will always be looked upon as ineffectiveness. Reagan? Ending the Cold War. Bush Sr.? His legacy is more attached to his family than anything he did during his short tenure. Bill Clinton? Internet boom? Economy growth? Peace? NOPE. His legacy will always be Monica Lewinsky. W.? Iraq. Back to Obama. Objectively, it’s hard to say, because we are so close to it. Twenty years from now, will we look back and talk about Obamacare or getting out of a recession or the division in the country? Wrong or right, despite his success or failures, I think his legacy will be that of being the first African American to be president. The fact that this has nothing to do with anything he accomplished in his eight years is probably not a good thing. (Of course, that’s my opinion. I’m sure it means something much more to those who voted for him.) It really isn’t much more than having the legacy of being the first reality television star to be elected president. Both legacies are based on labels, not accomplishments. That’s not good for a president or the country. But I have higher hopes for President Trump, just as I had for Obama. I guess only time will tell. Me? Well, of course I feel I accomplished a lot in my 56 years. But my legacy will not be what has been written on the pages of this magazine, nor will it be in any of the material possessions I have obtained throughout my lifetime. My legacy rests in the hearts and the memories of my children, my loved ones and my friends. I’m good with that. What about your legacy? NJA

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A REPAIR INDUSTRY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION All it takes is a look through the pages of this month’s issue to know we’re starting off 2017 with a bang in this industry. Most notably, State Farm’s recalculation of Labor Rates in our area has hit local shops hard, and the insurer continues to make headlines throughout the trade press as defendants in various lawsuits across the country. Of course, there are numerous concerns in addition to insurer/shop relations on the minds of collision repairers these days, but I for one am staying optimistic. Why? Because I’m doing everything I can to try and keep up with whatever comes my way. The old saying is true: Knowledge is power. Arm yourself with information; that’s the best tool in your arsenal to stay ahead of any struggles you’re facing in the shop. If you’re not receiving reimbursement for the proper amount of hours on a particular process, do your research and check places like the DEG (degweb.org) to rectify the situation. If you’re facing a hard time with an insurer who tries to tell you that they “don’t pay for that,” make sure you’re in possession of the OEM position statements on the operation you’re trying to perform; this will educate the insurer on the necessity of the job being done. If

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by JEFF MCDOWELL

you’re worried about the future of our industry in the face of advanced material repair, manufacturer certification, consolidation, knowing your numbers or anything else related to collision repair, block off March 17-19 on your calendar and make a weekend out of attending AASP/NJ’s 40th Annual NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show. If you’re looking for information (not to mention industryleading exhibitors and unmatched local networking opportunities), look no further than the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus for AASP/NJ’s flagship event. The bottom line is, if you don’t stay educated, you will be left in the dust. Whether that’s not receiving what you’re owed to stay in business or not being able to actually work on the technologically advanced vehicles coming into your shop, keeping up with the industry begins and ends with you. Make it your New Year’s resolution to commit to staying informed. Happy New Year to all AASP/NJ members and supporters! On behalf of the association, I wish you all a happy, healthy and successful 2017. NJA

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

A BLATANT SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE COLLISION INDUSTRY! Back in November 2015, State Farm announced that they were refining certain market boundaries that were utilized to determine prevailing competitive prices to align them with government-defined market areas. This change resulted in State Farm increasing Labor Rates in certain areas of New Jersey and decreasing them in others. It appears that the rates went up substantially from Ocean County northward (with the exception of Warren County). In those areas, we received reports that State Farm would increase their Labor Rate for collision repairs by an average of $15 per hour. At that time, we also received reports that State Farm would begin accepting the use of a paint and material cost accounting program, and that the insurer had also increased the markup they would pay on used parts by 10 percent. State Farm had continued to pay these rates in the areas referenced above, accept the use of a paint and material cost accounting program and pay the additional 10 percent on used parts until December 5, 2016. On that day, State Farm appraisers began informing members of AASP/ NJ that they would no longer honor the rates that they had been paying for the past year and would no longer accept the use of a paint and material cost accounting program. Instead, they would be going back to the ridiculous dollar-figure-perpaint hour formula. They also said they would no longer honor the additional markup on used parts that they had been paying for the past year or so. In fact, it has been reported that the shops were informed that State Farm is basically rolling things back to where they were 12 months ago.

by CHARLES BRYANT

In all my years of being involved in the auto body field, this was one of the most – if not the most – disturbing displays of blatant disrespect for the collision industry that I have ever heard.

It has since been confirmed that the State Farm Auto Repair Facility Survey will no longer be utilized in the areas of New Jersey referenced earlier – as well as in other sections of New York and Pennsylvania – to determine what State Farm will pay for auto body repairs. The amount will now be established by what they refer to as “analyzing the cost of vehicle repairs for insurance work in claims.” When I first heard of this, I thought it was an unsubstantiated rumor (and I even told one member to not believe everything you hear). I really thought that someone was playing a trick on the shop that was reporting this; however, within minutes, my phone started to ring off

14 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

the hook with members informing me of the same news. In all my years of being involved in the auto body field, this was one of the most – if not the most – disturbing displays of blatant disrespect for the collision industry that I have ever heard. For many years, State Farm has been the main auto insurer that claims to base what they pay per hour for collision repairs on their own Labor Rate Survey. As I said earlier, State Farm announced in 2015 that they were refining certain market boundaries utilized to determine prevailing competitive prices to align with government-defined market areas. As far as I know, no one asked State

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Farm to do this. It was their own decision, and the rates that resulted were obviously based on the data found in their Survey at that time. State Farm had also stated that when 51 percent of the shops in the Survey requested the use of a paint and material cost accounting program, they would begin accepting such a program. The number of shops requesting the use of a paint and material cost accounting program in the State Farm Survey (at least in the northern region where the Labor Rates went up to $65) rose to 51 percent back in November of 2015. It should also be noted that other insurers began to negotiate their Labor Rates as well because State Farm has been seen as the trendsetter due largely to their well-advertised Survey. Now, as I understand it, State Farm is no longer going to utilize the Auto Repair Facility Survey in the areas previously mentioned. Unless I am misinformed, the Survey will still be used in all other areas of the United States to determine what State Farm will be paying for repairs. If that is the case, it would appear blatantly clear that State Farm is simply unhappy with the higher rates that their own Survey is calling for in these particular areas. If it is correct that State Farm is only eliminating the use of the Survey in the areas where it caused the rates to go up in November of 2015, the credibility of the whole process is shot. It appears obvious that State Farm is attempting to cherry-pick the results of the Survey that they feel allows them to hold down the rates and eliminate the parts that call for these amounts to be higher. Now, to further substantiate why this is so wrong, I would point to the issue of what is commonly referred to as “usual and customary.” For as long as I can remember, when a disagreement occurred between a collision shop and an insurer (including State Farm) on a Labor Rate issue, the insurer’s position has constantly been that they would only pay what is “usual and customary.” Well, by State Farm paying the new rates in

the areas referenced in this article, as established by their Survey over and over again to multiple collision shops for over a year, they themselves established what is usual and customary – and that certainly includes the higher Labor Rates and the use of a paint and material cost accounting program. In other words, State Farm basically established the market rate, but they are now attempting to turn back time and undo it all. The main problem that I see with State Farm’s recent move is that it would certainly rise to a level of what could very well be considered an act of bad faith. In New Jersey (like other states including New York and Pennsylvania), we have regulations that require insurers to act in good faith and fair dealing during the settlement of claims. In fact, the regulations in New Jersey make it clear that if an insurer exercises their right to inspect a damaged vehicle, they must do so within seven working days, commence negotiations and make a good faith offer of settlement. The regulations further require that the negotiations be conducted in good faith with the goal of promptly reaching an agreed price to repair the vehicle. See the regulation below: N.J.A.C. 11:3-10.3 Adjustment of partial losses If the insurer intends to exercise its right to inspect, or cause to be inspected by an independent appraiser, damages prior to repair, the insurer shall have seven working days following receipt of notice of loss to inspect the insured’s damaged vehicle, which is available for inspection, at a place and time reasonably convenient to the insured; commence negotiations; and make a good faith offer of settlement. (b) Negotiations must be conducted in good faith, with the basic goal of promptly arriving at an agreed price. Early in negotiations, the insurer must inform and confirm in writing to the insured or the insured’s designated representative all deductions that

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will be made from the agreed price, including the amount of applicable deductible. State Farm can’t have it both ways. They can’t pay a Labor Rate that they claim was based on a survey that they themselves created for over a year, then one day walk into a collision shop and say they are no longer going to pay the rate that they have paid for all along. They are the ones who have caused it to become the usual and customary rate. Likewise, State Farm cannot accept the use of a paint and material cost accounting program (that they started using because their own Survey shows that at least 51 percent of the shops requested it), and then one day walk into a collision shop and refuse to accept it and still be in compliance with the good faith provision in the regulations governing the settlement of claims. In fact, I don’t think one could stage a better example of bad faith than what State Farm is attempting to do here. At the present time, we are preparing a complaint to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance with examples of the bad faith actions in an attempt to get the Department to intervene and convince State Farm to reconsider their stand. If this bad faith action is not resolved by the Department getting involved to enforce the good faith provisions in the regulations (or by State Farm reconsidering their position), we will be forced to consider all other options available to protect our members from being abused. (By the way, I do not have a lot of confidence that the Department will do anything to help resolve this issue, but we need to make the effort just in case. I say this because I have seen our members get blown off by the Department when they seek its assistance in resolving a blatantly abusive practice by an insurer. In fact, lately it appears that the Department is more interested in protecting the insurers than protecting the public from being abused.) About a year ago when State Farm announced that they would be

paying these new rates, accepting the use of a valid paint and material cost accounting program and increasing the markup on used parts, many AASP/NJ members called me to express their opinions on the changes that were finally happening and that the relief they have been dreaming of had finally arrived. Members of the industry perceived this change in State Farm’s actions as a sign that the collision industry was finally on the way to getting paid somewhat close to a fair and reasonable Labor Rate for their services after this amount was artificially suppressed for years. It would be safe to say that collision shop owners relied on State Farm’s commitment to pay the new rates (and accept a valid method of calculating paint and material cost) when it came time to give an employee a raise or order more training and equipment. As I understand it, the concept of quasi estoppel would prevent State Farm from now rolling back the rates because the collision industry had come to reasonably rely on State Farm’s assertion that these were the new rates from that point forward. This is especially true because State Farm did not make the change and then quickly roll it back. They have continued to pay these new rates and accept the use of a paint and material cost accounting program for well over a year. On top of that, other insurers have moved on their rates as the result of what State Farm did as well. The reality is that State Farm established the market rate they would pay for collision repairs by raising the amounts based on their own findings and continuing to pay the new figures over and over for more than a year. The bottom line is that this is more of an attack on the State Farm insureds than on the collision industry. I am hearing that many shops are taking the position that State Farm will be responsible for explaining to their customers why they are going to be charged the extra cost to repair out of their pocket, because many of the shops are simply going to charge the customer the difference.

In the meantime, AASP/NJ is working diligently to determine the best approach of addressing this unfair situation. Members of this association can rest assured that we will not sit silently and allow this type of abuse to stand. Maybe it’s time to put pressure on the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance to do its job and provide the insureds protection against this trend. Maybe it’s time to turn to the courts to seek assistance.

Maybe it’s time to unite the industry and create legislation that not only addresses this type of abuse, but the many other abuses that insurers have been getting away with for way too long. One thing is for sure – we will be pursuing every possible avenue to right this injustice. Please stay tuned for updates on this issue. If anyone wants to discuss anything in this article, I can be reached on the AASP/NJ Hot Line at (732) 922-8909. NJA

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COLLISION CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

A LABOR RATE INSULT Last month, word spread like wildfire throughout our industry that State Farm had decided to stop using

its Auto Repair Facility Survey to help determine auto body Labor Rates in areas of New Jersey, New York and

20 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

Pennsylvania. What does this mean for shops in this state? Well, it looks like a $15-$16 decrease in the Labor Rate could soon be a reality. For many, the insurer’s announcement that it will now reportedly calculate rates based on “analyzing the cost of vehicle repairs” in claims added a layer of stress and concern during what should have been a relaxing and festive holiday season. In my opinion, this latest move by State Farm is a major step backwards for shops in the affected areas. Clearly, our relationship with State Farm is not evolving here. This is not a “partnership;” this is a dictatorship. If you read New Jersey Automotive on a regular basis, you know that there are some major technological changes hitting the automotive industry. Just think about what we’ve had to face in the last few years. Waterborne paint, aluminum, pre- and post-repair scanning…These are some of the things we’ve had to educate ourselves on and work to implement in our businesses. Guess what? There is a cost associated with training and equipping our techs to handle this work, and we need and deserve a reasonable ROI. How in the world does a Labor Rate decrease like the one State Farm is looking to pull off help us stay current with technology? Aren’t we stretching our finances enough already? State Farm is the only insurer I know of that has a survey for Labor Rates. In this case, they implemented the findings and then reneged on them in certain areas about a year later. That is insane to me. We’re no longer able to sit back

by JERRY MCNEE

and take this from an insurer. Now is the time to make carriers justify how they come up with their prevailing market rates. I’m tired of being told to take it or leave it when it comes to what an insurer is willing to pay. I want to see time studies; I want to see real information. The Department of Banking and Insurance should be demanding the same thing. It’s been said many times in this publication (and pretty much everywhere else in this industry), but now truly is the time for shops to stand up and say no. Rest assured that AASP/NJ is working hard behind the scenes to address what State Farm has done. For more on this topic, I recommend you read this month’s message from AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant. As always, please reach out to us if you have some thoughts on this or anything else you’re experiencing out in the field. There is no way we’re going to take abuse against our shops lying down. NJA

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CALENDAR

January 4 Sectioning of Steel Unitized Structures CollisionMax of Pennsauken, Pennsauken January 10 Vehicle Technology & Trends 2016 Comfort Suites, Mahwah January 11 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Damage Analysis & Safety CollisionMax of Pennsauken, Pennsauken Aluminum Exterior Panel Repair & Replacement Lester Glenn Collision Center, Toms River January 12 Adhesive Bonding Jost Garage, Wall Township January 18 Adhesive Bonding CollisionMax of Pennsauken, Pennsauken January 24 Understanding the Cycle Time Process Comfort Suites, Mahwah January 25 Wheel Alignment & Diagnostic Angles CollisionMax of Pennsauken, Pennsauken Hazardous Materials, Personal Safety & Refinish Safety Lester Glenn Collision Center, Toms River January 31 Plastic & Composite Repair Allstate Insurance, Wall Township For more information, visit i-car.com NJA

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Tesla Motors Inc. Approves Pro Spot SP Series MIGs for Aluminum Welding Pro Spot International, manufacturer of tools and equipment for the collision repair industry, has announced the recent Tesla approval of the SP Series MIG Welders – including the SP-5 Smart MIG and the new SP-5.3 Double Pulse 3-Phase Smart MIG. These welders are approved for aluminum welding during structural repairs on Model S and Model X. “Congratulations to the entire Pro Spot team,” says Ron Olsson, president of Pro Spot. “Our commitment to a total aluminum repair solution is paying off. To be recognized by a high technology company like Tesla is a great confirmation that our product development is on point.” The Tesla approval joins many others of the SP MIG Welders, including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda/Acura, Ford’s F-150, the Cadillac CT6, Corvette and more. The SP Series MIG Welders are unique in many ways, but they stand out for their ease of use and the three dedicated torches to aluminum, silicon bronze and steel. For details on the specific OEM programs and approvals, contact Pro Spot. For additional information, visit prospot.com. NJA

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NORTHEAST® SPOTLIGHT

Certification, Mike Anderson to Highlight 40th Annual NORTHEAST The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is looking forward to celebrating their 40th annual NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show with a soon-to-be sold out show floor for the fourth consecutive year, an exclusive OEM certification-themed education series and the return of one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. Highlighting a weekend of education, technology and more automotive equipment on display than any other regional show of its kind, NORTHEAST 2017 takes place March 17-19 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ. “This past year was an interesting one, to say the least,” AASP/NJ President Jeff McDowell says with a chuckle. “It seemed there was turbulence everywhere we looked, and our industry was no different. Every year in planning NORTHEAST, we face the challenge of presenting something that will not only educate our attendees, but also keep them one step ahead. Last year, our initial OEM certification program panel helped inform attendees of what was on the horizon. Since then, the topic has exploded, and so we thought we’d incorporate the theme of certification throughout the weekend of

30 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

NORTHEAST 2017. Certification is the future of this industry, and we plan to cover the topic inside and out March 17-19.” Building upon last year, NORTHEAST will host a series of discussions on shop certification, getting perspectives from the OEM manufacturers, the tool and equipment providers and even the shops themselves. The most in-demand collision repair speaker in the country, Anderson will present both an updated version of his popular “Who Pays for What?” seminar and the debut of a new class on 100-percent disassembly and parts mirror matching. NORTHEAST 2017’s show floor will once again be filled from wall to wall. “Exhibitors started signing up before last year’s show was even over,” McDowell adds. “We’ve had to be very creative in our planning in order to fit as many vendors as we have. NORTHEAST has become the hottest show of its kind in the country. We are all extremely thrilled that this will once again be the fastest sold out show in its 40-year history. Forty years. Man, we’ve come a long way!” NJA To find out more about how you can be a part of the NORTHEAST 2017 Automotive Services Show, visit aaspnjnortheast.com. For more information about AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org.

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LOCAL NEWS

Kearny High School Takes Fourth Place in Quaker State “Best in Class Challenge” Instructor Victor Ribeiro is proud of what his kids delivered at the competition. As featured in the November 2016 issue of New Jersey Automotive at the start of the event, Quaker State’s recent second annual “Best in Class Challenge” automotive education competition spotlighted some of the very best high school shop classes across the United States. Each school’s team was given the task of tuning, restoring and customizing a pre-owned vehicle (donated by Quaker State) into pristine condition and, more importantly, a creative representation of their school. Boasting an impressive team of automotive students, Kearny High School finished in fourth place this year, winning a $1,000 check from AutoZone to purchase supplies and equipment. Kearny High School Automotive Instructor Victor Ribeiro is confident that

next year’s challenge will bring an even greater success. “The final [dynamometer] test was done on November 14. We were able to increase the horsepower from 160 to 172…We also came in fourth in the voting, even though the judges loved the car. It was a very tight race. There was only a difference of three points between first, second and third place. In total, we received 82 points out of a possible 100 points.” While the six-week competition was taking place, a local Kia dealership read New Jersey Automotive’s previous article on Kearny High School’s participation in the “Best in Class Challenge” and was so impressed that a representative from Kia reached out to Ribeiro to ask if there were any students talented and committed enough to come and

Kearny High School students showcased their talents during Quaker State’s “Best in Class Challenge.” 34 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

work at the business. Excited by the offer, Ribeiro knew high school senior Danny Pereira was the perfect student to recommend. “I was really excited about the job offer from Kia,” Pereira says. “I know that working at a dealership is more difficult than at an independent shop, so I just want to make sure I’m ready. At the same time, I know how difficult it is to get into a dealership, so this is a great opportunity for me.” Pereira is trying to keep his options open while the offer from Kia is still in the works. As excited as he is for the future, the high school senior is going to miss his friends from automotive class. “My favorite part about this whole experience has been having fun with my classmates and really just trying our best. I’ve always had an interest in cars because it runs in my family, and I want to keep it that way.” Ribeiro believes that the most memorable thing about the “Best in Class Challenge” was witnessing such astounding team building and camaraderie among his students. “The great part about this experience for them was having the opportunity to work with kids who they wouldn’t normally talk to or hang out with. This allowed them to build strong relationships with one another – they got so much accomplished together. For three weeks straight, they would stay after school to work on the car for up to three hours every day. I’m very proud of all of them.” NJA

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 37

LOCAL NEWS

Ocean Bay Auto Body Tech Awarded Russ Robson Scholarship Kyle Bossick has only been with Ocean Bay Auto Body (Point Pleasant Borough) for six months, but shop owner and AASP/NJ Board member Ted Rainer feels as if he’s been a part of the team for years. “He is so teachable, and he has such a great personality,” Rainer says. “He really brings up the entire team morale, which we have all grown to really love.” Recently, the 18-year-old SkillsUSA veteran was the recipient of the AASP/ NJ Russ Robson Scholarship Award. “He has the makings of a super, master mechanic,” shares his employer. “He comes from a family of mechanics and technicians, and his father is a tow truck driver. Kyle grew up sitting on his father’s lap watching him work. He’s just a total motor head! He thinks about cars day and night; if you ask him

what he did this past weekend, he will usually say something like, ‘Oh, I helped my friend change his transmission’ or ‘I helped my friend put a snowplow on.’ He’s the type of person who, I think down the line, will own his own business one day.” The AASP/NJ Russ Robson Scholarship was created in 2001 after its namesake’s sudden passing in order to honor him and all he did for the automotive industry and the association. Bossick was presented with his award at AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting this past October by Rainer, AASP/NJ Treasurer Tom Elder and Robson’s wife, Luci. With his scholarship award, Bossick didn’t do what most 18-yearold kids would do. Instead of blowing his earnings on electronics or new shoes, he spent half of his check on

Kyle Bossick (center) has been a great addition to the Ocean Bay Auto Body team.

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Left to right: Ted Rainer, Jeff McDowell, Luci Robson, Charles Bryant, Kyle Bossick

shop tools and the other half on I-CAR classes. Bossick says his first attempt at fixing a car was at 11 years old, and he’s been in love with the craft ever since. What began as a way to spend quality time with his father on the weekends has now blossomed into a full-blown career. “I’ve been interested in cars ever since I can remember. It used to be just a hobby, but after I got into vo-tech, things really started to take off. I went to SkillsUSA when I was a junior in high school and then again my senior year; I absolutely loved it. I worked at another shop before Ocean Bay, but that didn’t work out. I’m much happier here, and I feel really lucky to have won this award.” As a valued employee and a joy to be around, Bossick is admired by his fellow employees at Ocean Bay Auto Body for his charisma and go-getter attitude. “He’s so energetic and eager to learn that sometimes we have to remind him to take his time and really take it all in. He always is trying to go that extra step, and it’s so refreshing to see,” comments Rainer. “For years, people have been saying, ‘There are no guys who want to get in this business,’ but here’s a kid who does want to get into it and isn’t going to stop. He’s just got the right stuff.” NJA

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LOCAL NEWS Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders

SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER Twelve years ago, Jason Boggs of AASP/NJ member shop Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders (Woodbury) attended an industry conference where he heard about a fellow shop owner’s idea of giving back to the community during

The Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders team poses with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club. Also pictured (in front) are Paul and Jean Budd, who donated the vehicle that was later restored.

the holidays. When the idea to restore a totaled vehicle and donate it to someone in need was presented to the Boggs team, they immediately jumped on the bandwagon and got to work. Every year since then, Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders has given its extra time and labor to restoring a vehicle for folks in need. Recipients have included private individuals, child study teams and churches. On December 15, the shop donated a revamped 2007 Chrysler Town and Country to the Boys and Girls Club Woodbury Chapter to be used as their primary form of transportation. Selena Williams, unit director for the Boys and Girls Club, was present during the unveiling of the van and was more than grateful that the kids no longer have to walk home in the dark. “This is just absolutely perfect; we can take the kids on trips and take them out to do projects and get them to and from the club safely,” she noted in a December 17 story on nj.com. “We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who helped make this happen.” Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders Co-Owner Jim Boggs tells New Jersey Automotive that the annual restoration project builds great camaraderie among the shop’s staff and the greater industry in the area. “We get a good response with our vendors; they donate parts and then we put this thing together and try to find somebody who can use it,” he says. “[Assisting] the Boys and Girls Club is exciting because a lot of people will benefit from that vehicle besides just one family…It really changes somebody’s life to have transportation.” NJA

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 43

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VISIT US AT NORTHEASTÂ® BOOTH 701 New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 45

AASP/NJ MEMBER SHOP PROFILE

Fanelli Brothers Auto Body: From the Bank to the Body Shop

Fanelli Brothers Auto Body is one of the region’s most successful family businesses. Roughly three years ago, Charles Fanelli Jr. decided it was time to switch gears and join his family over at their shop – Fanelli Brothers Auto Body in North Arlington. Even though he enjoyed a successful career in banking, he wasn’t happy with the cutthroat mentality of that world and knew his time, skills and knowledge would be more useful with the people he loves and trusts the most. Since the switch to collision repair, Fanelli has taken the shop to new heights through taking charge of its finances to help set healthy boundaries for success. “A lot of people say it’s hard to work for family, but my family has been in this business since the late 1920s. My great-grandfather opened his first shop back then, and so it’s kind of in our DNA to work together. When we’re here, it’s strictly business – but outside of work, we’re just a happy family.” What started out as a shop comprised only of the two Fanelli brothers and a part-time painter has now blossomed into both a mechanical and collision facility with 12 employees. With six working bays and room for 16 cars, Fanelli Brothers Auto Body is able to service 30 cars a month. “We really got lucky. Over the past three years, we have had some great guys come on board. It’s all about patience and holding out for the right people. You don’t want just anyone at your shop, so we really invested a lot of time and energy into finding the right team. It’s a family business, and so what’s most important to us is honesty and integrity.” With their recent ASE certification and I-CAR “Road to Gold” status, Fanelli feels they are headed in the right

46 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

direction for the future. In addition to being a NAPA AutoCare Center, the shop has been nominated by a local Volkswagen dealership to become a Volkswagen-certified facility within the next year. “We take care of everything from brakes to tires to oil changes in addition to our primary business of auto body work. I know our customers appreciate being able to come here and have all their needs taken care of, even after their accident is done and over with. We really try to go the extra mile for our customers, and my father still goes over every single job before it goes out. We hand-detail every car when it’s finished and try to show [customers] how much we really value their business.” In an industry that is constantly changing, Fanelli came on board knowing that if his family really wanted the business to grow, significant adjustments needed to be made in every aspect. Luckily, the team was more than happy to ride the wave. “Our technicians are really good with all the new technology and welcome all the changes. The real key to our growth has been being able to adapt to the new environment of this industry. We had to do a lot of updating over the past few years of our computers, our equipment…you name it. And it’s definitely starting to pay off. “I’m able to help people directly,” he adds. “I see the payoff of all the hard work I do; being able to do the right thing by them while still making a living…You can’t ask for anything better. I grew up watching my father and my uncle go above and beyond to help people, and being able to follow in their footsteps brings me the most joy.” NJA

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VISIT US AT NORTHEAST® BOOTH 301 New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 47

For Genuine Subaru Body Parts, contact these Authorized Subaru Dealers. Flemington Subaru 167 Route 31 Flemington, NJ 08822 Toll Free: 800-218-1432 Phone: 908-782-6831 Fax: 908-782-9701 bstratton@flemington.com www.flemingtonsubaru.net

Subaru of Morristown 175 Ridgedale Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960 Toll Free: 800-541-1127 973-292-0872 wholesale@subaruofmorristown.com

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Glanzmann Subaru 95 Old York Road Jenkintown, PA 19046 Parts Direct: 800-440-0130 Parts 24-hr. Fax: 267-287-0034 parts@glanzmann.com www.getsubaru.com

Liberty Subaru 55 Kinderkamack Road Emerson, NJ 07630 Phone: 201-261-7495 Fax: 201-261-3261 Toll Free: 888-782-9493 parts@libertysubaru.com

Fred Beans Subaru 131 Doyle Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone: 877-942-3267 fredbeanssubaru.com

New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 49

“The insurers mandate a program, the shops don’t have a choice but to follow it and the suppliers get stuck paying for it. Does that make sense?” When an area parts manager said these words to New Jersey Automotive a few weeks ago under the condition of anonymity, he had just been informed by PartsTrader that his parts operation would no longer have access to non-State Farm orders through the program. The news hit him after he drew a line in the sand and refused PartsTrader’s offer to reduce their non-State Farm transaction fee from 3.5 percent (which his department had already rejected) to two percent. According to him, he said no to this offer after PartsTrader told him that The Hartford had started mandating the system to their referral repair shops. “The transaction fee is at 3.5 percent, and PartsTrader offered us two percent, which we turned down. A Hartford quote came through, and one of our countermen quoted it before denying the order after seeing the transaction fee notice. After that, PartsTrader’s rep came in and said it is against their policy to deny orders. To prevent it from happening again, it was suggested to just turn us off from seeing these orders, to which I agreed because we will not – and cannot – sustain these transaction fees, whether it’s 3.5 percent or two percent. “I’m not going to have the chance or the opportunity to see these orders even if I wanted to quote on them at 3.5 [percent],” he added. “They turned me off. If a customer has a Hartford job and they’re going to run it through PartsTrader, they’re not going to be able to buy from me unless they pick up the phone and call me.” This parts professional shared even more distressing news, as he revealed that Farmers and GEICO would have their own deals with PartsTrader in the not-too-distant future. “PartsTrader plans on seeing one new insurance company added every six months. When they’re adding these insurers, they’re part of a mandated program.” That’s right – PartsTrader is expanding far beyond their relationship with State Farm. The company’s deal with State Farm may be problematic for some dealers and shops, but their growing relationships with multiple insurers is downright frightening. “If I don’t play the game, our customers are going to be forced to go to another supplier that is playing the game,” offered another prominent area parts manager. “I was afraid of this happening. What are my options? Do I say to a customer, ‘We’ll sell to you, but I have to reduce your discount?’ Where else do I cut costs? It can’t be with employees; you can’t save money on gas, trucks and parts.” 50 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

Prior to being turned off from seeing non-State Farm claims, the parts manager who opened our story was already standing up against PartsTrader’s high service fees. “We didn’t deny the other quotes, but we would call our customers and say, ‘Look, I can’t do this quote through PartsTrader, but I can sell you the parts on the outside.’” Fortunately, he reports that the number of nonState Farm shops in New Jersey using PartsTrader since the company hit the state has been minimal at best. “PartsTrader was hoping that shops would like them; PartsTrader thinks they have a product that’s useful for shops. They tried to push it, but it never took off.” With PartsTrader’s new expansion suddenly putting them back on the radar, shops may be tempted to look to the dealerships to put the brakes on this latest development. However, wholesale parts providers often find themselves having to embrace PartsTrader as a customer service tool – whether they want to or not. “Given a choice, I probably would not be on the system,” reveals Howard Meeks, parts manager at Ditschman/Flemington Ford-Lincoln-Mercury. “There’s not a huge value in PartsTrader for us; we don’t see customers using it unless they have to. The State Farm customers are really the only ones who put anything through it. From the customers we’ve talked to, it’s pretty consistent that they would prefer not to use that as the option to order. We would not have gone on PartsTrader if we didn’t have to. Simply, we felt that because State Farm had the initiative, our customers needed us to have that service to satisfy them. We don’t have a lot of control over the situation; we’re reacting to the market. If the market says that PartsTrader is a solution for them, I think we’re bound to help out with that solution. That’s just good service, in my mind.” Meeks is quick to note that his department’s history with PartsTrader hasn’t exactly been smooth. “In the beginning, we were happy to see the orders, but not necessarily happy to see quotes coming in that forced us to add people and expense. That part of it was unexpected and negative. When they came out and said they were going to start charging processing fees for non-State Farm claims, we mandated to our customers that unless they are willing to have a different discount structure, we couldn’t do those orders through PartsTrader. Since that day, as far as I know, we haven’t had one shop put an order through PartsTrader that wasn’t [through] State Farm.” At the time of our interview, Meeks had yet to be approached by PartsTrader or any insurer regarding any new programs beyond State Farm. As it stands now, he intends to continue with the parts procurement program. “Whether they bring it through PartsTrader, call

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us on the phone, fax over an order or put it through CollisionLink or CCC, we’re going to treat the order the same way. Where it becomes an issue is if our expense structure changes due to PartsTrader.” As 2017 begins, PartsTrader has much more than just insurer partnerships in mind. On December 8, the company announced a new partnership with repair chain Fix Auto USA. According to a press release, “PartsTrader’s platform will now be leveraged by Fix Auto’s independently owned and operated body shops for the direct benefit of their insurance carrier and vehicle owner customers.” “Entering into a partnership with PartsTrader is exciting since it allows our Franchise Locations continued operational improvements and our customers the opportunity to realize these

efficiencies,” said Fix Auto President and COO Paul Gange in a prepared statement. “Fix Auto is committed to help members succeed by making available to them the best possible tools, and the PartsTrader suite stands as the latest example of that commitment.” So where do things go from here? In an industry where parts suppliers serve shops that sometimes have up to 90 percent of their business tied in with one insurer, effectively addressing an issue as complex as PartsTrader is not an easy task. As one New Jersey parts manager says, “The insurers need to stop the mandating of where shops have to buy parts from. I’m not blaming the shops – I understand their business and that a lot of body shops don’t have a choice. But ultimately, if every body shop and supplier said no, it would be a better world.” NJA New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 51

Unsurpassed Quality. Genuine Hyundai Parts. HYUNDAI IS PROUD OF ITS REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND SERVICE. SO ARE THE DEALERS AND BODY SHOPS WHO RELY ON GENUINE HYUNDAI PARTS. TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU GET THE RIGHT HYUNDAI PART, ASK FOR THE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALIST AT THESE FINE DEALERS. Buy Hyundai Parts.

For Genuine Hyundai parts, contact these Authorized Hyundai Dealers. MAXON HYUNDAI 2329 ROUTE 22 WEST UNION, NJ 07083 TOLL FREE: 800-964-7281 FAX: 908-851-5631

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FRED BEANS HYUNDAI 131 DOYLE STREET DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901 PH: 877-942-3267 fbparts.com

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IF OFFERING ONLY ORIGINAL MINI PARTS IS A CRIME... THEN YEAH, WE’RE GUILTY. At your local MINI dealer, we believe that using Original MINI collision replacement parts will speed your repairs and increase your profitability. Original MINI parts assure an absolute perfect fit and function.

For Original MINI parts, contact any of these authorized MINI dealers. Princeton MINI 3466 US Highway 1 Princeton, NJ 08540 609-452-9400 fax: 609-945-1010 PRINCETONMINI.COM

MINI of Mt. Laurel 1311 Rt. 73 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 856-778-3000 Fax: 856-813-4622 MINIOFMTLAUREL.COM FACEBOOK.COM/MINIOFMTLAUREL

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Superior customer service starts with Town Audi and Audi Genuine Parts. • Our expert parts staff is ready to serve you with over $500,000 in inventory and a fleet of trucks to help ensure same-day delivery on most orders • We respect your time, and offer a quick and accurate order process to help meet your needs • Proudly serving the tri-state area with Audi Genuine Parts since 1970 • Same-day delivery on stocked items, next-day availability on most non-stocked items

With our comprehensive inventory of Porsche Genuine Service & Parts, you will guarantee your customer optimal safety and reliability and ensure their Porsche remains what it is: an original.

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 55

LEGAL PERSPECTIVE by Mitchell Portnoi, Esq.

Civil versus Criminal Trial Work In my last 31 years as an attorney, I have done mostly trial work. That is, I have spent numerous days, weeks and years in the courtroom. A layperson may have spent hours upon hours camped in front of television watching crime dramas. In relatively recent years, a new phenomenon has arisen that allows us to watch actual trials. This trend started with the O.J. Simpson criminal trial and now allows for civil trials on TV (such as Judge Judy and the like). This article explores the difference between the two trial types and the laypersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressions when faced with either of them. The fundamental difference between a civil trial and a criminal

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trial is the “burden of proof.” In a criminal trial, the prosecutor must prove the defendant guilty of the alleged offense “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In a civil trial, a plaintiff must prove the elements of the case by a “preponderance of the evidence” (or in laypersons terms, “more likely than not”). That is, if it is 51 percent more likely that the doctor’s malpractice (negligent failure to provide the appropriate standard of care) caused the injuries to the plaintiff, then the plaintiff wins. The reason for the different standards is the severity of the consequences of a criminal judgement versus a civil one. In a criminal matter, a person may be facing a severe penalty; this could include a significant fine or years in jail – or perhaps even a death sentence. In a civil matter, a defendant faces a monetary judgWHEELS COLLISION CENTER AD_HD0117.qxp_Layout 1 12/15/16 ment against him or her. In certain matters, there could be a judgment for possession of property, but that is rare. As an attorney who generally practices in the civil courts of the Superior Court here in New Jersey, I stress that this distinction between civil and criminal trials is extremely important. As a civil trial attorney, I need my juries to know that my “burden of proof” is much lower than a prosecutor in a criminal trial, but that I intend to prove my case just the same. In the standard negligence • From $75/wheel • Tested Process matter, I need to prove that

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the defendant was negligent; the defendant’s negligence caused the accident; and the negligence “proximately caused” my client’s injuries. In certain cases, I also need to prove a “permanent injury.” A jury’s ability to grasp the difference in the standards of proof is vitally important to a civil trial attorney’s ability to succeed at trial work in New Jersey and throughout this country. For more information regarding civil trial work or the personal injury field, please contact me at (973) 228-9900. NJA

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Superior service starts with superior parts. Rely on what Mazda drivers already know-Genuine Mazda parts extend a car's life. Designed specifically for Mazda vehicles Get the right part the first time We're an accurate, trusted resource as close as your phone Give us the opportunity to serve you Contact these Mazda dealers for all your parts needs: Maxon Mazda 2329 Route 22 West Union, NJ 07083 Phone: 800-964-7281 Fax: 908-851-5631

Nu Car Mazda 172 North Dupont Highway New Castle, DE 19720 Phone: 800-346-5283 Fax: 302-322-7135

58 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

Mazda of Lodi 130 Route 46 East Lodi, NJ 07644 Phone: 866-716-0511 Fax: 973-594-4933 www.mazdaoflodi.com

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Dedicated wholesale staff Free delivery to wholesale customers! New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 59

ÂŠ 2017 Porsche Cars North America Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.

Diagnostically speaking, there is no substitute. Porsche technology. Porsche Genuine Service & Parts.

Contact one of these authorized dealers. Town Porsche 105 Grand Avenue Englewood, NJ 201-227-6505 Fax 201-227-6553 www.townporsche.com

Porsche Monmouth 280 Route 36 East West Long Branch, NJ 732-935-7600 Fax 732-935-7602 www.porschemonmouth.com

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Manhattan Motorcars 270 11th Avenue New York, NY 877-661-1586 Fax 646-473-0798 www.manhattanmotorcars.com

Paul Miller Porsche 3419 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ 973-227-3000 Fax 973-575-8396 www.paulmiller.com

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 61

NO BRAKES by Ron Ananian

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES Someone once asked me where I get the ideas for my articles. These are real ramblings from my day-to-day life (or more accurately, my day-to-night life, since we never sleep in auto repair). This one is also real, and it was recently relayed to me during a diner dinner confessional. (Hmm, maybe that’s the TV show…Diner Dinner Confessionals with the Car Doctor. Then again, maybe not.) My friend told me about a hard decision he had to make about some recent technician changes at his dealership. It seems that Technician A was a recent crossover from a GM car line; after 20 years, he decided it was time for a change and ended up in this Toyota dealer. It turns out that there’s a great deal of work involved in doing that, including lots of training and classes and credentials to acquire in order to achieve set levels for Toyota technicians (entry, mid, master, etc.) Technician A jumped in with both feet; even prior to leaving the other dealer (which he did on good terms, by the way, by giving them time to find a replacement), he started doing Toyota certification classes online. By doing this in a matter of four months, he was able to fit into the need that opened up at the Toyota dealer as a mid-level certified tech. It was a quick rise to a good spot made possible by some elbow grease and a can-do attitude. However, while this was unfolding, Technician B (who already had 15 years on the job at the Toyota dealer) was offered the position that eventually became Technician A’s spot. The requirements were the same: Achieve Toyota certification to move up the ladder and secure a better spot. It was a chance to move out of the used car department and into the shop. Unfortunately for him, he did not do what he needed to, and the moment of collision was in front of him – or more to the point, in front of my dinner companion, the service manager. My friend laid out the scenario. He had just come from the meeting with both techs (one at a time that afternoon), promoting one and (because of some changes in the used car department) telling the other one he should start looking for a job. He even helped him find one at a friend’s Honda dealer doing engine work (which it seems all Honda dealers are in the midst of now). These were hard decisions, but they needed to be made. “Was I right?” he

asked. “I mean, I just fired a long-term tech who is a good worker and has a family.” At this moment, dinner arrived. The jury had a moment to decide the case. I finished my soup and changed the subject…and then delivered. “You did the right thing,” I said. “Both techs had equal opportunity. Yes, it’s a hard decision; the luxury of deciding between two GOOD techs in today’s world does not happen often. But an older friend and mentor once told me that you can’t make a wrong turn down the right street.” Technician B made that wrong turn; he did not comply with requirements even after he was given proper notice. It wasn’t even a matter of an extra day or week; he was months behind in classes and requirements. Letting him slide would send a bad signal to the other 22 techs in the dealership. The cancer would grow…and that wrong turn becomes an accident and then a major pileup. THE BOTTOM LINE IS… We have all been in this situation, either as the techs or as the service manager. Sometimes we walked away happy; sometimes we didn’t. Looking back, I feel it’s because I did not see it as clearly as I do now. In life, there are hard decisions both in work and family, and decisions made in either have a way of affecting both. As a technician or employee, I might think the boss was wrong in this situation, no matter what they did. But time has passed, and my thoughts are different now. Cancer in the workplace spreads quickly. The privilege of being a shop owner allows me to state I have firsthand experience in how quickly the disease spreads and the damage it can cause. It can ruin a good shop in a matter of weeks. In order to stop it, the hard decisions that nag us at night have to be made. There is another saying my older friend told me so many years ago that also rings true: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” Try not to let it crush you. I’ve come to understand that one more every day. Here’s one from me: “Truth always brings about consequences.” And in life, it’s no game. NJA

’Til next time, I’m Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, reminding you that “Good mechanics aren’t expensive; they’re priceless.” Ron Ananian, owner of R\A Automotive in Waldwick, NJ (est. 1978), is heard weekly in 140 markets on his nationally syndicated radio talk show. He is a working technician and former AASP/NJ Board member. Beyond his radio show, Ron writes and speaks for the automotive industry at trade shows and events. Visit The Car Doctor online at cardoctorshow.com. “The Car Doctor” can be heard LIVE in the New York market. Tune in Saturdays, 2-4pm on WRCR AM 1700 for new shows!

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 63

ARANJ 2017 Officers President Bob Dirkes - Dirkes Used Auto Parts (609) 625-1718 dirkesauto@gmail.com 1st Vice President Ian Szoboszlay - Ocean County Auto (732) 349-0332 ian@cosmosautoparts.com 2nd Vice President Darryl Carmen - Lentini Auto Salvage (908) 782-6838 darryl@las-parts.com 3rd Vice President Rodney Krawczyk - Ace Auto Wreckers (732) 254-9816 aceautonj@comcast.net Executive Director Brian Snyder - Auto Recyclers of NJ (609) 714-2339 brian@aranj.org

ARANJ 2017 Board of Directors Mike Ronayne - Tilghmans Auto Parts (609) 723-7469 tilghmans@snip.net Mike Yeager - EL & M Auto (609) 561-2266 elandmauto@aol.com Ed Silipena - American II Autos (609) 965-6700 esilipena@yahoo.com Harry Shover - Porchtown Auto (856) 694-1555 Norm Vachon - Port Murray Auto (908) 689-3152 portmurrayauto@yahoo.com Dylan Rinkens - East Brunswick Auto (732) 254-6501 ebautonj@comcast.net

64 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

ARANJ

The Automotive Recyclers Association of New Jersey

Wharton Insurance Briefs An ARA Member It is that time of year again when we brace ourselves for the “new” New Jersey workers’ compensation rates. I am happy to say that the auto dismantler rate decreased; however, the scrap dealer rate increased. The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Bureau has promulgated the following rates effective January 1, 2017: Code 3821 8265 8397 8046 8742 8810

Classification Rate Auto Dismantler $20.38 Iron or Steal Scrap Dealer $16.09 Auto Garage or Repair $7.65 Store: Retail Part Sales $5.70 Outside Sales Person $0.47 Clerical $0.27

If there is a classification that I haven’t listed and you would like to know about it, or if you have any questions, please contact me. NJA Mario DeFilippis, AAI, Vice President (800) 221-0003 (ext. 1320) (908) 513-8588 (cell) mdefilippis@whartoninsurance.com

New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 65

VISIT US AT NORTHEASTÂ® BOOTH 206

66 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2017

VISIT US AT NORTHEAST® BOOTH 206

New Jersey Automotive | January 2017 | 67

THE LIST

We reached out to some of our readers to get an idea of their goals for 2017.

WHAT’S YOUR

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

I don’t have one. I only live my life a week at a time. I can’t plan that far in advance.

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because I never stick to them. I have the same resolution every year:

Be happier than the one before.

Well, I always have to have a project, so my New Year’s resolution is to make my next project be myself. I need to take better care of my health, take some more time off and maybe only work Monday through Friday.

My New Year’s resolution is to work to live, not live to work.

I am looking to retire soon. Hopefully, that happens within the next year.

My New Year’s resolution is to quit smoking.

My New Year’s resolution is to spend less time here and more time at home. I need a break.

Flemington Volkswagen 213 ROUTE 202/31 FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822 TOLL FREE: 800-216-5124 FAX: 908-782-9397 rmuir@flemington.com www.flemington.com

Linden Volkswagen 900 EAST ELIZABETH AVE. LINDEN, NJ 07036 TOLL FREE: 800-343-5116 FAX:908-486-4232 www.lindenvw.com GeorgeP@lindenvw.com

Crestmont Volkswagen 730 ROUTE 23 NORTH POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444 PARTS DIRECT: 800-839-6444 FAX: 973-839-8146 www.crestmontvolkswagen.com Paul Miller VW of Bernardsville 118 MORRISTOWN ROAD BERNARDSVILLE, NJ 07924 TOLL FREE: 877-318-6557 LOCAL: 908-766-1600 FAX: 908-766-6171 www.paulmillervw.com

Shrewsbury Volkswagen 702 SHREWSBURY AVE TINTON FALLS, NJ 07701 TOLL FREE: 800-662-3140 LOCAL: 732-741-8500 FAX: 732-576-1894 www.shrewsburyvw.com

Douglas Motors 491 MORRIS AVE. SUMMIT, NJ 07901 PHONE: 908-277-1100 FAX: 908-273-6196 TOLL FREE: 800-672-1172 www.douglasvw.com

Fred Beans Volkswagen 131 DOYLE STREET DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901 PHONE: 877-942-3267 fbparts.com

email: douglasparts@douglasautonet.com

Trend Motors 221 Route 46 West Rockaway, NJ 07866 888-267-2821 FAX: 973-625-4985 www.trendmotors.com email:dreinacher@trendmotors.com

DCH Volkswagen of Freehold 4360 ROUTE 9 FREEHOLD, NJ 07728 PHONE: 732-810-7903 FAX: 732-637-8297 www.dchvwoffreehold.com email: dfilipe@dchusa.com

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Accudraft 23 Acme Nissan 4 Action Nissan of Flemington 65 AkzoNobel 13 Amato Agency 45 Audi Group 36-37 Axalta Coating Systems 6 BASF 39 BMW Group 32-33 BMW of Springfield 15 Bridgewater Acura 61 Cadillac of Mahwah 29 Classic Audi 20 Collision Equipment Company 26 Clinton Acura IBC Crestmont Family of Dealerships 27 Empire Auto Parts 70 Fenix Parts 17 Flemington Audi 5 Flemington Group 41 Ford Group 21 Fred Beans Parts 44 Future Cure 42 Grand Prix Subaru 67 Glen Toyota OBC Honda ProFirst 35 Hyundai Group 52 Innovative Solutions & Technology / Pro Spot 11 JMK Saab 64 Klean Frame 70 Levittown Ford 67 Lynnes Nissan East 10 Maxon Mazda 53 Maxon Hyundai 47 Mazda Group 58 The Mike Kaufmann Dealer Group 12 Mini Group 54 Mitsubishi Group 21 Mopar Group 30 NORTHEAST® 2017 31 NUCAR 24-25 Performance Ford / Lincoln 18 Phillipsburg-Easton Honda IBC Porsche Group 60 Polyvance 40 Post Polak 56 PPG 3 Princeton BMW 49 Princeton MINI 65 Sherwin-Williams 43 Subaru Group 48 Subaru of Morristown 59 Town Motors 55 Toyota Group 63 Toyota of Hackensack IFC Toyota of Morristown 59 Tri-State Luxury Collection 8-9 Valtek 57 VIP Honda 61 VW Group 69 Wayne Hyundai 19 Wayne Mazda 19 Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram SRT 66 Wheel Collision Center 57

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Clinton Acura

1756 Route 31 North | Clinton, NJ 08809 FAX: 908.735.0380 www.clintonacura.com | ClintonAcura@gmail.com

4 4 4 4

Great prices Prompt service Free daily delivery Technical support

WHOLESALE SPECIALIST HOTLINE: 908.735.5557

Phillipsburg-Easton Honda 400 County Road 519 | Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 TOLL FREE: 877.505.6939 FAX: 908.859.6493 www.pehonda.com | erinw@pehonda.com

4 4 4 4

Great prices Prompt service Free daily delivery Technical support

Save time and money with OEM Honda replacement parts. YOUR REPUTATION DEPENDS ON IT!

WHOLESALE SPECIALIST HOTLINE: 908.859.0954