Smoothing Out the Hail Damage Repair Process
The calm after a storm is not so smooth when it has resulted in hail damage to your vehicle. In many cases though, getting the damage fixed is not so difficult.
The Pros & Cons of In-House Paintless Dent Repair
Paintless dent repair is a repair option worth considering for auto body shop managers. Whether or not your shop is in an area that gets hit regularly by hailstorms, PDR is a relatively inexpensive way of repairing dents in vehicles. While it is likely that your future and existing customers will appreciate a less expensive option to repair dents, it is important for collision repair shops to evaluate their own cost benefit of setting up PDR in-house.
Connected Cars: Customer Satisfaction and Safety
The explosion of mobile technology has made staying connected easier than ever. And as that technology continues to expand its reach, car manufacturers are working to meet consumer demands for connectivity inside the vehicle. Which features are important to consumers, and what impact will those features have on customer satisfaction and safety?
Top 6 Reasons Why Auto Body Shop Reviews Are Important
Online auto body shop review websites like Carwise.com are important for your business. They not only help you communicate with your existing customers, but they can be a key component of a successful auto body shop’s marketing strategy. An online auto body shop review is a reflection of your reputation, plus online reviews can draw in new business to your shop.
Safe Driving Quiz
Test Your Knowledge with the Carwise “Be Car Smart” Safe Driving Quiz.
Traffic laws are changing often, and it may have been awhile since your last driving test. It is always good to stay current and be sure you’re practicing safe driving. We’ve compiled a series of questions to help you become a safer driver.
Top 10 Ways Auto Body Shops Can Ensure a Positive Customer Experience
A successful auto body shop ensures that their customers have a quality experience. The moment customers walk into your shop, you’ll want to make a positive first impression to start building a relationship and hopefully encourage repeat and referral business. To provide excellent customer service you must first understand the customers top concerns when looking for the right auto body shop.
Here are the top three concerns heard from customers regarding their repair:
PAINT
One major concern from customers is the ability to get an exact paint match for the damaged areas of the vehicle. It’s important for a shop to use the latest painting systems and techniques that auto manufacturers use in the original factory paint jobs on their cars.
Repair shops can also find the color code for the original paint by using the car’s identification plate (sometimes called the Service Parts Identification). This, along with the right techniques, can help you achieve a perfect color match.
DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE
Customers have concerns about the drivability of the vehicle after the repairs are completed. Using the most advanced alignment machines will ensure that vehicles with suspension damage are exactly aligned after the repair work is finished.
FRAME DAMAGE
If the customer’s vehicle was towed to the auto body shop in a twisted wreck, they want to know if the shop has the ability to repair frame damage the vehicle may have suffered in a collision. It was almost impossible to repair vehicles with a bent car frame in the past. Today, customers should know that auto body repair shops use the most advanced alignment machines and sophisticated repair equipment to repair damaged car frames so that it exceeds the original specs from the car manufacturer.
There is no question that the auto body industry is changing. The success of your business requires not only the right automotive expertise but also the ability to provide excellent customer service that puts the customer at ease. Every step of the repair process provides an opportunity to build your reputation and encourage repeat and referral business.
Here are some ways that auto body shops can impress customers and boost the image of their shop, the quality of the repair process, and the overall customer experience:
How Parents Cause Distracted Teen Driving
A recent study found that more than half of teen drivers often take phone calls from their parents while they are behind the wheel. This can result in distracted driving, putting these young drivers at risk.
The findings presented at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention show that out of the 408 teen drivers ages 15 to 18 that participated in the study, more than half reported being on the phone with their parents while driving.
Top 10 Driving Apps for Your Smartphone
We all have maps, GPS or navigation apps that come with our smartphones. Take advantage of your smartphone by downloading more advanced driving apps that can help you become a safer driver, block texting while driving, monitor your teen’s driving habits, boost your gas mileage, prepare for a road trip, or help you maintain your car.
Here is a list of driving apps that are a great addition for your smartphone:
Is Texting While Driving Worse Than Drunk Driving?
At some point of time, we’ve all received a text message while driving–and we’ve all sneaked a peek to read it. Maybe you have even typed a reply back while behind the wheel. In the back of your mind, you know that texting while driving is dangerous, but you say to yourself that it could be worse. At least you’re not drunk driving.
Texting while driving is a dangerous habit, but have you ever wondered how dangerous texting while driving really is? Could it actually be worse than drunk driving?
Top 10 Best and Worst States for Teen Drivers
In the U.S., teens drive less than older people, but the numbers of car accidents are disproportionally high amongst teenage drivers. The fatal crash rate per mile driven for teen drivers between 16 to 19 years old is nearly three times the rate for older drivers who are 20 and over. The risk for car accidents is highest between the ages of 16 to 17 years old, and statistics show that one in five 16 year old teen drivers has been involved in a car accident.
In a recent study conducted by WalletHub.com, state-by-state comparisons showed that some states are better for teen drivers than others. Factors in this study included average cost of auto body or car repairs, teen driver fatalities, and impaired-driving laws. The teen driver study ranks all 50 states from best and worst, excluding the District of Columbia.