Time to Pick A Side
I had the opportunity today to hear different opinions on the problems that face our industry and I can tell you that I was amazed at the amount of fear that is shared from so many. The collision industry has given too much power to the insurance companies, allowing them to dictate to these owners how to run their business and how to repair vehicles. We feel fortunate to have the issues that we have and what I mean by that is, at least we are standing up for ourselves and the industry.
Way too many owners are willing to continue this fantasy that the insurance companies are their friends and that they are not expendable. We hear time and time again that the "DRP" contract is held over heads as an extortion type of tool to allow the insurance companies to pressure the shop to do things that is against the beliefs of its owner. Some are feeling it more than others and it is due to the "Business Model" that has been accepted by them and now when times are tough and that volume that they have taken for granted so long is no longer available they are unable to change direction for fear that one of their insurance friends will retaliate against them and cut off what they do have! Wow!!
What has the industry come to, what have some let it come to? We believe that the time is now to "Pick a Side" and stand up for what we have worked so hard for all our lives, our business! This is no different than setting your alarm before you leave the facility, you do that to avoid any theft or damage to the business so set the alarm, stop the theft, and stop the damage to your business. Like I said for some this will be the equivalent of stepping into the unknown but it's not like you haven't been there before. I am confident that we together can defeat this, that we can repair the damage to our industry. Okay, so there will be some that are and will be willing to continue their fairytale but if the majority stands firm they will disappear eventually and it will be a more level, profitable playground for those of us who decided that it was "Time to Pick a Side"
Way too many owners are willing to continue this fantasy that the insurance companies are their friends and that they are not expendable. We hear time and time again that the "DRP" contract is held over heads as an extortion type of tool to allow the insurance companies to pressure the shop to do things that is against the beliefs of its owner. Some are feeling it more than others and it is due to the "Business Model" that has been accepted by them and now when times are tough and that volume that they have taken for granted so long is no longer available they are unable to change direction for fear that one of their insurance friends will retaliate against them and cut off what they do have! Wow!!
What has the industry come to, what have some let it come to? We believe that the time is now to "Pick a Side" and stand up for what we have worked so hard for all our lives, our business! This is no different than setting your alarm before you leave the facility, you do that to avoid any theft or damage to the business so set the alarm, stop the theft, and stop the damage to your business. Like I said for some this will be the equivalent of stepping into the unknown but it's not like you haven't been there before. I am confident that we together can defeat this, that we can repair the damage to our industry. Okay, so there will be some that are and will be willing to continue their fairytale but if the majority stands firm they will disappear eventually and it will be a more level, profitable playground for those of us who decided that it was "Time to Pick a Side"
Very well said and all very true. Shops have allowed the transfer of power and most of them have become slaves to insurance companies. Slaves are always afraid to rile their master.
We have been fighting for years and have never rolled over to any insurer. The concept is simple in that "we work for the owner of the vehicle, not the insurer". Shops need to confront the insurer who does not want to pay for essential items like "caulk", "weld thru primer", "corrosion protection", etc, etc and simply notify the customer and the insurer you will not apply the items not paid for. Don't pay for freon, just don't put it in. Don't put the weld thru primer or caulk and let them pay to redo the panel. Trust me they will pay when you confront them. If they don't they can pay for a complete redo.
Sadly I must admit that very few shops have the nerve to confront insurers. If I died today and came back a 100 years from now I think the cars would look different, tools and equipment would change but nothing will change as respects our problems--they will be the same.
Of course this is no reason not to try and bring change. The more resistance the easier it is for everyone. Trust me when I say "you are not the only one". I turn the tables and tell the insurer that "you are the only one that does not pay me for that".
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Lets get real folks. There are no sides in business, as a matter of fact competition in itself creates the need to be different. Business models are what they are and the people that choose a particular business model in a particular business sector, have deal with the intended and unintended consequences as they unfold. I think the industry participants have alreaded picked their side, so if you want those people to come to your side, where is your compelling story? Why would they want to come to your side? What reason other than the same complaints you have had for the past 30 years would compell them to change? I think the better statement is get in the game or get out of the game? Or better yet, learn the rules so you can beneft the most no matter what side your on. Anything else is an excuse! By the way, whoever said business was fair?
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