PRESIDENT’S
Steven Krieps (304) 755-1146 skrieps@live.com
MESSAGE ESTIMATOR:
IS DEFINED AS…OR IS IT? Being an estimator in today’s shops has more and more become a blurry position. With seemingly endless additions to the day-to-day operations, it has created major levels of burnout amongst those tasked with this role. It creates a position where one writes damage appraisals, researches OEM procedures, orders parts, updates customers, keeps insurers informed, handles supplement entry and submission and possibly even follows up on – the pain in everyone’s life currently – missing parts that have been previously ordered. Is it possible for one person to do all these things efficiently? I don’t think so, not with any level of proficiency anyway. How are shops dealing with this struggle? What can be done? Smaller shops may not have the luxury of simply adding a role or staff member to assist them, like some larger facilities can opt to do. With all the things a modern-day process requires, there has to be some help or backup. Some shops have chosen to use the Customer Service Rep (CSR) to aid in the process by having those in this position assume some prior estimator tasks, such as closing files, updating rentals and customers, along with invoice input and making a day-to-day parts update list for everyone to review. That also comes with its own set of challenges, but it can be a way to spread out the tasks and create some sense of balance. WMABA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Steve Krieps steve@gregclineauto.com 304-755-1146 VICE PRESIDENT Rodney Bolton boltonconsulting61@gmail.com 443-386-0086 TREASURER Kris Burton kris@rosslynautobody.com 703-820-1800 SECRETARY Phil Rice phil@ricewoods.com 540-846-6617 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Torchy Chandler Torchy Chandler torchy.chandler@gmail.com 410-309-2242
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Beaver (donbeaver3551@gmail.com) 443-235-6668
Bill Hawkins (hawkinswilliamjr@gmail.com) 510-915-2283
Barry Dorn (bdorn@dornsbodyandpaint.com) 804-746-3928
John Shoemaker (john.a.shoemaker@basf.com) 248-763-4375
ADMINISTRATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jordan Hendler (jordanhendler@wmaba.com) 804-789-9649 WMABA CORPORATE OFFICE P.O. Box 3157 • Mechanicsville, VA 23116
4
February 2022
Some shops have and utilize a front estimator and a backend repair planner, along with the CSR. This can be even more efficient. The additional role of back-end repair planner puts a writer directly in the shop with the technicians as they conduct OEM research, fine-tune the estimate and finalize repair plans. Again, this further segments and distributes the growing administrative tasks that collision repair shops are burdened with, allowing them to load balance and enhance efficiency. Many processes can be implemented, and to identify what works best for your shop, you must examine your setup to figure out what may work best and how you can utilize your personnel more efficiently to improve the process. With parts issues leading the way and overtaking bill payer and cash flow issues, we need solutions which include reimagining some of our shop’s roles and their duties. Continuing to do things the old way will surely be a direct line to problems you may not expect – and definitely don’t need. We have enough to worry about; let’s not allow the good people we have to lose their drive and passion due to feeling stressed and helpless from overload! H&D
STAFF PUBLISHER
Thomas Greco thomas@grecopublishing.com
SALES DIRECTOR
Alicia Figurelli alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL/CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Alana Quartuccio Bonillo alana@grecopublishing.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Chasidy Rae Sisk chasidy@grecopublishing.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Donna Greco donna@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Joe Greco .joe@grecopublishing.com
PUBLISHED BY TGP, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 973-667-6922 FAX 973-235-1963
Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written permission from the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not necessarily representations of TGP Inc. or of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA). Copyright © 2022 Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Stock Images courtesy of istockphoto.com.
