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Posted

Years back I used to take vehicle photos for insurance companies. Back then I did everything (actually too much) and eventually gave it up, mostly because it only paid $4.00 per photo and I had my hands fill running the shop, doing most of the repairs. I had to fill out a form, take photos of the vehicle and maintain a file. I know today it has to be different with technology.

 

Does anyone do these car photos for insurance companies and do you use it as a marketing tool?

Posted

We have more then one digital camera at our shop. Plenty of photos and yes I do use them to market our shop. It goes a long way to help show why something cost so much when a customer comes in to pay a bill. Put their vehicle on a computer monitor with some pictures of what it took to do the service on their vehicle goes a long way. We also email pictures to customers from time to time to help sell jobs. It's easy and works great.

I don't do the photos as much for insurance companies unless I need to make a point or cover my ass.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Joe,

 

With my new office help I am going to try doing insurance pictures. I will let you know how it goes. The name of the company that we wil be doing it with is Carco.

 

Gary

  • 3 months later...
Posted

Bringing in a lot of traffic. So far one good job and a new customer as well. Also the customers are usually driving later model vehicles and are most likely good leads for me. :rolleyes:

 

 

Posted

I started doinng photo insurance inspections for two months now for CARCO. It gives us the chance to meet new people and showcase who we are and our shop. It's hard to tell at this point if we can convert these people to us. We have sold state inspections, oil changes and wipers on some of these cars by just letting people know that these services are due. Plus, we ask each customer if we can add them to our data base and send them promotions. Most say yes.

 

The way I see it, anything that brings new people to your shop is a win-win. You do the man power to handle the added work, don't think you can do it yourself.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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