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This article originally appeared in the December 2005 Issue of INSIGHT

TrendLine:

Shop Business Conditions

2005 2004 2003 2001 1997

Average dollar amount of a repair order this year $1,822 $1,779 $1,584 $1,742 $1,484

Average backlog of work this year (days) 6 4 7 11 9

Business conditions this year, compared to last year

Higher 37% 30% 47% 61% 39%

Lower 52% 48% 42% 27% 40%

No Change 11% 22% 11% 12% 21%

Expected sales volume next year, compared to this year

Increase 79% 63% 68% 76% 82%

Decrease 7% 5% 2% 6% 5%

No Change 14% 32% 30% 18% 13%

Main source of customers

Insurance referrals 28% 20% 24% 32% N/A

Repeat customers 48% 40% 54% 50% N/A

Customer referrals 26% 30% 39% 26% N/A

Dealer/franchise relationships 7% 10% 13% 12% N/A

DRP participation 37% 33% 35% 36% N/A

Media advertising 2% 8% 2% 6% N/A

Most effective cost-cutting idea for this year

Cutting back on advertising 19% 19% 204% N/A N/A

Reducing staff and/or staff hours 9% 22% 36% N/A N/A

Changing health insurance plans 14% 5% 9% N/A N/A

Being more conscious of waste
(recyling, reusing, limiting) 63% 41% 38% N/A N/A

Other 5% 16% 16% N/A N/A

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