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Letter to the Editor

Ring Tones

I have often admitted that I am a computer nerd, but I must say that my fascination with my computer apparently does not extend to the electronic wizardry of my cellphone. The only numbers in its memory are my children’s and my favorite pizza shop’s. My cell has features left completely neglected. The concept of downloading different ringtones totally baffles me. How does one select and assign distinctive melodies to identify callers?

Our feature article this month does not provide me with the solution to my cellphone problems. Instead, this call is directed at all segments of our Collision Repair Industry. Industry participants are definitely hearing a change in tone, particularly from collision repair facility owners, many of whom are experiencing great frustration at the current state of affairs, and justifiably so.

During the past year it is evident that changes developing in the whole collision repair equation of consumer, insurer, parts and materials supplier, estimating system vendor, and body shop have consistently seen the body shop bearing the brunt of these changes. It is reasonable to expect body shop owners to become pro-active and to outline and pursue courses of action that make sense to their businesses.

I certainly hope that honest and forthright discussion seeking fair solutions and reasonable courses of action can come after the frustration expressed at the CIC meeting in March. Body shop owners must take charge of their own business future. All industry participants, however, should be able to express their needs and goals in the collision repair equation in a tone that strikes a polite yet determined tone.

The CARSTAR group’s open letter to the Industry (on page 13), whether you agree with all or part of its statements, deserves a careful read and a measured response.

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