Gleaning ideas from colleagues during these unprecedented time
By John Yoswick
Industry trainings and collision repairer event organizers often say they see attendees learning as much as they talk with one another as they do in any classroom. That’s one thing that’s made the last year particularly challenging: Shop owners have had less opportunity to interact with one another to exchange ideas and best practices.
So during this unprecedented time, here’s what shops have said in interviews and surveys that they have been doing in response to the pandemic, the changes in consumer practices and preferences, and the economic downturn.
Many shops have found ways to support other businesses in their community, such as a “pay-it-forward” campaign started by Ernie’s Auto Body in Hayward, Wisc.
“With any collision repair over $1,000, the customer gets to choose a $30 gift certificate from several local restaurants doing take-out,” shop owner John Magowan said.
Both Crouse Auto Body in Elkton, Md., and 1042 Collision Repairs in Farmingdale, N.Y., said they’d made donations to local restaurants that were making meals for first responders and front-line workers. Mark Probst, owner of Probst Auto Body in Dieterich, Ill., said he purchased gift cards from local businesses to use as …
