Web Design and Management for Auto Body and Auto Repair Shops

We found an excellent Web Design, Management and search positioning company in NC.  They specialize in Auto Repair, Auto Body and other service business websites who are looking for web based, website generated leeds to increase sales and their customer base.  We found them to be surprisingly affordable and amazingly productive.  Its been a profitable long term relationship and we highly recommend them for any service business.

GO! Get em

Body Shop Estimating Online

When you need to get an estimate online, you can now use the Online Estimating Service in our web store http://store.raceclubbodyshop.com/online-body-shop-estimate-basic/

Add photos to upload, add summary of the repair requirements, other information and submit the form, you will get an estimate using our Auto Body Excel as a pdf file.

Print for your customer or print for the insurance company.

Sometimes you only need an online estimating service occasionally and you don't need the monthly services like the data based sites.  No VIN required as we don't decode.

This online estimating service is designed for start up or back yard shops who are just getting started.

Sometimes customers or policy holders need a second opinion, it's great for those needs too.

We have a 30 year veteran of the collision repair Industry and a trained use of software like CCCone, Michelle etc.  We don't decode the VIN and do not use the database, therefore we don't have the licensing fee over head to raise the price.

Get an online estimate for only $25 within 12-24hrs

http://store.raceclubbodyshop.com/online-body-shop-estimate-basic/

Still not sure what do do with this blog...

It haunts me with Adsense revenue, haunt because it so low, ha ha.  The bright side, and the reason I keep coming back is; it ranks well in Google search for a Body Shop Estimating software.  We make available as an alternative to the expensive ones.

So, I'm thinking since we are helping so many Body Shop with Estimating and Managing their repair work, I thought this might be a good opportunity to mention we also provide web design and web management services to small body shops as well.

We price our designs low (but still keep the images custom so they do well in search results). because most of the revenue comes from the maintenance packs, depending on the goals you have and your budget.  Most shops choose a basic website design, you can leave it like that and pay basic hosting for only $9.95 a month or we can optimize for search, add galleries and albums on a regularly scheduled basic updates during the maintenance process for under $40 monthly.

When was the last time you hired an office employee for under $40 a month, I know right?  Good deal.

Why do we do it?  We had a body shop for 8 years, been in the Industry for 30, we have a soft spot for the body shop industry and I'm a car guy.

>Check out the design website or call us and lets talk about ringing your phone with new Internet customers.<

Cheap body shop estimating software? Free from Monthly Fee's?

Yeah we get that one alot and experienced the frustration of looking for one.  When our body shop was transitioning from hand written vs computer generated we found we were stuck in the middle between moving from hand written to using a cheap program that could automate a lot of the math and hand writing parts.

The main problem was:  The high monthly's with name name brand CCC one (pathways), Web-est, ABFsystems, Crash Writer, Mitchell and the others.

The competition is getting tough and the prices are coming down but, there still was not an answer for us, so we developed our own cheap body shop estimating system using Microsoft Excel(TM), developed specifically to fill the cap between hand written and expensive data base driven.

The workbook we developed helped us tremendously by allowing us to print a customer info sheet, look over the car with a paper copy and make abbreviations that we understood, enter that in the computer and use long descriptions that your customer will now understand, enter the labor hours as judgment items and all the math is done automatically and the information filters from page to page allowing you to track parts, make customer notes, print RO's and even a profit summary to make sure you made a profit or if you didn't, let you know how much money you lost on the repair.

We found it to be a cost effective and downright cheap body shop, collision shop, custom shop automotive repair estimating system solution.

Store.BodyShopEstimatingTools.com

But whatever you do, don't take our word for it, view the demo video to get the basics.  Its available as an instant download too and comes with a cool body shop labor rate calculator that you enter your shops overhead and financial goals, it will tell you how much your body shop should be charging for as a labor rate.  Giving you a competitive advantage over other repair shops.

So here it is, the solution for small to mid sized, even shade tree or back yard shops to write estimates, storing the information, printing using any windows computer with or without the Internet.

We hope you appreciate it as much as we did, please take the time to review it also, we treasure feedback and use it to improve the product.  Registered customer get the Free updates after we implement the requests.

We have reviewed this item before but felt it worth repeating.

Enjoy!

More information and to download instantly

Webdsigner, Freelance for small to mid sized service businesses.

Webdsigner, Freelance for small to mid sized service businesses.

Found a Place Buying and Repairing Used Body Kits

Do you have a used body kit?  Does it need to be repaired?  Is it junk?

We found someone who buys used body kits, wings, spoilers, canards and even some used headlamps.  I guess they repair and resell them?

Anyway, we know these guys and they do great work if your looking to get your body kit installed, repaired or removed from your yard.

We have found, it's not easy finding someone who does high quality installations, either for body kit or Lambo doors.  After seeing the shoddy installations of some shops online, we certainly would never consider price as a determining factor (within reason of course, were not crazy) for repairs or installation.  If a body kit repair or installation fails, you have a costly headache on your hands and the result is paying two separate shops for the same job.

Do yourself a favor and research...  Ask questions (many)...  Better yet, talk to someone live online who can answer and consult with you and help you save money.

Only takes a second to find someone who will install it in your driveway for a 6 pack, but is it really worth it?

Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber and Plastics take a specialist with experience and the desire to do a good job.

So if you have a body kit that you need to get rid of, install the right way or repair.  We recommend you contact the guys at A Touch of Custom.

If you know anyone else who does quality body kit installations, Lambo's, custom paint.  Give us a heads up, we will check them out and make a recommendation.

New Direction for the Blog

We have a new direction for the Blog, we are dedicating it to general questions and answer's for all kinds of car help, product reviews, tipa and other body shop related information:

Most Common Questions We Answer

• I'm shopping for a used car, is (the cars your shopping around for) a reliable car?  How about the resale value, parts cost etc.
• I'm hearing a knocking noise in the exhaust, what is it so I don't get ripped off at the mechanic shop.  I don't want to get there and they tell me I need a new expensive whatever when its actually something more simple and cheaper.
• How much will it cost to do custom paint and a body kit on my...
• Is Duraflex a good body kit?
• Is Veilside selling the Fortune kit in the USA for the RX7 anymore?
• How much to body shops charge for paint these days?

We answer question 2 ways:  On the Blog as we have time for free or immediately using the Live Person(TM) app when we are online.

Ask your question anywhere on the Blog or contact us via Live Person(TM) we are here to get you the estimating, body, mechanical information you need.

Been a while huh?

After several attempts at ignoring this blog, the spam issues we've been having and the time consuming aspect of it.  Looks like were back.  No reason we cant poke at it on a monthly basis.  Stay tuned ;)

Veilside Fortune Build Questions

Yes we still do this build, we are having trouble replying to posts in this blog.  Contact us via email to make an appointment or to discuss over the phone.  We not sure how long it will take to fix the reply problems, Google seems to be slow in their response.

Contact

Auto Body Excel Support

We will be using the blog so customers can get the support they need for set up, customization etc of their Auto Body Excel work book.  Our goal is to provide you with a low cost estimating and management tool until you can afford or justify the expense of programs like:  CCC, Mitchell, Web-Est etc.

Ask questions about ordering, receiving, set up and use.

Feedback helps us deliver a quality product!

We have set up a dedicated support website for the Software Alternative:  Click to download   Click for support

Anybody else getting spammed by Walt Disney and National Geographic?

Since when has spamming gone mainstream?  Geez we get spammed and we unsubscribe from these idiots at least once a month.  Is the economy so bad, major corporations like Disney and National Geographic are stooping to spamming.  Truly they have lost all credibility in our eyes.

Anybody else getting spammed by these guys?

Baby bird knocked out after hitting glass door. - YouTube

Not a video we would normally post here but this one hit close to home, literally.  Baby bird slams into the sliding glass door while i'm in my chair at home.  Knock him completely out on his back, see his fight to survive the impact live!

Baby bird knocked out after hitting glass door. - YouTube

A Word about the political environment and your Insurance company

As the elections get closer, politics seems to be on the forefront of everyone's mind, we are no different.  With the direction of the country hanging in the balance and the tone of the discussions being Capitalism vs Socialism, we feel its important to note who your insurance company supports with the money you give them.

Rather then get into our decision for who our insurance company will be (Nationwide) and why we chose them, we feel you doing your own research is much more important.  We do feel its important to link to the resources we used to make our decision though.

Progressive (our old insurer) Tons of information on them and some of it as recent as last month.  They have been linked to the Occupy movement but you have to dig deep to find it.

Geico (the one we were considering switching to)

Nationwide seems to be the balanced but we didn't like their price.  Not a lot of information in the news but we found some information on their CEO.  As the leader goes, so goes the organization over time. (the one we decided to switch to)

Using the above links we found Nationwide to be who we feel aligns within our best interest for the political environment today.

Choose who you spend your money with and vote with your dollars, if you don't, they will.

Update:  We went with Allstate because they seemed to be the most neutral and supportive of both parties.  Most businesses support some sort of politics, we just feel they shouldn't be biased.  Personally they can support a Golden Retriever for President if they like, just not as a business.  The business should remain neutral, now that holds true unless your name is tied to your business.

Buying Collision and Body Shop Estimating Software $29.95?

Body Shop estimating software, data base driven types like:  CCC Pathways, Web-Est, Crash-Writer, Mitchell etc.  Using these can be premature for low volume back yard body shops.  Take it from us, starting a body shop with little or no money is not easy and you have to watch every nickle and avoid monthly's at all cost.

Monthly's will cripple your efforts during the dry months, some will even say free download!  but they still come with a monthly fee (eventually).

Locating a viable alternative can be an exhausting endeavor, we designed a workbook using simple spread sheet layout that can carry you through the lean times.  When your shops volume increases to a point you can handle large monthly payments, you will be ready to make the transition to Collision Estimating Software.

Ours is available as an instant download and we make a labor rate calculator for only $10.00, combine the 2 and you're in a good position.

We found it simple to use, easy to manage and your customers will love the look of their computer printed estimate.  The spread sheet workbook can be run from any computer with Excel installed (recommended) but can be used with any spreadsheet application if you have a little experience (or know someone) to modify the file for your use.  My teenage son can do it...

Point and click data base collision estimating software is extremely helpful when generating collision repair body shop estimates but is certainly a luxury for smaller shops.

Our workbook will provide a valuable tool until your shop is doing enough volume to justify a more expensive alternative.  Can be modified by anyone with moderate spreadsheet experience or we can do it for you.

Buy online and download instantly download here> Only $19.95 once and no monthly payments... <.  See demo video on website.

Update:  We have been busy building Auto Body Excel Estimating Software Alternative for use with OpenOffice.org.  OpenOffice is a free download, saving you money on the  purchase of Microsoft Excel to get started.  If you already have Excel, we have the new version 3.0, if you have or want to use OpenOffice, we have Auto Body Excel 4.0.  Many new features to make it even more useful.

Also:   A new dedicated support website with many tutorials, postin more tutorials consistently.  View the support website at www.BodyShopEstimatingTools.com

Using aluminium foil to mask items you don't want sprayed is a very simple and cost effective way to mask under hood for firewall painting or engine compartment painting.

Here's a helpful tip for masking under hood components when spray painting your engine compartment.

Use aluminium foil to bend around and wrap anything you don't want over spray on.  Its fast and stays put until you remove it.

This tip came from many years inside of body shops.  Add this to your bag of tricks and you will appreciate it.

DuPont's Painting Contest

We agree, DuPont is in the top 3 for automotive paint quality and ease of use.  We even used it back in the day before base coat clear coats existed.  There were clears but base color consisted of experimenting with lacquers and enamels.

They are currently hosting a paint competition using a select few of their more expensive product.  The reason for this post is their thought process of determining the dollar amount of prize money.  "$2500?????? So you want a shop to put 50+ hours of labor and use your higher end products for $2500?  Follow up winners will get $500.

Best I can tell its only good for recognition alone, but if you don't get coverage in a top magazine, don't really see that as an effective form of promoting your shop.  I'm thinking the value of this contest would be a plaque on the wall in your show room.

Come on guys!  One of the top paint manufacturer's in the world only paying $2500 to the winner?  This is why the collision repair/paint and body industry is suffering.  The value people put on the skills required to do top quality work, drops yearly.

Come on DuPont, don't forget the people who use your products...

Website Redesign...

We are redesigning the website again.  The redesign will make it easier to navigate and speed up page loads.  Be sure to bookmark it if you want to learn how to do custom paint and body work.  www.raceclubbodyshop.com

We have completed the redesign of our Auto Body Excel Estimating workbook.  This workbook is a great alternative to expensive collision estimating software like CCC Pathways,  Mitchell, Web est and more.  No monthly fees, lower purchase price and no locking because of late payments.

The video demonstrates how to use it, its a great tool for low volume shops looking to partially automate the estimating process.

Access our website for more information or to purchase securely online.

Redesigned Estimate Sheets

We will be redesigning the Excel Estimating workbook.  Adding functionality and more features.  Making these available on the website in March of this year.  For more information, see our website.

Wire Mesh for Body Kit Update

You may have found our wire mesh kit listing on our products page for 69.95.  We will be covering this product in our how section of the main website www.store.raceclubbodyshop.com