>> 5.9 Shop Management Updates Here

[WAFERREADER]

Is there a form for Estimates without part numbers. I do not like giving customers the "deluxe getaway package" with numbers to make it easy to shop.

[fortknoxx]

file
print set up
estimate
choose est stk paper/ no hours/footer
thats what we use

btw welcome to the forum

[WAFERREADER]

"est stk paper/ no hours/footer" still prints the part numbers on the estimate. It doesn't show the labor hours, but DOES show part numbers

[steven kiser]

on my estimates i over ride the part # with a doubble zero. when i order on the internet i have an option to include the part #'s. like you when i write an estimate i want to be as precise as i can without giving a bottom feeder the ability to track a part #. it's too easy to google search by part #. i have (i crindge when i refer to them as customers. i wish there was a carlinism on this) well anyway there is situations where the # has been updated and then the "customer" feels they were intentionally misled. i've had "customers" e/mail me web sights asking me if this was the correct part. being a true humanitarian i will tell them it looks like the part we need say a mmmmmmmmm mirror. unfortunatly they are looking at a passenger non power and they need a driver, with power and automatic light dimmer. it's tragic. i will add a labor "tax" when a "customer" supplies their own part. that's if i even choose to do it. i will only install primarily cosmetic items or occasionally products from the tire rack. if i'm supplying a quote on tires i will refer to it as a tire. no specifics at all. i had a customer with a lexus purchase tires from town fair tire. suprisingly they experienced high speed driveabaility issues. after numerous alighnments and parts replacements at town fair i talked them into letting me install the tire i would've sold them. amazingly all the issues were resolved. i charged top $ for wht i did plus one hour for all the "counseling"i did. the "customer" was upset that i charged the hour rate and i asked how much they spent all together including adding a $10 amount for their time and include $4 per gallon. i remind them that tey may have inferior suspension parts in their car now. i guess my views may vary or i act on them differently because i'm on the other side of hungry hill.

[fortknoxx]

take a look at using ro with part detail no part # it will print ro at the top not estimate, but will have the ifno you are looking for

[ricmorin]

take a look at using ro with part detail no part # it will print ro at the top not estimate, but will have the ifno you are looking for

I would recommend against using RO print formats under the Estimate heading. Undesirable results will occur.

[TCPerfBarb]

I would like to see this option as well. It's available on the Invoice print options, just not estimates. I don't want to make it easy for them to shop me.

[TCPerfBarb]

We don't enter the part #'s when giving a customer a printed copy of the estimate. We rarely give estimates that way anyways. The customer is usually called with the estimate (which is handwritten on the repair order) & we then get the ok to proceed to repairs.

Agreed. But sometimes we have clients who need to budget and would like a copy of the estimate. It's easier to have the part numbers on there for when they do come back. In an ideal world no one would shop us, but the economy right now is leaving the door open for clients to try and "get a deal"

[ricmorin]

I think the 'Lump Sum Estimate' works best for this. The part numbers are there, but since there are no prices associated with the parts or the labor, it is not possible to price check down to the individual item level.

[Matt R.]

I like the lump sum with the exception that it doesn't include shop supply/hazmat or tax. I write them an estimate, print it out, then have to manually correct it so when they return it is accurate.

[John C.]

I've actually started to take a page from the dealers, I'll make the estimate, in a sub-estimate then on their Invoice I do a quick write up of the repair/service with the amount at the end.

[DAVESGARAGE]

Is there a form for Estimates without part numbers. I do not like giving customers the "deluxe getaway package" with numbers to make it easy to shop.

I would like this feature also. My state, [Michigan} requires an itemized estimate, part description and price are good enough to satisfy that requirement. My invoices do not print hours or part #s. If I need numbers for a warranty situation, I turn it back on and print a copy as needed. I would never consider overwriting part numbers, how would you electronically update prices in 3 months when a customer would then like to have the work done?

[blt7cd]

Agreed. This would be a nice feature. We do tons of estimates for future recommendations and keep it under the revision tab. It would save me a ton of time to be able to print out an estimate without part numbers. This should be a quick and easy fix for the next update. I can print invoices without the part number, so why shouldn't I be able to print out an estimate that way?

[crmeyers]

This shouldn't be a NICE feature, this should be a MANDATORY feature! For almost a year now, I've been worrying about this topic. It's not efficient to change the write-up process for estimates and leave the part number off...that just means having to look it all up again if you sell the job. We've been putting the part #'s in a note line under the part and unchecking the "print on order" box, but it's a complete waste of time to go back in and "fix" it when you sell it. We're busy as hell, and I hate wasting time...can you sense a little frustration from me on this topic???

[fortknoxx]

convert it to an invoice and type Estimate only" on a note. i then cut and paste to a revision. then post a blank invoice.

[crmeyers]

But if I post a blank invoice (invoice equaling to zero dollars), that drives my average $ per invoice down, especially if I do that often. I don't want that to happen.

[fortknoxx]

sorry, we dont us that part of the system

[ricmorin]

But if I post a blank invoice (invoice equaling to zero dollars), that drives my average $ per invoice down, especially if I do that often. I don't want that to happen.

How often are you handing out written estimates? I might do that once or twice a year here. I either sell it on the spot or not.

[DAVESGARAGE]

convert it to an invoice and type Estimate only" on a note. i then cut and paste to a revision. then post a blank invoice.

Or then it would require the repair order to be deleted if no ther billable work done. I do a LOT of cutting and pasting as it is, come on now, how hard could it be to get this feature operational?

[timbre4]

how hard could it be to get this feature operational?

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