>> 5.9 Shop Management Updates Here

[steven kiser]

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.

agreed, as a rule i never hand out an estimate. i'll quote a price but i've found that people that require a written estimate are using it as a lever to get the job done for less at another shop. i'll not be used as a bargaining chip. usually you can tell these people because they have pretty specific questions that you're kind of suprised to hear asked. people are told to get more than one quote on a job and i have no problem with that. i've had people call me and tell me that they've found another shop that will do the work for less and want to know if i'll beat they're price. as a rule that i stick to i'll say "looks like you've found the shop that's going to repair your car and if you have any questions about the repair i'll be happy to answer them but will not be used to make repair decisions when you're using other shops to do the work". if they call back and try to convince me that even though i'm more expensive that they've chosen me to do the work i'll schedule them a week or two away. i know that they're still going to try to "negotiate" during and after the repair..............

[crmeyers]

That's the way we did it when our shop was much smaller. Myself, or the owner were the only two people that dealt with the customer, job estimates were oral, and the deal was made with and oral approval and a handshake. Now that we work at the Tashmahal, 4 service writers, and see 1000 cars a month, written estimates are printed and signed by the customer for approval (except for the "regulars"). We have so many new customers every day, that if you don't, you get the arguments on the front counter about what was quoted and what was charged. I don't like doing it this way myself. But when you cater to this many people, you get that more than occasional ***hole that wants to test you. This way he/she has no leg to stand on. Sucks that the world is like that! As far a people shopping me...I don't really care. I tell people up front that I'm not the least expensive shop in town, and if that what they are looking for, they're at the wrong place! They can walk in here though, and know that!

[ricmorin]

We don't have the customer sign estimates. They sign Repair Orders. The order of flow as designed by the software lends itself this way. Estimates are just that, uncommitted work. If the job is approved, it gets converted to an RO, committed work. When done, it gets converted to an Invoice and paid/posted. We find this flow very natural.

Your mileage may vary....

[crmeyers]

Your right, I guess I misspoke. RO's are printed and signed, not estimates.

[ricmorin]

Your right, I guess I misspoke. RO's are printed and signed, not estimates.

Cool. In a high volume shop you NEED that flow to keep things going.

[tlautomotive]

how hard could it be to get this feature operational?

Could you email me too, or just post it here on the forum. I gotta say that this features absence is driving me and my service writers crazy(er).

[timbre4]

Please confirm which version you're using as this is an old thread. I looked up the email I sent and template was for Manager 5.9.5.

[tlautomotive]

Please confirm which version you're using as this is an old thread. I looked up the email I sent and template was for Manager 5.9.5.

5.9.5.94

[timbre4]

Please confirm which version you're using as this is an old thread. I looked up the email I sent and template was for Manager 5.9.5.

5.9.5.94

Should run your quarterly update as 5.9.5.103 is current version.

Check your email.