>> 5.9 Shop Management Updates Here

[danasauto]

I am new to the Mitchell1 management system. We were using AllData before and we were able to create estimates with several different jobs within one estimate. Each job had a subtotal and a grand total at the bottom of the estimate. I am trying to find something similar in Mitchell1. Is there any way to maybe print all the sub-estimates together with a total at the bottom? Is there any better way to do that? Thanks.

Sarah

[steven kiser]

Hi Sara, welcome to the Forum.
I jumped from All Data to Mitchell years ago and have mentioned issues like this from time to time. The Ying and Yang of Mitchell. If I need estimated for multiple jobs on a vehicle i use the revision tab and sub estimate function in the order window of the invoice. Breaking down estimates by job on a single order isn't something i've read about in the forum. I don't recall it in All Data either but i've been away for 10 years. The break down would be nice but i don't see how it would cover over lapping time. If i'm going to quote multiple jobs on one ticket i will take the time to break them down per job using sub estimate then a price lumping the all together deducting overlapping time to show a savings if done together.

This brings up another point here. I've dealt with warranty companies that will separate jobs on the order and apply the deductible per item. A quick example would be a vehicle comes in for a vibration and it needs ball joints. You see it had a frozen brake caliper and a blown axle. I use this because it happened to me. I lumped them all together and was told that it was three separate jobs and the customers deductible was to be applied to all three. I told the service writer that i was just going to deal with one issue, The ball joints. I got the ok and authorization #. Did the ball joints and while it was still apart on the lift i called with a brake pulling issue and order for a caliper replacement, got a authorization #, still one the lift i called again with a bad axle and the "specialist" on the phone started in about charging for overlapping time since the caliper would already be off for the ball joints and the axle would also be almost off. I told him i was playing by his rules since the customer was being his with his deductible three times and i was flat out told it was being considered as three different jobs. The supervisor started in on me and i went right up the ladder and all i kept saying was i was told it was being dealt with as three separate jobs and customer was being charged a 50 dollar deductible each time. They had really no leg to stand on and said they were going to call the customer and explain what was going on. I said what are you going to say Steve is playing by your rules and screwing you like we are. The customer was in the loop since i explained the overlapping time should cover much of his three co pays. They dropped two of the deductibles i included overlapping time and customer added a 90k to the order as well as paying for another front caliper and rear brakes. Customer was thrilled about the way i looked out for his interests and since then never questioned me or my recommendations.

[Rich]

I use revisions. Way easy to do! I break down each thing, Front Brakes, rear brakes, rear main seal, LOF. then when i call the customer I flip over to the revision screne. I talk to the customer about each revision. They I can give them a complete total buy clicking on "sell revision" at the bottom. This brings up a box, you can then click on the Estimate/revision you have sold, and at the bottom give them a total. You can click and un click to yur liking. Then when the customer finally figures out what they want to do click the "transfer" button and it will go to the RO.

Helpful hint here. Have a repeat LOF customer? open revision 9 and enter the labor and parts there. Then each time they come in, open revision 9, Highlight the info, and "ctrl+c", go back to Ro and "ctrl+p" and it will go to the ro. Don't "sell" the revision as that makes it leave totaly. If you copy and paste it is there each time they visit!

Oh ya, sorry...WELCOME to the forums. Ask away.

[Jeff @ Able Auto]

Thanks Rich...all these years and I never caught the revision totaling in the "sell" revision box. An old dog can learn new tricks!!

[ricmorin]

One other thing...... if you are using Rev 9 for oil changes and need to sell one as an addition AND want to keep your revision history intact, you can uncheck the 'clear sub estimates after transfer' box and the oil change data will transfer and still remain in REV 9 for the next time.

[Rich]

Thanks Ric. We are turning this post into teaching old dogs new tricks! I have seen that down there, yet never thought outside the box to use it that way.

[danasauto]

Thank you guys for your comments and suggestions. Rich, that copy/paste trick is great! I have been using the sub-estimates to separate different jobs which works well. The one problem I have run into is printing. We have a lot of customers who want a print out or email of the estimate with separate job totals and a grand total which is what we were used to in AllData. I have not been able to figure out how to do something like that in Mitchell. Is there any way to print out the sub-estimates all together without having 5 or 6 different pieces of paper? Any ideas? Thanks.

Sarah

[timbre4]

Welcome to the forum!

We have an enhancement request to print all Revisions on file for a particular vehicle. I do not have a release date for this function as yet.

[danasauto]

Ok thanks for letting me know Tim. I will look forward to that coming out.

Sarah