Repair estimates and authorizations

[Art_Mopar]

Looking for some feed back on others processes for estimating repairs and obtaining authorizations. Example, my store, we get a preauthorized amount signed at time of write up. Advisor dispatches job, tech checks over complete vehicle. Tech goes to parts and obtains a parts quote (ADP). Service Advisor hand writes an estimate, calls customer, sells (all, part or none), notes who, what, when authorized on estimate, adds lines to ro. Tech goes back to parts who rolls quote into ro and passes out parts. Is there an easier way to write an estimate (please do NOT suggest ADP's Service Pricing) and does anyone fax a copy of it to be SIGNED by the customer prior to doing the work?

[Ironchild]

Sounds exactly like what we do (ADP here too). Our servie team has Motor's Estimating on the computers but we've found discrepencies when it comes to pricing and it doesn't tell you what is in stock. Also have to deal with "related parts" that the parts dept. knows are needed when doing a job that a service advisor may not be aware of. For strictly estimating purposes, Motors works. But you have to keep in mind that an estimate from a dealer standpoint is exactly that, an estimate. A customer views an estimate as the final price no if's ands, or buts. Just what I have seen and experienced over the years from the parts end of it. We are a small Nissan/VW dealer so I'm sure it can depend on size of the dealership when it comes to processes like these.


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"You want a 710 part?"

[topshop]

See if any of this helps, Art:

We get a preauthorized amount signed at time of write up. Advisor dispatches job, tech checks over complete vehicle. Tech goes to parts and obtains a parts quote (ADP). Service Advisor hand writes an estimate...

***Most estimates required are jobs we have done before. Once a job has been performed, it is saved and titled. Next time it is needed, you just grab it and dump it onto one of 9 subestimates in our software (Mitchell) which remain forever unless sold or deleted. Jobs never done before are estimated from either Real Time or Mitchell for labor and from the appropriate on line vendor or Mitchell or MOTOR for parts.

...calls customer, sells (all, part or none), notes who, what, when authorized on estimate, adds lines to ro...

***A few clicks in the subestimate area of our software covers this.

...Tech goes back to parts who rolls quote into ro and passes out parts...

***The tech is notified on his laptop that the job is sold, what is the priority, where the parts are, etc. Needed parts and paperwork are brought to the tech.

...Is there an easier way to write an estimate (please do NOT suggest ADP's Service Pricing) and does anyone fax a copy of it to be SIGNED by the customer prior to doing the work?

***Only if we never got a signature in the first place and the amount is significant.


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Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com