I’ve written blogs on the repair concerns of the general public, but when a vehicle is one of your highest monetary investments the bar is certainly raised.  Luxury vehicles offer a vision of the future, hold the highest safety standards, and have the proven technology to offer the highest performance.  It’s no wonder that an owner of such a vehicle would hold a repair facility to the same standards.

Rick’s Paint and Body has the privilege of having relationships with several local luxury dealerships.  These are vital working relationships, and we are proud to have them.  Not only do we rely on these dealerships to assist us with complex mechanical issues, but they utilize our facility for repairs as well.  They often refer their customers to us for collision repairs that cannot be completed at the dealership.  These dealerships include Mercedes-Benz of Augusta, Taylor BMW, Jim Hudson Lexus, and Bob Richards Infinity.  We welcome their trust in us.

Still driving that 1994 sedan that you’ve babied since you bought it?  Do you expect the same treatment and repair that we would provide a luxury vehicle owner?  Don’t worry; you too are an important part of our clientele.  Collision repair is wide ranging, and we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of any and every customer that walks in the door.  We look forward to your business, whether you drive a posh sports car, or the family wagon.

We can proudly say that we are Geico GreenLink shop.  It’s an extension of the CCAR-GreenLink program, and is designed to promote environmental stewardship in local repair facilities.  It also helps make sure that we’re meeting, and maintaining the highest level of environmental and safety standards.  In other words, it keeps us in check.  We’re delighted to be recognized as one of these facilities. 

Rick’s is also working daily to become a paperless facility.  We’re doing this by converting most of our printed documents into digital form.  Any documents that we need to print, are later scanned into digital files, and then shredded for recycling.  This includes not only the administrative offices, but the body and paint shops too.  We’re deeply aware that paper manufacturing contributes significantly to deforestation, and the production of greenhouse gases.  This effort has given us great satisfaction knowing we’re eliminating waste, but it has also increased productivity as well.  No more searching for or filing paper invoices, repair orders, or a multitude of other daily printed items.

These are just three of the way’s we have committed to protecting our environment.  What can you do?  Going green is easier than you think.  Just small changes in your daily routine can make a difference.  Listed below are a few great ideas I’ve stumbled across in my research for this assignment:

• Water – Do you have a toilet that runs constantly?  You could be wasting up to 200 gallons of water a day.  Repairing a leaky toilet can be a quick, and more than likely cheap fix.
• Plastic, Metal, & Paper Recycling – Stash a couple of dollar store plastic bins stashed near your garbage and items like soda bottles, cans, etc. can be tossed in with ease.  Here’s a list of Columbia County and Richmond County recycling centers.
• Vehicle Maintenance – The harder your car has to work to get you from A to B, means the more emissions it releases.  Something as simple as underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to higher emissions.

We can all take simple, daily steps to protect our natural resources for the next generation.  Not sure what items are recyclable?  Here’s a great link that explains recycling symbols, which identify if (or which part) a package can be recycled.  Even if you only incorporate one of these ideas, you’ve still started the begining of green habits.  We invite you to join us in our ongoing efforts to Go Green!

The last place you need to be wondering and worrying what kind of coverage you have is at the scene of the crime.  You just rammed into someone’s car, hit a pole, or hydroplaned into a ditch and you’re wondering “Does my auto insurance cover this?…Do I have rental coverage?”  No, but really, do you know?  Of course there are more extreme situations and maybe that isn’t even the next to first thought that crosses someone’s mind, but you get the picture.  The thought does eventually come.

There are a lot of factors that play a role in what kind of premium you’ll pay.  Whether it is your age, how old and what type of vehicle you drive, where you live, how many cars will be under a policy, etc. etc.  Knowing the different terms that are used like collision, deductible and liability can help you when deciding what kind of coverage you want and what fits your needs best. Here’s a glossary (ßclick that) for more auto insurance terms.

The higher your deductible (the more financial risk you’re willing to take on), the lower your monthly premiums will be.  But be prepared to pay that deductible if you do get into an accident (IF YOU’RE AT FAULT).  The lower your deductible the higher your monthly premiums will be.  Some insurance companies give discounts if you can pay for 6 or 12 months in one lump.  In the long run this can save you some money.

Maybe this will make you stop to check out what kind of coverage you have.  GOOD, you need to.  Shop around and ask questions if you need to, making sure you are protecting you and your family with the right policy.

Finish: Does your vehicle have an aftermarket finish?  Is it brand new?  Or is it 20 years old?  For some customers, color match is a significant issue.  You worry that your color will not match, or will in some way be different than your existing finish.  We use several different technologies to insure the best finish.  These range from blending the color onto adjacent panels, using an Aquire paint match tool, even spraying test panels before we paint the vehicle.  If our environmental impact is something that concerns you, we now spray DuPont Cromax Pro.  It’s a waterborne product, and one of the ways we’re reducing our environmental footprint.

Parts Usage: The types of parts we use vary from repair to repair.  At times your insurance policy will determine parts usage.    Even in this case, we make sure that the highest quality of parts are used in your repair.  In cases of customers paying out of pocket, we have more economic options such as Aftermarket parts as well as Recycled.  Some of the terms we use to describe parts are;

OEM – Original Equipment Manufacture, built by the manufacturer of your vehicle
Aftermarket – a part manufactured from a secondary market, but matches the design and performance of an OEM part
Remanufactured/Reconditioned – a part that may have had a slight blemish, and has been reconditioned
Recycled/LKQ (Like, Kind & Quality) – a part taken from a used vehicle of the same year, make, and/or model

Days to Repair: Most of our schedules are hectic these days, and being without a repair can be very inconvenient.  Not all families have a second car to depend on.  This seems to be one of the most significant issues with our customers.  We can help provide you a rental through a local rental company, and set the billing up with the insurance company involved or help get you a competitive rate.  They can even pick you up on the spot.  While we do rely on basic time and labor formulas to calculate the length of repairs, many times unforeseen variables change our predictions.  We are constantly refining the repair process to unite speed and quality, and to lessen waste in time.

Cost: Sometimes damage is minor, or the damage is not covered by an insurance company.  In that case, you’ll probably be looking for the best price possible.  We understand your position, and have options to offer you.  The parts listed above often have price differences, and we can help you choose what’s best for you.  On minor dings and dents, we can offer PDR (paintless dent repair) which is often much better for your budget.  Until recently wheel damage required replacement.  We now have the ability to repair minor wheel damage, and this has reduced the cost greatly.

Communication: With current technology, we can communicate with you in most any way you prefer.  We are even willing to update you at the frequency that you choose.  We can call you daily, bi-weekly, or weekly, depending on your length of repair and preference.  We can text, or email you.  While smoke signals and singing grams are a bit of a stretch, be assured we are going to do our very best to keep you updated about the status of your repairs.  We also want you to completely understand the repairs that are being completed to your vehicle.  You are invited to voice your questions and concerns.

I’ve mentioned several of the concerns I know my customers have; now I’d like you to join in the conversation.  Have I touched on the worries you have about auto body repair?  What have I missed, what’s important to you?  What are your specific needs?  What can we do to give you some comfort about your repairs?  Help us learn what we can do to meet your expectations.

Make sure you are familiar with what your insurance policy does, and does not cover.  After an accident is the worst time to find out you don’t have rental insurance, that you only have liability (covers the other vehicle only when you are at fault), or that you have a high deductible.  Here’s some great info from the State Bar of Georgia about the law in regards to auto accidents, as well as South Carolina.

If your accident is minor, and you do not have injuries, it may be safer to move your vehicle out of traffic to the shoulder of the road.  Some states have created laws making this required on highways, and interstate roads.  This is the best way to avoid further damage, and even another accident.  Turn on your hazard lights, and shut your vehicle off.  This will prevent the vehicle from overheating if there is damage to the cooling system, as your vehicle’s cooling system is located at the very front of the vehicle.  If you’re not comfortable moving the vehicle, it’s always best to wait for instructions from the responding authority.  If you are injured in any way, it’s best to let the paramedics check you out at the scene.

Always call your local police, sheriff, or public safety.  Even with the smallest of fender benders, a police report will be required by any insurance company.  This protects you in a situation where the other party involved wants to pay for repairs out of pocket, or denies liability.  Not all of these circumstances go as planned.  Don’t discuss the accident details, or fault with anybody at the accident scene.  Reserve this discussion for the authorities, and your insurance company.

Get the facts.  While the authorities will help you with this process, it’s best to exchange information with the parties involved.  This includes contact information, vehicle information, and insurance information (including policy number).  I’ve created an emergency bag for my car that helps me with this process.  It includes a disposable camera (although most of us have cell phones handy that will take quality photos), a pen and small notepad, and a set of warning cones.

Your insurance card is the best place to find the information you’ll need to make a claim.  There will more than likely be a 24 hour claims hotline number on that card.  While calling your agent is certainly advised, the claims hotline is the most efficient way to get the ball rolling.  This is a call you may want to make once things have settled down from the accident.  Your claim representative will have lots of questions for you, and will need your full attention.

Maybe your auto body damage is very minor, such as a door ding.  With the holiday bustle, parking lots become risky business!  If this is the case, you may be the perfect candidate for paintless dent repair (PDR).  It’s a more economical way of dealing with small dents and dings.  No refinish is required for dings that qualify for this type of repair.  Most PDR can be done within a business day, and can be scheduled quickly.

Hopefully we’ve provided you with some practical information.  If you have any questions that were not answered here, please call us.  We’ll always have someone qualified to answer your collision repair, or claims process questions.  Rick’s Paint and Body is always available when you need us most.

For that directionally challenged friend or family member, you guessed it a navigation system.  This can also be for anyone that loves to travel.  They’ll no longer get lost and finding an alternate route, easily, won’t be a problem.  There are several brands and prices range between $80 and $400 for a portable device.  For navigation system that can be installed into the dash, will cost more.  The wants or needs of who you are buying for may influence what price point you’ll be purchasing from.

Everyone loves to listen to music while their riding down the road or going on a road trip.  No one likes to have speakers that crack or have poor quality delivering sounds, so make car rides more enjoyable with a new sound system.  Before you make a purchase, do your research.  Make sure that what you’re purchasing is what you’re looking for.  There are a lot of variables when deciding on what sound system will be best.

Now not everyone is a biker rider, but for those who are, a bike rack could make their day.   How much more convenient it will be to tote their bike or bikes around!  Definitely beats trying to stuff one inside their vehicles.  Prices on these can range from $35-$600.  The higher end prices are bike racks made for a specific Make of vehicle.

Who doesn’t want tinted windows?  The summers in Georgia are almost unbearable!  Tinted windows can make car rides more comfortable in the summer heat.  Not only that, they protect from UV rays and reduce glare to help driving visibility.  Prices vary depending where you get the tint done, how dark, and how much window surface is being tinted.

If you’re tight on money like many people are, you can go another route.   Key chains, vinyl monogrammed initials for the back glass, personalized plate, cd holders, bobble heads, and air fresheners can be a more affordable option.  A gift bag or basket can also be made with a combination of these smaller items.  Hope this helps with any gift shopping woe and make gift giving blissful!  Happy Holidays!

Here are some other car accessory items:

Stereo, seat covers, floor mats, trailer hitch, rain guards, rhino liner, toolbox, entertainment system, cleaning kits, detail gift certificate, bug shields, auxiliary connector, tonneau cover, sun roof reflector, undercoating, tires, rims, mud flaps, grill, performance chip, exhaust system, cold air intake, side entry steps, chrome handle covers, brush guard, remote start, alarm system and roof rack.

Keeping your car organized and clean can be a hard, especially if you’re busy.  If you take some steps to help your vehicle stay organized and clean, it will be easy!

First and easiest is, every time you stop at a gas station to fill up, empty out old fast food cups, receipts, napkins, and whatever else that can be disposed of in your vehicle.  There’s always a trash can near the pumps.  SUPER convenient and EASY!  Keeping plastic shopping bags in your car can be helpful too.  Most grocery stores or shopping centers have trash cans outside the entrance.  Toss in what can be thrown out in a plastic bag and before you enter the store, throw away your trash.  You can use an empty oatmeal tin or Ziploc bag to store plastic bags in.

For those emergencies where a little bit of this or that has spilled, I keep some antibacterial wipes on hand.  If you get the travel size, they fit in any cubby hole in your vehicle.  Yeah they’re antibacterial wipes, but they are useful for getting small messes if not entirely clean, bearably clean until you can get it detailed.  So now you not only have wipes for your hands, you have wipes for cleaning up small messes.  If you have kids keep having wipes around is extra handy.

The back seat can become pretty neglected since we (the drivers) don’t spend much time back there.  Kids can make it look like a miniature tornado swept through.  And you know who you are, you know, the one who tosses anything cluttering the front seats of our vehicles in the back.  Instead of tossing stuff in the back seat you can use those plastic shopping bags to store items in until you can remove those belongings.  This way, you won’t have items scattered.  Another thing you can do is purchase a backseat organizer.  This can help kids keep their crayons, coloring books, stuffed animals, napkins, etc. etc. contained. Help them to help you!

Now, to the trunk space. If you’re like me, you have many items in your trunk.  I have a stroller, soccer balls, shoes, and jackets.  To help me keep these items contained I purchased a storage bin.  This also creates a neat space for anything I need to store in my trunk in the future.

We have created bad habits that ultimately make keeping our cars organized and clean overwhelming.  You don’t necessarily have to purchase bins, cargo nets, or anything fancy like that.  You can use things around your house, like a small cardboard box for your trunk space.  For backseat organizers, you can repurpose an old backpack that isn’t too over-sized.  It doesn’t matter what you use as long as it helps you keep organized and clean.  There are many other ways to help, but these tips are just to help you get started.

The Salvation Army can be seen just about everywhere you go this season.  They can’t be missed with their red kettles, and ringing bells.  If you’re lucky, you might even get serenaded by a bell ringer at your favorite retailer.  The money they collect provides food, clothing, and toys.  They also provide financial assistance for basic necessities to those in need.  A little change can go a long way for a struggling family.  Our very own Kroc Center was funded through the Salvation Army.

I think we’ve all bought a toy to help Toys for Tots at one time or another.  The organization was founded by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  This great program has been giving bright Christmas mornings to children since 1947.  Whether you can only give one toy, or your organization wants to become a toy drop site, every donation counts.  Here is a list of local donation drop-offs.

Now is also a great time to remember the many troops that will be spending their holidays away from their loved ones.  Here is a site that addresses specific needs of many soldiers and their families.  In addition, the USO Wishbook allows you to give a soldier a gift ranging from a phone call home, to Christmas decorations.  This is certainly a noble cause.

A great need that is often forgotten over the holidays is blood.  We all have very busy schedules this time of year, however, blood is a donation that will only cost you time.  Three lives can be saved with a single donation.  Blood donations are often very low this time of year.  Local urgent needs include A negative, B negative and O negative.  Here is a link to Shepeard Community Blood Center’s local drives this month.

While it does bring a great sense of satisfaction to give, some of us cannot give a great deal.  All of the above mentioned organizations will accept even the smallest of donation.  You can also bring together members your church, civic club, or business to gather a greater donation.  If you have your own charity in mind, but don’t know if they are legitimate, you can check them out with the Better Business Bureau. 

Happy Holidays, and Happy Giving!