BODY SHOPS What software do you use for estimates?

[Tuck]

Im trying ADP's Shoplink 6.3, they send monthly updates via disk... $400 a month

Anything you guys would reccomend I had a hard time finding info about other programs on the net...

Looking for the good/bad reports on what you'r useing

Tuck

[raaf]

looks like ryan changed your title. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[cadlights]

You'll like shoplink I think. The only bad thing I have to say about it is they don't put reconditioned, LKQ or AM parts
prices in it. Other than that It's pretty good.

[Tuck]

yeah its been that way since the drags... guess he thinks im trying to hard... to be OSO http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[abomber30]

ADP if I am using it. it must be good hahahaha

[Tuck]

ha... maybe b/c its a offtopic post but who takes time to rate my post a (1)star... does that mean its better than NO stars. Maybe someone hates the question? Just Curious...

I think its valid~ 400 a month vs. the competition... and what do other shops pay for software?

We used mitchell when I was working at Perrys and we went from mitchell books to software. Hand writeing estimates is out the door... and anyone whos done it knows how much of a pain it is.

I have a couple jobs to do over break, a 2003 accord is the first in the hanger...

I think there are alot of hambers on the board that are shop owners and could offer some good advice.

With that said I appreciate the input~ like DREW thanks dude~

Tuck

[Louie]

Tuck I use CCC/Pathways everyday and its a pretty good system. ADP has some good features too. Either one makes the job a ton easier,louie

[Hellbound_Hootch]

a single star can mean so much more than a GROUP of stars,,,

kinda like porn stars,,,
there's no meaning at all with five of them,,,

i thought it was a good question,,,
and i figured that the single shining star would possibly multiply into more stars as those who might not otherwise look at your thread, would stop and see what the single star was about,,,,

anyhow,,,don't forget to email me directions,,,

MISS hellboundhootch

[Tuck]

shows how much i know about the rateing system. I thought the star looked lonely and maybe a single star was BAD http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

oh.... how sweet http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif You are my shineing star... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ill send you directions im working on it RIGHT NOW. I'm glad that people are looking out for my lame self im just excited about doing business FULL TIME and being done w/school

I CANT WAIT... its so close.
your DIRECTIONS are on the way.

[bobbleed]

We still just use Mitchel books, usually the adjuster just does his own estimate anyway.

$400 a month is a lot for a one man shop. You need to be doing a lot of estimates to make it worth it.

[Tuck]

hey bleed... im trying this out fer free at the moment. but it sounds kinda steep to me. Whats it cost for you guys to run books at your shop. I love how easy it is to do it on the computer.

I'm gonna be a (2) man shop this summer. I hired my nephew to work w/ me. Hes 18 and a detailer so it'll take some load off.

I'm very interested in saving money and NOT having a huge overhead.
Tuck

[bobbleed]

We always get used books that are just out dated. We get them right from Mitchel once or twice a year ends up being super cheap, and the rare instance that the book seems out dated we call for parts prices.

It is kind of a pain in the ass, but it works for us and keeps the overhead WAY down.

It would take my dad a week to write an estimate on a computer! We just got one in the office and he can barly turn it on. It's kinda funny.

[Bondo Slinger]

We use ADP,but I can`t add much more info than that. The shop I`m at now is a pretty big opperation and they pretty much keep us bodymen in the back beatin` fenders http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[brewsir]

we have mitchell ....ultra mate and then we have image mate to do our photos. We also have mitchell eclaims ...which the previous ower had setup...its not even online with the ins. companies yet.
Anyway...we pay about 450 /mo. pretty high I guess, but we have to have it for DRN's. I've only been writing est. for a few months...but I find it very easy wth mitchell

[customcarpainter]

I still use Mitchell's books and handwrite everything.Computer generated would be easier,but at 400 a month,thats almost $5000 a year.Will you recover that expense?One man shop here,and I know I can't recover it.

[Tuck]

what do you guys pay mitchell for books? --yeah i cant beleive the cost of a subscription. LOW overhead is one of the biggest things I have going for me... and key to staying alive nowdays. anyways... im prob going to stick to writeing out the estimates. I've been designing my own estimate pads and a little creativity will go farther than the monthy bill. Thats why hambers rule...

[szaf]

I work for an independent appraisal firm in Massachusetts and we have all three estimating systems.
IMHO ccc Pathways is the most user freindly, Mitchell is the only system that lists the factory part numbers when a part is selected, which is a great help when checking invoices. I would rate ADP last.