An
"RFR" stands for Request for Review, a form
through which to challenge the ADP, Mitchell and Motor’s time
estimates, and specifically, the "not included" portions
for a given repair procedure. Also, with regard to group labor
times, watch for mechanical operations that are included but
are only paid at body rate. By using RFR’s regularly, you can
increase your bottom line significantly! Why? Because by not
doing so, some—or many—of the steps required of you and your
technicians for say, R&I absorbers, R&I grilles, etc.,
are done as part of the procedure but you don’t or haven’t gotten
paid for them because in many instances, these operations were
"not included" in the time estimate!! Resolve right
now to question the labor times—don’t be afraid to ask!—and
get paid for the steps that you must perform! Better yet, doing
so helps the entire industry because the changes that come about
are then incorporated into subsequent editions of the database.
Keep in mind too, that time estimates are based on new, undamaged
OEM parts. Consequently, if you specify or are having to salvaged/recycled
parts that labor and refinish times must be adjusted upwards
accordingly. If there is a part that does not have a time beside
it or the word "included", challenge it. Theses databases,
for a true professional and astute business person, are the
single largest key to profitability!
The
procedure is simple and the best way to do it is in writing;
that’s what the form is for. By challenging the time in writing,
nothing gets overlooked. Address any questions on labor and
refinish times you may have and then, fax it to the RFR Department
of the particular information provider shown below:
ProviderRFR Department Fax
ADP (510)866-4838
Mitchell (800)854-7030
(outside California)
(619)578-4752
(in California)
Motors
(CCC) (813)828-0215
Normally,
it takes up to several days to receive an answer. The result
will not always agree with your position. If necessary, challenge
their answer(s) by providing them additional information, your
expertise, reasoning and the facts. Learn to "live and
breathe" the word "RFR" and watch your profits
start to climb!
