Instant Camera

[cazador]

Befor I start repairing a huge starbreak , I take a picture from it using my instant camera .
So to say a picture Befor and After.
So far , every repair I did was to the customers satisfaction .
But , just in case he or she don't remember how bad of a break it was to begin with or had too high hopes , I'm able to show them how it looked like befor I got started repairing it.
Maybe an idea........?

[Shepard]

Good idea ... but I think more-so for marketing ... send the before and after pics to the client in about 6 months telling them that you hope it is holding up well ... and that they should call you if they have any problems.... yep, good idea .... but ... my, my, the time involved though ....

I think it is a great idea... but I am not convinced of the need. I have not done many repairs in my short business life, less than 2000, but when I have a bad star-break (Like the 4 inch diameter yesterday) that I just can't fill & I end up having to drill holes at the end of two legs (yep, even CHINTT (Coister's Handy & Incredible Needle Tap Trick) from the center toward the leg didn't open it up!) I just tell the person that I give myself a "C" grade for that chip repair and that I only charge for "A's." They ALWAYS call back for the next chip.

Do you use a white or black sheet of something on the other side to make the break "show up" better?

Let us know if it works on an ongoing basis ...

For those that blast you about the idea ... ignor them ... you are thinking!!!

[cazador]

Shepard,
Thanks for your positive response and I'll ignore anyone thats blasts my idea if any !
I'll keep you and so anyone updated how it works in the future !!

[GlassStarz]

I sometimes use the camera on my cell phone when doing an ugly one incase you hear the old der I can still see it or hey its not any better
I also sometimes shoot a shot of any big scratches i do in the paint so if they are still partly visible the used car mgr can see the difference before and after
Just delete them after you leave no expense whatsoever.

[Nomad]

I haven't done this but think its a great idea, and have thought of doing it myself. When I am busy in the winter it always seems that once a month or so someone who hasn't had one repaired before comes back with a complaint or there are some people looking to get a free repair. I look at it and it's a really good repair and not even close to line of vision etc. There's always a few of these around.
If you take them at lower resolution you can get a lot on a chip or a disk. I think it might be good in case you had a problem with insurance too, although this has never been a big problem. Probably keeping track of each one and who they belong to would be the biggest headache.
If the people knew that you did this they would be less likely to lie about stuff to their insurance company (although I haven't had this happen either)since you now have the evidence that it was repaired properly. In other words a good prevention tool. You wouldn't need this too often to make it worth it if you encounter this kind of thing once in a while.

[cazador]

Thanks for the positive responses, I knew I touched a good solution for those out there that try to take advantage of our professional abilities.
This way the client is less prone to complain , if any.
Just cover your .ss!

[splitpit]

Great idea! LOL Maybe I could shoot a picture of my fuel bill, just in case they question my fuel surcharge! LOL

Oh yeah, they don't!