Denise Caspersen, Automotive Service Association (ASA) collision division manager, recently met with Connecticut collision repair group members to discuss the State Farm electronic parts procurement application which has drawn concern from repairers in different states. The meeting was held at Ray’s CARSTAR in Bristol, Conn., and conducted by the Connecticut Collision Repair Specialist (CCRS) association. Caspersen was on hand to present the facts to date and share in a question-and-answer discussion with repairers and suppliers about State Farm’s electronic parts ordering pilot currently underway in four states, with pilot expansion set for December 2012.
“The largest point of contention continues to center around potential profit reductions within the collision repair shop,” said Caspersen. “This is now being followed by concerned repairers questioning ‘if State Farm does this, then what are others going to do next that makes this worse?’ Even with the MSRP discount column removed, the ‘what ifs’ around profits are still heavy on the minds of repairers. Greater clarity is needed from both State Farm and PartsTrader on this important issue, and ASA will continue to advocate for this.”
Lisa Siembab, CCRS association executive director, said, “One of our objectives within CCRS is to make sure that our members are informed of industry issues and trends. Obviously, PartsTrader has been a controversial issue and we thought it was important to hear an objective perspective, which is why we invited ASA to present the information it has obtained from interviews and meetings with both State Farm and PartsTrader.”
A team of ASA collision repair leaders met with State Farm in late September to share repairers’ concerns about the electronic parts application. ASA will continue to provide the industry with detailed information about the pilot, and regularly engages with State Farm and other parties to address concerns on behalf of ASA members.
Collision repairers may share their comments regarding the pilot by contacting Caspersen at [email protected], or by phone at (800) ASA-SHOP, ext. 106, or (817) 514-2906 (direct). ASA announcements addressing the State Farm pilot are conveniently located at www.ASAshop.org. Click on “Tools & Resources,” then “State Farm Pilot Program.”
To learn more about ASA’s dedication to service and repair professionals, the value of ASA membership and how to join, visit www.ASAshop.org or call (800) 272-7467, ext. 361.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
