What are the Biggest Issues Facing the Professional Installers?

Mike Keegan is our Communications Director for Aftermarket Rewards. In our recent e-newsletter, he asked a question of the professional installer. "What are the biggest issues facing your business this year?" Below is an article Mike Wrote for a subsequent issue answering the question from the responses he received. Mike also provides the readers of the e-newsletter with some suggestions on how to use their points to get tools for their businesses.


In the last issue, we asked, "What are the biggest issues facing your business this year?"
Overwhelmingly, people told us the economy. In fact, we asked the same question in the foodservice industry and received even more responses indicating the economy and fuel prices are the biggest business challenges in 2008. Mr. Jamro of Accent Auto Body in Nevada said, "The biggest challenge to the business this year is customers bringing their vehicles in for an estimate and due to the economy, they're unable to pay the deductible. Thus the repairs are not completed and business overall has declined. "What can you do? Unfortunately there is no easy fix, but Aftermarket Rewards can provide a little relief. We suggest using your points to redeem items you can use in your shop. This way, you can get some of the equipment you need without paying for it. We have a section of the rewards catalog called 'Business Building Awards' that features office equipment like phones, fax machines and printers. Next time you need a compressor, sander or pressure washer, check out the section called 'Tools & Automotive' and save your shop some money. Another effective way to use points to help your bottom line is to use them to reward employees. Losing good employees and training their replacement is costly. By using points to reward your best employees, you're providing additional value beyond just their paycheck.

Keystone announces ‘Sizzlin' Summer Deal’

Pomona, CA – Keystone Automotive today announced that Aftermarket Rewards customers can now earn 250 bonus points for every 10 Keystone codes they redeem, as part of the new “Sizzlin’ Summer Deal.”
According to Keystone Director of Marketing Services Mary Kunz, “The ‘Sizzlin’ Summer Deal’ is just one of many earning opportunities that we offer our customers. Whether they choose to purchase cooling, lighting, sheet metal products or mirrors online at OrderKeystone.com or Platinum Plus reconditioned bumpers and wheels through their local branch, customers who take advantage of the ‘Sizzlin’ Summer Deal’ are sure to see their points add up to some great rewards.”
All online customers who have linked their valid Keystone account number to their AMR profile will automatically receive a Click-to-Claim notification email and be able to earn points for their eligible online purchases. Customers who purchase Keystone Platinum Plus reconditioned bumper and wheel products can their redeem codes on the Aftermarket Rewards website by simply entering the 12-digit Reward Code found on all Keystone Platinum Plus reconditioned bumper and wheel product labels.
The recognized leader in quality collision replacement parts, Keystone Automotive Industries Inc. is a division of LKQ Corporation. With a newly expanded network of over 9,000 team members, the combined company today maintains nearly 300 distribution facilities across the United States and Canada. Keystone remains committed to providing the most innovative product offerings and technology-based solutions to help its customers meet the demands of daily business.
Courtesy: Keystone Automotive Industries, USA

And the Winner is...

We ran a promotion rewarding whatever lucky participant entered the 8 millionth Aftermarket Rewards® code and we have a winner! Mr. Andrew Brown is the shop manager at Ed's Auto Collision in Mastic, NY. Mr. Brown entered the 8 millionth code on June 17th and the code was on a 3M paint product. Congratulations Mr. Brown, we've deposited an additional 8,000 points into your account! Now you just have to decide what to do with all those points.

Is the current state of the economy good for aftermarket suppliers or bad?

So which is it?

Over the last several weeks, Aftermarket Rewards has been across the country meeting with a broad range of leading suppliers to the industry. One of the first questions we always ask is, “How’s business?”

Half of the suppliers will tell us that business is great. Since people can’t afford to buy new cars they’re spending more than normal on maintaining the vehicles they have.

The other half we’ve spoken with tell us a different story. They explain that people can barely afford to put gas in their cars and the only maintenance being done is what’s absolutely necessary.
What’s your answer to the question, “How’s business?”

Aftermarket Rewards Wed Traffic Stats

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