SCRS rallies members over State Farm parts bidding program

Jan. 1, 2020
SCRS has sent a letter to its members updating them on the State Farm parts bidding program and encouraging them to get involved.

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) sent a letter to its members updating them on the State Farm parts bidding program and encouraging them to get involved and let the insurer know what they think about the program and its “unreasonable and invasive mandates.”

The letter, signed by Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, appears below:

Members and repairers,

Hopefully you have all seen the information provided by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) that informs on what we have learned about the State Farm parts bidding process currently being "tested" in Grand Rapids, MI, Tucson, AZ, Charlotte, NC; and soon to be launched in Birmingham, AL.

Potential Economic Impact of Parts Bidding on Collision Repair

A Global Perspective on PartsTrader, the New State Farm Parts Bidding Program:
SCRS Interviews Bob McCoy of the Motor Trade Association of New Zealand

Below is a great additional op-ed piece from Scott Biggs with Assured Performance outlining his take on the program that is being rolled out here in the United States. This issue was a focal point of most of the meetings SCRS participated in while in Oklahoma City last week. In fact, during the SCRS public board meeting, we directly asked representatives of State Farm "if the collision repair facilities don't like or support the process, if the vendors don't like or support the process, if the part manufacturers don't like or support the process, would State Farm continue to roll it out without industry support just because they could?"

The answer was yes. Their representative stated, "Yes. I can tell you that State Farm is moving forward with this. We think it is in the best interest of our customer. I know we don't have agreement, and that is fine, and I carry that information back. (And) something could happen that I can't predict. But I can tell you that, right now, that we are moving forward with the process with our Select Service providers."

In fact during another public discussion State Farm representatives urged paint jobbers to "calm their repair customers down," claiming that SCRS had involved themselves in an area that is really between them and their Select Service shops, and has created unnecessary hype with misinformation. There is no misinformation here folks, and this issue is much bigger than just State Farm and their contracted shops. In fact, State Farm has stated in written communication to parts suppliers (not under contract with them) that "All orders related to State Farm claims from Select Service repair facilities will be placed via PartsTrader. In addition, repairers are able to use PartsTrader to seek quotes and place orders for repairs not related to State Farm."

We have shared the information we have received directly from repairers, manufacturers, suppliers and dealers in the market areas where this is currently taking place, and I can tell you, the only people who disagree with the analysis is State Farm.

The good news is, there is time to bring your concerns or comments to your collision repair association, time for you to discuss this situation with your parts dealers and suppliers, time for your suppliers to encourage their associations to get engaged in this issue, and time for the industry to decide if we have finally had enough of other entities interjecting themselves into our business with unreasonable and invasive mandates. I hope you appreciate the editorial below; more information to follow soon.

State Farm - Parts Trader:
It's about losing profit, control, and your very survival
.

Sincerely,
Aaron Schulenburg
Executive Director | Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
302.423.3537
877.435.6028 Fax
PO Box 346 Smyrna DE 19977
[email protected]

Sponsored Recommendations

Best Body Shop and the 360-Degree-Concept

Spanesi ‘360-Degree-Concept’ Enables Kansas Body Shop to Complete High-Quality Repairs

ADAS Applications: What They Are & What They Do

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...

Banking on Bigger Profits with a Heavy-Duty Truck Paint Booth

The addition of a heavy-duty paint booth for oversized trucks & vehicles can open the door to new or expanded service opportunities.

Boosting Your Shop's Bottom Line with an Extended Height Paint Booths

Discover how the investment in an extended-height paint booth is a game-changer for most collision shops with this Free Guide.