Jim's Auto Body, Inc-Consumer Advocates in Collision Repair

08/15/2018

(This never made it onto the Jims Auto Body page as a post... so I'm reposting it.. Better late - than never... ;) love, Rene` ) Bittersweet-edly: The end of Jims Auto Body was Oct. 29, 2017. My Dad has sold the business; is retired and hopefully will be cutting wood, golfing, spending time up north and with his family. And me? I am excited to do: who the hell knows what! Weee! It’s been a hell of a run! Since 1981; we’ve had so much fun, we’ve worked hard, had our share of “tiny bits” of frustration, we’ve argued, we’ve had laughs, camaraderie, our hearts have swelled with pride at jobs well done, we’ve had some really authentic, awesome relationships with customers, postal peeps, ups and fedex and speedy peeps, vendors and their delivery drivers, people asking for directions, neighbors, and telemarketers even. Our customers are the most amazing people. We’ve shared many stories, learning experiences, growth, sorrows and life happenings through generations of families. I have some well- deserved thank yous: To JAB employees throughout the years: YOU ALL ROCK….pretty much everyone that came into the shop and punched a clock; left as a friend at the end of their tenure. Dave Blink, Randy Thurin, Rob Hobbick, Brian Kubowski, Bob “vila” Iverson, Too Tall, Tanocker, Andrew, Chuko, George Olsen, Dan Tanski, to name a few. Current employees: Rick, David and especially longtime friend and co-worker: Ed Leever. (I will miss you) Many thanks and love to friends in and of the industry: Wade Ebert, Ken Klein, Mark and Pam Pierson, Brady Jacobson, Art Krolikowski, Curt Scholl, Lori Dura, Sheila Loftus, Erica Eversman, J.D. I want to especially thank Patrick McGuire, Esq. for teaching us insurance law, consumer rights; allowing us to see the big picture: who the customer REALLY is and who the customer is NOT. I want to thank my Grampa Jim W. Ratchek for entering into this business back in the day when it was probably the most fun. Yes I’m third generation and yes: “it’s in my blood”~ ( Right Aunt Marlene?) Thanks to my mom for listening and being the “buffer” (pun intended) between me and Dad (that job in recent years has landed in my sister’s lap- poor thing!) And lastly; thank you to my father; an awesome body man/painter who took his passion and technical expertise and followed his dream AND then learned to be a self-contained businessman on top of it. I’m so proud that our shop has been free from insurer contracts for many many years. Not many shop owners can say the same. Thanks Dad for teaching me work ethics, customer service,how to paint, buff, disassemble, assemble, sand, prime, estimate, to look at body lines & gaps and mostly to know a job well done. As Winnie the Pooh once said: "HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES SAYING GOODBYE SO HARD!!"
And with that: Jim’s Auto Body: JOB WELL DONE! Over and out….

10/24/2017

RAIN & WIND MAKE FOR WET SLIPPERY LEAVES AT STOP SIGNS...use caution~ 🍁🍂🌧️

10/03/2017

check out this "TWEET"...2018 calendars are in... come quick before they "fly" outta here~ ;)

08/31/2017

Today's "we meet by accident" personal adventure: George. He cooks for a local charity. He's retired, lives alone and has a bit of an accent. I- of course- asked him his ethnicity: he's greek. I say: Greek food is my favorite! He says: I don't make it fattening like in the restaurants; I use lots of spice! NUM!! (my mouth is watering as I type this!) So we get down to talking about his car. He says: I like it here- you make me feel like home. (THE best compliment in the universe!)

07/17/2017

Phones are working.... yay~☺️

07/14/2017

Still no phones here at Jim's....please call Jims Cell phone: 262/210-5541....if you need us!!

05/31/2017

Arteest: Rick: THE Painter... made with saran wrap, chameleon paint, air brushes, marblizer, clear coat. various other paint colors... and not necessarily in that order. Waa-Laa.. his hood is now>Art! Auto Painters are so much more than "sprayers"- (sadly: the name given to most painters by big box collision repair shops)

05/24/2017

Pricing the poor out of purchasing auto insurance **will** most certainly cost everyone more. People who can't afford insurance: won't get it. Think about it: this is called: passing the buck onto the consumer. College education and income should have nothing to do with one's ability to drive safely. Insurer's chose this business... It's a business of risk.. Their business is to spread risk and to underwrite

A proposed regulatory change in New York, following a similar one in California, could spell the end of an industry practice

05/03/2017

Change is a com'in......and some of it is already here...some interesting factoids about technology and what it takes to repair today's vehicles...

The auto industry is responding to changing vehicle technology and insurers will have to adjust too.

05/01/2017

for the 2nd year in a row: Tabbitha the Rabbitha comes to our lot...(for some unknown reason as there's not a hec of a lot to eat.. but perhaps the secured lot and cars for protection is what she's after.. ;))