Part 1 showed why Saturday repairs drive more comebacks: less support, weaker handoffs, and higher rework costs.
The Goal of Saturday Intake
Saturday should set up your week, not sabotage it. If you are open on Saturdays, intake quality matters more than speed, because this is where most auto body shops lose control.
Before Monday, you must answer:
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What exactly are we fixing?
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What could delay this repair?
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What did we promise the customer?
If any answer is unclear, you are planting a comeback.
Rule 1: Slow Down the Intake
Saturday intake should take longer, not shorter. Rushed intake creates Monday surprises.
Every intake must include:
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Full walkaround with photos
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Obvious damage and likely hidden damage noted
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Clear warning: “Final cost may change after teardown”
Customers accept supplements when warned early. They get angry when surprised later.
Rule 2: One Estimator, One Voice
Do not let a junior advisor run Saturday intake alone. Saturday promises live longer than Saturday staff.
Best practice:
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Your most experienced estimator handles intake
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Or reviews and signs off before scheduling
If someone will not defend the estimate on Monday, they should not write it on Saturday.
Rule 3: Over-Document Everything
I already mentioned why auto body shops and custom shops need documentation more than ever in my previous articles, and here is another reason: Saturday paperwork must survive a handoff.
Minimum documentation:
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Photos of all damage areas
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Customer concerns written in their own words
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Any expectations clearly flagged
Avoid vague notes like:
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“Check noise”
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“Might need parts.”
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“Customer understands”
If Monday techs cannot reconstruct the conversation, the intake failed.
Rule 4: Reset Expectations Before the Customer Leaves
End every Saturday intake with:
“We’ll confirm everything Monday after teardown before repairs begin.”
This protects trust and prevents conflict.
The Tradeoff
Running the Saturday intake correctly is slower. It creates friction:
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Senior team members may need to work weekends.
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Others may question why intake takes longer than before.
That pushback is normal. Speed feels productive. Clarity actually is.
The Win
A strong Saturday intake means:
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Reduces supplements
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Prevents tech frustration
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Cuts come back before they exist
Turn your Saturday into a clarity day.
