Sample Letter
Sample Customer Letter
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SAMPLE LETTER FOR COLLISION SHOP CUSTOMERS
[DATE]
Dear Representative/Senator [NAME OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR],
As a customer of [YOUR COMPANY NAME], I am writing to ask for your support of H1043 / S122, the Auto Body Labor Rate Bill. The quality of service provided by [YOUR COMPANY NAME] is excellent and very much to my satisfaction. The people who repair my vehicle at this shop are highly skilled technicians and the business is operated in a professional manner.
I was told by this shop's management that Massachusetts auto body shops are paid by insurance companies at the lowest labor rate in the United States. Quite frankly, I was astounded by the amount when I saw it on my final bill. I expected to be billed similarly to the $75.00 to $95.00 per hour that I am charged at my auto mechanic's shop, and certainly not the $35.00 or so that was on my bill.
I didn't know that this rate was "regulated" by insurance companies, and not the state government, or that it could be so low. This shop's management told me that all of their efforts to negotiate a fairer labor rate with my insurance company have failed to result in any change for nearly twenty years. If collision shops are not "allowed" to keep pace with the rest of the economy, then I am worried that I will not have enough choices for quality repairs in the future.
That is why I am asking that you support H1043 / S122, the Auto Body Labor Rate Bill. That legislation would bring "fundamental fairness" back to the collision industry. These companies employ local people and purchase products from local suppliers. They sponsor athletic teams for our kids and do a lot of great work in our communities. To sit by and watch them struggle to remain in business would be irresponsible. I feel that it is time for legislators like you to take a vocal and forceful stand in support of the Auto Body Labor Rate Bill. I look forward to hearing from you in response to this letter.
Sincerely,
[CUSTOMER SIGNATURE]
[PRINTED CUSTOMER NAME]
[CUSTOMER'S STREET ADDRESS]
[CUSTOMER'S TOWN]
[CUSTOMER'S PHONE NUMBER]