In a cartoon, these symbols could represent some unsavory language. In our estimates, they could represent some unsavory conversations. That is, unless we all know and recognize what these symbols mean.
With limited line lengths and fonts large enough to read, estimate printouts have more information to convey than space available. In an attempt to keep the estimate as short as practical, abbreviations are inevitable and symbols must be used. Estimate readers need to know what these are or know where to find out what these are.
Using estimates from all three major systems in the course of normal business, it may be hard to switch gears and remember what this system does versus what that system does. For example, the simple pound sign (#) has a few different uses:
# ADP = multiple message codes
# CCC = manual entry
# Mitchell = labor note applies
ADP uses message codes to refer the reader to notes printed immediately after the damage lines. These could provide information on part numbers, structural designation, or two-stage details. When more than one note applies to a line, the (#) is used.
CCC applies the (#) to the far left of a manual entry line. This is your indication that everything on that line is judgment. Keep in mind that neither price and labor nor refinish amounts will be underlined.
Mitchell shows a (#) when there is a labor note that applies to that particular damage line. Labor notes may describe what is included or what may be needed with the pre-stored labor amount.
An asterisk (*) shows which items are judgment—that is, where something is different from pre-stored information. On ADP and Mitchell systems, asterisks are placed by the judgment amount. Mitchell’s paint/material amount shows an (*) because the rate is user-supplied. Mitchell estimates also show an asterisk by the labor amount when a calculation formula has been changed from Mitchell’s printing guidelines, including clearcoat, two-tone, and finish sand and buff. CCC uses the (*) to indicate a line containing judgment and uses an underline to indicate which item was entered or changed. An exception is the above-mentioned (#) sign with CCC.
A double asterisk (**) indicates an aftermarket part price supplied by the CCC estimating system.
Many other symbols are used with common definitions. For example, (+) shows markup on one or more parts. And (-) shows any discount applied. The symbol (@) shows the rate at which tax will be applied. Finally, ($) shows the bottom line…the end result of all this estimating.
Then there are some common letters.
“C” is found on Mitchell estimates by refinish lines and indicates that line’s labor amount will be included in the clear coat calculation. “C” on an ADP estimate indicates a corrected estimate line, changed after commitment.
“S” indicates the damage line was entered or altered on a supplement for all systems. A number after the “S” indicates what number supplement it was that last changed it.
Taxed or not taxed prices are noted with a “T” or “X” on CCC’s estimate and Mitchell’s Audit Report.
There are more, but the point is to know everything printed on your estimate is there for a reason.
If there’s a message code on an ADP estimate, read it. It may be alerting you to a structural part for your consideration of an appropriate labor rate. If there is a “C” missing by a refinish line on a Mitchell estimate, consider if no clearcoat is a good call for your repair. When you see a (#) on the left side of a line on a CCC estimate, know everything on that line is judgment and make your decisions accordingly.
Knowing #@X*_$C%T** during negotiations is a whole lot better than saying #@X*_$C%T** during negotiations.
“Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don’t.”
— Pete Seeger
