I can be quite a dilemma. You just returned to the parking lot with your groceries, and your prized possession is sitting there with the bumper cracked from top to bottom, or someone has very kindly run a trolley down the side, and put a deep gash in the paintwork.

After screaming blue murder, there is a decision to make. Pay for the damage out of pocket, or put a claim through comprehensive insurance?

In most cases these days there is a fairly hefty deductible in place, commonly $500-$1000. A lot of people don’t realize that many repairs performed at Colorworks Express Auto Body Centers can cost way less than the deductible. In the long run, this can prove more cost effective than claiming due to the risk of next years premium being raised and the claim being recorded in the driver’s history.

Colorworks will always discuss with the client the pros and cons of claiming or not, and work with them to look at the most cost effective way of restoring the vehicle’s look again.

The Colorworks way of offering options can also help the Insurance broker to retain his client relationships as well. The discussion at renewal time becomes a lot easier if the premium has remained fairly steady, despite the car having had some bumps and scraped repaired outside of the policy. All the broker needs to do upon receiving a call from the client is give one of Colorworks locations a call and they will be more than happy to discuss the several options available to all parties. People are very often surprised when told there are a few ways to tackle the problem, rather than just having a hair-raising quote thrust at them.

Added to this the Colorworks mantra of “we come to you”, with the estimate literally being performed on the driveway (even the repair in a lot of cases), the initial frustration of having such an expensive item damaged can at least be made a fair bit less painful.

car Insurance · deductible · insurance premium

by Nick Thorne

Who was it that once said, “it’s not easy being green’?

It appears that famous frog, Kermit was right, but over recent years, the automotive industry has made great leaps and bounds in environmentally friendly technologies, whilst also producing great finished results.

Looking back to the “old” product- solvent based paint, these contained a much higher level of organic solvents than water based products. These solvents tend to generate that strong smell noticeable on anything that has been freshly painted. They are hazardous to both human well-being, and the environment, which resulted in the big push to reduce or completely remove them whilst maintaining quality.

Half a century ago, just about all paint was solvent based. These days, steps forward in paint technology has given us modern, water based paints, with Government legislation supporting these moves.

The level of VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds has dramatically reduced as regulations across North America get stricter.

As proud early adopters of this technology, Colorworks Express Autobody Centers, have found through their close relationship with PPG Industries, that aside from the aforementioned environmental benefits, that colour matching, and overall finish is definitely superior to the older, solvent based products.

We are very much looking forward to participating in further advances in water based technology in auto repair, such as water based clearcoats, which will reduce the VOC footprint even further and give even better and more durable results.

Nick Thorne · Volatile Organic Compounds · Waterbased Finishes

by Bill Hamilton

At Colorworks, we have been a well kept secret at car dealers for over 20 years. So, by being hidden behind the scenes and preparing dealer’s vehicles for resale, many of our private, or retail customers are learning the scope of our abilities. I am happy to explain to all our customers all of the levels of services we provide.

If you require a repair to an unsightly bumper scrape, then our mobile service is likely the best option for you. My self, or my team of highly skilled, mobile technicians can come to your home or work, and repair your bumper or fender scrape, right there in your driveway. Many of our customers do not want to go through their insurance for a minor scrape that they caused themselves, so I offer an affordable and very convenient mobile repair service that is often less than their deductible. If the customer has any uncertainty about what their options might be, I am available for a free estimate.

“What happens if the damage is larger than I can repair at their home”? Sometimes the damage is quite large, and if we can meet the customer’s expectations, then we will proceed with our mobile repair. However, I have a fully accredited, ICBC Express repair center in partnership with Colorworks, so no job is ever too big for me to repair. At Vickery Collision, we can fix all your vehicles bumps  and bruises, and look after your insurance claims and bring your vehicle back to pre-accident condition with a lifetime guarantee. At Vickery Collision, we offer our unique valet service for convenient pickup and delivery of your vehicle.

At Colorworks, I offer the best of both worlds. I can come to you and repair your minor scuffs and scrapes, right on sight, or I am happy to offer our full collision services at Vickery Collision.  At Colorworks, I am just a phone call away to receive your questions and offer you the best possible answers.

Contact Bill Hamilton
Email: bill.hamilton@colorworks.ca
Phone: 604-986-2349

auto body repair centers · Bill Hamilton · bumber · Colorworks mobile · fix scuffs · Vancouver Prostate Centre · Vickery Collision

By Darcy Maw

The idea for this trip evolved out of the feeling of helplessness which Ben experienced this past summer when he lost his best friend to cancer.

Adam was only 25 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer which attacked his throat and lungs. For 8 years Ben watched his friend and his family battle the disease. He felt incredibly isolated from Adam, not only because Adam was here in Canada, and Ben was over in England, but because he felt like there was nothing he could do to help him. No matter how many times he came back to visit him or spoke to him on the phone and through email, he couldn’t do anything to make him better.

Adam passed away this past July, which only deepened the feeling that Ben hadn’t and couldn’t do enough. This March he is cycling from London to Paris to raise money for the World Cancer Research Fund.

You can follow Ben on his blog bwellslondon2paris.blogspot.com
If you would like to make a donation please follow this link:
http://www.wcrf-uk.org/fundraising/events/runners/Ben_and_Richard.php

Cancer has affected all of us at some point….please support Ben’s journey

Cancer · Darcy Maw · London to Paris

By Bill Hamilton, Vickery Collision and Colorworks Vancouver

I received a phone call from a customer who scraped the left side of her rear bumper on a rock while she was pulling out of a parking lot. The rock was below her line of sight, but was large enough and heavy enough to leave a ten centimeter long scrape that ran from behind her wheel and stretched out almost to the corner of her bumper. She was annoyed with herself, but she also knew about Colorworks and our unique, mobile repair service. She made one phone call to me and we set up an appointment for a convenient time that fit her schedule and she was delighted that I would come to her home and repair the scrape on her bumper right there in her own driveway.

Some people wonder how I can achieve such an excellent repair right in their driveway that will look as if it has been to the body shop. Colorworks has perfected the process of repairing small, cosmetic damage to vehicles for over twenty years. At Colorworks, we knew that there has always been a niche market for customers that fall between traditional auto detailing that only cleans your car, and full collision services of a body shop that can often be more expensive and will usually take much longer to repair your car. My customer received my expert repair service. I was able to fix her bumper in a few hours and she was thrilled that her vehicle now looks as good as new.

At Colorworks, I pride myself on bringing the Colorworks mobile repair service right to your driveway and delivering the highest quality repairs to all of your vehicle’s bumps and bruises, while saving you time and money. It is a total “win/win”.

Contact Bill Hamilton
Email: bill.hamilton@colorworks.ca
Phone: 604-986-2349

Bill Hamilton · Colorworks · Colorworks mobile · rear bumper · Vancouver · Vickery Collision

Following Colorworks’ successful Movember campaign, we proudly presented the proceeds to Jeff and Anna from Movember Canada.

Kevin Carter · Movember · Nick Thorne · Prostate Cancer Research

Colorworks is proud to announce that we will be sending a cheque for $2,570 to Prostate Cancer Canada as a result of our very first MOVEMBER campaign which well exceeded our initial goal of $2,000. As you may or may not know, this is a cause that’s very near and dear to our hearts at Colorworks. Colorworks is not just a name or a brand. It’s a group of dedicated people who care. People that include employees, franchisees, technicians, managers, vendors, contractors, customers and friends.  It’ s like the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We realize that it will take that kind of mentality to eradicate cancer. So while the cheque has our name on it, we humble submit it in the name of all the people around us that care. Our “village”. Colorworks is proud to do our small part, but more importantly, we’re blessed to be part of an organization that cares about the people within, and the people it serves.

We’d like to thank our Movember contributors…. our “village”…

Jerry Babineau
Kevin Billingsley
Terry Carleton
Kevin Carter
Greig Clark
Rob Dunlop
Rick Feltham
Doug Forbes
Shawn Hunt
Ted Kennedy and the Coquitlam team
Mark and Cathie Kraemer
Darcy Maw and the Barrie team
Charlanne and Kent Milroy
Ken Oben
John and Maureen Pito and the London team
Rita Roy
Daryll Saari and the Calgary Team
Todd and Tim Thomas
Nick and Karen Thorne
Paul and Val Daigle
Jerry Wang
Alex Wardle and the Vancouver team
Kevin West
Rob Wilding and the Muskoka team
Jennifer Woyce

We will be donating the money to Prostate Cancer Canada (http://www.prostatecancer.ca) who is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of the disease through research, education support and awareness. We sincerely thank all of our donors and we look forward to raising the bar next next year and raising even more money until cancer is defeated.

Charity · Colorworks Canada · Movember · Prostate Cancer Canada

On May 2nd, two students, Taylor Scholz and Colorworks founder, Don Konantz’s son, Willy Konantz started their grueling 4,500 km bike trek from London, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. All the money raised is going directly to the Vancouver Prostate Centre.

Here are video highlights of their incredible journey. Please watch the video then donate to this great cause.

For more information please visit their;

Website: http://www.ourrideformen.com
Blog: gearwest.wordpress.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/gearwest.fightforsomething

To make a $10 donation, please test “Bike” to 41010. The donation will appear on your cell phone bill.

Don Konantz · Prostate Cancer Research · Protate Cancer · Taylor Scholz · Vancouver Prostate Centre · Willy Konantz

Willy Konantz and Taylor Scholz

Willy Konantz (son of one of Colorworks Founder, Don Konantz) and Taylor Scholz are two university students biking 5,000km across Canada in an attempt to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer Research. One night in the summer, we biked to a party; narrowly missing traffic, we talked about doing something like this for a cause. Several people close to us, including my father, Don Konantz, were getting diagnosed with prostate cancer.  In addition ‘Step Into Action’, Dr. Riley Senft’s cross Canada run for Prostate Cancer Research was fresh in our minds. This started as an ambitious thought – friends laughed, family members doubted – but the two of us were committed. Over a couple pints, we mapped out our ride and specified our goals. This idea was turning into reality.

Our adventure will begin in London, Ontario on May 2nd, 2012 and will roughly take us a month.  We will be biking nearly 180km each day as we travel across the country.  Along our route we will be raising awareness for this potentially preventable cancer and promoting youth involvement.

Please help us reach our goal of $50,000. Please spread the word about our ride, and any donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations are done through the link below.

Donate Here! Click Here.

Please provide your contact and payment information.  The contact information is required to generate a tax receipt after you donate.  An electronic tax receipt will be sent to the email address that you provide.

Show Your Support- Text “BIKE” to 41010 to make a $10 donation.

All of Gear West’s donations will be donated to the Vancouver Prostate Centre at the conclusion of our ride (June 5th).  The Vancouver Prostate Centre is one of the leading centres in Prostate Cancer Research worldwide and it is our goal to assist the centre to find a cure.

http://www.prostatecentre.com/

Don Konantz · Dr. Riley Senft · Prostate Cancer Research · Step Into Action · Taylor Scholz · Willy Konantz

Colorworks Founder, Don Konantz

On November 2^nd, 2011,  Colorworks Express Autobody Centres founder Don Konantz spoke at the Terry Fox Foundation announcement that they are donating 12.7 million dollars for cancer research. By his own admission, Don is living proof the cancer research matters.  Don was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2011.  On that day, Don was undergoing his twelfth day of radiation treatment for lymphoma cancer that developed when his prostate cancer metastasized. Don and his family have always taken part in the Terry Fox Run to raise funds for cancer research.

“We will find a cure,” he said. “My children and your children will live in a cancer-free world.

“We will find the finish line in the Marathon of Hope,”

The biggest chunk of the money goes to a team led by Dr. Martin Gleave of the Vancouver Prostate Centre. The group will get just over $6 million over five years to study stopping the progression of advanced prostate cancer. Ontario and Quebec researchers will get the remainder of the funding.

Dr. Sean Egan of the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto will lead a team getting $2.8 million over three years to find the Achilles heel for primary and metastatic tumours of the breast and brain. Another $3.8 million over three years will go to a team led by Dr. Michel Tremblay of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre and McGill University in Montreal.

Their research will focus on how cancer cells metabolize in order to lead to targeted therapies.

More Media Coverage:

Global TV – Click here.
Metro News – Click here.
The Province – Click here.
Vancouver Sun – Click here.
News1130 Radio – Click here.
NewsWire.ca – Click here.
World Journal – Click here.

Cancer Research · Don Konantz · Dr. Martin Gleave · Dr. Michel Tremblay · Dr. Sean Egan · Hospital for Sick Children · McGill University · Protate Cancer · Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre · Terry Fox Foundation · University of Toronto · Vancouver Prostate Centre