Agero Industry Updates - Tax Season

image from www.IRS.gov

As in previous years and in accordance with IRS regulations, Cross Country Service Corp. will be mailing out 1099s to Service Providers by January 31, 2012. Tax time can be a stressful time for small business owners and employees, but here are few best practices to help you stay on track:

Know the Rules

Whether you’re using the help of tax professionals or filing on your own, it’s best to understand the rules, due dates and compliance procedures for this tax season. The IRS website – www.IRS.gov – is the best place to get started. Access news and announcements, tip sheets, forms, compliance resources and more.

Be Organized

Organization is critical to tax filing success. When you work with a tax professional – be honest and organized about your financial situation. In most cases, they’ve seen it all, and by giving them as much information as you have it helps guarantee that your taxes are filed without any errors.

Visit Argosi Perks

There are several offers within the Argosi Perks program that can help ensure a successful tax season. ADP offers tax and compliance specials for Cross Country Service Providers. You can also access exclusive offers from Office Max to get discounts on the business necessities you need to complete your tax prep and filing. Visit www.ArgosiPerks.com today to check out these and other exclusive offers for Cross Country Service Providers.

Questions
If you have any questions about your 1099 from Cross Country, please email SPW9info@crosscountry-auto.com with your question and complete contact information (name, vendor ID, address, phone number). 

Agero Vehicle Training - 2012 Fisker Karma

As more Fisker Karma hybrid electric vehicles begin hitting the road in the coming months, here is an update on best practices for servicing this vehicle: 

The 2012 Fisker Karma hybrid electric vehicle features two driving modes: “Stealth” mode to optimize all electric driving features and “Sport” mode to access full power of the vehicle by leveraging the gasoline engine in conjunction with lithium battery power. Like many hybrid and electric vehicles hitting the road today, the 2012 Fisker Karma has several unique towing and roadside considerations that Service Providers should be aware of before servicing this vehicle.

Towing the 2012 Fisker Karma

• The Karma requires a flatbed carrier for all towing events.
• The vehicle should always start on as flat a surface as possible.  If the vehicle is on an incline, use the tow hook to move the vehicle onto a flat surface, when possible.
• The front tires must be properly inflated before attempting to load the vehicle onto the carrier.  If a front tire is low, inflate it to the recommended pressure.

The front fascia allows only about 4 inches of clearance below the vehicle, considerably less if the vehicle is on an incline.  Watch this clearance continually while raising onto the carrier to avoid damaging the material.

The tow hook can be found in a hidden compartment in the rear of the vehicle, below the floor of the trunk.  This will be used to pull the vehicle up onto the flatbed either from the front (recommended) or the rear (much less desirable).

The opening for the tow hook is on the passenger side of the front bumper, just below the grill.  Use a small screw-driver to pull back the dust cover.  Remove it and store it in a secure location.  The tow hook can then be inserted through the hole and threaded  securely into the vehicle’s frame.  Do not attempt to pull the vehicle onto the carrier from any other part of the vehicle’s frame.

Because the clearance is so minimal, use a combination of 2x4’s and 4x4’s to lift the vehicle as it approaches the carrier. Keep a close, continual eye on the fascia’s clearance as the vehicle rises up the incline. If necessary, add additional lumber as the vehicle is pulled forward to ensure plenty of space between the fascia and the flatbed carrier.

Due to the long wheelbase of the Karma, pull the vehicle as far forward as possible to ensure adequate room in the rear to cinch down the straps with the ratcheting come along tool. Secure the vehicle using nonabrasive straps through all four wheel openings and secure the straps to the flatbed carrier.

Loading Close-Up:

Winching the Fisker Karma:

The same tow hook used in the front also fits a location in the rear of the vehicle.  Pulling from the rear at anything other than a very small angle, however, will likely damage the underside of the bumper. Rear end design of the Fisker Karma does not end with the bumper, but continues on beneath the vehicle.  Extreme care must be taken when attempting to winch the vehicle from the rear to avoid damaging the underside of the bumper.  

Jump-Starting the 2012 Fisker Karma:

Typically, the Fisker Karma should never be jump started.  Instead, one should always tow the vehicle to an authorized service center for repairs.  If the 12-volt battery has lost it’s charge, however, it may be impossible to open the trunk or put the vehicle into neutral or park.  In these cases it will be necessary to give the low voltage battery a charge so that it can supply the minimal power needed to complete these tasks.

Two locations are provided under the hood for attaching the positive cable to the terminal.  One is under the red cap near the firewall and the other is in the fuse box.

Both require a special tool, which the service provider must carry, that screws onto the positive terminal.  Failure to use the tool could result in the destruction of the terminal itself. The negative cable can be connected to any ground point under the hood.

Adding Fuel to a 2012 Fisker Karma:

WARNING: Never fill the vehicle's fuel tank while the vehicle is charging or connected to a charging station. An accidental spark could cause an explosion or fire resulting in serious injury. 

The fuel filler cover will gently spring open. Twist the fuel filler cap counter clockwise to release. A strap secures the fuel filler cap to the vehicle to prevent loss. Note: When replacing the fuel filler cap, tighten it until it clicks three times. Failure to do so may cause the engine indicator light in the instrument cluster to illuminate due to increased evaporation emission levels.
Caution: Do not use leaded fuels, lead substitutes or fuel additives. Doing so can cause damage to the engine, fuel and emission control systems.
Caution: If the fuel tank is accidentally filled with the wrong type of fuel, do not start the engine. It is essential that you seek qualified assistance. Running the engine can cause serious engine and fuel system damage.

Mid or regular grade unleaded gasoline with a CLC or AKI octane rating not lower than 87 should be used. An octane rating of 91 is recommended.

Flat Tire and Lockout Situations:

Flat Tires

• It is recommended instead to tow the vehicle to the nearest Fisker retailer for all flat tire events.
• The vehicle has no spare tire.  Instead, it is equipped with a tire repair kit, located in the storage space beneath the trunk floor.
• The kit can only be used to repair small punctures in the tire tread.  In the event of punctures larger than ¼ inch, severe tread damage, a damaged sidewall, ripped tires or tires that have come off the rim, do not attempt to use the kit under any circumstances.

Lockout Situations

• It is recommended to tow the vehicle to the nearest Fisker retailer for all lockout events.
• A wheel lift and dolly tow will be needed for all lockout situations or when the vehicle is stuck in park.

Agero Industry Updates - Wintertime and Customer Service

In many parts of the country, winter can be a treacherous and stressful time for towing and roadside professionals. Certainly at one time or another, we’ve all experienced a call in the middle of the night for a winch, tire change, tow, or other dispatch when the weather is bad or possibly even in the middle of a storm.

When there are several inches of snow on the ground and you’re on your way to do a tire change at 3:00 in the morning – is customer service on your mind?

Customer service is a crucial component of your business’ success, and thus it’s important to keep in mind – even when facing challenging conditions outside. Here are a few simple best practices to remember to ensure that your CSI scores soar this winter:

First Impressions - A first impression is one of the most important pieces of the customer service experience. When a customer is stranded on the side of the road they may be stressed, upset or even scared. Your arrival, demeanor, and appearance set the tone for the entire customer experience.

Clean Truck and Uniforms – Are you proud of your trucks and uniforms? These are the first things that someone on the side of the road will notice when a driver first arrives. Ensure that trucks and equipment are presentable and reinforce to the customer that they’ll be receiving high quality service that they’ll be receiving. A clean uniform conveys professionalism and puts the customer at ease. Cross Country Service Providers can access savings on uniform rentals, leasing, or purchases through ARARMARK Uniform Services at ArgosiPerks.com.

ETAs and ATAs – Part of the first impression isn’t just how you look when you arrive, but also when you arrive. While we encourage that ETAs are as aggressive as possible, we also want customers to be prepared for your arrival – not walking around a mall or waiting 30 minutes longer than expected. Work with dispatchers and drivers to create the most accurate ETAs and ATAs possible.

Manners – We stress manners and courtesy to our children and young people, but sometimes we can forget these common sense things ourselves. Introduce yourself to the customer when you arrive on scene. Be polite and calm throughout your interaction – either in person or on the phone. If a customer is stressed – don’t lose your cool. Be respectful – treat them as you would want one of your family members to be treated if they were in this position. Maintain the highest level of professionalism throughout your interaction.

Thank you for your continued service and helping us exceed customer expectations with every dispatch!

Agero New Year’s Resolution - Improving Call Acceptance

With the New Year upon us everyone is looking for ways to improve their business. In today’s post, we’ll explore ways for Service Providers to improve call acceptance.

Capturing the dispatch is the critical first step towards generating revenue for you company and ultimately growing your business. Improving your call acceptance starts with effective and efficient dispatching - which is often overlooked. Below are a few best practices on how to improve your call acceptance this year:

Instant Dispatch: We can all remember a Monday morning when all the phone lines are busy and you end up missing a call. Instant Dispatch, either through Cross Country, Beacon, or Topps, is a great method to reduce phone related missed call issues. Utilizing Instant Dispatch will relieve unnecessary stress created by jammed up phone lines and unreliable cell phone reception. Access your free Instant Dispatch download under the “Benefits” section at www.Argosi.net.

Review Performance, Identify Trends, and Isolate Opportunities: A quick and easy method to check your call acceptance is to review your scoreboard on our performance tracking web portal at www.Argosi.net. If you notice your call acceptance was lower on a particular day, you can pinpoint the exact time, zip code, and refusal reason. This is helpful information to review with and coach your dispatcher(s) on any lost opportunities.

Giving the Proper ETA: Cross Country may reject your ETA because it is too high - resulting in your company “missing” the call. In general, whenever possible, you want to shoot for ETAs of 45 minute or less for towing calls and 30 minutes or less for road service calls. Geography, weather, traffic, etc may make these ETAs unrealistic in some instances. Talk with your Performance Manager to determine the best ETAs and expectations in your area.

Good luck in the New Year!

Agero Vehicle Training - Servicing the Chevy Silverado

Watch our brief video to learn best practices for towing the Chevy Silverado: 

Access more training resources like this in the Resource and Tutorial Library at CrossCountrySupport.com.

Agero Vehicle Training - Servicing the Chevy Corvette

Watch our brief training video for best practices for towing the Chevy Corvette: 

Access this video and other helpful resources in the Resource and Tutorial Library at CrossCountrySupport.com. 

Agero Vehicle Training - Emergency Response for the 2012 Sonata Hybrid

Like other hybrid vehicles, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses a conventional gasoline powered internal combustion engine paired with a high-voltage electric motor to propel the vehicle. The high-voltage electrical system is completely self-contained and does not need to be recharged by an external power source, such as a charging station. The high-voltage battery is recharged while the vehicle is being driven. This is accomplished through the use of a generator that produces electricity during driving and braking.

Because of the unique system in the vehicle, there are new considerations for servicing this vehicle compared to traditional gasoline powered vehicles on the road. In order to help familiarize emergency and first responders with the proper methods to treat the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in an emergency situation, Hyundai has created this emergency response guide. Access a basic overview of key vehicle systems and instructions for dealing with the different types of situations encountered by emergency responders. You’ll find that the emergency response procedures for this vehicle are somewhat similar to a conventional sonata, with additional information provided on dealing with the high-voltage electrical system.

Access the guide in its entirety here. 

Agero and Beacon Funding - Planning Your 2012 Truck Purchase

Planning and budgeting for expenses now is a good way to stay organized and keep your business on track all year long. Know how much you can afford before you shop. Need help identifying what your budget should be? Cross Country Perks partner and truck financer, Beacon Funding can help!

Visit Beacon Funding’s Equipment Financing Center to learn more about the benefits of financing, access a calculator to figure out your monthly payment and ROI/break even points, and hear testimonials from your peers. Fill out their quick application to get pre-approved for your next equipment purchase. The application is free and there is no obligation – leverage this information to help you narrow down your options for your truck purchase.

Don’t let lack of equipment or trucks stand in the way of your business growth in the New Year. Visit Beacon Funding’s Equipment Financing Center to start expanding today.