SceneExchange, a Web-based marketplace that lets customers choose participating auto repair shops for prompt, high-quality repairs, has been released by Scene Genesis, Inc., a provider of advanced integrated workflow and communications solutions to the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries.

A new concept, SceneExchange helps independent autobody shops capture more business, simplifies administration for insurers, and puts the customer in the driver’s seat. The service is free for both autobody shops and consumers.

When a participating insurance company submits a claim, one of SceneExchange’s 1000 independent appraisers nationwide is assigned to the job immediately. The appraiser submits a repair estimate and digital photographs of the damage to SceneExchange.

SceneExchange alerts collision shops in the area that a new job is available. Local shops then place a cycle-time bid on how many days it will take complete the repair. There’s no fee for collision shops to register with SceneExchange and submit bids.

Customers go online to review bids and information on the shop’s training and warranty policy, plus ratings from other SceneExchange customers who’ve used the shop.

The vehicle owner then selects the shop. The insurer, which has already approved the appraisal, pays the cost, minus the deductible. After completion, the customer leaves feedback for the SceneExchange community.

Positive reinforcement
“SceneExchange has brought pride back to our business,” said Mark Tantillo, general manager of Folger’s Autobody in Charlotte. “The vehicle owner chooses us because of the quality of our work, rated by other owners, instead of being directed to our shop by the insurer. Our customer satisfaction rating is higher on SceneExchange jobs because the owner is better educated on and more involved in the repair process.”

eBay Motors Parts Listings
SceneExchange will include contextual parts listings from eBay Motors. Through its interface to the eBay Affiliate Program, SceneExchange will display parts available for bid or purchase on eBay Motors that correlate to the parts listed on the damage lines of the estimate.

“Obtaining real-time availability of parts listed on damage estimates is a challenge for many collision repair shops,” said Chrisa Hickey, director of product management for Scene Genesis, Inc. “eBay Motors routinely has millions of crash parts listed, available for bid or for purchase. By displaying the relevant OEM, LKQ and Aftermarket parts available on eBay Motors directly alongside the damage lines of the estimate, SceneExchange gives our registered shops another market in which to quickly and easily locate the parts they need to complete repairs.”

Partnership with AutoWatch
In another pending enhancement, Scene Genesis has signed a letter of intent with See Progress to integrate the SceneExchange web-based marketplace and AutoWatch, the industry’s only online collision repair-progress and status solution, to create a comprehensive, customer-focused experience for the damage-repair process.

This will combine the ability of consumers to select a collision repair shop based on the shop’s capacity to perform the repairs with the ability to view the status of the repair and pictures of the repair in process, through a single web application.

“We are looking forward to integrating our technologies to deliver a novel and intuitive solution for the consumer, shop, and insurance company,” said Dave Henderson, president of See Progress, Inc. “We believe that the integration of data and processes between companies benefits everyone. The more we streamline the processes the better it is for all involved. Integrating technologies is good for this industry.”

 “Both AutoWatch and Scene-Exchange are revolutionary, consumer-focused service solutions for the collision repair industry,” said Ian Cunningham, CEO of Scene Genesis, Inc. “By combining the two technologies, we will be able to offer an unparalleled service solution that benefits all parties servicing this mutual customer, the vehicle owner.”