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ASCCA Proudly Announces a New Member Benefit Provider
AutoZone
Sacramento, CA, October 18, 2013: The Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA), the pre-eminent state trade association for the independent automotive repair industry in California, is proud to announce its most recent member benefit provider, AutoZone.
For more than 30 years, AutoZone has been committed to providing the best parts, prices and customer service in the automotive aftermarket industry. AutoZone has over 500 stores in California and has emphasized growth in the wholesale market. ASCCA is proud to announce that our members will have access to national account pricing with the following benefits:
- Competitive National Account Pricing
- Minimum of Platinum level pricing and members will have the ability to earn Diamond level pricing with $1,000+ in average weekly sales.
- Diamond customers also receive 100% labor claim reimbursement on all categories
- Timely parts deliveries to ASCCA members, based upon the following delivery schedule:
- 0 - 3 miles = 30 minutes (or less) deliveries
- 3 - 5 miles = 45 minutes (or less) deliveries
- 5 - 7 miles = 60 minutes (or less) deliveries
- 7+ miles = scheduled delivery
- Standard No Core Charge Policy (core deferral for 72 hours)
- 48-Hour Labor Claim Reimbursement Policy
- ASCCA members will receive a quarterly, Electronic Rebate equal to 5% of net purchases
- ASCCA members receive free advertising, through AZ's Shop Referral Program
To get started please contact the AutoZone Commercial Care Department at SC53@autozone.com or 866-727-5317.
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California Eases Burden of Frivolous Prop. 65 Lawsuits for Businesses
On October 5, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law provisions to alter requirements for filing Proposition 65 lawsuits for the public and minimizing the penalties businesses could face for a first-time violation.
California's Proposition 65, aka the "Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986," created a list of roughly 800 chemicals that businesses of 10 employees or more must "provide a 'clear and reasonable' warning before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a listed chemical." The warning can be a label on a product, a notice in a workplace or other reasonable notifications. However, the measure failed to contain reasonable limitations on how violations were brought to the court and just who benefited from them.
Proposition 65 allowed violations of the notification requirements to be alleged by the public with little proof to substantiate the claim, a cap of $2,500 per day for a settlement, with most of the settlement money going to the party bringing the lawsuit. As a result, lawyers would recruit clients to file frivolous lawsuits against businesses. Because of the lawsuits, businesses were forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in settlements and legal fees for minor and sometimes nonexistent violations.
The new law passed this year was in part the result of efforts by Governor Brown, who noted that the use of the Proposition 65 bounty clause was not the intent of the original law and asked that it be altered.
The amended law now contains the following restrictions:
- The party alleging the violation must provide proof the violation exists in order to have their claim certified as having merit.
- If the business receiving the claim is experiencing their first claim of that certain type of violation or if it is the first alleged violation at that facility, it can end the suit by providing proof of coming into compliance. The business has 14 days from receipt of the complaint.
- The maximum penalty to be paid if compliance is met within 14 days is $500. This must be paid within 30 days of providing the proof of compliance.
- 75 percent of the $500 must go to the California Safe drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Fund.
- If compliance is met, no other civil settlements can be sought by the alleging party.
The new limitations took effect immediately, providing some relief to businesses against frivolous lawsuits alleging violation of the notification requirements of Proposition 65.
To view the full law, including the template form required to be completed in order to show compliance, visit: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_0201-0250/ab_227_bill_20131005_chaptered.pdf
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October Member of the Month
 Danny Iwama, J & S Auto Service, Los Angeles
In his own words:
"I've always been mechanically inclined. I was the bane of my father, because I would take anything and everything apart. I don't think there is a mechanic in the field that hasn't taken their bicycle apart and put it back together again. In high school during the late '60s while attending an LAUSD school we were given many choices for electives and I took Auto Repair. I loved cars. I enjoyed reading Road & Track and about Can-Am and Formula 1 races.
During the 1990's I was a member of the Compuserve "For Techs Only" forum. I read the postings of Charlie Mulchahy, Phil Fournier, Jim O'Neil, Greg Kelly, and Scott Brown in regards to being a member of a trade organization. It was during a BAR meeting in Long Beach just before BAR97 was rolled out that I decided to join ASCCA.
It was a good time to join ASCCA because the LA City Council was forcing their "beautification program" onto all shop owners in Downtown and South Los Angeles. The city was requiring shop owners to build a block wall around their entire facility. Through the efforts of our local ASCCA Chapter 10 South Los Angeles, we were able to prevent the city council from implementing their program.
I inherited my shop from my father who owned the shop since 1968. I took over during the early 80's. My father bought the shop from Harry Furuya who was a member of IGO.
Every owner should participate in their local Chapter. They should share their knowledge and strengths. Whether they are knowledgeable in management or technology, any information is beneficial to our peers.
I was fortunate to be asked to join the Government Affairs Committee. I have been able to help direct the BAR programs that most impact my business. Through this association, I've been able to address the current BAR Chief directly, and to interact with the Program Representatives in charge of various programs. If not for my connection with the ASCCA, I would have no control over the direction my shop and industry would take."
ASCCA members like Danny are shining examples of how One Member CAN Make a Difference!
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About Us
Founded in 1940, the Automotive Service Councils of California is the largest independent automotive repair organization in California. Its members represent all areas of the automotive repair industry, including mechanical, auto body, suppliers and educators.
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