Real-Time Labor Guide Reviews

Real-Time Labor Guide

4.3 (76)
Auto repair software for managing labor costs

Overall rating

4.3 /5
(76)
Value for Money
4.5/5
Features
4.2/5
Ease of Use
4.6/5
Customer Support Software
4.4/5
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76 Reviews

Elisabeth
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Easy to navigate

Reviewed on 2019-02-12

Pros

Easy to navigate. Very functional, its great that I can add parts and specific labor to our shop and store for quick reference.

Cons

Customer Service has not been the easiest to get ahold of the few times I've needed too.

Response from Dowell Systems

Elisabeth - Thank you for your great review! We work very hard and reach out for tons of feedback in order to make the system as easy to use as possible. I'm sorry you've had a hard time reaching us lately - the beginning of the year is always very busy with annual updates but if you leave a message we won't leave the office until our voicemail box is clear, and usually we get back to you a lot sooner then that. Thanks for being our customer for the last several years - we look forward to many more!

Nick
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Real-Time labor guide helps with estimating

Reviewed on 2020-03-25

Overall, Real-Time Labor Guide has gotten us out of some jams for sure. Had we used the traditional...

Overall, Real-Time Labor Guide has gotten us out of some jams for sure. Had we used the traditional labor times we would have short changed ourselves.

Pros

I like the low,avg,high industry labor times and the notes on certain jobs indicating errors with traditional labor guides.

Cons

I have to buy separate licenses for each copy. Also, navigating the menu is a bit dated. I'd like to see more effort put into integration so advisors can build a labor estimate quickly.

Response from Dowell Systems

Nick - Thank you for your awesome and honest review. We're so happy to have you as a customer, and glad we could get you out of some jams and save you from short changing yourselves!

Mike
Overall rating
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use

Horrible times

Reviewed on 2014-02-28

I mostly started using it to print estimates and invoices but it does not save them, so you cannot...

I mostly started using it to print estimates and invoices but it does not save them, so you cannot make a diag estimate and come back and add the fix to print your invoice, you have to start all over, including customer information.

Second, the flat rate times are horribly innacurate. I just started my own mobile repair business and wanted to get a feel for the market before getting alldata and dedicating myself to that kind of monthly bill. The innaccurate times of this program easily cost me 10 hours per week, and I have a very leisurely schedule.

I would only recomend this program for a highschool/college kid working on his friends cars a few times a month at most. It was worth the $10 to get a better feel for how to be my own service advisor but this is the easy-bake-oven of labor tools. If you run any sort of business. Skip it.

I guess on the plus side my low invoices have made some extremely happy first customers.

Response from Dowell Systems

Mr. Richardson -

Thank you for your review of our product and I am glad we were able to help you make some extremely happy first customers for your business. You are right that the Real-Time Labor Guide does not save estimates or invoices. It was not meant to be a shop management system - we have other software available that will retain all your customer and ticket history, save inventory, build reports to help run your business, etc. Regarding the labor times - we get our labor times from mechanics like you actually doing the jobs in the field. Most customers report that our labor times reflect what it actually takes them to do the job, not what the manufacturer thinks it should take. We continually work to update our database of labor times and our customer service team is always happy to hear from our customers how we can improve. Feel free to contact us anytime with examples.
Thank you for trying us, and if you ever need a second opinion we hope you'll try us again in the future

JOE
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

ONLINE LABOR GUIDE

Reviewed on 2020-06-01

DOES A GOOD JOB AND EASY TO USE.

DOES A GOOD JOB AND EASY TO USE.

Pros

THE EASE OF USE AND THE ACCURACY OF THE LABOR GUIDE

Cons

NOT ANY REAL NEGATIVE ISSUES. DOES LOCK UP SOMETIME WHEN MORE THAN ONE PERSON USING
THE LABOR GUIDE.

Response from Dowell Systems

Joe - Thank you for your great review. We work hard to make sure our service is as easy to use and accurate as possible. You are right that if another person uses your username and password to log in on another computer it will log you out, and that is why we suggest separate users for shops that need more than one person in the system at a time. Thanks for being our customer for all these years!

John
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Best way to invoice my jobs

Reviewed on 2020-06-04

Makes keeping track of customers and their vehicles so easy I can do it.

Makes keeping track of customers and their vehicles so easy I can do it.

Pros

Very easy to use and configure the coverage is great and can even use custom types of vehicles overall the best software for shop invoicing.

Cons

There is nothing I don’t like about the software.

Response from Dowell Systems

John - It's feedback like this: "Did my homework and was the best price for the best product" that makes our day. We're so happy we can provide the shop management service that you need to help you run your shop. Thanks for being our customer for all these years!

GARY
Overall rating
  • Industry: Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

GUIDE USER-CREWCHIEF

Reviewed on 2020-06-02

NICE TO BE ABLE USE YOU AS GUIDE FOR TIME ENVOLVED IN SOME OPERATIONS.

NICE TO BE ABLE USE YOU AS GUIDE FOR TIME ENVOLVED IN SOME OPERATIONS.

Pros

NICE TO USE YOU AS A GUIDE TO KNOW TIMES ENVOLVED,ALSO LIKE THE WAY YOU PEOPLE LISTEN WHEN WE CALL AND TELL THERE NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTMENTS TO SOME LABOR TIMES! BILLING OUT LABOR ON INVOICES IS SO MUCH EASIER WITH THIS GUIDE.

Cons

NOTHING,WELL SATISFIED WITH IT,EASY TO USE,COVERS ABOUT EVERYTHING ENVOLVING JOBS.

Response from Dowell Systems

Gary - Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy you've been our customer all these years!

Gordon
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Indespensible resource

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Overall this is a fantastic product at a great price. It's easy to use, and when I've called in...

Overall this is a fantastic product at a great price. It's easy to use, and when I've called in for additional assistance they are super helpful.

Pros

Real time labor guide gets you to repair times very quickly.

Cons

Sometimes for certain repair topics the descriptions can be vague. For example I've never found a good description for a complete CV axle assembly. It says "axle shaft", inner boot, outer boot, etc. Would be helpful to have an additional choice.

Response from Dowell Systems

Gordon - Thank you so much for your honest and glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer!

Jens
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Best bang for the buck!

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

It's help me increase my profits and have better time management on jobs.

It's help me increase my profits and have better time management on jobs.

Pros

The price is great. Very easy program to use. The program has been getting better and better over the years. The quotes are very nice and professional.

Cons

Sometimes it's hard to find the task you're looking for. Some labor times are extremely low but those are getting much better.

Response from Dowell Systems

Jens - Thank you so much for your honest and glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer and that we can help you increase profitability and time management!

Scott
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

It been a few years but...

Reviewed on 2018-03-25

Customers always loved having detailef estimate

Customers always loved having detailef estimate

Pros

Great fast product. Used daily for years. Customer service was outstanding. Maybe had 1 or 2 access issues, resolved immediately.
Alan, who i think may have been owner always helped.

Cons

Occasionally, but really rare labor listed to low. When there was a error, the number was obvious. Just double checked on Napa

Response from Dowell Systems

Thank you Scott for your great review! We love having you as our customer!

Fhara
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Very Helpful

Reviewed on 2020-06-03

I’ve been using Real-Time Labor Guide since 2013 and it helped me so much it has been very easy to...

I’ve been using Real-Time Labor Guide since 2013 and it helped me so much it has been very easy to use. Very simple to understand

Pros

Very eazy to use. Very affordable price.

Cons

I would really love it if they would add diagrams and specifications, part locations and more body part options

Response from Dowell Systems

Fhara - Thank you for the glowing review! We're so happy you have been our customer for the last 7 years, and hope to keep meeting your expectations well into the future!

Sabrina
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Excellent software!

Reviewed on 2020-06-04

It is a software we have used and loved for years and will continue to use!

It is a software we have used and loved for years and will continue to use!

Pros

We have used Real-Time Labor Guide for our shop for over 5 years and as our shop has grown we have purchased other softwares but always keep our real-time subscription. We also do repairs on classic cars and this is the best labor guide software out for estimating labor times for older vehicles.

Cons

Through the years the software has not made any big changes.

Manuel
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Alwsome Real Time Labor Guide

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Very helpful.

Very helpful.

Pros

It Gives you all labors specifically and gives you a/CAUTION when need be to get proper labor. Been user for many years, Definitely will keep recommending.👍

Cons

When new software updates it takes a minute to adjust.

Response from Dowell Systems

Manuel - Thank you for your honest and glowing review! We're happy we can help!

MARCIANO
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

EASY TO USE AND VERY AFFORDABLE.

Reviewed on 2020-05-27

Pros

VERY EASY TO OVERWRITE PRICES, PARTS AND JOB DISCRIPTION.

Cons

ENGINE SIZE CODE SOMETIMES NOT LISTED FROM THE LIST.

Response from Dowell Systems

Marciano - thank you for your awesome and honest review! I'm glad you found us easier to us than some others out there. We're happy to have you as a customer!

John a
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 4.0 /10

basic good quality

Reviewed on 2021-07-22

fair

fair

Pros

ease of billing.license plate to vehicle id

Cons

lookup history is ineffective .mileage maintaince. mileage lookup too vague or non existent wish it had more features such as digital inspections.almost no updates.wouldn't mind paying more for better features

MICHAEL
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Most accurate Labor guide I've found

Reviewed on 2020-06-09

Pros

the ease of use is outstanding and the accuracy of the times is right on in most cases.

Cons

I have not yet found anything to not like

Sean
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Good quality, Needs more HD

Reviewed on 2020-06-01

Its great, passwords can be a pain, though when are they not

Its great, passwords can be a pain, though when are they not

Pros

I like it gives you options for time, wish it showed actual book, then real time. I wish it could integrate with sms.

Cons

Everything is fine with it, Drawbacks are minimal

Response from Dowell Systems

Sean - Thank you for your honest review and we are so happy to have you as a customer!

Robert
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Curious

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Quick estimates are now possible for my customer's.

Quick estimates are now possible for my customer's.

Pros

Able to use phone app
Support does respond

Cons

There no reward when I call to point out errors in Labor Time discrepancies w/ real world experience.

Response from Dowell Systems

Robert - Thank you for you awesome review. We're happy you are now able to provide your customers with quick estimates!

Michael
Overall rating
  • Industry: Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10

review

Reviewed on 2020-06-01

I use it as a reference guide to compare with alldata and motors

I use it as a reference guide to compare with alldata and motors

Pros

easy to maneuver through has a wide years of coverage

Cons

some times are too generic and are incorrect for specific applications

Response from Dowell Systems

Michael - thank you for your glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer!

Tommatthes
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Good product for the price

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Pros

one stop to generate invoices .... keep track of sales

Cons

No ability to edit inventory (mistakes and prices

Response from Dowell Systems

Tommatthes - Thank you for your honest review and the high marks you gave us in Ease of Use, Value for the Money and Overall Quality!

Tom
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

A great alternative time guide

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

It is a great resource when the embedded labor guides seem to be off-base. Also covers several...

It is a great resource when the embedded labor guides seem to be off-base. Also covers several operations missing from other labor guides.

Pros

This guide covers HD trucks as well as automotive, and covers several processes that the 'other' companies fall short on. Also allows for more labor intensive jobs where corrosion may be a factor.

Cons

I haven't found many 'gaps' in the system. It seems comlete.

Response from Dowell Systems

Tom - Thank you so much for your awesome review! We're so happy we can help when you are looking for a more complete resource.

robert
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 4.0 /10

you are falling far short in your product

Reviewed on 2020-06-02

The software makes me look more professional to my customer. I'd like to be able to buy the old...

The software makes me look more professional to my customer. I'd like to be able to buy the old style trial program but being almost retired and the money is far less I usually have to resort to calling other shops for a true feel of the exact labor time on any given job.

Why don't you review some other software programs for ideas, You know there are smarter people all around us.

Pros

I liked the introductory disc just fine . The service I am using now could be a lot better.I do like the fact that it is available and works fairly easily.

Cons

The labor times are not usually enough on big jobs. I hate to cut you down because you probably are more knowledgeable than myself. I work alone and I can't really afford an exprnsive program. I do like the fact that it is here on demand. even though I have to add time to most all procedures.

Response from Dowell Systems

Robert - thank you for your honest review. We take your feedback very seriously and will do our best to consider the shop with just one technician who is nearing retirement in our future releases. I'm very happy we help you look professional to your customers!

Kameron
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for Free Trial
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 0.0 /10

Horrible customer service beware new customers

Reviewed on 2022-01-31

Labor guide appears to be a little low in labor times across-the-board

Labor guide appears to be a little low in labor times across-the-board

Pros

The pricing is about the only thing on the plus side for the software

Customer service is not existent to say the least

Cons

Customer service not their software shut down over the weekend nobody to answer the phone calls or respond to emails customers standing in my shop waiting for invoicing software to come up and never happens horrible experience I recommend staying away from this company due to lack of customer service over the weekends

I recommend staying with more reputable companies that have 24 hour customer service

DANIEL
Overall rating
  • Industry: Retail
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Labor Guide Review

Reviewed on 2020-06-01

The older cars and trucks have jobs that are not estimated with the software.

The older cars and trucks have jobs that are not estimated with the software.

Pros

The addition of invoice and estimate headings. The ability to compile "jobs" that customer's could pick and chose from.

Cons

Not all vehicles are listed. Older cars and trucks are not listed.

Response from Dowell Systems

Daniel - Thank you for your honest feedback. We continually look to add vehicles and jobs to our labor guide, and I will make sure and pass your comments on to our labor research department. Thanks again!

FLOYD
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Update

Reviewed on 2020-06-03

Very Good

Very Good

Pros

Use of the system and moving to next application.

Cons

Wish it had semi-trailer labor guide, do lots of work on trailers.

Response from Dowell Systems

Floyd - Thank you for the great review! We're so happy to have you as a customer!

Steven
Overall rating
  • Industry: Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Great product

Reviewed on 2020-06-08

Pros

Great for what I do. Easy to navigate. Very user friendly

Cons

Wish it had accounting & inventory Incorporated.