Real-Time Labor Guide Reviews

Real-Time Labor Guide

4.3 (77)
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Auto repair software for managing labor costs

Overall rating

4.3 /5
(77)
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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77 Reviews

Sandy
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 9.0 /10

I USE THIS EVERYDAY.

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Overall I love the program, I have used it for many many years now.

Overall I love the program, I have used it for many many years now.

Pros

I really like how you can run reports, for labor, or techs, you can get a varierty of reports.

Cons

The thing I noticed if you get called away from the invoice program it will just log you out, and it does not always saved it.

Alternatives Considered

Manager SE

Reasons for Switching to Real-Time Labor Guide

It seemed easier for me to use

Response from Dowell Systems

Sandy - Thank you so much for your glowing review! I'm happy you find the reports useful - we have plans for even more reports to help you see how good your business is doing. As for logging you out - it should only do that if you're idle for more than 4 hours and that is for your safety and security. Any tickets you are in the middle of should be available in the in-progress section for you to pick up right where you left off. If either of those don't seem to be happening for you feel free to give us a call and we'll try to help figure out what's going on with your setup.

Joe
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

Real time labor a must have for auto repair shops!

Reviewed on 2020-06-08

When I first open my shop in 2013 I did not really know what I was going to do about and invoicing...

When I first open my shop in 2013 I did not really know what I was going to do about and invoicing system. It was Motors Chiltons etc, but being a sole proprietor it was too much of a monthly fee for me to sign up for. I was about to open my shop a week later and I really didn’t know what I was going to do then I stumbled upon real time labor it was a godsend! Everybody has been so helpful at real time it’s easy to set up I highly recommend it for any shop owner. Thank you so much real time labor it would’ve been very difficult to start this business without you! I’m coming up on my seventh year in business August and I am still using real time labor to this day!

Pros

I started my shop in 2013. I found it very easy to use also cost effective.

Cons

There were a few glitches along the way when I first started using it but real time iron those out I really have nothing negative to say about real time and their product.

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

Jaimie
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

Small Business Owner

Reviewed on 2020-06-04

I have been using the Real-Time Labor guide for years. I like it keeps my records so that i don't...

I have been using the Real-Time Labor guide for years. I like it keeps my records so that i don't have a huge file or a lot of storage taken up. I use it daily for all my POS items and records including P & L, state tax and year end sales reports.

Pros

I like the customization capabilities for invoicing. You are able to add your own daily usage and create an invoice that fits your needs. Adding your logo and personal touches is great, plus editing is a cinch.

Cons

The increments of time for the automotive industry could be better when you are making your own labor task as opposed to canned tasks. Plus price per unit prints out in 1/10 of a cent so it must be edited on line items.

Response from Dowell Systems

Jaimie - Thank you so much for your detailed review! We are glad to hear you like all the customization you can do with your tickets. We really want to help you achieve that professional look. Thanks for being our customer all these years!

Mike
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

Why not?

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

No complaints, just what I described above!!

No complaints, just what I described above!!

Pros

Its very user friendly and pretty straight forward, but i might be bit tech savy over most!

Cons

As we proceed forward as we all know technology gets better, faster and cheaper as supply goes up. There are now competitors that offer a 3d screen of the parts area you are working on and suggested process and procedures at a much lesser price then Mitchelles or alldata. I would love to see Real Time step up to that!!

Alternatives Considered

Mitchell RepairCenter

Reasons for Switching to Real-Time Labor Guide

Price

Response from Dowell Systems

Mike - Thanks for your great review! We are always looking for ways to improve and give our customers more of what they are looking for. We appreciate the suggestion!

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

Ray
Overall rating
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 6-12 months
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support Software
  • Likelihood to recommend 7.0 /10

Are you kidding me ? Haters are just going to be Haters

Reviewed on 2016-06-12

What do you expect for $10.00 a month .... The program does what they claim it to do quite well....

What do you expect for $10.00 a month .... The program does what they claim it to do quite well. Sure some of the labor times are wrong just like every other labor "GUIDE" out there. At least they are attempting to create a "Real Time" program to be fair to the techs and customers. If you have a problem with the labor time let them know. I think with enough constructive criticism and truthful testimonies from real techs. The labor times will be changed accordingly until the times are correct. They also give you 3 labor options to choose from which the low one is close to Mitchell on several vehicles I have compared. We all do not have access to factory tools, equipment and data therefore the labor guide should reflect that as well, Hence a little more labor time. Getting the job done right or getting the job done in the allotted time of what a guide says are usually two different times anyhow. These are guides not mandatory labor times, should be used and modified as needed. Rust - Corrosion - Owner Repair - Oil/Grease Soaked Engine - Electrical Parts that have been upgraded with a new harness or pig tails.... Etc. Labor should be fair but not a race to meet the book time. Times are changing and labor guides should as well.

Pros

Affordable, Easy and quick to get an estimate now with invoicing options .
A good second opinion for $10.00 a month if you have a system.
Do not have to be at the shop computer to get an estimate for a repair. You can use your cell phone if needed.

Cons

Still working to get real time labor correct on all makes and models. Which would seem to be a ongoing process for the life of the program.

Response from Dowell Systems

Thank you for the review Ray. You are right - we will continually review and ask for feedback to get our labor guide as close to perfect as possible.

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

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Vin scanner and mobile app

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Pros

I really love the fact that you could type in the license plate and reveal the Vin number for a particular vehicle

Cons

I do a lot of presale inspections, Instead of using another application to scan the Vin on cars without a license plate is irritating. I would love to do it from inside Real-Time Labor Guide and it would be great if I didn’t have to be in a browser and could use a app

Response from Dowell Systems

Edward - Thank you for your honest review and the high marks you gave us. You are not the only one who has suggested a VIN scanner and we agree that it would make starting a ticket easier. It is definitely on our list of potential features for the near future We always appreciate new feature suggestions!

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!

BYRON
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

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ. PAYS FOR ITSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewed on 2017-01-14

I'VE READ SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER SHOPS. THEY WANT EVERY SINGLE ESTIMATE TO BE PERFECT....

I'VE READ SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER SHOPS. THEY WANT EVERY SINGLE ESTIMATE TO BE PERFECT. NONE OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE PERFECT. OVER THE YEARS I'VED USE REAL-TIME AS A BACK UP TO EITHER MITCHELL & OR ALLDATA. REAL TIME HAS SAVED ME FROM LOOSING A TON OF MONEY $$$$$$ IF I HAD WENT STRICKLY WITH THE "BIG BOYS PRICING" I'D BE IN THE "POOR HOUSE" NOW. THIS ESTIAMTING GUIDE IS A MUST HAVE. AND YOU GUYS THAT WANT MORE FROM THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE AN ADVANCED PROGRAM TOO.

Pros

KEEP A FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OF HOW MUCH YOU RAISED THE PRICE WHEN YOU DOUBLE CHECKED REAL TIME & I BET YOU BE LOOKING AT A MINIMUM $ A MONTH IN ADDITIONAL INCOME.
PLUS IF YOU EVER WORK ON A MEDIUM TO LARGE TRUCK - REAL TIME HAS THAT INFO AT NO EXTRA COST. A DOUBLE BONUS!!!!

Cons

NONE

Response from Dowell Systems

Thank you so much Byron for the awesome review! We agree with you - every shop SHOULD have the Real-Time Labor Guide even if it's just for a second opinion.

Michael
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 3.0 /10

Real Time Review

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Average

Average

Pros

Easy to use.

Cons

Not enough new content for quite a long time. The software has become stagnant and has many holes.

Response from Dowell Systems

Michael - Thank you for your honest review and for the high marks in Ease of Use and Customer Support. When you say that its time for some new features, we really can't disagree. We are beta testing a new integrated payment feature now that will be released to all users shortly, then a full suite of features soon after. Do you have a couple feature suggestions that should be at the top of our list?

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.

Randy
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

I have used Real-Time Labor in our business for several years, It is very easy to use.

Reviewed on 2020-05-27

I would highly recommend this to anybody that need a guide for flat rate time.

I would highly recommend this to anybody that need a guide for flat rate time.

Pros

We are mainly a heavy truck repair shop. Software is very easy to use. I use it as a guide for the flat rate repair. The information in it is consistent with other repair shops as far as time.

Cons

Only had a couple of things that was not covered as far a repair.

Response from Dowell Systems

Randy - Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so happy to have you as a customer!

Mike
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

Review

Reviewed on 2020-06-08

Great

Great

Pros

Easy to use. Cost effective. Able to access from any device or computer

Cons

Not being able to edit vehicle selection after starting tickets

Alternatives Considered

Mitchell RepairCenter and ALLDATA

Reasons for Switching to Real-Time Labor Guide

Cost and less hassle
Randy
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

Great software for a great price

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Pros

I love this product. It makes doing my repair tickets easy

Cons

Sometimes finding the actual repair type is a little bit difficult due to the way they are categorized.

Response from Dowell Systems

Randy - Thank you for your honest and glowing review! We tried hard to setup the categories in a way that makes sense. Don't forget to use the keyword search if you ever have trouble finding something in the categories.

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!

Jeffery
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

Great for beginner shops

Reviewed on 2020-06-10

I have been using this program for several years now, customer service is great. For a small shop...

I have been using this program for several years now, customer service is great. For a small shop this is a great investment.

Pros

The ease of using a tag number to get all information on vehicle.

Cons

Does not pre fill fields on frequently used parts.

Khaled
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

Greatest invoicing and labour guide system

Reviewed on 2020-05-26

Pros

It saves all invoices and makes pricing a job a breeze

Cons

Search criteria should improve By adding make and model and year in the same category

Response from Dowell Systems

Khaled - Thank you so much for you honest and glowing review! We are so happy to have you as our 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.

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

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

Not bad

Reviewed on 2019-07-31

Pros

Overall very easy to use, and accessible.

Cons

Seems to be a little low on the labor guide

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

Overall rating

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

Real-Time Labor Guide

Reviewed on 2020-06-01

Able to go back and see what I have done in the past.

Able to go back and see what I have done in the past.

Pros

Keeping track of all my invoices able to go back to review customers.

Cons

Nothing is a great product it does what it claims to do.

Response from Dowell Systems

Michael - Thank you so much for the awesome review! We work hard to give our customers what they need, and its great to get this kind of feedback. We look forward to serving you for many many more years!

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

Overall rating

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

Auto repair

Reviewed on 2020-06-02

Good service

Good service

Pros

User friendly Very easy to navigate theu

Cons

I wish it had more in depth labor some smaller labor things it dont list

Response from Dowell Systems

Carl - Thank you for your review! We appreciate having you as a customer all these years!

Joseph
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

great product and affordable

Reviewed on 2020-06-04

Pros

It is very easy to use and teach others to use. The cost is very fair.

Cons

would like to add a repair order that can be tied to the estimates and invoice