What Is Hat #?

[dabat]

I have always wondered what the hat # box is meant to be used for. It never really bothered me too much as I just ignored it. But now I have a new employee who is bugging me to find out what it is. I'm glad she is as inquisitive as she is because maybe now I will find out the purpose of that box. I have searched the forum and could not find the answer.
Thanks

[timbre4]

Hat # is unique to each order; originally it was intended for the little numbered "cones" sitting on a roof of a car to differentiate it from other similar or identical vehicles. Since that time, some shops put the number from the paper hanging tags (on rear-view mirror) into that Hat # field.

[ricmorin]

Historically, Hat # is the unique number a vehicle gets assigned when at the service facility. The number would correspond to the RO, the key tag and a 'hat' that would sit on top of the car, usually magnetic. Most facilities now use a tear-tag version where the number hooks to the rear view mirror instead of on top of the car.

hat1.png (57.37 KiB) Viewed 3031 times

You can use that field for anything you want. We don't use hats, but we put the key tag number there for reference.

[dabat]

Thank you
Now my assistants mind can rest.