[Blind Squirrel]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I should mention that I do not at present operate a stationary (tent) location. I tried it about 4 years ago and didn't like just sitting around so much. I'm like the buzzard that says to the other buzzard, "patience my ass, I'm gonna go out and kill something".

Therefore, I much prefer going after sales. I've built a good business in fleet accounts here in Denver. However, I don't like the ups and downs of it either.
Somedays I run my route and make a lot and come home feeling great and other days I run it, sames miles and time, and make only a little. So, when you average it out, it don't look or feel so good.

This is why I'm putting a new emphasis on retail, (cash and insurance). One very good reason for this is preparation for the possibility that I could lose my biggest account that makes up 75% of my business. I've been doing their repairs for 5 years, I know they've been approached by many other techs/repair/glass companies but they've been loyal, but I never know when a management change might result in a change of who does their repairs.

One change I've made is setting up to use A.C.T.'s "Rapid Pay" program. As everyone knows, insurance company payments are from 2 to 8 weeks. This makes cash flow management dicey. This payment program from ACT will pay insurance jobs in 7 days. This means everything I send in this week will be EFT'd into my bank account the following friday. Some of you won't like the fees but it works for me. Go to ACT's website for details.

The other big thing I'm preparing for is when insurance companies stop paying for windshield repair. Because of the negatives of the hacks and other riff-raff that came into windshield repair to milk the system, some of us, me included, would at least like to see a moratorium on insurance repairs, at least a year and believe this is what will drive the unethical fast buck hustlers out of the business. My biggest axe to grind with these guys is that someone with enough money to get set up with the networks, set up locations and buys equipment, tents and banners, goes out and hires guys off the street and after a couple days of learning how to call in a job and do the paperwork and a couple hours on how to repair a windshield, they're out on the corner.

I want to make 2 things clear about this. First, there really are some good techs out there doing repairs with tents and some of them are on this forum. The honest ones know who you are and won't take offense to this. The second is I will never fault any person who is at least making an honest effort to make an honest dollar, regardless of their level of experience.

Back to the subject of tents. I feel very strongly that you have to have a busy location at a maximum rent of 10% of gross. This alone is probably a pipe dream. But realistically speaking, as mentioned already, what do you do with the time when you have no customers? One idea is to bring along phone books and other lead source material to make sales calls on the phone. Or write letters. Point is to be prepared to be as productive as possible.