Do you say FREE?

[Layne]

Nope--I never use the word free. In my discussions, I simply state that the insurance company waives the deductible...meaning that it costs the insured nothing..and the insurance company pays me for the repair.

[paintlessplus]

Insurance companies have generally frowned upon glass replacement shops and body shops that offer to waive deductibles on claims. In some instances they have even filed fraud lawsuits against the offending shops for this practice. Because of this more and more shops are vigilantly collecting deductibles, instead of offering a deal in exchange for the work. If you go to State Farms website you will find that they are strongly encouraging repair over replacement- as Coitster said they do this because of the enormous savings to the ins.co. When someone asks me about my FREE sign they usually say "O.K. whats the catch" The beauty is I can honestly say there is no catch... I tell them "I have entered into a signed agreement with your insurance company to perform repairs at a reasonable pre-set price. If you choose to use my company, your insurance company will waive your deductible, thus providing a FREE no cost repair option to you. If you wait to get it replaced you will have to satisfy your deductible because insurance companies will not waive them on replacements." Sounds FREE to me ! Bob

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

My wife and I thought about this for sometime being of the opinion it is close to fraudulent advertising.

As I'v related this expierence before I'll cut it short. For several months in 03 and early 04 we set up in a large flea market on weekends in the motorhome and Saturn.

A hack in a dirty old van, wife (quite plump, wearing a bakini, feeding a baby) hand painted sign "free windshield repair" parked next to my very nice motorhome, professional banners, my wife and I very clean, neat professional.

People in nice expensive cars ocassionally drove past me to the free freak and what a sc...ing they got, and always ended up paying $25.00 for a messed up job.

Finally I ordered a Delta Free Sign, looks very nice. When it came in I had our local sign guy add six large red question marks to the poster. It worked well, hack gone next weekend. "???Free??? Windshield Repair Ask For Details."

I duplicated the banner onto a vinyl bicycle cover for the front of the coach.
When occasionally somone asks about the ''free", I sinply tell them their insurance compresive policy is happy to pay me to do the job properly for them, so they are normally not out any cash.
And to watch out for the guys who just say free, cause it ain't free lunch day yet.
This has worked well for us.

[cure4glass]

I used to have a small magnetic strip at the top of my tailgate above my regular magnetic advertising that said: "Ask me about FREE windshield repair" . I did away with it and replaced it with a strip that says " We do Rock Chip Repair". I get more response without the reference to FREE repair.

[dgarza]

Quote:
Originally Posted by crackhead
I think those riding the "FREE WINDSHIELD REPAIR" bandwagon are giving a bad/cheap/unscrupilous image to our profession.
I am one of those who sees it as a dishonest approach. I think it is wrong to lure customers in that way.
But why even insult the intelligence of those who already know better?


Crackhead,
I believe that is a ridiculous and insulting statement. You are saying that every windshield repair company, including my own, is giving a bad/cheap/unscrupulous image to our profession and that is just plain stupidity. I take offense to that because ever since I started my business I have done my best to make it as honest and reputable as possible and I believe I have done a good job. I’m sure others in here who offer free windshield repair would agree that this is in no way a dishonest approach. I think Jeremiah relevantly proved that point in his post. There are several dishonest practices in this business and offering “free windshield repair” is nowhere near one! Also, luring customers in is a part of any business. Don’t you lure your customers in with your advertising? Whether or not you say free windshield repair you are still luring them in with what it says. Bottom line is I always explain how the free offer works so I am in no way being dishonest, bad, cheap, or unscrupulous. As far as insulting the intelligence of those who already know better, then everyday in this forum we as senior windshield repair technicians are being insulted by the questions asked from new members wanting to learn more about this business. I mean, since we already know better, why should we care about sharing and receiving any information. Everyday we all give and receive information we may or may not already know. Do you always get mad at somebody who shares with you some important information that could help you that you already knew? I know I don’t. I just thank them for it and move on. By God this is not just my 2 cents this is the whole dollar!

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

amen brotha

[paintlessplus]

I always ask each one of my customers if they have ever had a chip repaired before. The majority have said either "no" or "a long time ago". I do this because it gives me an idea on how much I need to educate them prior to starting the repair. I then instruct them on the expectations,warranties and disclaimers involved with windshield repair. I have ran into many people who never realized that if they would have got a chip fixed right after it happened I could have provided a free repair (deductible waived) They just figured that as long as they had insurance they would just wait for it to break or spread across their windshield and then get it taken care of. Many are unaware of the fact that they will soon be forced into paying a deductible and worse yet will be submitting a much larger glass claim to their insurance company
for a replacement. I know I've gotten off topic but I feel that myself and others use the word FREE to lure some folks in for an education. As others have said, If I do run into a customer with comprehensive insurance coverage that is insured with a company that DOES NOT waive repair deductibles, I will fix his chip for free... no strings attached.

[Coitster]

Preach it Dgarza. I hear yea.

[cure4glass]

To amend my previous post a bit;I replaced my magnetic strip that said
"Ask me about FREE windshield repair" with a strip that said " We do Rock Chip Repairs". I also said I get greater response with the new one.I believe that could be not necessarily that people shrug at the idea of something being Free, but that the new sign just clarified what I meant by "Windshield Repair". I've always gotten response to my magnetic signs but now my "Rock chip repair" inquiries far outnumber my "replacement" inquiries.
Even my advertising in the yellow pages, which does not imply Replacement at all, nets more "replacement" calls than repair calls.I try not to let these relacement inquirers get away though;I always ask where they got my number, tell them to remember me when they need a repair( after I let them know I could have saved them money if they could've had it repaired in time), I will then ask for their address ( most comply) so I can send them a magnetic card for future reference.I have gotten a lot of work from what would otherwise have been a fruitless call.
I know I drifted off topic here but just wanted to share that info while I was here.

[Delta Kits]

Originally Posted by cure4glass

now my "Rock chip repair" inquiries far outnumber my "replacement" inquiries.

Do you find more inquiries about paint rock chips this way?