Marketing Idea Etc.

[Nomad]

Hi Guys;
Been watching the forum for a while, went through almost all of the past stuff and what a treasure of ideas it is. I just want to add a little of my own.
In Des Moines IA we used to put a piece of torn off paper under a windshield wiper or in the door that said only (handwritten)"please call (phone #)". Well, the person that got back to his car didn't have the slightest idea what it was about and usually called the number. Then we would say "I was just walking by and saw you had a chip in your windshield, and I didn't know if you knew if insurance would waive the deducible and pay for it or not." I'd say about a third of them would bite. Some would be angry, but oh well.
You have to be comfortable on the phone to do this and that takes practice, which you will get if you go ahead and do it.

Somewhere back in the past postings I read a question about sharpening drill bits. On the small tapered ones you can take a small pliers and break off just the smallest piece of the tip. Most of the time it will dig in and drill like crazy after that. It may be aggressive, so watch out an hold the drill firmly. Also the hole will be a little bigger each time you break the same bit. Yes you can break it off multiple times, maybe three or four.

[Coitster]

Nomad......
Where did you learn this technique? Did you think of it yourself or did someone tell you about it. I have a very specific reason to ask this. Thanks
David
Coitster

[paintlessplus]

Welcome Nomad - My guess is that for a first post you're gonna get quite a response. Many times I'll fix a chip and find another, or point out a chip that the owner was never even aware of. Your idea of a hand written note sounds like a stalker... and would scare most people --especially women. You never want anyone angry at you in this business. Some people have put professional business cards on windshields in the past, only to be accused of making the chip as the owner was unaware of it. As far as drill bits, that is the one thing I would personally never skimp on. If you've never had one skip across a windshield, you will - and it leaves a nasty signature. By the way these are the same type of drill bits used by a dentist....would you want him to break his bits off with a pliers before he drills your tooth ??? Nothing beats quality... keep fresh bits, razor blades, resin, and tabs....and then try to conquer all the other variables that windshield repair life throws your way. QUALITY + HONESTY + INTEGRITY = SUCCESS. Hope I didn't sound too harsh JMO. Again ,welcome aboard, Bob

[mafsu]

The handwritten note keeps most people from knowing who to be angry at. Not a bad idea if your gonna leave something on a car. Not necessarily the most professional approach, but I bet it works.

[sunshine wr]

Neither sound like good ideas for windshield repair in my area. JMO

[Nomad]

Learned about it from a friend in Des Moines that has been doing windshield repair for a long time. He used it for quite a while in repair and replacement.

[glassdoctor]

Just a guess.. his name is Dan?

[Nomad]

Yup, that's him.