Lurker Comes Forth With Question

[Hack Job Bob]

Hey guys, just doing some prep work before starting my first WR service. Making my virgin post

A lot of questions have been answered through eye-crossing hours of reading your forums. I would like to thank Delta and all of the contributors here for providing a great learning environment...nicely done.

-Buying a kit from Delta, would like to attend their training, but I am not thrilled about the travel to Oregon. Any training classes in the very near future on the East Coast? I'm getting going right now, so I don't have a lot of time to waste. If I have to fly to Oregon to get good training I will; but If I can swap a flight and hotel for a drive, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

-Tips on scoping out the local competition who doesn't advertise? I'm sure there are a few guys out there flying under the radar locally. should I waste my time being concerned about competition or just go sell? (I am not looking for motivation, I am looking for straight answers here, no chest-puffers please)

Thanks in advance, I appreciate what you guys are doing here.

Mark

[screenman]

First what is competition, just go and sell. Second get trained if you can. I wish the best of luck in whatever you do.

[Chips-B-Gone]

If you can't get factory trained (like with Delta Kits) find a reputable tech that will teach you and give you pointers. This help tremendously!!!

Do not worry about competition. I called the ones listed in the phone book like I needed a repair to scope out the local price ranges to start at. My best advertising is hanging flyers anywhere there is a public bulletin board..ie: quick lubes, supermarkets, banks, etc.... The best thing about it is that it's free. Do a great job for a customer and it will come back to you. I have had one customer give me at least 6 referals.

[ProView WR]

For scoping out competition, obviously scout out the yellow pages and do a search for windshield repair in your surrounding area on google, as it will bring up various yellow page listings.

As for being concerned about competition...think about how many windshields there are that are chipped. If you go out and sell it wont be a problem. Competition may limit the number of insurance referrals you get, but if you are getting in front of the people, however you chose to do it, chances are your competition (if you call it that) hasn't. I think most of us are selling customers that don't know about chip repair. We educate them and sell them. The people that know that they can get their chip repaired free...chances are they already have. Its our job to reach the people that either don't know we can do it free with insurance, or didn't know you can even fix repairs without replacing the windshield. If you are out selling you will find customers...period. There is alot of money to be made, but its not handed to you.