Insurance companies, Networks, and Forum Etiquette

[splitpit]

I understood where you were coming from Brent and I too sat back and watched this thread turn into exactly what you asked us to avoid doing.

[Glassdoc]

Well, there are 2 ways to read any story. A: The person/companies/representatives can read where they have failed us and strive to do us more justice in the future. Or B: They can look at these posts as complaining and not do anything. Constructive criticism is the key to obtaining a response. It may not be the response desired, but at least it is a "you got noticed" response.

[splitpit]

You want to get noticed for giving positive solutions, not just constant complaints. I don't think they will view it as having done US an injustice. In many respects, we have done the injustice to ouselves.

[harrellbenjamin]

I dont think that the Insurance companys care one way or another about what a Windshield repair tech thinks..................JMHO They have no pull or political clout so why would they worry or care?? The tech is just a necessary evil and expence for them...........

[tooldini]

Right on Brent,, I stay low, do a good job for all customers retail or insurance referral. I do need to get involved more behind the scenes. It seems many of the old timers and several of the new forum members have a hard time adjusting to change. There are things good and bad about this business. I myself love it and hope I can do it for ever. I know I will never get rich repairing windshields but I am the happiest I have ever been doing it. Maybe I am not making tons of money, maybe I am really worth $100.00 a repair but the fact is this is a business that I love so if I make what equals $25.00 an hour I am happy So that said,, Flat rate Piece rate bring it ON. I do heavely agree with the fact that there is too much arguing on here and it would be nice sometimes to not be B'ed at when you ask a question that may have already been asked or one that someone thinks is stupid

[Brent Deines]

Originally Posted by harrellbenjamin

I dont think that the Insurance companys care one way or another about what a Windshield repair tech thinks..................JMHO They have no pull or political clout so why would they worry or care?? The tech is just a necessary evil and expence for them...........

It's not their job to care about us, but if you don't think insurance companies have pull or political clout, you are dead wrong. They are setting the prices, and it is up to us to prove the value of our services.

I have spoken with quite a number of people in the insurance industry and so far I have never gotten the impression that windshield repair technicians are a "necessary evil". What I get from them is that they see windshield repair as a valuable service that saves their companies and customers money.

I know I will never convince many of this, but I think we really need to get away from the us vs them attitude, and figure out a way to make them want to pay us what we are worth. It won't be an easy task, but I do think it is worth fighting for. That's why I think it is so important to get out and meet some of these folks. They are all just doing their jobs, just like we are. Once you understand that you can have discussions rather than arguments. Sitting across the table from someone has a way of changing your perspective of each other.

There may very well be more windshield repair technicians who agree with you than with me, and that's fine, I just think that diplomacy will be necessary if we hope to change our industry for the better.

I should also add that I don't think our industry is all that different than any other in this respect. This industry has been very good to me, both on the retail and the wholesale end, which may be why my attitude is what it is. If I thought I could find something else that I like better and could make as much or money at, that's what I would do. The thing is, I like what I do, a lot, and although I may never be rich I can make a living, and making a living at something I love is more important to me than getting rich at something I don't love.

Sorry, having a bit of a warm and fuzzy moment here.

[screenman]

This industry has been very good to me, both on the retail and the wholesale end, which may be why my attitude is what it is. If I thought I could find something else that I like better and could make as much or money at, that's what I would do. The thing is, I like what I do, a lot, and although I may never be rich I can make a living, and making a living at something I love is more important to me than getting rich at something I don't love.

I will echo those sentiments. I could have wrote them myself.

[tooldini]

exactly my feelings I love windshield repair

[harrellbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Brent Deines

It's not their job to care about us, but if you don't think insurance companies have pull or political clout, you are dead wrong. They are setting the prices, and it is up to us to prove the value of our services.

I have spoken with quite a number of people in the insurance industry and so far I have never gotten the impression that windshield repair technicians are a "necessary evil". What I get from them is that they see windshield repair as a valuable service that saves their companies and customers money.

I know I will never convince many of this, but I think we really need to get away from the us vs them attitude, and figure out a way to make them want to pay us what we are worth. It won't be an easy task, but I do think it is worth fighting for. That's why I think it is so important to get out and meet some of these folks. They are all just doing their jobs, just like we are. Once you understand that you can have discussions rather than arguments. Sitting across the table from someone has a way of changing your perspective of each other. Its also a good thing that I do not have to waste my time dealing with Ins. co's

There may very well be more windshield repair technicians who agree with you than with me, and that's fine, I just think that diplomacy will be necessary if we hope to change our industry for the better.

I should also add that I don't think our industry is all that different than any other in this respect. This industry has been very good to me, both on the retail and the wholesale end, which may be why my attitude is what it is. If I thought I could find something else that I like better and could make as much or money at, that's what I would do. The thing is, I like what I do, a lot, and although I may never be rich I can make a living, and making a living at something I love is more important to me than getting rich at something I don't love.

Sorry, having a bit of a warm and fuzzy moment here.

Brent .............. Please reread my statement.I said that "they" meaning windshield repair techs have no pull or political clout.Not the Insurance companys that are clearly big business as usual that controls and governs our laws and lawmakers with an army of lobbiest's and fist full's of money buying the influence they need to do what ever they want.Sorry if I was not clearer.
By the way I love the extra money that w/shield repair adds to my bottom line.The return on investment is second to none .

[Brent Deines]

My mistake. Sorry about that.