Network referrals

[paintlessplus]

The purpose of this post is not to raise anyones expectations... but to share some info as to my experiences with glass network referrals. I work in a 20 mile radius that encompasses a population of roughly 450 thousand. I am a member of both Lynx and SGC. In 2004 I recieved 7 referrals (where your phone just rings out of the blue and a network operator hooks you up with a customer requesting mobile service and then faxes a work order.) I also recieved 4 calls from area insurance claim offices with a 3 way call customer online ready to repair. Although 11 jobs is nothing to brag about, these were gained as a result of my building a good reputation with the networks and local insurance claim centers. I might also add that some of these came in on a Saturday or during inclement weather. As I continue to take care of business, I expect things to grow. Good Luck to all in 2005....Bob

[CGlenn]

2 days after I was accepted by State Farm, they called me and had a customer on the line. I was shocked! I don't expect this to happen too often, but it was nice to know that it can happen now and then.

[maxryde]

I've recieved 1 in 19 months. We are very rural so I don't know the exact population or anything but the SGC dude had first dibs but he declined due to the distance. Scott

[glass tek]

I got a dispatch from State Farm a week ago for a repair, but it was cancelled 2 hours later. This week I got a referral from Farm Bureau.

[paintlessplus]

For the newbies out there......When you sign up with a glass network, you are agreeing to become one of their preferred windshield repairers. You are signing on to become a part of their team. You agree to conduct yourself as a business professional doing quality guaranteed work,while providing rapid excellent customer service. You are required to list your hours of operation, and your mobile repair radius, and adhere to them. Networks NEED to have a pool of competent and reliable repairers/business people to provide a service. They DO NOT WANT "unreliable-hit and miss-fly by night operators". I think that is why LNYX asks for a 1 year in business requirement. Before joining a network ask yourself the following questions......

1.) Do you have a dedicated BUSINESS ONLY phone line that will be answered in a business manner AT ALL TIMES ! ( I use a cell phone ..always on- always charged -with voice mail if I'm away)

2.) Do you have a 24 hour dedicated fax line ?

3.) Are you truely able to conduct business during your promised hours of operation ?

4.) Are you completely confident in your repairs ?

5.) Is your image professional ?

6.) Are you willing to submit your invoices via fax to the network in a timely manner using their preffered protocol ? ( mine are electronically submitted through a third party)

7.) Do you posess the organizational skills to keep good records,schedule and keep appointments on time ?

IN MY OPINION .....If you can honestly answer yes to ALL of the above it would benefit you to join with the glass networks. Be advised that from time to time, they will be calling your business line to "update their files". ( If you fail to answer your phone .....I'm sure that will not impress them.) I have also had insurance companies do follow-up customer quality control surveys on my business to insure that the customer was satisfied with my service.

In some areas you will receive very few if any referrals, as you'll find from some of the posts here. The goal is to build a good reputable name for your company. " IF YOU BUILD IT....... THEY WILL COME " Bob

[Dave M]

Nice post!

[dgarza]

good post Bob, I have always tried to stick to these practices.