GlassBYTES article

[Dave M]

Interesting article in todays GlassBYTES regarding a news team in Arizona going undercover. It's amazing what they are told by some local w/s repair people!

Jeff, can you highlight the article from GlassBYTES? I'm not sure how to do that. Thank you.

[Delta Kits]

Unfortunately, this article gives windshield repair a bad name. Also, they seem to be mixing up glass replacement with repair, which is pretty common.

There have been a few articles over the last few years, and they manage to find technicians who will attempt to sell repairs on surface chips as needing to be repaired and charged to insurance. They then make this sound pervasive, and make people afraid of repair.

Delta Kits does NOT support billing insurance companies for surface chips, obviously. It's basically insurance fraud. Doing surface chip repairs is fine, as long as the customer knows it's cosmetic only, and is not charged to insurance.

Anyway, here's the article:

http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=4178213&nav=DIH7

[J.T.Window]

I have to disagree with you about this story. If you watch the TV spot, you'll see that they are out to bust the fake repair people that are hurting our industry.
I have heard personally or directly from a customer that the reason two large insurance companies in California have stopped paying for w/s repairs is the high number of bogus claims coming from places like the ones shown in this story.

[Delta Kits]

I'm not sure what you disagree with J.T.

The things the technicians were doing in the article, I stated that we don't support, and that it's insurance fraud.

I'm sure they're out to bust fake repair people, but when the article states:

do not turn over your insurance card to a stranger.
Call your agent before agreeing to any repair.

that hurts our industry, both good technicians and bad.

Also, please let me know which two large insurance companies in California do not pay for repairs, as we haven't heard of them.

[J.T.Window]

The quote about the insurance card and 'call your agent' to me is like a spell of bad weather - it hurts the good guy a little but it drives the bad guy out.

[maxryde]

The quote about the insurance card and 'call your agent' to me is like a spell of bad weather - it hurts the good guy a little but it drives the bad guy out.

The weather is gonna change for a long while, maybe permanently. Good/bad, depends on your situation. The ins changes are gonna hurt folks who cannot sell to individuals, lots, and fleets, period. Relying on insurance companies is all eggs in one basket anyway and was never a good idea!!! This is a great product and if you have your eggs in the insurance basket than you will need to diversify or remain at their mercy. I personally have no intention of allowing them to dictate my business to me!!! No storm clouds here good luck, Scott P.S. Oh and of coarse it is FRAUD and I wish that the folks who do that sort of thing were getting the book thrown at em but instead we get a bad name "insurance claim harvester" etc... Really sucks, in my perfect world there would be a firing squad one time and the f...ing morons would disappear.

[Wright Fix]

Sounds to me like this is just what the honest guys want. I will not charge to repair a nick in the glass, but if the customer is bothered by it I will fill it with pit resin and explain the resin may not stay. However, I will never charge them and I explain that it is simply a cosmetic repair to help them feel better. I then explain to them that they do not need these fixed and not to allow anyone to charge them or their insurance for chips without cracks or an obvious bullseye.

This is excellent PR for me and the customer feels they have been treated fairly. I live in an area where there is a lot of fraud and I applaud anyone who will crack down on dishonest business. My take is that they will be gone and I will still be here with less compition and more honest friends in the business.

One thing on this note, I would recommend going and meeting your competitors. I stop and talk to all the glass shops and repair guys I see. I have found that once I meet them my confidence goes up because I know I offer a professional, honest service. I also find friends that I can network with.

Friends in the business will go a long way.

blessings,
Heath

[mrchip]

hey wrightfix kudos to you!!!!! you are a breath of fresh air
you are doing fine i like your style:icon_roll

[Wright Fix]

Thanks mrchip, I appreciate the feedback...

[repare-brise]