just getting started

[BPIZ]

Hey guys, I just bought a delta kit and it is on its way. I am a PDR tech and have a lot of my car lots needing glass repair. My question is how much should I practice before doing these wholesale lots? Should I get a windshield and practice on it? Also my car lots are not picky they just dont want the glass to crack. What is a fair wholesale price? I want to keep the prices up in this industry just like PDR. I am a newbie so any help would greatly be appreciated.

[J.T.Window]

You can choose to be the guy that does the best chip repairs in town or the guy who does them super fast at an easy price. Pick a path, Grasshopper.

[BPIZ]

I am a perfectionist so for sure I want to be the best at what ever I do. I also want to be competitive as far as price. I keep hearing that glass repair is fairly easy to learn. Just want to know from you experienced guys how long it takes to get good at it.

[Delta Kits]

I would definitely get a windshield to practice on. You can get them at glass shops, buy them new, or go to a junkyard and practice there.

There will be some people here that say you need some arbitrary number of repairs in order to be "good" at repairs. I haven't found that to be the case.

We have people who have been doing repairs for years and years, who come to training, and they do awful repairs. They've done thousands of them, and they're still awful.

We also have people who come to training, because they want to know everything they can about windshield repair. They've done maybe 5, 10, and from the first repair in class, they're doing great repairs.

So, it's less about how many, and more about how seriously you take your repairs, how willing you are to learn (either from manual, video, training class).

It's very safe to say though, that windshield repair is much easier to learn than PDR!

So, take the "you need 100 repairs before you should go out and do them for customers" guys with a grain of salt. Make sure you remove all air (black, green, or excessively shiny). Call for technical support if needed, you should be just fine.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

[mrchip]

BPIZ where are you located every part of the country has different price
structure check around ask question just don't get suckered in on pricing

[JT2]

Welcome and good luck!!

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

I can only say I know a very fine Glas-Weld tech in LA who takes a lot of pride in his work, has been in the business ninteen years, makes a very good living, does work for the "big three" car rental agencies and numerous car dealers plus retail customers every day of the week, these customers have come to him through word of mouth referrals because first of all they know he will restore the structural integrity to the windshield, prevent it from cracking out and improve the cosmetic appearance by at least 70%, follows the ROLAGSS guidelines. He willl not do a "just do it to sell it" job. I have worked several times at R.V. rallies with him and learned a lot, (mostly patience with some slow fills) at the same time he has learned a couple of things from me.
I really don't know how much he charges at home but I'd bet a buck no one can go in for less and take an account away from him. I guess it kinda depends on the type of dealers you do business with.
It isn't brain surgery or rocket science but I try to improve every day on what I'v learned.
Sorry if I seemed a little sarcastic at first, reread your comment about being a perfectionest. In my humble opinion that is what it takes to be a success in this business.
I don't go after R.V. dealer business but get some at a pretty good price, knocking out someone who doesn't take the time to do a good job.
I have to tell you a story about a young man I met who washes, waxes, details 40' motorhomes for $125.00 retail and dealers both because 'he is just getting started, wants to get his foot in the door".
He is working himself to death, probably not covering the cost of his chemical and equipment. If he is in business a year from now I'll be surprised.
Anyway, ditto on Jeff's, JT2, mrchip and J.T.Window's advice.....all good!

[repare-brise]

One little thing to add to the above advice, while video training may suffice, pay yourself a treat and go back to school(no hall monitors, but recess is fun). Training is the second most important investment when it comes to WS repair(Quality equipment is first), and is well worth the expense(the training is free, but the travel and lodging does carry a cost).

Enjoy, and Bienvenue