first time long time

[ChampionCHIP,wsr]

hi this is my first post, been reading forum for 2 plus years and have picked up a lot of great info.
i am sure my profile is not complete so here is some personal info.
i am in north central new jersey and started my business in late 2006, started to really bill in 2007. i trained in eugene in i believe april 2006 with matt and jeff. i came from the pdr business was a sales manager for a large international pdr company. did not do repairs. things started to get sucky so w/s repair business seemed right at that point.
i can not tell you how much this forum has helped. it is a little tough when you are out there on your own with nobody to bounch things off of this is where the forum is invaluable. i assume most are like me one person businesses.
i do an aveage of 40-50 insurance jobs a month from lynx, 6-10 from harmon, and pretty much 0 from safelite unless i have someone with there coverage.
also do a hand full of dealers and retail. the only dealers i do are those who repair whatever the ecomomics are out there. i found when with the other company i was with i found to many of these dealerships cut of vendor repairs when sales are slow very fustrating enough work out so i can deal with the hot and cold. would like to do less ins. but can't right now with the economics out there.
well now i can join in on the great posts i've been reading over the years.

paul
championCHIP windshield repair
hillsborough nj

[GlasWeldTech]

Welcome aboard.

[tooldini]

Welcome to the forum. Don't rely on insurance referrals like I was, mine have dropped from ave 12-20 a week to 4. I am in michigan so hopefully it is better there I still love doing it but next spring am going more retail for sure.

[mrchip]

Hi Paul..welcome to the hangout..worked in Toms river for 20 yrs in Ocean and monmounth counties..my friend also does a lot of ins work in that area..are your dealers new or used?..did a lot of work for the service dept at the new dealers..that is one area I think gets overlooked

[SGT]

Welcome to the forum. I am just 45-50 min away in PA. Let me know if I can help.

[mrchip]

hi Gary..I made up a short 6 paragraph explanation about windshield repair ..and had it laminated it was also colorful..the service writwers had them hanging around their desk so when a customer came in it was quite visible..I had 2 dealerships that gave me a lot of work..others so so...i always answered my phone when service writers called to see if i was available..thats important because the customer is standing there and they want to know if it can be done today and what time..sometimes they gave me the customer to do at their house or at another day at the dealership...you would be surprised at how many calls i got and took care of that day..if you want me to fax you a copy just pm me

[ghost rider]

hi Gary..I made up a short 6 paragraph explanation about windshield repair ..and had it laminated it was also colorful..the service writwers had them hanging around their desk so when a customer came in it was quite visible..I had 2 dealerships that gave me a lot of work..others so so...i always answered my phone when service writers called to see if i was available..thats important because the customer is standing there and they want to know if it can be done today and what time..sometimes they gave me the customer to do at their house or at another day at the dealership...you would be surprised at how many calls i got and took care of that day..if you want me to fax you a copy just pm me

What kind of incentive plan do you have for the dealership or writers?

[mrchip]

I didn't give them an incentive per say..just fixed their car if it had a chip or wanted a pinstripe ..I am a very friendly guy and always stopped to say hello when at the dealership..most just wanted me to answer my phone and take care of the customer...