Repair vs. Replacement

[StarQuest]

Tom,

Just like mafsu and Desertstars, I will also make repairs in the acute area.
However, if the the damaged area cannot be restored to 95% or better of original visual quality I'll waive all charges and recommend replacement.

[AutoEgo]

First off, thanks for calling me a replacement Guru. I really don't think I am, I do know how to install fairly well though. If anything, maybe a marketing Guru, lol. I did make a whole lot of money for my last company. after increasing profits in commercial and insurance sales over 3 years and receiving not even 1 penny as a thank you, I bailed.

I do have to ask Tom, what incentive does a replacement oriented shop have to repair glass other than to keep the networks that feed them happy? I know there are a few decent shops out there that are genuinely concerned about the cutomer and do the right thing, but! In my area there are 47, yes that's not a typo, I said 47 glass shops ranging from the guy and truck store to a few stores such as my old location that did 1.7 million last year. Most of these replacement stores can make $150 dollars replacing a shield in the time it takes us to do a proper repair. The temptation for them to turn that repair into a replacement is my motivation to get out there and put a stop to it!

As far as repairing in the critical area of a shield. Alot of the fleet companies I am and will be helping want the chips repaired in the critical area instead of replacing because it is simply way more cost effective for them in the long run. This is a huge selling point for anyone when going into a fleet account. National level rent a car companies do everthing in their power to turn their entire fleet over every 2 years. Do you think they want to replace 1 or 2 windshields in a car when they can repair now, even if it's in the critical section, and then replace that shield once at the end of that vehicles rental life? It just makes sense for these companies to do this. The biggest problem is most of them are contracted to the Giants of replacement and think that they are being told the gospel when speaking to the Big Boys in the replacement biz. We can change this.

In my opinion, the change needs to start with the Networks themselves. I know some of the higher ups at a couple different networks and they don't have a clue what type of repairs are going on out there. We need to find a way to show them the difference between a Class A job and what the push and goes leave on their customers vehicles.

I have more, but it's late and I'm beat. If anyone has any ?'s either leave em here or e-mail me direct and I will look at them a.s.a.p.

Thanks for giving me the chance to rant.

The not so new, New Guy,

Sean

[Repair1]

Sean,

It

[GRT]

Just like Desert, Mafsu, StarQuest, and Repair1, me too, using the same basic guidelines as Repair1.

[glassdoctor]

I also do repairs in the mystical acute area... but use common sense. I do mostly fleet work, and only pass on repairs in this area if it's a large combo, etc... and will leave an unusaully bad scar. Small stars, etc, can be hard to find after a really good repair.

For retail customers, I will inform them of any concerns about slight scar being visible if it's in their line of sight. I make sure before I do anything that they understand it doesn't magicly disappear. But they almost always want it repaired anyway. It's their choice, and if they are happy with the repair, is that not what matters? Will they police issue me a citation for performing an improper repair?

I know there is always that possiblity of a nightmare lawsuit. But, would I really be held liable for doing what a person requested and approved of? It's more likely that I will be sued by a neighbor falling on the sidewalk in front of my house, etc... or for a thousand other things...