I would have to vote No. Here in the SF Bay Area some of the new and used car lots have either downsized considerably or closed. For my part-time WSR business these wholesale clients are 75% of my business.
Hmmm! I do not think anyone or business is exempt from economic cycles. Although the degree to which one might be affected will vary. So is windshield repair business an "economic teflon"...Nope. That being said while one market is suffering(dealerships) another maybe thriving(insurance, retail). Just depends if we are willing to adapt to the current situations we all face. Lets face it, WSR price point is a fraction of the replacement price point which is attractive at anytime but even more so when people are sleeping on there money.
I think perhaps a better question is, Is this business model well suited for a recession? I say ABSOLUTELY!
It has been discussed before on the forum, yet the answer remains the same: in a period called ''recession'' it is likely that repair services sell easier.
The answer therefore should be: yes, windshield repair is recession proof.
How the local vendors execute their business (ie; are able to survive and/or even expand) is a different thing all together.
Hi there, Thank you for the feed back?? I myself have done quit well during this reccesion?? buisness was a bit slow at the begining of the year ie the credit crunch?? people found it hard to buy a car, at a car dealer?? If you are in the Windshield buisness you really have to be flexable ie you have to do insurance work ie networks etc, car dealers &fleet accounts or you will not survive?? You wll find it is very hard to do buisness with fleets & car dealers??????????