Did I read this right?

[GLASSTIME]

So I finally scrolled through my January/Febuary edition of AGRR Mag. I read an insert by Mike Boyle of the NWRA.

It seems that in the near future we as repair technicians may have to "Catalogue" the glass when we perform a repair.
In other words "Etch" something onto the glass, sort of a time stamp.

If I read this all correctly, It sounds so communist!


Then again a better overwatched system would definately benefit the repair industry. More and more shady technicians doing shady work would either have to step up the game or get out. However again if the goverment took all of the drugs away in this country and told everyone they couldn't have anymore drugs they would eventually find them somewhere eh?

So I am very curious how this will truly play out. This would mean we would endure more time spent doing a repair and we all know time is money. So I wonder if they would up the going rate for the repair considering we are putting more time into with the repair in order to "Etch" the glass.

I am very interested to see how this all plays out........

[D2D]

AGRSS

ROLAGS

NWRA

NGA

ANSI

MINDLESS BABBLE

Pardon my cynicism here but can anyone related to any of these organizations shed any REAL light on how all this can ever be enforced?

I live and work in the real world, thank you!

I REST MY CASE

[Ricersux]

/\/\/\ I agree and imho I feel that all the autoglass trade associations are joke. The repair side is a little better than replacement but they are all FAR behind. The entire autoglass industry is in shambles and is stuck in the stone ages. Wanna see a REAL trade association check out SEMA!

[D2D]

Noone here, IMHO, is opposed to the "concept or theory" of establishing industry standards. But, that's all they will ever be, "concepts and theories".

What with all the sparring and posturing by the various organizations previously mentioned to perhaps "justify" their existence, I've seen no sign whatsoever that any of them will ever get around to the "real world" issues that effect the "repair only" companies.

I.E.
Lobbying the networks to allow a trip charge paid on a referral where the repair tech found no repair and had to call the network back to cancel the referral, and drive away with NOTHING!

Lobbying the networks to pay out claims according to each vendor's pricing.
Essentially a "Co-Pay".

This one is double edged, meaning, if your set price is 75.00 and the network pays 50.00. then the insured pays 25.00.
On the other hand, if your set price is 40.00 and the network pays 50.00. then your claim should be submitted and paid for the actual amount, 40.00.

[D2D]

I should clarify, I didn't mean to say, "pay out according to each vendor's pricing", as we know, the network pricing is set.

What I meant was to allow each vendor who's set price is higher than the network rate to collect the difference from the insured.

[just chippen away]

If they are going to have us repair shops etch the glass for repairs, they had better have the replacements shops etch the glass for there service. They on the other hand are more of a risk for faulty workmanship and do need to all be cert. with a cert number of each tech to be liable for there work. not under an umbrella of Joe blow that did at one time worked for the shop.

But a lot of the customers may not want all this etching on their glass to start with, repair or replacement.

[t4k]

I am sure if the etching comes to pass, it will much smaller than an oil change sticker and a lot less noticeable. Most customers won't mind and they may appreciate the accountability issue it presents.

[just chippen away]

Now lets say it would get passed, lets say a replacement etch would only be done once per windshield, would a repair be etched each time it is repaired? Then hopefully showing, lets say an authorization number for the shop that has done the work?

I have customers that I know have 5 -6 or more repairs in the glass. Ins. and cash payments on the same glass. So if they are done by ins. they will have to be etched and maybe cash etching or not... Not much control here I see. A hack shop may not ever etch their corners. Now how will get the blame on a bad repair?

Just a lot of things to look at.

[GLASSTIME]

I think it will just open a Bad Can of Worms!

[Frank EU]

Am I going to be compensated for the extra work, time and materials?
The repair prices are already too low.

To the trade organizations I would say: work on a better relationship with the insurance industry, on our behalf.
Stop vendors dumping their systems without a proper training being given, it is damaging our trade a lot and/or come up with a plan where proper full time professionals are being paid better than any random part time Joe and his six jobs -low balling and harming our beautifull trade.
Why don't you guys set minimum criterea for this trade (-other than useless money wasting certificates).
Where are the plans and deadlines? What are you board members doing? For us? You guys appear to simply forget to represent our trade, the hard working folks, the members who are paying their annual fees but do not get all that much in return.
I don't care, but come up with something where we, as a trade, experience real progress.
Stop the silly plans (brain farts) and stop seeking media attention to build a few personal ego's. I sometimes believe that board members are just there (in any board) to build up their own network, expand their own supply-sales and pump up their own ego.
Board members were elected and appointed to represent us, the members.

We have been a member for some 6 years, but have to reconsider whether we continue our membership -unless the board comes up with proper ideas and a proper realistic plan and the willingness to actually work for us.

Etching? What a useless idea!
Stop the politics, personal agenda's and bull, start working today.