Is it free or fraud?

[alanna]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post here. Please accept my warm HI. I have never actually heard about such kind of thing. I don't know if it can be free when your insurance company is actually affording the repairing cost for your windshield. I think this is the advertising term only. Why anyone is going to give you repairing for free. That is totally illogical.


_________________________
"Going High"

[Props24]

I call it a "No cost to you service". After that be upfront with their questions

[candyman]

I agree with Dr Chipster: I have never used the word free, simply because someone has to pay the fee. Customers are not stupid. They know what the deal is. I keep getting calls almost daily from US YP.com. They tell me I need to update their files yet the information they have is correct. They want me to use the word yes during the phone call, so they can send me a bill for advertizing. I have a friend that was charged more than $500 for an ad he didnt want or ask for. Its a scam. After 3 weeks of daily calls, I listen to the full spill from the sales lady that called. I logged on to the site as she was talking, and pulled my information up and it was correct. The lady finally said she wanted me to say yes and confirm her call and a fee of $5.99 per month would be charged for a special listing. I told her no thanks. I informed her I was already listed by local YP (Yellow Pages) and I was also signed up w/more than 100 search engines for $4.99 per month through another company. She hung up, and Its been 2 days now since the last call. I got a letter from google stating for a flat fee of $25 per month they will give me a preference listing for my area. There are so many places that compete for our business, and its hard to seperate the scam from the legit. I rather have these people be upfront with me and tell me how much and what I will get in black and white for my investment with them. Thats how WSR customers feel toward us when we use that word Free in our ads or sales pitch. I am working very hard to make my business professional by obtaining certtification through NWRA, joining the local Chamber of Commerce, wearing a uniform and being involved with community programs. Programs such as senior citizens discount, student saefty driving awareness etc.... All these things create a positive imiage for my HLR and WSR business. Iam in this for the long haul and my customers are my friends and neighbors.

[AmeRepair]

Windshield repair is not free. - Belron ( Safelite. Autoglass, etc.) are not charities. They charge the insurance companies, in some form or other for that service. Insurance companies are not charities, there in it to make a profit. They charge their insured for the cost of this service, plus some, in their premiums. So in actual fact, every motorist insured with that company, pays for glass repair service, even if they never have a repair done to their own vehicle. You very rarely get something for nothing.

Exactly... When a customer reluctantly says "How is it free?" i tell them the truth.. "You already paid for it!"..."How?"..."Did you pay your insurance this month?"... "Yes..".. "Then its already paid for", Simple as that, its Free because you paid the insurance to make it free...its like paying for the perks and finally exercising the benefits. Most people paying for comprehensive insurance don't even know there paying for it...If all else fails, before they have you eating their dust tell them that if they leave without getting a repair and they have full coverage they are still paying their insurance to get it done."Your paying for something your not getting"

[candyman]

I did a HLR for a minister a few months back. I noticed he had a bullseye on the lower passenger side of his vehicle. I told him I could repair the break for him, He said he had reported it to his insurance company and they told him it was covered for repair but not replacement. This was on a Mercedes. He said he didnt really want it repaired unless it was a very good chance it would spread. I told him I could fix it and would hardly notice it with the dark tint on his glass, and shouldnt spread. It was cloudy and freezing rain forecasted. He said he would wait hoping that the glass would break more so he could get a new windshield. His girlfriend told me later that he had replaced 3 WS during the past year on the same vehicle and the insurance company only authorized him a repair that he didnt want. I have many that are afraid to file a claim due to possible insurance rates going up, while others try to get repairs for nicks or scrapes. I like the last post reference the customer has already paid. The problem I see is that we all pay insurance to cover expenses and yet if we use it the insurance compaines like to intiminate us into not filing a claim, striking our fear button that rates could go up. If you finance a car in my area, most lenders require the vehicle to have full insurance coverage. I dont know if some of the people dont want to take the time or be bothered with a repair. I 've been told by many they fear rising cost and simple panic to think that the rates would go up and they cant afford existing premiums. I do get some of the people by offering a lower cash repair price.

[AmeRepair]

It just like when Jesus Christ freed us from the eternal chains of ruin(death) and decay.
Though it wasn't free for Him because He had to pay the price, and that was to die a sinners death on a roman cross in our place so He could give us the free gift of everlasting Life, and now all we have to do is trust in Him with all are heart and believe that He rose from the dead and sent His spirit to remake us into His children of the Resurrection and the Redeemed. Indeed have we received the free gift of everlasting life but at the cost of the innocent and worthy blood of Jesus of Nazareth who makes it free. The price has been paid and just like the people who have full coverage, do you take what has already been satisfied or avoid it?

[DryStar]

Ours say FREE! inspection. We then sell on getting the customer to pay up front, normally most will as they know that any claim can effect the premiums paid in the next few years.

The no claims is not effected but the premiums can be, the insurers seldom make this common knowledge.

I like that wordage screenman. I'll also try to get the customer to pay upfront. Although many agents will tell you a chip repair claim won't affect your premiums, what they won't tell you it will show up on your C.L.U.E. report and may effect future premiums if you switch to another company.

For more info http://www.autos.com/auto-insurance/car ... ue-reports

[candyman]

What is a c.l.u.e report? a new term I havent seen. I got another email over the weekend from allstate stating I was in good standing for another year as a tier 2. I also got in the mail from US YP.com a statement for $279 per quarter, payable in advance for advertizing. From the same people I told over the phone last week I wasn't interested and the girl on the line stating it would only be a few $$ per month. I tore it up. I knew it was more to it than she was telling. They obviously get paid according to the # of people they sign up. My phone company told me they do not phone solicit YP or update unless I initiate the call. Telemarketers operate independently and are considered 3rd party per my phone company. I have YP ads but its through the people that publish the directory. A live, in the flesh person comes to your business and presents all the detail in black and white. You decide after you know the type, size, color of ink etc... and the bottom line cost , which can be haggled down. The closer to the print date the cheaper the ads and some perks. I paid for 2, one inch ads in two seperate sections with color. To be printed in 80K books and distributed in certain markets at every household regardless, of wheather they have a phone or no phone with that company. Final cost. $32 per month for 12 months or $300 cash. I will decide this year wheather to keep the YP or stick strickly to Facebook, Google, or Twitter. At a recent meeting that I went to stated that Embark/Century link was loosing about 10% of its customers per year to cell phones. That this was a trend across the nation and world wide. Also several phone companies in some states as of this year is no longer printing phone directories. Times are changing. A local large Toyota dealership stopped advertizing in the YP and hired 3 people to manage Google, Facebook and T to solicit customers, and monitor feedback. A customer had gone on facebook and typed in that she had been waiting in the service department 2 hours for her oil change. One of the computer guys spotted it. He went to the service department researched the delay, then talked to the customer. She was on her way within 15 minutes of her post. This appears to be the new way for generating sells, and immediate customer satisfaction.

[DryStar]

What is C.L.U.E. report?

(Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) A report listing any insurance claims against the risk address which may affect the insurability of the property, which means any claim you've ever made in a 7 year period is recorded and shared.