NWRA

[GlassStarz]

Why is it that everytime the NWRA is brought up here it dissapears?
I am still trying to figure out what exactly they do for me? Maybe someone here can explain it, on the surface it seems to be an orginization to promote windshield repair but its whole board is dominated by replacement guys. To the average guy it looks like it would be hard for them to be objective. The subject deserves an honest discussion. I realize that the manufactures of repair equipment sell considerably more stuff to the 10's of thousands of replacement guys out there than the smaller group of repair pros so its hard for them to be objective as well. What about and organization without mfgs and replacements guys that is really repair only?Would it work? are there enough of us? Maybe im missing something but on the surface the NWRA doesnt really seem to have my best interest in mind. Maybe they really do but wouldnt it be more believable without the replacement influence? Maybe because they actualy do more repairs nationwide because of thier shear numbers they should be speaking for us, I dont know. This isnt ment to be a flame the NWRA post I really would like some positive input to help me understand the real deal.,

[Delta Kits]

GlassStarz,

The only reason I can think of for it seeming that NWRA posts disappear, is that they are not responded to as often, which drops them off the front page. If you do a search for NWRA, you will come up with a ton of posts about them.

I've included 4 links that are some of the larger ones:

viewtopic.php?t=868&highlight=nwra
viewtopic.php?t=669&highlight=nwra
viewtopic.php?t=659&highlight=nwra
viewtopic.php?t=675&highlight=nwra

The 1st one is about the NWRA in Connecticut. I don't have any vested interest (personally or through Delta Kits) in seeing people sign up with the NWRA. We give, rather than receive, money from the NWRA. That being said, I think it is very important for people to become NWRA members. Just the Connecticut issue alone is worth the $150 per year fee. What is that? 3 or 4 repairs a year to pay for it??? The NWRA is working as hard as they can, against people who want to legislate windshield repair out of business!

Did you know that some of the proposals by the people in Connecticut are to make windshield repair illegal in the wiper area? If something like that were to go through, don't you think you would lose more than just $150 worth of repairs per year?

So, on just that issue alone I think it's worth $150.

Some people though, have problems with the NWRA's involvement with the replacement industry. I understand, and also feel the same way. Instead of throwing away the good that they do, I feel that people should join, and change the NWRA from within if they don't like it.

The simple fact is, the NWRA has a whole list of things that they would like to do, but do not have the money nor the volunteers to do them. They only have one person on the payroll, and the dues that they receive barely cover that. NWRA representatives that go to Connecticut to fight for us all, have to pay out of their own pockets to do this.

Again, let's have a debate if you want. Let's keep it civil, and fact based, but I would like to hear a good reason why supporting the only association that stands up for windshield repair is not worth 3 or 4 repairs worth of income a year.

[desertstars]

I'd be happy to join the NWRA if the Board members were limited to repair ONLY shops. (Not to say that repair/replacement shops could not also be members. Just not members who determine policy. And, that's not to say that people like Cindy Rowe for example have not been an asset to our business. I don't overlook their positive input.)

I want a pure and undiluted organization whose ONLY purpose is the promotion of repair procedures without any extraneous encumbrances.

I may be accused of arrogance when I say that we do not need any input from the glass manufacturers or the replacement industry but I'll take that chance. The major input I've seen lately from them is some trumped up double-talk and gobbly-gook about lamination deterioration.

Our industry has been around for years now. We know the properties of windshields and we are well-aware of our repair limitations.

Certainly, the Connecticut situation was well-handled by reps from the NWRA and they deserve credit for their efforts.

When the NWRA begins to seriously address the problems of manufacturer- owned networks and the steering that ensues from that travesty, I'll take a closer look at joining. Solving that issue or even addressing that issue with replacement interests on the board doesn't seem realistic to me.

[Delta Kits]

I'd be happy to join the NWRA if the Board members were limited to repair ONLY shops.

Who's going to change the NWRA Jim? If everyone just decides that they will not support an organization unless it's perfect, how will it ever be changed?

If you feel that having repair shops on the board who also do replacement is a detriment to our industry, why not join, run for a board spot (i'm sure you would find quite a few people around here who would support you), and change the NWRA from within?

I can't help but feel that it's much easier to take shots at the NWRA, instead of trying to help our industry by changing it for the better.

Certainly, the Connecticut situation was well-handled by reps from the NWRA and they deserve credit for their efforts.

Unfortunately, the situation is not done. It is still ongoing, and we're not out of the woods yet.

The last point, is that we have over 300 members on this forum. We have the numbers to help the NWRA get out of the red, for one, and also to help change it to an organization that you would love to support.

With the numbers we have, these things could be changed, but not if everyone sits back and says they won't support it until it magically changes.

[DaveC]

Here Here!

The acronym NWRA, end excuse me if I'm wrong, starts with the word NATIONAL. I maybe wrong, but why are they putting out small fires when they should be approaching WSR on a National level with folks like the DOT, NTSB, etc....

Now, I may be wrong again, but I do believe that this forum alone, sponsored by a company that has a "vested" interest in selling products to WSR folks, has proven to provide more asisstance, education and insight into the industry (and, amazingly enough, without alot/any self-serving promotion) than, from what I have observed, the NWRA has done. As an added bonus, Delta and Non-Delta customers can benefit, without forking up a penny!

We need an IWRA (I for Independant), and I personally nominate Jeff, Coitster and Desert to run the whole thing!!!

All those in favor, say aye!

[dgarza]

wow I didnt realize the politics in this business are so involved but after reading this im definatley going to join when I get the money. If they are all we have fighting for us repair techs, as small as it might be then they deserve our support.

oh yeah and by the way AYE!

[Delta Kits]

I maybe wrong, but why are they putting out small fires when they should be approaching WSR on a National level with folks like the DOT, NTSB, etc....

Legislating windshield repair out of business, in my opinion, is not a small fire, but I understand your point.

In all honesty, they don't even have the membership base (read: money) to put out even these small fires, much less go after the inferno.

Again, this is our industry. While this forum will help people with the technical/marketing aspects of windshield repair, it does not help fight these fires. We need an organization that will stick up for us, who will help us against those who would have windshield repair techs become extinct. I understand you may feel that the NWRA should be an "IWRA," but, again, we either ignore it, hoping for an IWRA to magically appear, or we change what we have.

Sorry, i'm on a rant today, trying not to have to prepare for my trip

[DaveC]

Jeff,

Actually, I am preparing to go back down to Alabama within the hour, so that I can prepare my horses for sale. Basically, I have to work on their hooves, and since I don't have my standard "hoof bondo" to use, I may actually be using your pit resin on their feet.

Regardless, if an organization is unable to accomplish their mission, and they blame a "lack of funding." Then the real issue is that this organization was not properly organized/funded to begin with.

You have enlightened me:)

Why throw good money after bad?

I seem to recall a previous post where someone boasted that NWRA spent over a quarter of a million dollars fo a study? If they are hurting and can't figure out why, then they need to re-evaluate their intentions.

If, as you sorta elluded to, each of the 300+ participants in this forum forked up $150.00 and got on the NWRA bandwagon, all I can see, from my perspective, is the fact that an organization, with but one salaried employee, would then be able to boost that employee's earnings by approx. $45,000.00 per year?

I'll leave at alone for now, my horses are much more valuable to me and I have to get on the road again, but business is business. You and I both know that there can be a much better solution for the Independants;)

[Delta Kits]

Why throw good money after bad?

The problem with the question, is that I don't feel it's "bad money." The NWRA is helping our industry to the extent that it can with existing funds. Your question would make sense if the NWRA was squandering it's money.

I seem to recall a previous post where someone boasted that NWRA spent over a quarter of a million dollars fo a study?

I have never heard anything like that. I think you have the NWRA mistaken with another organization.

...would then be able to boost that employee's earnings by approx. $45,000.00 per year?

Now that's a weird way of looking at it!

If that's your concern, you can run for a board spot to help set the salary that this person gets! I assure you, she is not driving around in a, oh, say, 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 Turbo Diesel...

You and I both know that there can be a much better solution for the Independants

Agreed. How do you expect me to change it on my own?

[desertstars]

Yes, the Connecticut issue isn't resolved yet. And, I know about the vested replacement members on that state's board.

And I agree, Jeff, that working from within could be one direction and that was discussed at length in previous posts on this very subject.

But DaveC makes many good points and frankly, I think the NWRA needs a complete overhaul and a return to their original philosophy.

Does one think for a New York second that at this stage of the game they would consider a board with NO replacement oriented members?

(Again, lest some members feel insulted, I am NOT suggesting that repair/replacement shops be excluded from joining the NWRA! But, this is NOT the NWRRA, it is the NWRA!).

And let us not be confused. This issue is NOT as life or death to the manufacturers and/or suppliers of w/s materials as it is to the repair ONLY shops. The former sell their equipment and get the repairs either way.

But what confounds me is their seeming willingness to settle for handouts instead of fighting for every possible repair. If networks weren't owned by w/s manufacturers and steering and bait and switch did not exist, how much more supplies could be sold by companies like Delta due to an explosion of repairs?

What does this have to do re the potency or impotency of the NWRA?

It has everything to do re the NWRA's degree of fertility.

The question of a dangerous Connecticut precedent is certainly something to be considered as far as the future is concerned and I laud their efforts in that regard.

The question of manufacture-owned networks is here and now and I'm not willing to sit around and wait for the DiamondT/Safelite lawsuit to be resolved before fighting that network system tooth and nail with or without the help of the NWRA.

And, Jeff.

I'm too much of a rebel and a devil's advocate to sit down at any table composed of a symposium of like-minded bureaucrats.

Been there; done that.