NWRA Response to GlassStarz

[nwrapeg]

Dear GlassStarz,

Let me try to answer your questions and call it as I see it.

You wrote "I am still trying to figure out what exactly they do for me?" If you read the mission statement of the NWRA you would see all of the areas it works on. But boiled down to its core; the NWRA keeps you in business. Without the NWRA those who would limit repair will succeed in creating a standard for repair that outlaws repair in the wiper sweep of the windshield area, both sides. They are working tirelessly to accomplish this. They have had some success in Massachusetts and are diligently going after Connecticut. They also have the behind-the-scenes support of some quite influential organizations. Is your state next? Without the NWRA the industry would have no ability to work cooperatively in its defense and without a defense the game will be lost.

You wrote, "Maybe someone here can explain it, on the surface it seems to be an organization to promote windshield repair but its whole board is dominated by replacement guy." The NWRA represents everyone in the repair industry and without us "replacement guys" there would be no repair industry at all. The "replacement guys" have spent thousands of their own dollars and thousands of hours defending and promoting the repair industry. Repair

[DaveC]

Dave,

I, for one, very much appreciate your post and your desire to address these issues:). It takes some real "cohones" to enter a potentially hostile environment and I laud your efforts.

I agree, a cohesive organization that can fairly promote all aspects of our industry would be far better than a bunch of rogue organizations, butting heads, all day long.

However, even as I am only a "part-time, repair-only" kinda guy, I have to look closely at the following statement you have made:

Without the NWRA those who would limit repair will succeed in creating a standard for repair that outlaws repair in the wiper sweep of the windshield area, both sides. They are working tirelessly to accomplish this. They have had some success in Massachusetts and are diligently going after Connecticut. They also have the behind-the-scenes support of some quite influential organizations. Is your state next? Without the NWRA the industry would have no ability to work cooperatively in its defense and without a defense the game will be lost.

I have to ask myself but one question .... who/whom would benefit from ... creating a standard for repair that outlaws repair in the wiper sweep of the windshield area, both sides?

1. Certainly, repair techs. would lose a large amount of potential business as their "repair palate" has been reduced by some 80+/-%.

2. As well, the vehicle owner would not benefit, they would have to replace a windshield that could have been repaired. And, considering the difference in the markup, the actuaries would probably bump insurance rates to recoup.

3. Insurance companies would not benefit, they would have to pay for replacements that could have otherwise been repaired for less dollars.

4. The environment would not benefit. Thousands of potentially repairable windshields would be dumped into our landfills.

I may be very wrong and may be missing the point. But, IMO, the only folks that would benefit from such legislation would be replacement companies/manufacturers?

[glassdoctor]

They also have the behind-the-scenes support of some quite influential organizations

That's interesting... What organizations?

[Brent Deines]

How much do we really know about the NWRA?

To the best of my knowledge no NWRA board members are Delta Kits customers, and frankly I have disagreed with the NWRA on many issues. Therefore my comments about the NWRA are given without prejudice.

Did you know that the current president and vice president of the NWRA are not combo shop owners? True, they do represent windshield repair manufacturers, but as such they do have your best interests at heart. If you don

[GlassStarz]

After much review I have to agree that the NWRA does some good but because of its small size and limited resources cant climb the hill by itself. I still am bothered by the heavy involvment of replacement companys and thier obvios bias. Of course the mfgs are going to support thier position its simple math because of thier shear numbers the replacement guys buy more stuff than the repair only sad but true. Im sure all the repir mfgs would tell you the same replacement customers outnumber the repair only.sure we buy more per individual but every replacement guy has a kit in the truck and they had to buy it somewhere.
All that said the NWRA seems to do some good for our industry and since at this time its our only voice we should embrace it until either we take it over or form a new voice. There are some big dogs out there trying to chew up our industry and our little pomeranian just cant protect us but a pack of the lttle suckers might be more effective one bee sting hurts several dozen will either kill you or get you imeadiate attention.
I guess the NWRA needs some steriods and quick.
I am also bothered by the reports of the ct meeting every version I have read talks of near violence and unprofessionalism and from what i can tell it was this atmosphere that led to the delay/postponment not an actual agreement to reconsider. I would be interested in knowing who the individuals responsible were and should they be NWRA reps sorry guys you gotta go. The days of the uniopn guy with the big stick and threats dissapeared with Jimmy Hoffa. A professional and orginized front is the only way to get anything done in todays world of government wienies.

[mafsu]

I agree with you that we should support the N.W.R.A.. Even though my beliefs on certain aspects may not fall completely in line with the organization. The only way to have them listen to our opinions is to join. That is why I decided to stop being a lurker and faxed them my application and credit card # today.

[glassdoctor]

Brent thanks for the loooonnnggg post. I'm sure Jeff will condense it when he's back.

Good information for us all.

One bone to pick though, and it has little to do with the NWRA discussion.... but I would take offense to the idea that I need any "recommended practice" type literature to post tips , etc on the forums here. That's exactly what we don't need... everybody reading off the same script. I do see what you mean... there's some misinformation thrown around. And a comprehensive coverage of basic wsr procedures, etc is a good thing... I look forward to seeing it myself when I join, and it would be great for the new guys...

But as a whole, the variety of ideas here is what makes it valuable. I have seen some "recomended practice" info before that I think needs filed in the shredder. My techniques may not be by the book, but the results are great, and I like it this way.. No offense

I agree it's time for average joe repair tech to look at joining the NWRA... if it turns out to be the evil disaster some make it out to be, we can always keep the check in our pocket next year.

[Brent Deines]

Yeah, Yeah, so I get a little windy sometimes. Sorry about that!

I was not pointing to anyone particular when I mentioned the recommended practice literature, and I did not say you or anyone else

[nwrapeg]

The people who were upset at the last meeting at the CT Automotive Glass Work and Flat Glass Work Examining Board were some independent windshield repair people who were seeing their right to repair windshields being severely limited in their home state of CT. Some of them feared losing their businesses. The NWRA Representatives conducted themselves professionally.

Some of the large companies backing the effort in CT. have been Glas-Weld Systems, Belron and Safelite Auto Glass. Glen Moses of Safelite was the one that actually alerted NWRA to the problems and what ws happening to windshield repair in CT last July. Glen and other Safelite representatives had been attending the meetings of this board for some time and had applied for positions on the board, but to no avail.

When they saw that windshield repair was being addressed without any fair representation on the board and was about to be severely limited, they notified us. Safelite has spent a lot of time, money and energy trying to keep windshield repair alive and well in CT. I know that Safelite is not popular with many of you, but when they advertise or fight for windshield repair, they are helping to keep your business alive also.

Peg Stroka
NWRA

[GlassStarz]

Peg
while the behavior of NWRA reps may have been good
If my understanding of the meeting is correct because of the out of control behavior of some the meeting was ajorned without a decision but when a unrully group disturbs a meeting its almost a given what the final result will be. Once again if NWRA is our voice in the industry shoudnt they have stepped in to be the voice of reason? I have talked to Tony R who was there his version isnt the same one im hearing from you. His statement was that the Nwra reps wernt very helpful in calming down the situation and in fact egged the situation on( he is prone to stretching things so I take it with a grain of salt.) Either way nothing came from it other than a bad showing for our buisness.