Latest Connecticut News - Not Good!

[ChipDoctor]

The unfortunate bashing of the NWRA continues in spite of their attempts to protect all of our collective behinds from the glass industry and IGA backed proposals to limit windshield repair.

It seems to me that any reasonable person who looks at our niche business and tries to envision what it will look like five years from now, can easily come to the conclusion that most of the repair only operators (and many equipment manufacturers) will no longer exist if the Connecticut proposal becomes regulation.

The only way to fight the current offensive by the glass replacement industry is to support the NWRA. That

[Delta Kits]

Jim,

This isn't really directed at you specifically, more the forum as a whole.

But to assume that any windshield company whose primary business is replacement that supports the NWRA's efforts immediately raises a red flag in my mind.

Especially when they donate $2500 bucks to the cause thank you very much.

It's a pretty sad testimony when Harmon is willing to donate $2500 to the NWRA when they really need it, and we have repair only techs who aren't willing to do anything to help their own industry.

In that regard, I notice that my prior suggestion as to forming an ad hoc committee within the NWRA comprised of repair ONLY techs in order to deal with our particular problems was completely ignored.

I don't remember that, but I have no idea how that would work. We can't even get enough repair only techs to actually join, much less run for a board position. How are we going to get them to join some committee???

I don't suggest not joining the NWRA and never have suggested that.

Very true...

I want the replacement-oriented glass shops and the windshield manufacters completely divorced from determining any policy and ejected from our business and the NWRA and I make no bones about that.

To be blunt, that sort of thinking, on a larger scale, is part of the problem. Right now, the problem with the NWRA is that they do not have ENOUGH members! Members = Money to fight. I hardly think the answer to this is throwing out the only people that are trying to help your industry.

From talking with Peg, if it wasn't for replacement/repair people or manufacturers, we would have real trouble even filling the board! Repair only people (including most from this forum) seem to be very detached from the realities of their own industry, and would rather go about their business hoping this just goes away. That's all fine, but don't criticize the motives of people like Harmon and replacement/repair people when they are the only ones actually trying to save your way of life.

I'll join the NWRA the minute that criteria is accomplished and forget about making changes from within because that's been tried before in other bureaucratic orgainizations by others much more competent that I.

Forget about it? Do you mean to imply that because you have tried before, that it never works???

If it works anywhere, it would work here, simply because this organization is so small, and much easier to get things done.

It seems to me that any reasonable person who looks at our niche business and tries to envision what it will look like five years from now, can easily come to the conclusion that most of the repair only operators (and many equipment manufacturers) will no longer exist if the Connecticut proposal becomes regulation.

Exactly...How many of you can say you had two years apprenticeship experience under a licensed tech?

Besides, think about it...Who will have the easiest time with these rules?

Replacement/repair shops with all their employees, the big guys!

It

[the big welshman]

Put it this way GENTLE -MEN >If the same CT windshield repair situatoin comes up in your state guess what no more windhield repair for you, you will be back working a boring 9-5 job??? >So why dont you put your money were your mouths are and join the nwra and fight as one unit against these people

[gt_repair]

I have a sugestion.
I know Delta has discounts for signing up... What if it was lets say $75.00 just for REPAIR ONLY shops and Delta's price for a repair / replacement shop (I think it was $100.00 from what I may have read) to do a one time sign-up just to get that rolling for the head count, how many would sign- up then? That way we the repair shops may have a little more draw.

My grandpa use to say: it is easier to sell ten $1.00 items than it was to sell one $10.00 item.

Meaning keep the price down and you may get more business...
At least for this run..

Remember just a thought

[paintlessplus]

One has to wonder why Harmon Glass recently gave a donation of $2500. to the NWRA ? Instead of being applauded by many small "repair only" independants, Harmon is somehow looked upon with contempt for this generous act by many members of this forum.

So why the interest by Harmon in getting an allegiance with the NWRA ? Could it possibly be that although they are primarily in the replacement business, they desire to establish an equally strong presence in the WSR arena?

Now, what about Safelite ? Why on earth would they be spending thousands of dollars on new equiptment and marketing for their Repair Medics program ? Is it possible that they too want a large piece of the WSR pie?

Does anyone care to argue the fact that there is a higher profit margin percentage in windshield repair vs. replacement ? The big players know this.

Although the proposals like the one in Connecticut may affect them, The BIG PLAYERS are stepping up to the plate right now to protect their own future interests. If they need to kick in more money to do so -they will do it. They will do this with the help of the NWRA.

Now think about it..... If enough of us repair only independants don't get involved to protect OUR vested interests, we will soon have no vested interests to protect !!!! our ability to participate in this niche industry will be severly limited by government licensing and credentialing.

As Chip Doctor said in an earlier post, We need to look ahead 5 years and see where we want to be in the future. Others such as the Big Welshman can remember where he was in the past.

WINDSHIELD REPAIR IS HERE TO STAY. The public wants it and the insurance companies want it. What hasn't been decided is who is going to perform it in the future. Bob/ Paintless Plus

[Delta Kits]

Does anyone care to argue the fact that there is a higher profit margin percentage in windshield repair vs. replacement ?

Sounds like a good debate, but let's put it in a different thread and leave this one about Connecticut!

Thanks!

[mafsu]

APRIL 23, 2004- CT SUBMITS TWO PROPOSALS

On Friday, April 23, 2004 the Connecticut Automotive Glass Work and Flat Glass Work Examining Board met to adopt a proposal for licensing of windshield repair technicians and business owners. Mr. Glenn Moses, Safelite Auto Glass, Mr. Mike Boyle, Glas-Weld Systems, Mr. Richard Campfield, Ultra Bond, and Mr. David Taylor, past NWRA president represented the NWRA at the proceeding.

After a lengthy and passionate period of input from the public and discussion between the public and the Board, the board voted to forward two very different proposals to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

The Examining Board voted unanimously to accept Proposal #1 and to forward it to the Commissioner. This proposal was developed by Mr. Muller, Mr. Steben and Mr. Wisniewski.

Proposal #1- Sub Committee Draft New License Types: Automotive Glass Work

Limited Repair Contractor (AG-3). The holder of this license may perform work only limited to repair damage of not more then 4 total outside of the

[mafsu]

I know, tell you something you didn't know. The Governor of Connecticut allows Two members of the board of the IGA to stand on a commitee that recommends limiting the effectiveness and growth of an industry that directly competes with the businesses they own and derive their livelihood from. No small wonder a previous meeting of the comittee with NWRA members present almost resulted in things coming to blows. The IGA has a list of members on it's website with phone numbers. They do have wsr members as well as wsr supplier members.

[larry]

I wonder how many repair only techs, who have all these "reasons" for not joining the NWRA, will be asking the NWRA for help when something like what is happening in CT comes to their state? Guess I have to assume that business is already so bad that they can't afford an investment for their future. The current situtation should be solved first, or we may not have to worry about the other "concerns".

[magicogar]

This is not good.

I was planning to quit my job or cut my hours to do WSR for the extra income. (parents got laid off ) Now I have doubts. Prayers go out to all you guys in hoping this would turn out good.