Windshield Replacement

[Fasbreak]

How many of you guys and gals that do repair also do replacement? I am considering doing both, and would like to know the pros and cons of that idea.

Thanks
Stan

[StarQuest]

Fasbreak,

1st question to ask.....are you already doing glass replacement or have any prior auto glass experience?

[Fasbreak]

StarQuest,
Thanks for the reply.
NO. I have no experience, but I have someone willing to train me in both
repair and replace. Or just repair. I mainly want to know if it is lucritive enough for me to do both!

Thanks,
Stan

[StarQuest]

Fasbreak,

Smartest way to start would be concentrating on repairs only. Without some glass replacement experience you'd not only waste all your money trying to get into glass replacement but could end up being road kill. Very competitive and controlled market to jump into. Probably close to a 90% failure rate starting out.

I have done both for the last 3 years, but truthfully believe more money can be made in repairs.

[Fasbreak]

StarQuest,

Great Advice thanks for the honesty. I wasnt sure if the better money was in repair or replace. I was told that the average replacement profit was $200.00 and wasnt sure if that was true or not!

Thanks,
Stan

[AutoEgo]

Lots of money to be made in replacement! Very hard to break into the replacement market! Much easier to make a profit in repair vs. replace if it's just you and a truck.

Replacement requires either a huge advertising budget or an uncanny ability to take fleet accounts from very established national companies. It was hard enough for me to take stuff from Safelite and Harmon when I was with Diamond. No way I could compete with them now that it's just me. The great thing about reapir only is that I don't have to compete with them. I market to an entirely different demographic then the big 3.


Sean

[StarQuest]

AutoEgo,

In some areas "yes" you can still make decent money doing replacement. Not many left though Really depends on how saturated the market is and who's your competition.( i.e safelite recently contracted with one of my rental accounts. They offer $160 on any windshield. Prior to them coming in, this rental account was paying $225-$275 per shield. As a small independent and not having the same purchasing advantages as safelite you'd end up doing these shields for $50-$80 dollars profit just to compete. Not a good business endeavor. If you can't make at least $125-$150 per shield forget it! It will kill both you and your pocket book.

[Lee]

$160.00 installed? Are they eating the tax to? There has to be a disclaimer here because there are so many windshields that cost way more than $160.00 to the dists. Is this offer on the glass they make only?
Was this an account of yours that safelite took? Ask your contact there to call them and ask for a Buick Rendevous w/s for $160.00 and see what happens.

[StarQuest]

Lee,

This info came straight from the fleet manager in charge of 2,700 units. This is a truck rental fleet account. He has always stood behind me but is now being forced from the powers above to make change. Not sure if safelite offers the same on the rental cars. Believe it or not..... their paying up to 50% less then I would pay for the same glass. As a independent....could never find that pricing. I still have the repair rights with this account and that's only because safelite wanted $5 dollars more.

[StarQuest]

Stan,

If you have the chance to train with a replacement tech, take full advantage of it. Never hurts to learn a new trade. Maybe somewhere down the line you'll be able to profit from it.

Wish I had some PDR training and experience like Coister. We had some pretty bigs storms role through my area last couple days. Like half dollar size hail Hopefully some shields suffered damage and my June will be busy.