Walking a dealership lot

[Dave M]

Just a little advise for the new techs and maybe some "old" techs when walking a dealership lot.

Some or all of you may already do this........mark the windshield after you have looked it over for breaks. The next scheduled stop for that account will take much less time!
If the windshield has no breaks I make a small solid circle, if I find a repairable break I make a small X, if I notice someone else' old repair I make a small open circle. After I do a repair, I make a small solid circle on the other side of the windshield. Only one circle or X should remain on the windshield.
It will be time consuming only on the first visit to a dealership that you are just starting to work. After that, it's a piece of cake.
I use a Paper Mate liquid paper correction pen. Once dried on glass it can be scraped off using just your fingernail. Any office supply store carries these pens.

[JSmith]

Thanks I never thought about marking the ones I do not do, I do have a paint pen I use to mark the ones I have done. your system sounds like it would save a lot of time

[glassdoctor]

I thought everyone marked cars... I've been doing this too long.

Really, I can't imagine doing big lots without using a marking system. I have one dealer that won't let anyone mark their cars, and it sux.

In such a case, one less accurate method for most dealers is to look for glossy tires. Seriously, when the cars are detailed and put on the lot they usually get soaked in tire dressing. This fades after a week or two, so you can have a good idea which cars are fresh based on tire shine.

Tires are a much better indicator than how clean the car is, because cars can get dirty or get washed any given day. But they almost never re-do the tire dressing. At least in my area...

I know a vendor who uses this method on all his lots, btw.

[Don Boccafola]

Most of my dealers put a stock # tag on the w/s. I just look at the numbers and can usually see whats new and whats old by that.

[johnnyone]

Walking the lots. I use to walk them a lot and got to know the cars like the sales men.After a while you could tell the new cars right away, then I would run into the other glass guy too......and tell him too.....put a small circle......or X on his .....and may he will just drive by next time..