Windshield Repair Forum

Ok. That makes sense.

After my last post I went to my P.O. box and found that Glass Mechanix sent me the free video and brochure that I requested. I had no intentions of buying a kit from them both before seeing the video and after. I just wanted to see exactly how that Bridge tool works. That is so neat! Do you do many repairs on your own windshield? haha!

Their video showed how the Bridge works, But not what the Dremel tool is all about. What is the dremel for?


Thanks,
Chris

The 30% State Farm figure is just something I read somewhere. It may be actually be a bit higher if I recall correctly... in any case, they have a huge market share. I guess we could do a bit of reseach and pull figures for all the big companies.


You don't have to lower prices for cash customers. Sometimes people just want to avoid involving their insurance company by choice. I don't like to give a discount if a person has the insurance but simply chooses to pay for it themselves. But, you can be shrewd enough to know when to offer a person a better price in order to get the job. You can usually tell if a person is concerned about their w/s cracking, and really want it fixed. Common sense tells you that some people will not fork over $60 of their paycheck to fix a little spot on their w/s. Depends on the person, how much money they have, and how nice their car is to them, etc. But they might not choke if you tell them you will give them a $20 cash discount... only $40...

If you have more work than you can handle, or if $40 is not worth 20 minutes of work, then stick with $60+ and keep fishing if someone doesn't bite. Some guys here will tell you they get $60 minimum for all their work and look down on anyone who charges less. You do what you feel is right for you. You'll learn what way you like to skin a cat. Maybe go $49 and stick to it.... maybe $60 as a base rate and $39 cash for not-so-new cars without ins. Whatever you can get. It's fun aint' it?

I do side jobs for $40 all the time... usually this is for people that work for the dearlers I do. I often just charge employees the same as I do the dealer... they are always happy to hear that, like it's a perk for them. Wash boys, salesmen, other vendors I know... sometimes I just say "spot me a twenty"... especially when I know it's someone that isn't making big bucks. And, I like to give people I know a good deal... it's worth more to me than squeezing as much $ as I can out of them. Same for friends and relatives. Either their insurance picks up the tab or it's like $20 or it's on the house if I like them. You get the point of my rambling...

It's a buisness, yes.... charge as much as you can as a rule, yes... but do what you need to to get enough work also. A $30 or 40 cash job is still money you didn't have before bro... go get it.

My state requires that everybody have Car ins. so......I guess that means I will always have to file a claim with Ins. Companies. Can you give me an example of an instance where the customer would pay cash?

Oh! nevermind my state requires Ins., But not comprehensive!! Ahh I see..... So what percentage of people do you think have Comprehensive Ins.?

Just to clarify, you don't "have to" bill their insurance just because they have it. You could also have the person pay you on the spot, and they can send your bill to their ins. company or toss it in the trash if they wish. That's the best scenario in my book.

Also, some ins. companies will not pay for w/s repair if the deductible is too high... like $500 or more, and a few others don't pay for repairs at all.

Of course, in most cases, you will bill their ins. as part of your service if they have the proper coverage. Most people will want to take advantage of a freebie if they can get it.

Do you ask for their (Customer's) Proof of Ins. before you take a job?

What exactly to you look for on there Ins. card?

What would you do if they don't have there Ins. Card?


I think these are all good questions!
Thanks,
Chris

Now, I don't do a lot of Ins. work... mostly fleets. but,...

Just ask if they carry "full coverage" or "comprehensive" ins. And if you ask about the vehicle that will tell you if you need to be wary... like, say a 1996 Taurus... maybe old enough/ cheap enough that you need to ask about ins. coverage. But a 2001 Durango, for example is about guaranteed to not be a problem. Anyway, most people are smart enough to tell you if they have comp. ins....

The insurance card will not tell you if they have the needed coverage. You just need to get the phone number from it and call to verify coverage. There will be an 800 "claims" number, and maybe even a "glass claims" number.

If they don't have a card, hopefully they know who their agent is. Just call the agent or look up their company. It's illegal to not have proof of insurance in your vehicle, so it really shouldn't be an issue.

If someone tells you they have full coverage and it's not a ten year old car, then I wouldn't worry... just tell them you will contact the insurance company when you get there to do the work. You don't want them calling their ins. without you. You will probably lose the job.

Once you get their and have your "stuff" out and ready, then call the ins. to get the green light. If there is a problem, and the ins won't pay for it, you will have work it out with your customer. They will probably be a little upset with their ins. co. You can be the "good guy"... offer a discount to make them feel they are getting a good deal. Maybe $10 off or even $20.

You don't have to, but you might have a really happy customer that way.