Calling All Delta Kits Users

[Dr.Chipster]

There will always be those who look at a glass half empty. Brian don't let that discourage you from sharing your insights with us who look at it as half full. I think more independents using whatever tooling they chose would be a benefit. Heck, I would like to compete someday just not that crazy about doing so in front of a crowd. To much pressure. May just go out and check the competition this year. Would be great to network with fellow techs and put a face to the many names in this forum. Brian you did earn your right to be called the best and anyone troubled with that needs to suit up and compete.

Best wishes

David Cortez

C.E. Rock Chip Repair

[SGT]

There will always be those who look at a glass half empty. Brian don't let that discourage you from sharing your insights with us who look at it as half full. I think more independents using whatever tooling they chose would be a benefit. Heck, I would like to compete someday just not that crazy about doing so in front of a crowd. To much pressure. May just go out and check the competition this year. Would be great to network with fellow techs and put a face to the many names in this forum. Brian you did earn your right to be called the best and anyone troubled with that needs to suit up and compete.

Best wishes

David Cortez

C.E. Rock Chip Repair

Thanks. Yeah I certainly can appreciate the how you feel. It is a pressure cooker but honestly alot of that may just be my personality. It may not be that bad for others. If there are 50-75 people watching you specifically that would be alot becsuse it is spread out but there are hundreds walking all around the convention. Competition naturally adds a another level of stress becuase you are concentrating on doing everything perfect and put more pressure on yourself than would be there in the real world.

I think you and everyone else should compete if you have the desire, funds and time. I would tighten up on any areas that you feel may need it and go do what you do best. Just Do It! What is the worst that can happen, you do not place and are forced to have a good time on a small tax deductible biz trip with other techs.. Treat it as measuring stick of yourself for the betterment of your business rather than a competition against competitors. You may just surprise yourself!

Hope to see you there.

[GlassStarz]

Some folks just dont get it LOL so now you are taking you ball and going home now thats a Menstral response This is a Delta Board and Brent goes way over the line to let others talk freeley about different companies product you would be hard pressed to find a more liberal host and if I havnt said it enough thank you to Brent for allowing us this venue

[Ricersux]

I don't think Brent wants to be labeled a "Liberal"

Business owner = Capitalist = Thumbs Up!

Just my .02

[Brent Deines]

I've given this a great deal of thought, and decided that for the first time, Delta Kits will sponsor contestants in the 2010 Windshield Repair Olympics. Other manufacturers have sponsored contestants in past years, but we have refrained from doing so because we think the Windshield Repair Olympics should focus primarily on the skill and professionalism of the technician. Does the equipment matter? Well of course we think so, but anyone who has attended the Windshield Repair Olympics will tell you that, regardless of the system used in the competition, most of the contestants do exceptional repairs. Brian Fenner is a very self driven competitor, but I think that not having a sponsor gave him even more incentive to win the competition. His 2nd place prize money in 2008 did not even cover his expenses, but his 1st place prize money in 2009 did!

So why the change of heart? Well, primarily because we have been contacted by a number of Delta Kits users who would like to compete but just can't justify the expense in this economy. Since our competitors are sponsoring contestants it only seems fair that we offer some assistance to Delta Kits users as well. Besides, poor Brian would like some company!

I also gave a lot of thought to how much assistance we should provide, and to whom we should offer it. Invitation only was one thought, but that might create some hard feelings. A set amount to each Delta Kits user who enters the contest was another idea, but that didn't really seem fair as some will show up far more prepared than others. Therefore we decided to offer a combination of incentives that will be progressively more attractive to those who bring their A game. Here is what we are offering:

Complimentary Delta Kits baseball cap.
Complimentary Delta Kits shirt (style to be determined).
Complimentary Delta Kits windshield repair resin to be used in the competition.
Team dinner with other Delta Kits contestants and Delta Kits employees.
Reimbursement of up to $150 competition fee (includes one year membership in the NWRA) - Delta Kits certified technicians only.
$250 for 3rd place.
$500 for 2nd place.
$1000 for 1st place.

I hope that this will be just enough incentive to encourage serious Delta Kits users to compete, but not enough to attract those just looking for a free trip to Vegas. Combines with the prize money that AGRR is putting up a Delta Kits user who takes third place will be able to cover most of his or her expenses. If he or she takes 2nd place all expenses should be covered and there may even be enough change left to throw a couple of quarters in a slot machine. A 1st place win will bring in enough prize money to cover all expenses and still go home with a few bucks in your pocket.

There is some fine print, but nothing any Delta Kits user will object to. Just the Delta Kits tattoo on your forehead and stuff like that. Please send Korey, JP, or me and e-mail or PM if you are a Delta Kits user interested in competing in the 2010 Windshield Repair Olympics. We will e-mail you the requirements to receive the incentives listed above.

For more info about the Windshield Repair Olympics visit this page on the agrrmag website. http://www.agrrmag.com/repairolympics/index.php

[Ricersux]

Excellent idea Brent! Now I just have to come get certified so I can rep delta kits and get that sponsor purse.

[D2D]

This thread is where my ego took over and I made an ass of myself and I sincerely apologize to everyone here for what was unneccessary and unproductive.
In the time I've had to contemplate and consider everything, my outburst was out of line.
My intention in making this post is to get back to the place where I can contribute my experience and insights as a way of giving back in gratitude for the blessings that have come from what I have gained from others on this forum and my activity in this business.
Thank you

[Brent Deines]

For the record, non-Delta Kits users are welcome to post the same type of posts that Brian did when starting this topic, so long as they follow the forum guidelines. In fact, I wish they would, and I would hope that if they sign up they are confident in their own skills as well as in the equipment they use. The more technicians who sign up for the Windshield Repair Olympics the better, regardless of what type of system they use. Having seen the comradery present amongst competitors using the same type of equipment in previous competitions, it would obviously be more fun for the competitors if it were more of a "team" atmosphere. I will say however, that nearly all of the competitors I spoke with at previous competitions were very friendly and very professional. I think Brian made friends with a few of them as well.

Someone complained to the NWRA about my last post on this topic and within hours after posting, Korey was asked to resign as a judge in the competition. I'm not sure what's wrong with us giving our customers incentives so they can afford to compete in the Windshield Repair Olympics. I would think the NWRA would want all the competitors they can get. I'm also not sure why it is any more of a conflict of interest to have a Delta Kits employee be a judge than it is for our competitors, who also have customers or franchisees in the competition, but it's actually a good thing in my opinion. Anyone who knows Korey knows you won't find a more honest and fair man, but even though he would not have been allowed to judge Delta Kits users, someone would have complained that the judging was not fair. I heard the same complaints about one of our competitors having a judge in the competition when one of their franchisees took home the gold a couple of years ago, and would not want that kind of controversy surrounding a Delta Kits user should he or she place in the competition. Those kinds of accusations are not fair to a competitor who wins on his or her own merit, nor are they fair to an honest judge, as I believe was the case in this instance.

I mention this only because I want whoever lodged that complaint to know that you actually did us a favor. One less false accusation against Delta Kits!

Delta Kits users have responded favorably to our offer, so it looks like there is a good chance there will be more than one Delta Kits competitor in the 2010 Windshield Repair Olympics.

[Frank EU]

Brent: when I noticed your prize money, I realized instantly that this might open a future can of worms.
I am confident that you did it with nothing but good intentions, but here is why I have my doubts about the initiative.

Although it is very nice of you to offer the money, it may result in a race, a race where your competitors start to offer even more money.
Or offer vouchers representing money. Or, or, or.

Aren't the honour factor, the media attention and bragging rights enough to attract people with the right attitude?
Should the NWRA come up with guidelines re this? In my opinion they should.
After all: this is not about money.

[Frank EU]

I don't see any valid point why Korey was asked to resign as a judge in the competition.
With all respect, but GW and others do sponsor too.
In my opinion it will be very, very dificult to find and appoint judges who don't have their own connections and/or favourite vendors/system/supplies.

In my opinion: all vendors should be asked to send one person who will be actively acting as a judge.
This would include at least (but be not limited to) DK, GW, UB, GM, LR.
It would avoid / reduce certain ''biased friendly services'' to push a ''customer or user'' forward.
Problem solved?