Windshield Repair Forum

I agree there is a lot of techniques on this forum I thought that was what it is about.

A lot of people out there have had either none or little training I thought this forum was about telling the less experienced what and how some of us older guys do the job and how we earn our money am I wrong. I have not had the pleasure of trying a Delta kit but so I can only comment on the equipment and resins I have tried and tested.

Surely though this forum is about the exchange of ideas.

screenman wrote:Surely though this forum is about the exchange of ideas.

You're absolutely right.

Let me expand on what I meant.

The main goal of this forum is to help people. Help people increase their business, help the image of our industry, and do better repairs. We have a real problem with this industry, and that problem is untrained technicians, unrealistic expectations, and an image that is less than stellar.

The more cynical of you will say that the reason for this forum is to increase sales for Delta Kits. While this is certainly a goal of our company as a whole, the forum is not looked at as a profit center.

There are times when Delta Kits is faced with conflict of the forum goals versus our need as a company to make money. This is the time where I feel Delta Kits shines. We do not delete posts when people say they like certain companies better. We do not delete posts when people have a problem with us. And we don't delete posts when people try to find ways around buying supplies from us.

Would we make more money if every single post was a glowing testimonial to Delta Kits? Of course!

While we certainly want to answer every single post, telling them why our products are the best, why the products they buy at Wal-Mart are not the same as the products we sell, things like that, for the most part we let it go and let the conversation go however it wants naturally. We feel that it lends credibility to this forum to not edit the substance of the message the technicians of this forum want to express.

Tips, Tricks, & Techniques:

There are many techniques, tips, things like that on this forum that are incredibly helpful.

There are also many techniques that are pointless, make things more difficult, or just plain wrong. As you said, there are many people on here that are self taught. Even the owner of this company is self taught, he didn't attend a training class.

The problem comes when a guy who is self taught has taught himself bad habits. Or, he is doing something very wrong, and has learned all these techniques to overcome it. He may have 10 different techniques to help fill a break when it's having problems. The problem is, if he would loosen his head pressure on his injector he would never have to use 7 of those techniques again, ever.

Do you see what I mean?

We get these new guys here that are at a point where they can be taught the basics, but instead, get caught up in all the crazy things people do to make up for a lack of understanding of the basics.

You would not believe how many guys we've had who are lurkers on the forum, think they know how to do repairs based on the advice here, but come to training anyway. These people, every single one of them, who have made it clear they are using these "bandaids," leaves training with a whole new understanding of how to do a good repair.

So that's my frustration. New people come to this forum. They see people who have posted quite often and have credibility who tell them to try these wonderful tricks to great repairs. This gets people off track, and focusing on bandaids instead of the root cause of the problem.

I can't edit the bandaid ideas, that's not what we do. I can't respond to every single one of them explaining why it's a coverup for a problem elsewhere, I frankly don't have the time. Not to mention, for the person that gave that advice, that's how they do it, and it probably works for them. Those people, I need to get to training, but many of them feel they know everything already. All I can do is try to get people to training, educate people when i'm asked directly, and try to promote a better understanding of how to do repairs.

Sorry to rant, my newborn keeps me up too long at night!

The day posts start geting deleted, the forum will cease to be useful and will effectively kill itself.

I tend to disagree that sales would be better if every post was a glowing testimonial. Are consumers really that gullible? I've seen company "forums" like that and I think it just looks like the bad infomercial that it is. I think it's a turn-off.. and these forums don't get traffic. Well, maybe you're right... you should edit and delete all posts that don't tow the company line to see if it will boost sales... then let us know.

As you might expect, one thing I do take issue with is that all these people posting techniques need to come to your training to "get set straight" as it were.

Frankly, I don't need help in my repairs and I don't struggle with them as you seem to imply. I believe that the real world presents obstacles that don't exist in a classsroom setting and apparently those who teach tend to forget about the PITA repairs. Those are the ones where "bandaids" might be needed. I don't know...

Also, many here don't use Delta equipment and your recomended techniques possibly don't translate to their issues.

I think the majority who frequent this forum realize the unusual service Delta provides to us, and appreciate that we non-Delta users are allowed to voice our thoughts.

Dustin

glassdoctor wrote:I tend to disagree that sales would be better if every post was a glowing testimonial. Are consumers really that gullible? I've seen company "forums" like that and I think it just looks like the bad infomercial that it is.

Well, this forum isn't that way and you still don't buy from us! I know what you're saying though.

glassdoctor wrote:Frankly, I don't need help in my repairs and I don't struggle with them as you seem to imply.

Not sure why you think I was speaking of you specifically...

glassdoctor wrote:I believe that the real world presents obstacles that don't exist in a classsroom setting and apparently those who teach tend to forget about the PITA repairs.

LOL! I'm well aware of PITA repairs. I'm also quite aware that there are additional techniques that can be helpful. There are also bad techniques that should never be used. What YOU are not aware of, it seems, is that these techniques in general, even if they work well for some people, can be detrimental if you don't have a firm grasp of the fundamentals.

To be more clear, there is a difference between what I view as "advanced techniques" and "bandaid" techniques. Advanced techniques can help PITA repairs, bandaid techniques help get around bad habits.

I knew I was going to have to go round with some of the guys about this, but I stand by what I said.

Spend a training day with me, see how many people are led astray by the "bandaid" techniques on here. Also, see how many members have posted their tips, only to come to training and never have to use them again. I am quite confident you would change your mind.

You think i'm kidding? How do I know?

I talk to these people every single day. I train these people. I see the bad habits, show them how to fix them, and make them better technicians.

Once again, i'm not sure why you felt I was talking about you though...

glassdoctor wrote:Also, many here don't use Delta equipment and your recomended techniques possibly don't translate to their issues.

Of course, and you'll notice that I stay out of those conversations where people are talking about specific issues with competitors equipment.

I will be the first to say THANKS for Delta and this forum. I will also say that I DON'T use Delta Kits equipment. I use Glas Weld. Are they the best??? Good question. My equipment works well for me. I have been to a 3 day training with Glas Weld and really it was money well SPENT. My repairs greatly improved and would encourage anyone to take some training from their supplier whether it be Glas Weld, Janvil, GT, Delta or Acme.IS there a BEST?? That is why we have Chevy, Ford, And Dodge. I am here to help anyone that I can with technique or whatever. I have been asked to help with Glas Weld questions. Do I think I am an expert?? When I quit learning little things daily I will be. I am not there yet. I only have 5 years experience. I mainly deal with FLeet accounts and do many daily. I am here to help if asked. I read this forum daily and again thank Delta for providing us with a place to pick other's brains.

I did buy an injector once!

You know I understand the points you make and they are valid. I hope you take my comments wiht a grain of salt... and I didn't think anything was directed to me personally.

I don't doubt that many don't "get it" even some that are on the forum. I see the local competition that are "veterans" in wsr only in the # of years in biz. They still can't do a basic repair correctly much of the time.

But I still will say that we all don't need Delta training to master wsr.

I'm think everyone can continue to learn new things... and I intend to also. There are many things we forget over time and some bad habits may creep back in etc, so nobody is ever done learning even if it's relearning. Take my high school algebra for example... wish I still had all that in my feeble mind.

I have no problem attending a Delta training and someday I might. I would like to see how you use your equipment, and pick your scrambled brains. ( a newborn does that to you )

I would also say you guys at Delta might learn something form a few of as well... esp. with the way we use our equipment.

Nobody has a monopoly on wsr knowledge. In fact, there is not even a concensus among all the wsr suppliers when it comes to basics of wsr.

This forum has been awesome and entertaining... hope it continues to be.

Thanks Jeff.

Just wanted to share some personal thoughts.

I think some of us realize we may provide information that occassionally may confuse newbies just starting out, especially those that haven't had any basic WSR training. I believe the majority of us don't intend to confuse anybody, were just sharing our personal repair experience when asked.

Can you learn the basics of repair off this forum alone? I'd have to say probably not! Basic lab training is something every new person starting out should invest in. However, I'd like to also say that basic training is not enough. Basic training provides you with the basic tools and proper procedures to get started but that's it! The rest of your development and success solely depends on your ability to adjust to your market area and weather conditions. Why do I mention weather? Because no one lab WSR training facility can duplicate real everyday working conditions. This is a area where people like me and many others offer our free advice as to what works for us in our environment and conditions. It's called field experience!

What is the purpose of this shared forum? I'd say it's simply to share information inpendently that can't be acquired through one source. Should you believe every post that's written? Absolutely not! Be wise enough to read all follow up post before ever deciding.

WOW!!! What the heck is everyone bickering about. Does anyone one remember the basic concept of running any successful business? It's customer satisfaction. Just like a black belt in karate, all experience gives us is a mastery of the basics. Who cares and who knows who has and does have the best system for repair. We all know very well when things don't turn out the way they should and for the one's that don't that's why they are here. I've been in the business for almost 2 years and counsel/fix/replace an average of 80 winshield myself in a five day work week. Help eath other to get better so we may make this business all that it should be. It's not a competition for business when most customers pay nothing to correct their problems. We provide a valuable and potentially life saving service to out customers. We also get paid well to do it. Learn your craft and educate your customers. The rest will fall into pplace on its own. Good luck and God bless.

I think we can all learn from one another if we keep an open mind whether we be "old timers" or "Newbies". I've learned a grat deal from "newbies" if for no other reasons they were eager to learn and ask questions that I have'nt asked or a posted an experience or question that I felt too "Proud" to post.
This forum to me is like one huge conversation about the business and techniques of wsr, customer service and sharing our experiences( which is also another word we give for our mistakes).I take something away from every post on here,some I take with a grain of salt. and I think I've read them all.
This Forum should be like a buffet, everyone should bring something to the table.I'm guilty of of taking away more than I bring.I don't plan on ever knowing it all because when you're through learning, You're are indeed Through! Experts built the Titantic and Amateurs built the Ark-Go figure...
I love this business-Thanks for the forum Delta!

I just wanted to say that the purpose of this forum is to share. Period. It is the reader's responsiblity to digest the information presented by both 'users'and 'administrators.

With that being said, I love this forum. There is no comparison out there and I will continue to use it for information as long as I am in the business.


On another note: Since the other thread "Resin Dropper Problems" was Closed down...I thought y'all would appreciate this: I pulled out the training video yesterday and found that the acutal instruction on the resin dropper showed the tech putting the dropper back on the bottle as a cap while the narrator said to be sure to store your resin properly. I also noted that there does not seem to be a measuring system in the video, but for those who like to "count" their drops...we have found that if you pull resin up to just over the "bend" or "tip" of the dropper it equates to roughly 7-8 drops. By doing this you can still properly fill your injector below the threads.

I don't want to instigate any more arguements on this topic, especially since I am more or less a "newbie", but thought that everyone should know what is on the Delta Video if they do not have it and has the opportunity to learn from it...users and administrators alike.

Hope this helps all involved.

Dave