Couple Quick Questions, Possibly some dumb ones.

[NCWindshield]

First off, I am starting to make some calls to service managers and used car managers that I used to work with, and am trying to establish some fleet accounts. Keep in mind with these questions, I live in a big southern California city.

1) What is the going rate you all charge for fleet repairs? I know they vary a lot, but some of my customers have said they were paying as much as $65.00 and My guy when I was a recon manager was charging me $25.00. I would like to be affordable, but not excessively cheap if you know what I mean, and I was wondering what you all were charging fleet customers?

2) About how many fleet customers do you keep? Do you service them weekly? Or come as needed? Again, in my area, nobody is servicing them weekly, and I can assume I could make some good money this way.

3) Some of my repairs are done under a solid cover in the shade. One in particular used to be a show room, but has no walls. Is it safe from UV light in there, or would you recommend I stick with a UV shield of some sorts?

[cracknaut]

Not sure abour S Cal but in Oklahoma I charge $40 fleet rate.

How many do I keep? All of them! lol Weekly basis.

Solid cover shade should be fine unless those tricky little Uv rays find somethin to bounce off of.

[bill lambeth]

Where I live used car lots are the bottom of the barrel.They are pay any where from 10. to 25..I dont fool with many car lots.Fleet accounts are where the money is for me.I usually get 35 and 10 for them.Fleet accounts are a lot harder to come by than a car lot.Most people dont want to do the leg work to get the fleets but trust me they are worth it!I agree with you dont be the cheapest,sell your quality work.I hope that helps.

[NCWindshield]

Where I live used car lots are the bottom of the barrel.They are pay any where from 10. to 25..I dont fool with many car lots.Fleet accounts are where the money is for me.I usually get 35 and 10 for them.Fleet accounts are a lot harder to come by than a car lot.Most people dont want to do the leg work to get the fleets but trust me they are worth it!I agree with you dont be the cheapest,sell your quality work.I hope that helps.

The only thing I know about car lots, is my windshield guys would do 3-5 a week very minimum at my dealerships. What kind of fleet accounts do you have?

[GlassStarz]

I find the little used car lots are easier to pick up most other guys dont bother with them they dont like to spend much but if you walk the lot and give em a flat rate for the bunch its worth the stop and pay on the spot
my feeling is if I have a place I can stop and make a hundred bucks in about an hour im good with it regardless of what it is per repair

[screenman]

Although I cannot comment about your prices, I can say that if you have no walls then you have indirect uv without doubt. Check it out, bit of pit filler under a curing tab and leave for a few minutes, if it thickens even slightly you will need to use a shield.

[SGT]

Good tip Screenman,

Something else to consider...If you are not in an enclosed shop, since this process lends itself to one chance to do the repair right the "first time" due premature curing of the resin from UV exposure, If you are outside why even take the chance, always use a UV cover of some sort. So simple to use a UV cover. Work smart, prevent headaches.

As for pricing, my structure would help if you were looking for a nationwide average, but if your looking to be competitive in your market it may be best if continue to search local rates to quote accordingly.

Service frequency will largely depend on the account needs. Some managers may know how often they will need you and others wont have a clue and you will have to refine your service visits as you work the account. Be perpared for "We will call you!" If it is large fleet of over the road vehicles account and the vehicles are back weekly, you may consider starting out weekly and see the volume of work you get and adjust accordingly. For smaller fleets start monthly and adjust as needed.

[NCWindshield]

Good tip Screenman,

Something else to consider...If you are not in an enclosed shop, since this process lends itself to one chance to do the repair right the "first time" due premature curing of the resin from UV exposure, If you are outside why even take the chance, always use a UV cover of some sort. So simple to use a UV cover. Work smart, prevent headaches.

As for pricing, my structure would help if you were looking for a nationwide average, but if your looking to be competitive in your market it may be best if continue to search local rates to quote accordingly.

Service frequency will largely depend on the account needs. Some managers may know how often they will need you and others wont have a clue and you will have to refine your service visits as you work the account. Be perpared for "We will call you!" If it is large fleet of over the road vehicles account and the vehicles are back weekly, you may consider starting out weekly and see the volume of work you get and adjust accordingly. For smaller fleets start monthly and adjust as needed.

Thank you. My plan was to start weekly, and if some lots are not moving cars as frequently as others, maybe an every other week, or call as needed sort of thing depending on the competence of their lot manager or used car sales manager, or whoever is making the decisions at that particular lot.

As far as someone saying used car lots are not very good, I am not referring to rinky-dink whole in the wall gone over night lots. What we have in my area is huge chain used car lots, and big name dealerships that send all of their used cars to one place and only keep new cars on their new car lots, etc... Not just fly by night stuff. Although, there are plenty of those lots that cater to military financing, but the good thing about those places, is they move cars no matter what our economy looks like because we are constantly getting soldiers returning home to huge bonus checks burning a whole in thier pockets. I will continue to research my area, but my initial thought was the $40.00 per repair, and if I hear too many "No, we only pay $25.00 or $30.00" then maybe meet them in the middle and sell quality over price. But like was said earlier, I do not think there is anybody servicing most of these dealerships regularly, and it could be a give me the service, make it worth my while, and I will continue to use you. Please keep the information coming guys! I am finding this very helpful!

[GlassStarz]

I hope you find things different in SD county at the Car Lots than here a couple hundred miles north the dealers are not spending much dealerships that sold 200 cars a month are now doing 30 and money is tight I find my time is better spent on fleets and retail right now (the fleets understand that if you come in and fix 5 or 6 trucks at $40 each and save them buying 1 windshield they are ahead $ wise

[NCWindshield]

I hope you find things different in SD county at the Car Lots than here a couple hundred miles north the dealers are not spending much dealerships that sold 200 cars a month are now doing 30 and money is tight I find my time is better spent on fleets and retail right now (the fleets understand that if you come in and fix 5 or 6 trucks at $40 each and save them buying 1 windshield they are ahead $ wise

I hope so too. I am not relying only on these lots, but there are quite a few of them around. I would like to think, even the lots down to selling 5-10 cars a week still need a windshield or two fixed every week or two. Money is money, especially right now. I kind of picked a rough time to step out on my own and try something new, but the struggling dealerships that are going out of business that I formerly worked for left me no choice. Either that or get a real job, and that isn't happening anytime soon.