Windshield Repair Forum

After more than a year in the HLR & WSR Business, I have compliled where my business for the past 6 1/2 months are generated. 38% referals: 3% yellow pages; 1% insurance network; 3% radio; 12% flyers; 6% Cold Call/Face to Face; 1% My vehicle Logo; 26% repeat customers; 0% website: 0% School Sports Sponsor

Yellow pages would be higher than 3%, however most calls need WS replacement. $400 per year
Radio cost more than all my other advertizing combined. 3 month trial
Insurance Networks 1%; very few referals, and you wait 2-6 weeks for your money, plus pay a fee back to them.

Referals 38%; normally come from the following in order of leads:
Customer; Detailing shops; Friends; Repair shops; Chamber of Commerece: I pay a $5 referal fee.

Repeat Customers 26%;
I offer a 10% discount. I sell my product, my service, and myself to the customer. I stand behind my work, and they leave as a new friend.

My vehicle Logo 1%: I have my phone # and website on the rear glass of my Ford SUV.

Website 0% : I pay about $18 per month. The few contacts I had needed replacement or just asked questions.

Flyers 12%
Parking lots, Churches, Restaruants, Business, Medical offices, Auto Part Stores etc...

Sponsor 0%;
School Sports, Golf Tournaments, Plays, Fishing Tournaments: ZERO return for my investment:

I hope this will help some of you that may be wondering where to get leads and what pays off. Candyman

Hi Candyman. I am just about to start up, and your tracking is very interesting. In looking at your ideas on referrals I suspect that this is the reason they represent such a high percentage of your business.I am just not absolutely certain that giving away 15-20% of the charge for a repair is the most lucrative way to go. If you charge $30.00 for a chip, and have six referrals only on a given day, then you have paid out $30.00 (20%) for one days advertising. Add in the cost and time associated with actually tracking down and paying the referees, and again, not certain this is the most cost effective way to get clients. But I will give it more thought.
Best wishes to you
gekog

You would be surprised how many referals I get that the person turns down the fee. The detailing shops almost always get paid. Friends & Customers often will decline. I've done both HLR or WSR for a person and they were low on cash, but needed the service. In return I ask for referals. I've got one individual that sent me six people. I wouldn't make that a habit, but some people do need a hand up, every now and then. I refer people to other WS replacement centers, and I get the repairs. Sometimes you have to trust others to do right by you. I havn't mastered this yet. Iam simply looking at every avenue to bring in customers. I know many prefer fleets only. I now have two small fleets. Not enough to bragg about or earn a full salary with. My thinking is this. I have a good mix developing and by combining all resources, I hope to make my business as close to recession proof as possible. I see work everyday as I pass motorist. Getting them to depart with the money and now is the trick. If they are stopped or standing still, I could hawk my services like a professional. Thats where a good street corner detail shop, or busy gas station can come in handy. If you have a good spot and heavy traffic, odds are in your favor to get a % to stop to check you out. Thats where you need your skills to sell your services. I plan to retire next year to do this full time. My WSR skills are getting better with each repair. Have a good day!