What are the scams in your area?

[just chippen away]

We have a gas station scammer telling customers they need their w/shield replaced because they have little nicks in the glass. They are using a safty pin and just pitting it in the nicks and then telling the customer that the nick will turn into a chip then crack out if they do not replace the w/shield.

I was at one of the dealerships getting work done on my truck when the customer told us she was having her w/shield replaced next next day saying that she was peppered as the scammer has told her. The service mgr and myself went to look at the glass and she only had 3 nicks in the glass... We were able to convince her she was being scammed.
I went to a few Ins. agents to let them know the new scam and they like it that I keep my nose to the ground keeping them informed. They also had an insured say the same thing to them, they had the insured come in to be inspected and say the same thing I did, and it was the same scammer..

What kind of scams have been going around in your area?

I am thinking of putting a scam sheet together and email it to the agents that want to recieve it to know what is going on out here.

[D2D]

Just call the folks over at NWRA/ROLAGS and they'll send the rock chip police right over and take care of that for you.

[Kgobin]

One of our customers passed this information along to share with forum readers.

What is a “harvester”? This term is used in the glass industry to identify unknown companies that use smooth-talking and often high-pressure salesmen and hustlers with questionable sales tactics and no credentials to convince unsuspecting drivers that their windshield may need to be replaced, sometimes even if it is not damaged, or offer to fix a chip or crack at the driver’s home or office. They have also been known to tell drivers that they have already called in a claim to driver’s insurance company without the driver’s approval.

These “harvesters” usually solicit door-to-door in residential neighborhoods, or places like suburban shopping malls, retail parking lots and car washes. They provide little if any information about the companies they represent, where they are located or the auto glass industry safety standards they follow. They usually refuse to provide even a business card.

Needless to say, insurance companies frown on these “harvesters” and do not condone them, even if they are not illegal in some states.

The following are some questions to ask if you are unsure of any company that solicits a windshield repair or replacement from you:

Ask them for their business card
Do they use original equipment glass or its equivalent?
Does the glass and the adhesive being used meet or exceed federal and “ANSI Z 26.1” standards?
Is there any warranty on the glass or the workmanship?
What type of adhesive is used, is there proof that it has not expired and how soon can your car be driven safely after installation?
Is the new windshield properly installed, flush to the frame and centered perfectly?
Does the molding sit flat around the windshield’s circumference?
Does the company adhere to AGRSS Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards?
Does the company employ trained and certified technicians?

I know that some of this information pertains to windshield replacement but some of it might be helpful to windshield repair technicians.

[screenman]

Telling the customer the repair will be paid for by the insurers and getting the customer to sign an invoice, in the small print it says the customer will be liable if the insurer does not pay. Two week later the customer gets a bill for £95 or about $150 asking for payment pointing out he has signed to say he will pay. The scam here is that the repairer already knew that the insurance company would not pay up, as most bigger names over here do not.

[shepardh1]

Bad repairs.

I know this is not what you mean, but what a scam!

I offer free re-repairs, even of my competitor's work. It is frustrating to get paid for one chip, and then have to drill out 5 leg tips from the repair done by some hack a year ago... fill them etc.... in the end it looks worse than before, but most folks become lifelong loyal clients after doing this. Sometimes my repairs are not perfect, but they are always strong. It bugs me when hacks consistently do terrible work...

[just chippen away]

We have another well known shop that would allow customers to file fack w/shield replacement claims to recieve a complete tint job on their cars... one insurance cought onto that one fast.

Another is, wait for a extreme wind day or large dust devil to pass through and file a claim for all the glass on a car to need replacements... another one cought.

The latest one is doing drive bys at night and breaking out windows on shops in a dark area. but he passed by their own shop on the strip because he has video cameras outside his shop and it would catch himself doing the vandal work... They pre orded the glass a week earlier for this.... Still pending. all the other glass shops know this is his MO also the local PD is suspecting him...

These three are just from one company.

[Frank EU]

The scam in my area is the largest vendor named Carglass, a Belron company.
(And in the US it is their sister company, named Safelite)

I am delighted to inform you guys that Carglass was part of a tv show last Monday. The report was very bad.
It was mainly about their MO, their prices and the way they are in bed with all insurers. It appears that the **** has hit the fan. Good!

Below is the link to that show. Unfortunately for you guys, it is in Dutch.
http://www.trosradar.nl/uitzending/

The title is:
Autoruitschade: verzekeraar wil hoge rekening

[Frank EU]

Bad repairs.

I know this is not what you mean, but what a scam!

I offer free re-repairs, even of my competitor's work. It is frustrating to get paid for one chip, and then have to drill out 5 leg tips from the repair done by some hack a year ago... fill them etc.... in the end it looks worse than before, but most folks become lifelong loyal clients after doing this. Sometimes my repairs are not perfect, but they are always strong. It bugs me when hacks consistently do terrible work...

Question:
What is wrong about this picture?
-no UV blocker
-tray with tools etc on the vehicle, exposed to elements,
-a rag (cloth) on the hood (rag may contain resin and sits on the cars' finish)

[Brent Deines]

Just a reminder guys, this is not the place to bash your competitors by name. Feel free to discuss practices that you feel are inappropriate but please be respectful of the forum guidelines. Thank you!

[shepardh1]

Bad repairs.

I know this is not what you mean, but what a scam!

I offer free re-repairs, even of my competitor's work. It is frustrating to get paid for one chip, and then have to drill out 5 leg tips from the repair done by some hack a year ago... fill them etc.... in the end it looks worse than before, but most folks become lifelong loyal clients after doing this. Sometimes my repairs are not perfect, but they are always strong. It bugs me when hacks consistently do terrible work...

Question:
What is wrong about this picture?
-no UV blocker
-tray with tools etc on the vehicle, exposed to elements,
-a rag (cloth) on the hood (rag may contain resin and sits on the cars' finish)

This was a newspaper photo for an ad, so I had my working bridge exposed to the sun (I actually use a blue surgical towel as I don't like using the dome), the red thing the tool tray is sitting on is a rubber mat... but I don't get the elements problem? Sun on Dremmel tool a problem? Resin bottles all block UV... not sure which tools can't be exposed? I think I might learn something new!