Windshield Bullies

[SGT]

Just read this article and made me think of all the posts I have read here about the very same type of marketing aprroaches. I posted the link below.

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/windsh ... oblem.html

If you market your business door to door, car wash/gas station etc...How does that make you feel? Even if you do not follow that type of marketing how does that make you feel about this industry?

[stihlcarven]

I haven't tried door to door yet but I don't see why not.Pizza places, roofers, gyms, and all sorts of others employ kids to go door to door. There must be a reason for it. None of them really bother me, but if your going to do it yourself I would imagine you would have to have a thicker skin than some. Some throw a fit when they show up. A good salesperson could do great with it I bet. If I try it I will probably have a softer approach about it....like an introduction and a flyer....ask if they have any damage they've wanted fixed...have a good day.

[DryStar]

I personally don't like door to door sales and never have. Why? Because I've always felt they are invading my comfort zone and my property. Come knocking on my door and you'll probably be sent on your way or be tongue lashed for attempting to sale me something. OMHO

[Dr.Chipster]

Someone on here posted a link to this article a few weeks ago. I have no problem with it because for me it is just not true. I don't sell windshields! I sell windshield repair. I sell at car washes, door to door, and business to business. I don't have to have a hard sell approach. The customers I serve need a repair and I am the guy who can help fill that need. Mr. Chips has posted a method of getting that business without getting rejected. For those of you who have been trying to figure out a way to get your business off the ground and don't have a lot of sells experience follow his method and you will get results. Just do a search for Mr. Chips post and you will find it. You don't have to hard sell in his business because people with rock chips are actually wondering who they can call when they get one. So when you show up to fix their car they are happy you did. I know everyone has a different way of doing things and I am not saying this is the only way or the best way, it is just how I do it and I am quite successful at doing so. I will say that the longer an individual has a rock chip on his car the harder it is to convince him/her that it needs to be fixed. If it is recent damage the individual is usually likely ready to have their "baby" fixed.

[DryStar]

Not sure this relates to this post heading but last year I experimented with some area car wash repair services. On my personal vehicle I had put a spot of superglue on inside of shield in 3 different locations. 5 of the 7 told me a repair was needed. Go figure? This is what we're dealing with in this profession today.

[DryStar]

Someone on here posted a link to this article a few weeks ago. I have no problem with it because for me it is just not true. I don't sell windshields! I sell windshield repair. I sell at car washes, door to door, and business to business. I don't have to have a hard sell approach. The customers I serve need a repair and I am the guy who can help fill that need. Mr. Chips has posted a method of getting that business without getting rejected. For those of you who have been trying to figure out a way to get your business off the ground and don't have a lot of sells experience follow his method and you will get results. Just do a search for Mr. Chips post and you will find it. You don't have to hard sell in his business because people with rock chips are actually wondering who they can call when they get one. So when you show up to fix their car they are happy you did. I know everyone has a different way of doing things and I am not saying this is the only way or the best way, it is just how I do it and I am quite successful at doing so. I will say that the longer an individual has a rock chip on his car the harder it is to convince him/her that it needs to be fixed. If it is recent damage the individual is usually likely ready to have their "baby" fixed.

[Dr.Chipster]

Not sure this relates to this post heading but last year I experimented with some area car wash repair services. On my personal vehicle I had put a spot of superglue on inside of shield in 3 different locations. 5 of the 7 told me a repair was needed. Go figure? This is what we're dealing with in this profession today.

There is a huge difference in someone who works at a car wash and someone who is a business owner. I happen to be a business owner. I treat each and every customer's car as if it was my own. I don't have to lie, steal or cheat anyone to earn a living. I believe I use the best tools and resin (Delta Kits) that produce the best repairs. I know there are some out there who give this business a bad name. I have repaired a number of vehicles that have been repaired (allegedly) before. Did one last week at one of my used car accounts. So yes, we do have bad apples in this biz just like every other industry. But I have no problem going after business because at the end of the day I am educating and helping people save money. And no matter what I think about the global warming camp, I even do my part to save the environment. So if you see me at the local car wash stop by and I will help you. And if you are an employee for business owner who happens to work at a car wash and you are honest and hardworking and are skilled in w/s repair I applaud you.

[DryStar]

Nice plug!

Seriously, does anybody qualified in this business want to be targeted as a bully pushing repair? I certainly do not.

If you find the need to market your service this way and can sleep well at night, I guess that's good for you!

[SGT]

When I read this article, I felt offended and angry. Not becuase of the approaches to marketing they mentioned becuase I think when done professionally and ethically provide value to everyone, the customer and the business owner. I am offended becuase of how hard we as professionals work at creating a professional images for ourselves first and second this valuble service industry and we have these jack offs destroying everthing all of us honest professional techs are striving for. Now I like to consider myself a optimistic realist so I feel it is the minority doing this but it is that very minority that can, will and is affecting the majority. Little by little.

You have to wonder how many of these so called bullies are on this forum getting ideas!

[Dr.Chipster]

I believe Sgt. that the persons employed by someone who has an official car wash location want to do a good job. I think they are pushed to get as many customers to bite on the repair process because it is "free" and they lack in training. That is just my take and I am probably all wet. As far as door to door sales I don't know what goes on there. I just know how I conduct myself. I live in a city with a small town feel so to do things without integrity I would be exposed really quickly. I am proud of the service I offer and the quality of work I perform. I have a standard that if I don't like it they don't pay, even if in their mind the repair was satisfactory. I can sleep at night because I treat all of my customers respect and charge a fair price for the service I give them. I am able to tithe, the bills are paid, there is food on the table, my wife and kids are taken care of, and I have the time to enjoy my life.