Cold Weather Repair

[candyman]

I watched a major WSR company repair two breaks on my brothers WS. One was a angle wing type and the other was a very small bullseye. It was 26 dgs and sun out. The vehicle was cold and had not been driven or started for 3 hours. The guy never took a temp and he drilled both with a small drill with a regular drill bit. He then pulled from a bag a device about six inches long with a suction cup on one end and a injector the size of the one found on a bridge system on the other, with a removable plastic screw-in plundger. After drilling he applied a few drops of a new type of chemical that he said dries and removes moisture from the break. He then put a resin into the plastic injector and screwed the plunger in. This device had a air hose fixed to it , but I never heard a motor or saw him pump anything from within the bag he had on the vehicle roof. He cured it the same as we do. He had both breaks done within 10 minutes, with that one device. He said he had been doing WS for 15 yrears. He said he didnt use the company device because it would crack the WS out. He came from 2 counties over ( 25 miles) as a service call from Allstate.
My brother said that Allstate told him no other mobile service was listed , and was the only one listed for this area. Iam suppose to be listed with Allstate and yet they sent the big company. The tech said the device he used, was picked up at a glass show and was not something his company issues. The results on the bullseye was very good, however the angle wing looked rough. The glass was sealed and smooth, otherwise. He also had a WS
with him incase he needed to replace my brothers. Has anyone that went to the shows seen this device? He stated his company is the supplier for the majority of the WS for my part of the state. The supplier of the device starts with EQ or AN. Also note,he never used a sun screen wile injecting the resin. I learn something everyday.

[candyman]

Frank EU ! I cant seem to get the message board figured out. Your answer is the first that you mentioned. My problem is that I had just rec a letter form Allstate, stating I was in good satnding through 2011. Yet they ignorned the fact I was closer and didnt even acknowlegethat I was on the list to my brother. They must keep seperate list when assigning jobs. They contacted me a few months back and sent an individual almost 100 miles out of his way for me to make the repair, for one of their clients. The reason is, he requested a mobile repair only tech. He stated that too often when he is traveling and has a break, they always send the same individuals you mentioned and they end up replacing. He said, he had prefer a repair only tech because we seem to be more honest and upfront if he really needs a WS. You are a good source for information and I enjoy reading your advice and comments. Have a great day. My son Just returned from your part of the world and really enjoyed the country side.

[Frank EU]

Thanks Candyman, it is the answer I expected. Their system indeed is capable of doing proper work. And sometimes they indeed do perform proper repairs depending the operator, local shop management and or, I guess, how they feel that day.

Their weak spot really is their conflict of interests.
They offer both repairs and replacements and they usually have a new windshield with them in the back of their truck or van. What a coincidence eh?
What do you think (or believe)...would these guys be happy to carry the glass in and out for no reason? Or do they want to install that new piece?

Anyway, back to the repair system: theirs is good. They just should perform more repairs -and with more I am thinking close to 80% of all windshield related jobs. Simply because that is what is possible.

Interesting post! Be good.

[Glasseye]

From your description the device sounds like a Glass Medic repair head. It would have needed to be attached to a vacuum pump for it to operate correctly.

[DryStar]

candyman,

Re: Allstate status. Do they have you listed as a Tier 1 supplier or Tier 2 for your area?

[candyman]

This device had a hose that extend back to a bag about 2 ft long that also contained his supplies. He spreaded a sheet across the roof of the vehicle and placed his bag on top of it.
I never heard a motor or saw him pump anything. I did hear a sucking air sound, and the hose connected to the single suction cup end. He never used heat or anything to warm the windshield even though it was below freezing and ice was forming on the vehicle. I've got to find my sheets and look at what tier I am. Currently I have 18 degrees here on the east coast. Have a great day. PS The tech also cleaned all the windows and vaccumed the vehicle fornt floor board. I thought that was a nice touch. I normally clean the windshield, but never thought about cleaning all the windows.

[DryStar]

Candyman,

If your signed up with Lynx for Allstate you can find out what your Tier status is through Metryx. Tier 1 shops will always have priority in your area unless none are available. In that case CSR will look for a tier 2 shop for service.

I'm also curious as this being your brothers vehicle, why didn't you just call in the claim and grab the job? You can't be refused if customer request your services.

[StellarChip]

Thanks Candyman, it is the answer I expected. Their system indeed is capable of doing proper work. And sometimes they indeed do perform proper repairs depending the operator, local shop management and or, I guess, how they feel that day.

Their weak spot really is their conflict of interests.
They offer both repairs and replacements and they usually have a new windshield with them in the back of their truck or van. What a coincidence eh?
What do you think (or believe)...would these guys be happy to carry the glass in and out for no reason? Or do they want to install that new piece?

Anyway, back to the repair system: theirs is good. They just should perform more repairs -and with more I am thinking close to 80% of all windshield related jobs. Simply because that is what is possible.

Interesting post! Be good.

Hello,

I can't see how having the windshield just in case the chips were not repairable makes this a conflict of interest. I'd call that caring about your customer. If I can't determine if the break is repairable during the initial phone call I'll always take a windshield with me. If my mothers car was being serviced and the repair was not fixable I'd be happy the tech had the foresight to bring along the replacement glass and get her car back to being safe again. Don't think that every auto glass tech out there is going to throw in a new windshield because the profit margin is better (which in my area it ISN'T). I've installed over 33,000 windshields and repaired over 8,000 and I have NEVER replaced a repairable windshield unless the customer demanded that I do so. I always take the time to explain the benefits of wsrepair and in most cases they change their minds and go with the repair. I'll even offer to do the repair for free and if they don't like it then I'll replace the glass. Some zero deductible insurance clients just demand that it be replaced, should I walk away loose the job? Most replacement techs look at repair techs as suspicious because of all the hacks out there who put 2 drops on a chip, throw a mylar square on and call it done and then bill the insurance company. I think quite a few repair techs are suspicious of replacement techs cause they replace repairable windshields and then bill the customer or insurance company. The point is, nothing is going to change unless we change our thinking first. Assumptions get people hurt. We've all got to come together and get on the same page. Certification is good, but licensing is better, IMHO. Plumbers, electritians and the like have to be licensed, why should'nt we? A pipe isn't going to burst and kill you, but an improperly installed windshield might. But, untill we all come together in the spirit of safety and brotherhood (we all work on glass, right?) things will stay the same and I'm never going to have an open mind unless I'm willing to loose the idea that because your a replacement tech your only after profit or wsrepair techs are only after a quick fix and some quick money. There are hackers and shining stars everywhere out there, which one do I want to be? Love you guys!!

[candyman]

My borther called his insurance company first to see if it was covered. He didnt bother to mention that I did repairs. He figured if they didnt have me listed I must not be authorized by his company. He had 3 breaks but he only saw 2 when he called it in. I pointed the thrid break out to the tech. He didnt repair it because his work order was for only 2 breaks. He got a call to go replace a WS and it was about 3:30pm, so he had to hurry to pickup a WS about 30 miles away. I did discover that since they are the supplier for the windshields they have access to them during non-business hours, when all the other glass companies have to wait for them to open. Currently its from 8am - 5pm M-F and Saturdays
8am -1pm: After that time you cant get a ws from the Va line south to include Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro etc.... Your best hope is to find a large WS replacement company that stocks a few WS that are common. I bet I had more than 30 calls the past few months on a weekend after 11am that required a replacement, and no one would service them, even the big boys. Iam still checking into the tier 1 & 2: I had problems signing in. I go months and never check it because I rarely get a call from them.

[candyman]

I pulled my letter out: It was sent by LYNX on behave of Allstate Insurance Company. Iam listed as a Tier 2 in Allstate Glass Claim Express. What constitutes a tier 1? Little things like this is probably the reason I dont get many calls. My letter thanked me for my service and working to ensure Best in service to Allstate and its policyholders. I really need to go to one of the glass shows that also include reps from LYNX and some of the other companies. Iam getting most of my WSR calls from the local yellow pages and internet. However thats not very many. I just signed for another year of local YP. Instead of one, 1 inch ad under windshield repair, I have a 1 inch ad under auto repair as well, with my mobile cell # listed. I paid $360 total for both. This book is given to every household 80,000 wheather they have a phone company or a cell phone. This book covers a few areas south of me that is the bedroom community for a much larger city, and has a higher income bracket. I get busy at times concentrating on one form of marketing that I let things like the insurance referals slip by.