Jeff\'s Lynx post

[desertstars]

If I'm allowed to critique without seeming to be a network know-it-all, that was an excellent post and a good sum-up of the Lynx network.

A word or two in addition.

Allstate price offers CAN be revised on the Lynx website.

(State Farm doesn't provide that option. Yet?)

Lower; not higher and that price offer can include replacement percentage discounts as well as repair.

For those independent shops that facilitate both repair and replacement and have low overhead, it is an interesting opportunity to take a close look at your margin and perhaps place you in an advantageous situation vis a viz big name replacement competition by revising your discount structure with Allstate.

Additionally you CAN direct bill IF you have opted out, as Jeff emphasized.

I see no reason to do that as long as you receive leads from them.

For clarification, that's NOT the particular network that I am most concerned about.

[Delta Kits]

Allstate price offers CAN be revised on the Lynx website

That's correct. You can lower your price, which will increase the rate at which you receive referrals.

Personally, I think this could be a slippery slope. I think we need to maintain our prices, rather than try to undercut our competitor. That's just my opinion, but Desertstars is right, you have the ability to do that.

[desertstars]

I didn't mean to imply that the price should be lowered and I'm sure Jeff knew that.

I just wanted to point out that could very well be another reason some techs may not be receiving leads from Lynx Allstate jobs in their area.

You'll never know because that info is locked as far as checking competitive offers.

As it should be.

Which brings up some interesting questions that I don't intend to go into now.

[glassdoctor]

WOW... are kidding me?

I have never heard that the networks or insurance companies are taking blind bids for work. So, if tell them I will do repairs for, say... $35/5/5 then I can sit back and get all their buisness? That is, until the guy down the street says $25 is good for him...

Let's hope this remains the exception to the rule.

[Coitster]

I have to add something to this. This post has sparked a very dangerous debate about lower prices. For those of you on the network I am sure that every week you get half a dozen fax's from the networks always talking about the lowering of prices for replacements. Its because of programs like this that the insurance companies are able to lower what they pay. Every time I pick up one of these fax's I thank God I am no longer in the replacement side of the business. Just no money in it. When you send in your lower bid you get some work yes, for a few days, however then the insurance companies say that, that price is now the preffered rate in your area and then they tell everyone else. Be Very Very Carefull. This is a very slipery slop we are looking at.
David
Coitster

[glassdoctor]

Exactly... this is a great policy if you are an insurance company. It's a lose-lose for us. I have wondered before how certain companies come up with thier "fair pricing" for different areas. Interesting.

Coitster, the good thing is that most of those faxes still show about $60 for repair. I'm actually surprised they aren't more like $45.

[desertstars]

And so we have all returned to the "slippery-slope" that Jeff referred to.

I was somewhat hesitant about even mentioning the option in the first place.

But, it's no secret to those who pay attention and I know what kind of companies who pay particular attention to those kind of details.

And what kind of companies low bid for their bait and switch method of business.