A car wash that's advertising and completing "free" repairs.

[Auto Glass Rescue]

Had a customer call me about this being he works across the street from the huge sign displaying this. I found out the car wash neither drys out the damage or protects it from UV during the repair process. Is this just part of the game or is there anything that can done about this?

[t4k]

It is part of the game. I deal with this everyday. I had a guy ask me to re-fix one he had repaired at a "FREE" car wash repair site. Ugliest repair I had ever seen.

[Auto Glass Rescue]

It is part of the game. I deal with this everyday. I had a guy ask me to re-fix one he had repaired at a "FREE" car wash repair site. Ugliest repair I had ever seen.

I was afraid that would be the answer.

[t4k]

The good news is these companies usually don't stay in business for very long. The bad news is, they skew the customer's perception of what a windshield repair looks like.

I've had people tell me "windshield repairs look terrible and they don't work". It is up to us to change their minds and show them what a real repair looks like and offer a real warranty.

[Dr.Chipster]

I know I will get a ton of "love' for this but this is such an unfair generalization. For every hack w/s repairman that works out of a car wash, I can guarantee you there is some mobile hack w/s repairman that came across windshield repair and thought it would be a good idea to run his own business doing the same thing. Just because a guy chooses to use the car wash biz for his business model doesn't make him a hack. I've met with a gentleman who has done business out of the local full service car wash chain in my city I can tell you he spends the time training his employees to do it right. I think most of the complaints coming from other techs stems from that they see these guys doing 15, 20.30 reairs a day, when being mobile and having to fight for insurance jobs is just yeilding a few repairs a day. Screenman is forever telling repair techs on this forum that they need to go out and sell, sell, sell. If techs are waiting around for the phone to ring because they have a website, car wrap, or yellow pages ad, techs are gonna be waiting a long time. There are tons of ways to do business. Just got to find what works for you. I come across windshields that the customer tells me the chip has been fixed by a guy they called out to fix it and it was not fixed properly. Does that make all mobile guys hacks too? I think not. I am starting to change my mind on training, certification, and C E credits. I think it would be a tremendous benefit to our profession if those of us who are not certified get certified. Starting with me. I don't like having to pay yearly dues but I am starting to see the other point of view on certification. Oh well, its snowing out today and I just got home from taking my boys sledding and came across this topic when I got home so thought I would give my two cents worth. I love this business. Where else can a high school graduate make the kind of money I get to make and have time to enjoy it? Peace

[t4k]

I know I will get a ton of "love' for this but this is such an unfair generalization. For every hack w/s repairman that works out of a car wash, I can guarantee you there is some mobile hack w/s repairman that came across windshield repair and thought it would be a good idea to run his own business doing the same thing. Just because a guy chooses to use the car wash biz for his business model doesn't make him a hack. I've met with a gentleman who has done business out of the local full service car wash chain in my city I can tell you he spends the time training his employees to do it right. I think most of the complaints coming from other techs stems from that they see these guys doing 15, 20.30 reairs a day, when being mobile and having to fight for insurance jobs is just yeilding a few repairs a day. Screenman is forever telling repair techs on this forum that they need to go out and sell, sell, sell. If techs are waiting around for the phone to ring because they have a website, car wrap, or yellow pages ad, techs are gonna be waiting a long time. There are tons of ways to do business. Just got to find what works for you. I come across windshields that the customer tells me the chip has been fixed by a guy they called out to fix it and it was not fixed properly. Does that make all mobile guys hacks too? I think not. I am starting to change my mind on training, certification, and C E credits. I think it would be a tremendous benefit to our profession if those of us who are not certified get certified. Starting with me. I don't like having to pay yearly dues but I am starting to see the other point of view on certification. Oh well, its snowing out today and I just got home from taking my boys sledding and came across this topic when I got home so thought I would give my two cents worth. I love this business. Where else can a high school graduate make the kind of money I get to make and have time to enjoy it? Peace

You are probably 100% correct. I am only speaking of what I have personally encountered.

[screenman]

The people over here with the most certifications are the worst at the job, most guys can pass a simple test and then mess every job up afterwards. Now give me independent inspections on a regular basis of jobs done and we could improve the trade.

[Coitster]

I did a car wash some years back. Like 8 years ago and it was fine. I did great repairs but I had to work it out with the carwash that they wouldn't push me into fast repairs because I said I wouldn't do that. It takes me 25 minutes to do a good repair. So no all car wash guys are bad but the problem is most people just don't have the proper training. So yes a car wash will work if you spend the time to do the repair right. I can't say I would never do one again but I would have to have very specific agreements to make sure they don't try to rush me. Also another problem carwash's have is they are selling stuff many times that shouldn't be fixed like little pits in the glass with no sub-surface damage. That is insurance fraud and those are the guys that I have issues with. Same with the gas station guys. Nothing wrong with getting business that way but again the reason many of those companies are black listed is because they are selling stuff they shouldn't so they can make their commission quota's.
David Coit
Coitster

[candyman]

Good morning ! I see the guys standing on the corner in the larger cities with their little bag & signs stating Free WS Repairs. Some do a good job while others leave a lot to be desired. I seldom see them with a UV shield, drystar, or pit polish. I do see a rag, plastic bridge, pit resin, sometimes liquid resin and a bottle of windex. No shop towels. I take my time with repairs and most of the time it takes me 20-30 minutes, as long as the customers are not asking questions every two minutes. I got my certification from Deltakits and N.W.R.A. The reason was that it appears to the customer that I have been tested & qualified to do the job. Seldom do I do a repair for a customer that the question, where did you get trained. The next question is always how long have you done this work. The two questions are hand in hand asked. When They see my patches on my sleve they seem satisfied with me doing their repair. Almost all trades have their problem children. Customers will weed out the bad ones and seek those of us thet have a true concern to do the best repair possible. Satisfied customers will recommend referrals while a unhappy customer will tell many. A vast majority of the customers I come in contact with are unaware of WSR. I had a insurance agent tell me yesterday, you shoot the goop into the cracks. He was refering to the commercials running on television and cable. You will reap what you sow. I help those that are getting started in WSR without hesitation. I learn things from the beginner and the seasoned techs on this forum. The exchange of information is good for everyone. I get to see what others face in different parts of the country and overseas. Iam just a country boy from the south that will offer you a moon pie and a RC cola or maybe a glass of sweet cold tea while we chew the fat. Have a nice Easter

[glassdoctor]

Makes sense... if you went without the moon pie and cola, there wouldn't be as much fat to chew. The rest makes sense too though.