Need Alittle Help from you Business owners

[Anonymous]

Windshield Chip Repair sounds like a great start up Business for someone wanting to do it part time, then maybe moving it into fulltime.I would like to ask this question. If you Had a choice between working for a company an they supply the repair kit, and they let you work weekends for them, and all work you do they would give you 60% of each job you do, and I have to add I creat all my own accounts no leads from them. They will handle the billing. I was told I don`t get paid on the work If they don`t receive payment on that work. Or go out on your own what would you do. I just want to hear from the people that are out there doing this business. You all no the ups and downs of this Business so I want some feedback please.

[Anonymous]

I started out on my own, and I have owned other businesses prior to this one. I like the freedom I have in owning my own business. However not everyone is geared the same way. There are a number of things to consider when making this type of decision:
1. Are you disciplined enough to perform the various duties of business ownership? Its not just lining up work that you have to be concerned with. There is the never-ending trail of paperwork... filing gross receipts tax, invoicing clients and insurance companies, tracking payments, bookkeeping, etc. And dont forget the ever-constant challenges of marketing your product effectively.
2. Do you have good customer-relations and communication skills?
3. What benefits are being offered by the company to secure your loyalty to them? Is there health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, a company car for work, etc?
4. Be sure to do a thorough check on the company that is making the offer. Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if there are any unresolved complaints, and how many. Also be certain that you are on the same page with them as far as business ethics are concerned... are they going to be the ones to guarantee your work, and if so, what is the guarantee? If they expect you to guarantee your work... you might at well be working for yourself.
If they are not going to pay you for work performed until they are paid, there is a great potential there for problems. You will have to be able to track your invoices to know for sure if they were paid or not, and this can cause some trouble for you if someone in accounts receivable is not on the ball or if they are uncooperative. What this amount to is working for commission, which a lot of people are very content with. Call me greedy, but I want all the money. In exchange for this, I have all the responsibility, but I dont have anyone driving me to work harder, or faster, to do more repairs to make more money for them.
If purchasing a kit to get started is a drawback for you, get in tough with the SBA. They have loan money available to small businesses and in addition, they have lots of free information and counseling that you can take advantage of.

[Anonymous]

I just want to say thank you for your response.. I love this forum. You guys rock............... Well with this company I will be driving my own vehicle, I`ll paying my own cell bill, I`ll be paying for my own gas, an their are no health insurance offered. An Also don`t forget I have to creat my own Accounts an my take of all work is 60% there`s is 40%. With having a new born and three other children still under my roof, and The wife not working right now, I need to create more income. I will call SBA and see if I can get some help.

[Anonymous]

MC, from your most recent post, I can tell you that if I were you, there is no way that I would give 40% of my earnings to them! What are they doing for you? You are doing all the work, and it appears that you may also be taking all the risks as well; then you arent even assured a paycheck until (or when? they get paid?). Get your own kit, get trained and put all the money in your own pocket. There is lots of help available to you on these forums, but also most of the good suppliers are very generous with their information. Just over 6 years ago I didnt even know windshield repair existed. I purchased a used kit for and basically trained myself from the internet and tapes that various suppliers sent to me. They will court you with free product samples and most of them are at the ready to answer any questions you might have. Used kits are often available on e-bay. There are some that should be avoided, but most are good systems. Research them all, decide on the 3 systems that you will most likely want and watch for them on e-bay if you cant or dont want to purchase direct from the company. You dont have to pay a lot for a kit. My first kit was at the bottom as far as sophistication goes. It was the simplest type injector. But I learned to do very good repairs with it, and I still have it for back-up.
Windshield repair is a good source of income, wheter you are looking for part time or full time, but it does require an investment in time. You will need to practice, practice, practice. Get a scrap windshield from a replacement company. Make stars with a spring loaded center punch, and bulls-eyes with a metal nut or steel bead on a rubber band (hold it sling-shot style, draw back and let go ... use safety glasses for this), and practice drilling and popping mini-bulls-eyes also. Whether you work for yourself, or someone else, the training and the practice are a must if you intend to do good work and provide good service.
I wish you success, and dont hesitate to return to the forums often with your questions and to post your progress. This is a great place to get help and encouragement.

[Anonymous]

I have owned my own wsr business for two years, but I started out working on commission, 30%, with performance bonuses. I agree with Grace, not everyone is geared to operate a business. But if you do have the discipline and training, there is nothing like working for yourself.
I think there are advantages to starting out working for an established company. I started working for a company that was very conscientious about training. You were trained and closely supervised for two weeks before you were issued a kit. Then there was on-going training in the form of meetings and seminars. The company supplied everything, right down to business cards and advertising materials.
The advantages I found were: (1) No investment. (2) Training. (3) The opportunity to see if I liked this business without risking thousands of dollars. (4) Technical support from experienced repair techs.
The disadvantages were mentioned by Grace also. It was very hard to keep track of whether or not I was getting paid on everything I did. It is very hard to make a living on 30% of the business that you generate. And sometimes companies make promises that are impossible to fulfill.
After working for a year, I decided to go out on my own. I felt that a year at 70% of my business more than compensated the company for the training that they gave me.
Presently, I have trained a single mother, who works part time, and a college student, also part time. Both are happy with the arrangement and have no desire for the head aches of running a business. However, If either decided to start out on their own, they could go with my full blessings and help. There is more than enough business for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Thanks alot guys. I also wanted to add they want me to sign a contract. If I ever were to leave the company I`ve signed a no competion clause in the contract. Mind you, I go out an get all of my own accounts for work. All cash jobs they want 50%. I wanted to add were can I get a glass stand for practicing. I know where to purchase bulleye makers and star break makers. Also the stand I would like the glass to be on is a stand at a angle so I can mimick the angle of a car windshield. any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[Anonymous]

MC, you can easily construct your own glass stand using pvc pipe with right angle and 45-degree angle for under $15 (at the most). A couple of companies sell them already made, and that is all they are, but they want around $45 plus shipping for one.

[Anonymous]

the non compete clause won't hold up in court, you can't keep someone from making a living!

buy your own kit even a kit at delta will cost you less than 600.00 credit card and go make money. go to your city and offer to repair thier trucks for a fleet discount, alot of the replacement companys don't want to do the repairs just replacements, last week I did 5 repairs and have some more I have to get to this week!

[Anonymous]

THanks to everyone for your input. I guess I`m mainly worried about the paper work side of the business. I feel very confident in myself learning to do quality work. That would be my main goal anyway.