Do you say FREE?

[Dave M]

Just opened my mail. One item was an envelope containing super saver coupons. We all get them! There were 20 coupons for a wide variety of products and services. 10 of those coupons had "FREE" in nice bold letters, usually in red ink.
Every coupon that used the FREE word had to explain the meaning using fine print or would have an asterisk next to "FREE" stating to ask when you call.

[sunshine wr]

I don't use the word free in my advertising , but if someone else wants to thats OK with me . I say use whatever tactics you need to attack your market area.

[cure4glass]

Jeff, I actually get requests for all kinds of glass work, from table tops, mirrors,antique jar repair, you name it, mostly from the YP ads. Just the other day a lady called and wondered if I could fabricate a makeshift windshield for a scooter..I'm thinking wow, If I actually advertised this type of work what kind of response I'd get.As far as my truck signs,they attract mostly repair customers.

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

I Used the Delta Kits pit polish to rub out scratches in a guys prescription glasses yesterday

[glassdude]

The bottom line is this;
If you are receiving a service or a product and you don't personally have to pay for it, well, then it's free to you. Isn't it?

If you are at a concert and they are giving you a t-shirt, is that not "free" even though "someone" had to pay for it.

Whats the big deal? If you like using the word FREE then use it. If you don't, then don't.
People arn't that stupid to think that you've got nothing better to do than drive all around town and do a gazillion windshield repairs and not get paid for it by someone.

FREE Windshield Repair
*with qualifying insurance

Nuff Said.

-Jeff

[StarQuest]

Why I personally don't like using the word "free" in advertisment.

Everyday consumers are bombarded with this word "free" to the point where it's becoming increasingly skeptical to all. (it's still a catchy "phrase" but is losing it's value rapidly) Seeing the word "Free" today only tells me to exercise extreme "caution" Why? Simply because nothing is free!!! The word "free" always carries an attachment or future cost. For those of you that use a computer everyday let me ask one simple question? How many scam mails do you receive daily that contain the word "free"? Do you submit to any off that crap? I don't and either do many educated others fall for that word these days.

I previously owned and operated a glass replacement shop when placing "free" replacements ads (by waiving deductibles) was necessary to stay in business and allow me to compete with competitor ads for work. Well guess what happened? The insurance companies didn't like that! Did they? With recent changes in the insurance industry and through Nags......you won't be seeing many of these "free" ads anymore in glass replacement. Do think for a minute if we continue to follow these advertising techniques using the word "free" to lure in customers it won't affect our future reputation with the insurance industry? Think about that. The insurance companies aren't looking to promote claims these days.....they're looking to discourage them. Haven't any of you smart repair people figured that out yet? Keep on using the word "free" in your advertisements and see what happens!!!

How much homework does everybody do on this forum in researching our repair industry daily? Do any of you know that more than a few insurance companies are now adding surcharges to every claim? So what that means is when you tell your customer their repair is "free" it's actually not!!!

I've currently found 5 in the last two months that have added a surcharge to claims. It won't be long before others follow in their footsteps.

Just my personal opinion for the day everybody....don't be to hard on me with your reponses;)

Everybody have a great weekend!

[Dave M]

StarQuest,

Do you have any idea how much the surcharges are and does the customer see these charges on their premium?

[paintlessplus]

Starquest- I didn't think anyone could change my position on using the word FREE in my advertising.....but your post is very good food for thought. I too alluded to what has happened in the replacement industry- maybe mum is the word. Nice post. Bob

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

The use of the word free in replacement advertising is only a small part of why the insurance companies are changing their policies. Yes waiving deductibles makes the insurance companies pay alot in windshield replacements that they might not otherwise pay ... but so does fraudulent replacements for things that can be repaired, fraudulent billing practices such as doing your billing out of a small town with a higher price bracket than a larger town nearby (very prevalent in our area), using "seconds" type glass and billing for top quality glass, same with urethanes and rubber .... charging when you dont' use a moulding or charging more for the better urethanes. No matter how you look at it repairs turn out better for the insurance companies. I also have yet to find an insurance company who charges any sort of surcharge, I am skeptical about that until I see it for myself really.

You can go to many of the insurance companies websites and look under coverages then find windshields and they will explain why they do windshields for free for their customers. They say things like it saves money and helps keep costs down for everyone.I don't think we will be having any problems anytime in the foreseeable future .... but that is just my opinion and I could end up wrong.

[a1repair]

There is a lot of tension between people who say FREE rock chip repair and those who think it is dishonest. What do you say and why do you say it like that.

I say Free rock chip repair because when I signed a contract with State Farm and others I signed that I wouldn't charge the customer AND the insurance company. So if I charge the ins. co. theb it has to be free to the customer. I have had to do free repairs for people who get upset about ot in the past,but I do them happily and quickly so it really doesn't hurt too bad.

what do you do?

We never say FREE! People do take you to task on those kinds of s offers. Just tell them that their Inusrance Co. will waive the comp deductible and that you can bill their insurance co directly. Providing they go through the proper steps needed for you to bill their insurance co.) i.e. get a SGC referal # etc.) They'll love you for it. Nothing is "FREE"