Windshield Repair Forum

What's a drill

Demeaning? Condescending? Maybe. I have built my life on the foundation of quality. I own small businesses in 4 different industry's, and work many 80+ hour weeks. I am fortunate to live in an area in which the market supports $60/$10 windshield repairs. Some areas support $70/$15, and I imagine some areas of India support $2/flat. I respect and hold up as honorable any person that educates themselves in the best techniques of their trade and, like cream, rises to the top of their container, I care not if they make $2 or $70.

I sometimes spend a full hour on a single chip. (This is where the pompous folk might want to cut & paste the previous sentence as a quote and question why ANY repair should take that long). This time is rare of course, but sometimes the chips that our industry best describes as "boogers" require a lot of time. Paying $1600/yr for ads in one of 4 phone books, $300+/month on radio ... etc... is hard to do when driving 20 miles to do a 1-hour chip for $20. If YOU can make it work, I respect you! As for me; I charge the highest price in my area and provide (not "try" to provide) the best repairs. If I am not happy with a repair, I don't charge for it. My repairs are typically less than 30 minutes each, but after carrying in the heavy bag of cat food from the client's car, hearing about their grandson's recent swim meet success and driving to my next call; I find that I do best when scheduling 45 to 60 minutes per job (some with 5 chips on the windshield).

If your market supports $20 repairs and you can earn enough to live the lifestyle you want with that amount; I DO NOT look down on you. I DO look down on ONE of my local competitors (Brand X) however, who advertises less but charges an 86 year old poor woman $60 for dabbing pit filler on a Star/Bull "for 3 minutes" without filling it or curing it when I would have accepted that particular insurance company's lower fee. (In this case, I did the repair properly and did not charge her for it, even though she was willing to shell out another $60) I respect another of my competitors that does an OK job and charges $50/$10. (I also like the sign on their wall that says, "We are NOT brand X") lol

Get up early, work for 12 to 18 hours, have a beer, go to bed and do it again and again ... every month or two take a day off. Treat your clients with respect and do the best available repairs in the area while also stopping to help the stranded motorist that needs a jump start. Take pride in your honesty, work ethic, kindness to others and hatred for governments. Decline unemployment welfare, the "right" to vote for the lessor of two evils and instead put your efforts toward helping the little kid that wants to start a unique little after-school business. Shun religion, patriotism and other superstitions and don't give unearned respect to individuals or organizations. That will get you my respect. Of course, my respect and a dollar will only buy you a cup of coffee... but...

I don't care how long it takes for you to do a repair or what you charge for it. If I happen along a month later though, and 1 out of 10 of your repairs flex and show shadow under the pressure of my probe: you suck and I hope your competitor that is passionate about his craft, whether he earns $2 or $70, is wildly successful!

Glasseye wrote:What's a drill

Using a "dremel" tool to get down to the damaged area

An hour per repair b.s.ing and spoiled rich people's cat food... shoot me now.