NWRA PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND?

[Repair1]

I am writing this letter hoping that someone with the NWRA will help me understand?

Looking at your newly elected board members one name (which I won

[desertstars]

Quite interesting, Repair 1.

I think from past posts you've been in this business even longer than my 16 years.

I remember when the NWRA was organized a scant ninety miles from me.

I almost joined then (I think about ten years ago) but thought I'd wait and I'm either glad I didn't or sorry I didn't.

If I had joined, perhaps I could have helped steer them away from too many of the alliances they've made over the years that have nothing to do with the active promotion of our industry.

Those of us who believe in the repair industry as something that should be completely separate and autonomous from the replacement or w/s manufacturer's control are the same people who helped build this business to where it is today.

NWRA originally was an acronym for National Windshield Repair Association and NOT National Windshield Repair and REPLACEMENT Association.

I know why that sign is there and I know what the intent is and so do you.

I can't even blame the hucksters who turn simple repairs into a windshield replacement.

The customer doesn't know the difference between the two.

I blame so-called repair-industry trade organizations that still seem to carry around the baggage of an inferiority complex viz a viz the replacement industry.

I'll be real interested in seeing whether the NWRA responds to your post.

If they don't and I suspect they won't, my suggestion is to copy, paste, print and fax your questions to them directly and ask them to post a reply on this forum.

With no tongue-in-cheek intented, keep me posted, Repair 1.

[Repair1]

Yep I

[desertstars]

Thanks, Brian.

If you receive no answer, I'll send him one myself.

I'd suggest that anyone who wants to aid in putting our industry back on the autonomous road to success without exterior and unwanted baggage loaded on the cartop carrier by hitchhikers subscribe to a few trade periodicals not excluding Glassbyte email blurbs.

You need a list?

Don't just ask questions here; get involved in protecting the industry as well. (Not you Brian or David or a bunch of dedicated others I should name.)

This is an industry that I and many others as well as the various suppliers built from something laughed at to something that poses a threat.

I continue to point out and insist that our industry is and should be completely divorced from that of the replacement and w/s manufacturers and I make no bones about that and I resent the fact that the NWRA purports to represent us at the same time they evidently share a metaphoric motel room with those entities.

I don't mind discoursing with my competition; I do mind sleeping with them.

Our competition in bed with our promised savior (for a fee) if TRUTH be told.

This is neither a swipe at nor a condemnation of those involved in BOTH repair and replacement and I won't respond to those who don't understand that fact either in spite of my simple disclaimer or feel that they are compelled to justify bait and switch tactics.

I'm simply questioning WHY the NWRA allowed networks and insurance companies to control leads as well as pricing in our business when the NWRA existed even BEFORE that type of control was instituted and slept at the wheel while it happened.

Were they that shortsighted or are there other reasons?

And WHY do they refuse to address the question of a realistic tech certification?

That last problem in itself would solve plenty of other problems including fifteen minute training by replacement bait and switch oriented shops and those looking for "bare-bone" repair kits.

I think that the NWRA needs to reassess their original intent and compare it to what I think they have degenerated into at this date and I am prepared to meet them head's on in this forum in that regard.

Answer me or answer Repair1, NWRA.

Give us a good reason why we should join and attend the next meeting.

It's time that if our particular interests aren't protected, we subscribe to an organization that WILL protect them.

[Repair1]

Jim don

[Delta Kits]

Question for all:

If you had a windshield repair association that you felt had your interest in mind, you felt was going in the right direction, would you join? It's not cheap, over $100 per year.

I nominate Jeff for president

What is wrong with you Brian?

[Repair1]

Where should I send the check?

I have received a couple of e-mails about this already no answers just the same old bla, bla, bla, nothing form Paul yet I'm sure he will respond in someway.

I would greatly appreciate if you want to comment on this subject lets do it on this forum not e-mails to me, everyone needs to know how we all feel good or bad.

I would and will join the NWRA however I can't do it knowing this is going on I need answers from the NWRA to help me understand why would they allow this kind of business practice from their members and board members?


Thanks Jeff I'll do better as VP LOL

[Coitster]

Yes, I would join in a second.
No hesitation. I vote Jeff windshield Demi God!!!!
David
Coitster

[DaveC]

Heck,

I would provide the webspace and unlimited bandwidth for FREE!!!

Count me in!

However, in order to secure a nomination, Jeff would have to post a video feed of him singing Karaoke

[glassdoctor]

Yeah, I would pay to join if there was an aggressive, active zealot to represent the wsr industry and our interests. An NWRA exlusively for professional wsr techs, not glass installers with a tool kit stuffed in the back of their van. I get the feeling that many guys would not join the NWRA right now even if it was free. Can there really be enough moeny to support and unbiased, independent organization that can provide standard testing of wsr materials and techniques, and lobby the insurance industry, etc.

What could really be done to come up with a "real" certification process to prevent all the glass and lube shops from having their minimum wage untrained monkeys doing retail insurance-billed
wsr? I don't have an answer, but if there was an industry authority to govern this it would be great.

What would the Vegas odds be of ever seeing such an NWRA with no loyalties to glass manufactures and replacement giants? 50:1?