what is this repair business?

[desertstars]

I have reviewed this forum and its topics time and time again and everything is covered from soup to nuts for those who bother to do the same.

I wish to address the philosophy of our business other than just the question of making a living or trying to make a fast buck.

Even for that latter crowd, there are selling points that will help to convince a prospect to repair and thereby increase their business.

Just exactly what are some of the selling points of repair?

* It stops damage from spreading. If left un-repaired, even the smallest rock chip or "ding" will increase in size until the entire windshield is compromised.

* It prevents moisture infiltration into the PVB inner layer.

*It improves the optical clarity in the damaged area by significantly reducing the visible damage. When an object hits a windshield, some of the original glass is displaced and air is allowed to enter. Since air and glass have different densities, the human eye registers the difference in the form of a damaged or blurred area. Windshield repair restores clarity by evacuating air from the break and replacing it with resin. The resin is more closely optically matched to the glass.

*It restores structural integrity to the damaged glass. The modern windshield is an IMPORTANT part of the safety envelope designed into the vehicle's passenger compartment. Repair does not disturb the factory seal of the glass to the vehicle. Integrity is preserved.

*It retains the original seal and saves the windshield.

*It creates a smooth surface to prevent interference with and wear on the rubber surface of the windshield wipers.

*It satisfies many state safety inspections criteria.

***It is environmentally friendly because it extends useful life of the glass. Most windshields are not recycled due to the high cost of separating the laminate from the glass and the low cost of glass making materials. About ten percent of our landfills are made up of glass.

*It reduces fossil fuels wasted on unnecessary replacement windshields.

*It keeps insurance company auto glass claims low thus reducing the cost of insurance.

*It saves consumers money over windshield replacement. A windshield repair is typically about 10% or less of the cost of a new windshield. If your customer carries comprehensive his/her insurance company will probably waive the deductible and pay you directly for the repair.

I have no objection to the John's in this business whose only driven force is to make money as long as that John performs repairs in a professional and trained manner and the customer is pleased with the result. They are helping me save energy and reduce pollution for my kids and my grandkids even if that is not their primary or even secondary reasons for jump-starting their business.

I will say that I have not much more than contempt for those who go no further than reading this forum in order to figure out how to bill or how to market without spending the time to find out how to improve their repair techniques.

They eventually end up denigrating our entire profession.

[Coitster]

Hey Desert,
Don't forget, we get to wear snapy uniforms and repair chips for pretty girls too.
David
Coitster

[DaveC]

Desert,

Mind if I copy/paste your selling points for some promotional media? Very well articulated:)

[Repair1]

Jim,

Great Post I would ask if I can copy it but I already did....

Just kiddin I would like to if it's ok with you

I would like to add too this looks like you got it covered this should be a sticky for awhile.

Thanks Brian

[desertstars]

Of course, anyone can copy and add to my post or use same, however.

Many of those selling points were not even mine originally and I wish that I could give credit where credit is due in that regard.

We must always remember that the repair business has progressed far beyond the degree that it is simply a matter of repair versus replacement.

It is becoming a matter of QUALITY repair versus simple-minded replacement.

Those who think differently are better off chasing another dream.

Our industry is fast evolving into something that resembles much more than just a get-rich scheme and will require trained, experienced technicians in order to continue to legitimize windshield repair and differentiate us from those whose businesses' consider replacement as a FIRST option and the ONLY option given them a choice.

And who take one lousy day to train someone to repair if repair is what the customer demands.

We need to educate the public because they STILL do NOT know WHAT can be repaired and what needs to be repaced or WHY repair is always preferable over a replacement.

There are literally hundreds of windshields replaced everyday that should be repaired if the customer was educated and given an honest choice.

And, frankly, those who insinuate themselves into this business and then attempt to perform "repairs" without proper training reflect on all of us with their shoddy work.

When one stops to think about it, that is the real intent of guys like Coitster and Repair1 and CPR and a bunch of others who I haven't mentioned but who should be also recognized who contribute their advice to this excellent forum.

They care about quality and not just quantity.