Linda Rollinson

There is no company in this country that has been unaffected by the Corona Virus 19 (COVID-19) crisis. Some, such as personal protection manufacturers and home delivery services, are struggling to keep up with demand. Most however, have been decimated by stay-at-home orders and unemployment. Health remains a priority of course but even at a bleak time such as this, it’s possible for windshield repair businesses to succeed. Let me explain.

Windshield repair is a nearly “touchless” business, meaning you can book a job, visit your customer, complete the job and get payment without ever coming in contact with your customer. And, while windshield replacement requires the technician have access to and enter the customer’s vehicle, windshield repair does not. All the work can be completed externally.

This gives windshield repair a huge advantage during this pandemic—one that you can capitalize on. Here’s a checklist you can use as we navigate through this crisis:

1. Remind your current and potential customers that windshield repair requires no contact with them and that you will not need to enter either their house nor their car;
2. Let them know that you will also be wearing protective gear out of an abundance of caution;
3. Consider converting all your forms requiring signature to a pdf—(preferably a writable one), so that you can email it to your customers, they can complete it and leave it for you—again all touchless;
4. Tell your customers you are having a “work from home” special; now is a great time to repair those chips you never have time to get repaired;
5. Consider a small donation to a local hospital for each job you complete;
6. Make sure you travel with antiseptic wipes, gloves, antibacterial sprays such as Lysol® in case you do need to touch the car or speak directly to the customer;
7. Exercise proper social distancing (at least six feet) from any customers;
8. Consider a web portal or one of the touchless payment methods available to accept payment;
9. Promote the fact that the windshield’s original seal is preserved—that factory seal helps keep everything, including germs, out of your customer’s car;
10. Remind the customer of the advantage to the environment.

This is a challenging time for any of us in the auto services industry—but it’s also an opportunity. Let’s make the most of what we have to work with and everyone, stay healthy!

– Linda Rollinson, Chair