Its been a while since we had some of my quality artwork, and since I came to the end of my rope this morning about how bad these creepy windshield stalkers are I figured a visual will help get the point across of why not to use these types of shops.
Most of these scenarios start when you are doing a regular errand, such as going to the grocery store or the car wash. These people will literally break your windshield so they can get a commission for having it replaced. You see, most of the time they aren’t even employed by the company they say they work for. They’re an “independent contractor” out to make some cash by getting a commission to replace your windshield. They make a business of being in the right place at the right time.
Our crack investigative team has discovered that windshields don’t just break themselves when these people are around. We have received reports about people breaking windshields just to get a $25 commission. Please read our “based on true events” dramatization to see how easy it is to get duped.
Here we have poor unsuspecting Gomez enjoying a nice car wash. Little does he know that a creepy windshield stalker is just waiting under a rock to pop out and cause havoc!
As soon as you try to leave the creepy windshield stalker jumps out and tells you something scary that makes you stop. I imagine it like my next fine drawing.
At this point, many people will stop and see what this crazy person is talking about. They will tell a potential customer anything, make up fake laws, tell them lies about windshield safety, anything to make a sale.
This creepy windshield stalker will sweet talk these poor unsuspecting customers until they get their way. Many people think it’s free, and don’t see that these creeps are calling their insurance companies. These companies are very crafty and have each of these “independent” contractors sign a waiver for each claim they pull in stating that they are liable if the claim is found to be fraudulent. Any company that makes each of their “employees” sign a waiver for each claim they produce is BAD NEWS. If they company will not stand behind their employees, will they stand behind their repair?
If I had it my way, we could have TG, the TeleNinja, go out and put a stop to these people before they rake in another unsuspecting consumer. Until that day happens, be careful of these people and always protect yourself from windshield and auto glass fraud.
Read more from Rachel Letourneau.
System Process Manager, Rachel has been with Teleglass for five years. In addition to making a mean birthday cake, Rachel has an extensive grasp of the auto glass business. Find her on Twitter: @rachelcrocker.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s just a matter of time before Broward County, Florida generates some Coast to Coast Autoglass business practices complaints. Wanna know where the mothership is located that the windshield stalkers use as home base?
R. F. Lilly & Associates, LLC
541 S. State Rd. 7 (Rt. 441)
Suite 6
Margate, FL 33068
This business is owned by Richard and Liliana Toplak. The office is a little hard to find – it’s in the rear of the building – and to confuse things just a little more – there’s another building just to the north of the 541 building that looks exactly the same.
There’s another, smaller windshield stalker mothership office run by a guy named Ian located at:
12505 Orange Dr., Suite 908
Davie, FL 33330
So if you’re wondering where the door-to-door solicitor that just visited your home or office came from – now you know.
Hey, why couldn’t those Homeless Voice beggars/vendors that are always on the street corners and median strips of the big intersections look for windshield damage and sell windshield replacements while they beg for pocket change? Just an idea…
These guys already got me at the Mobil on University Dr in Coral Springs- just next to the Chick-fil-a on Shadowood. I knew it was a scam but I wasn’t charged by my insurance company. I was pumping gas and the guy acted like he was offering a free service on behalf of the gas station and immediately was like WOW LOOK AT THIS CHIP LUCKILY I CAN FIX IT, FOR FREE!!! These people are scum and needed eliminated.
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY!
Even if you -are- speaking to a “representative” of the company… your information and money is not secure.
As you can see from testimonials/complaints – your repair may not be completed and if it is, it won’t necessarily be correct.
Even if you do not do business with this company, they will perpetually knock at your door, become extremely pushy and refuse to leave.
If you are repeatedly approached or receive more than the occasional visit here’s what to do:
1. Report them to the corporate office. The person you want to speak with is Rhonda Jacobson (480)991-9889 x135, (email: RJacobson@GlassC2C.com) tell her what’s going on and that you are demanding that their sales people do not visit you again and that if they do you will contact law enforcement and/or the local news.
2. If the problem persists, contact local law enforcement and/or news.
These people need to be shut down.
They are currently hiding behind the fact that their local offices are somewhat independent and autonomous but this does not take away their liability.
This is some cartoon someone made up …. prob. a insurance company that wants to scare people away from this company to save $!
Will, that’s simply not true.
I look at a lot of data surrounding glass claims. There a lot of great glass companies out there, but there are a few I’d rather not do business with. Let me put it to you this way… if my sister asked me if she should do business with them, I’d always say no.
I think consumers get the wrong idea about their insurance companies trying to save money. Here’s the thing – insurance companies will always make a profit. When their expenses go up, they raise our rates. When their expenses go down, if they don’t lower their rates, you switch to another carrier, so they’re pretty motivated to pass the savings on to you. Just like glass shops, there are insurance companies that work harder at making sure their customers get the best deal possible, so this varies from company to company – except for the part about insurance companies always making a profit.
That’s pretty much universal.
So the next time you consider filing a claim that costs the insurance company more than it should, keep that in mind. It all comes out of your pocket in the end (and my pocket, too). Sure, a higher priced claim will be spread across all policy holders, but that includes you, me… and both of our sisters.
That’s why at TeleGlass, we strive hard to find glass shops to partner with that are looking for that sweet spot where service, price, and customer satisfaction all come together. Could you get a better deal somewhere else? Sure. Could you pay more? Yes.
Will you find a better value for your hard earned dollars? I don’t think so. That’s what we strive to provide, every day.
The same R. F. Lilly & Associates are hiring people to do this with Craigslist! As of September 1, 2010.