I’m not busting out the old soap box picture again. Instead, I’ll quote an article I found on line the other day.
“…following are the steps you need to follow for starting a rock chip repair business. First, you need to carefully select the company from which you will purchase the windshield repair kit. This is the basic thing you require to start this business. Second, you need to acquire a business license and have liability insurance. After this you should first start practicing on a used windshield. Carefully read the instructions printed on the manual you receive with your windshield repair kit.”
Does this scare you, even a little? If you’re considering having a rock chip fixed, it might…
I know it gives me a little bit of concern, but then I remember that Michelle Chalmers is all over this. She’s so picky! We get emails all the time from glass shops asking to be connected to our Web site. Most of them don’t make the grade.
Part of it is our advanced technology. If you’re “booking an appointment” on one of our competitors’ sites, chances are you’re really just sending a request. What’s the difference? We used advanced connectivity to our glass shop partners, so we only offer appointments that are available. This is the difference between being placed in the calendar to have the work done and sending someone an e-mail asking if they’ll get around to putting you in the calendar. It’s a small detail, but we think it makes a big difference.
Because we’re so enthusiastic about this connectivity, the glass shops we do business with have to have a commitment to the technology, too. Many glass shops do not meet our minimum requirements, and therefore cannot join.
Sometimes that means a glass shop we really like is ineligible to be on our site. We’ll still do business with them (we book thousands of repairs every month), just not as part of the on-line experience that you enjoy here.
But that’s not all Michelle checks. She’s looking for shops that have been in the business for a while. Not just someone who read a two page article on the web about how to start a chip repair business. To pass her test, you have to commit to specific safety and quality standards. You have to be experienced. You have to have an established space in your business community.
She’s tough!
It makes me feel safe. It makes me comfortable booking with TeleGlass, because I know that she did all the hard work picking out a shop for me. Thanks, Michelle!
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Repair,
Windshield
There are many unexpected hazards that can befall your auto glass such a stone in the road or a flying obstacle in your path or a random accident. We are warning our TeleGlass winter travelers that if they head up to the north country they need to be careful for deer and moose. In very cold places such as the Northern US and Canada, deer on the roads are a major hazard. Not only are they are hazard in warm weather, but cold weather is even worse because the deer are trying to find a warm place. Often times they end up on the blacktop of roads where the heat is trapped or other odd places a driver is not expecting.
For windshields and auto glass, this is not a good thing. As cute as deer are, once they crash through your windshield, the cuteness has officially subsided. Deer accidents are no laughing matter. They can cause serious injury, even death, or a costly auto glass repair, or even full replacement glass. Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers or anyone who drives to the mountains to take part in winter activities should be especially aware of deer. Do not drive fast through heavily wooded areas, especially on icy or partly icy roads. Keep an eye on the woods because deer will pop out at any second. Many times, these animals will run out in the road for no reason at all.
Another problem in very cold climates is moose. Not the most intelligent animals, moose actually walk through house windows and glass doors, not realizing that there is something there. The moose goes crazy, thrashing around the house, destroying everything and possibly injuring or killing the inhabitants. Now imagine what a moose would do to your car. A glass repair would be the least of your problems. Therefore, if you venture up North to the mountains, be very alert at moose crossing signs and, like deer, watch the forest as you drive slowly.
If you happen to get into a bender, here at TeleGlass, we are happy to help repair your auto glass. You may sign up for an appointment online for our mobile technician service to come to your home. They will fix your automobile glass, often times in less than an hour. For a windshield repair or any other type of repair, please contact us at TeleGlass.com.
Read more from
Michelle Chalmers.
As the Director of Member Relations, I find the "best of the best" auto glass companies to become members of TeleGlass.com. Our goal is to provide swift, quality service for all windshield replacements or repairs and it takes a keen eye to find the best.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass,
Safety,
Windshield
This winter at TeleGlass we wanted to take the time to remind you that a little caution can go along way to help avoid freak car accidents and damaged auto glass. Freak car accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. Many times, you turn on the news and say to yourself, that could never happen to me. These types of situations can happen to anyone. And they often can happen when you are not buckled in because you are on a short errand or you are close to home.
First we want to take the time to remind you to always wear your seat belts even if you are close to home. If you’ve ever been in accident, the sound of smashing automobile glass stays in your head for quite a long time. You drive slowly and carefully, but then the memory fades and you’re back to speedy and careless driving.
There have been many freak accidents that involve windshields. For example, many years ago a New Jersey man was driving behind a truck full of tools. One fell off, crashed through the windshield and hit him square in the eyes. The man lost sight in both eyes forever. In a more recent occurrence just outside of Chicago, a man named Peter Morano was driving to work in early January 2010 when ice and snow slid off a semi-truck and smashed into his windshield. Auto glass and blood was everywhere. Morano suffered serious facial injuries, yet the most harrowing is that he might not see out of his left eye again.
Other accidents include driving through store front windows. This often happens when the driver thinks s/he has the car in reverse and steps on the gas. The driver zooms forward instead, jumping the sidewalk and crashing through the storefront window. There also have been instances of drivers having medical conditions, such as epilepsy, and having a sudden seizure while driving and hitting other vehicles or passerby. Drivers have been known to have strokes or heart attacks while behind the wheel as well. A freak accident is something you simply cannot predict, and many times, the driver may not be at fault.
At TeleGlass, safety comes first with us. Always wear your seat belts and always be saftey concious. This is how we approach each and every auto glass repair or install. We want to ensure that any windshield repair or other type of glass repair is done properly. With any auto glass repair or replacement glass, we adhere to the highest safety standards. Please set up an appointment at TeleGlass.com today so we can put safety first for you.
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass,
Repair,
Safety,
Windshield
Another auto glass photo on Flickr.
For those of you in colder climates, don’t forget to take your car through an automated station to get the salt off. Not only will your vehicle last longer and look better, but you’ll make sure you have an unobstructed view through your windshield.
Be safe out there!
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Car Wash,
Photo,
Windshield
Continuing our tour of the country, we’re showcasing the new photo on the Alabama auto glass page.
This photo comes to us courtesy of beggs on Flickr. Beggs gets around, and has an amazing skill with the camera. Thanks for sharing this shot with us! Once cropped for our site, we ended up with this:
We think you’ll agree it’s a great shot either way. If you need a windshield in Alabama, don’t forget about TeleGlass. Looking for some great photography, head on over to beggs’ photo stream.
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Alabama,
Auto Glass,
Photo,
Windshield
At TeleGlass, we scour the Web to bring you interesting stories about your auto glass and windshields. That way you don’t have to!
Today’s offering comes from Sarah of Michigan, who recently blogged about losing, of all things, a windshield wiper. Our guess is that someone stole it. Hats off to Sarah and company, whose quick thinking led them to a simple solution to prevent the windshield from being scratched as they drove 15 miles in wet conditions. They moved the remaining wiper from the passenger side to the driver side, and covered the wiper arm with band aids, thus preventing an expensive auto glass replacement.
Nice job, Sarah! And thanks for agreeing to letting us share your experience with our readers.
Read more from
James Lee.
In 2009 he joined
TGSC Group as the managing director of product development. James brings expertise in customer satisfaction and service delivery to the team. He guest blogs for TeleGlass and is an
amateur photographer. Find him on Twitter @
jronaldlee.
Tagged as:
Band Aid,
Photo,
Windshield
In a tragic turn of events, Dawn Roe, mother of four, was driving in Plymouth, Indiana when sun glare obstructed her view, causing Roe not to see a semi-truck stopped in her lane. She crashed into the back of the truck and, sadly, died at the scene.
Out of tragedy often comes triumph, which is the case for Dawn Roe’s father, Jack Roe. As he stated in an article on BradentonHerald.com, “Time may heal some things but time will never heal the death of a child.” To aid the healing process, the elder Roe decided to create transitional automobile glass that could be used for windshields. The glass will work like transitional lenses on eyeglasses, depending on the conditions, when the sun hits the windshield, it will adjust the tint. Roe believes an invention such as his would have saved his daughter’s life.
He has applied for a provisional patent for transitional glass tinting and has been writing senators to inform them of his intent. Motivated by receiving patent-pending status this past July, Roe pushed forward and pitched his idea to Chrysler, GM and Ford. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar wrote to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on Roe’s behalf as well. So far, no bites, however, the inventor has said he will pitch to manufacturers if the automakers aren’t interested in this type of auto glass.
At TeleGlass, we encourage new technology that improves vehicle safety standards. Besides our main business of windshield repair and other auto glass repair, our company is constantly on the look out for processes that make auto glass safer, more effective and durable.
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass Repair,
Safety,
Sun Glare,
Transitional Auto Glass,
Windshield
A chipped windshield isn’t a big deal, right? It’s only a small chip in your auto glass. A few weeks later you notice that the little ding has turned into a crack that continues to spread until it encompasses a good part of your windshield. You should be worried.
Damaged windshields should always be fixed, no matter how small the glass repair. Driving with any type of chip or crack can seriously put your life and the lives of your passengers in danger. First, the windshield is an integral part of the air bag deployment system. If an accident occurs, the windshield supports the inflation and performance of the passenger side air bags. Therefore, any damages to the automobile glass will reduce the effectiveness of the air bag system, most likely a chance you don’t want to risk. Also, the crack may continue to spread, which will obstruct your view and could cause an accident. If you are in a crash, the glass will most likely shatter because the existing chip or crack has already weakened the internal structure.
The next problem is your small windshield repair could turn into paying for costly replacement glass. Once you see a chip, get it fixed immediately through a respected auto glass repair company such as TeleGlass. When repairing your windshield, we adhere to both the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS).
Read more from
Michelle Chalmers.
As the Director of Member Relations, I find the "best of the best" auto glass companies to become members of TeleGlass.com. Our goal is to provide swift, quality service for all windshield replacements or repairs and it takes a keen eye to find the best.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass,
chips,
Safety,
Windshield
Do you find it a nuisance when someone leaves a leaflet on your windshield? It might be best to take a new Zen approach to these leaflets because recently the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declared that citizens have a constitutional right to distribute such literature. It seems that leaflets on auto glass are here to stay.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “A Southern California city’s ban on placing leaflets on car windshields parked in the street can’t be justified as an anti-littering measure and probably violates free speech.” The city of San Clemente, located in Orange County, had an ordinance that punished those who distributed leaflets on automobile glass, citing that it was a form of litter. Recently a group of citizens were told they couldn’t distribute immigration literature on windshields. They contested the ordinance in court, and won. Apparently, it is in direct violation of free speech and does not warrant an anti-littering cause.
At TeleGlass, we keep a watchful eye on stories such as this one because anything that touches your glass is our business. Besides the usual windshield repair or replacement glass, we focus on trends, unusual news stories, safety standard updates and many industry-related topics as well as auto glass repair. If you are need of an auto glass repair though, you’re just a few clicks away from a confirmed auto glass appointment.
Read more from
Blog Admin.
The Blog Administrator of Seeing Clearly. More of a collective intelligence than an actual person, the personification of a company that facilitates twentyfive thousand glass repairs every year. Find TeleGlass on
Twitpic or on Twitter:
@TeleGlass.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass,
Windshield,
Windshield Leaflets
What is safe drive away time? It is a phrase you must understand when choosing an auto glass shop to replace your windshield. Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT) is the amount of time an adhesive requires to reach the level of strength necessary to safely hold a windshield in place in the event of a crash. The adhesive is the bonding agent auto glass companies use to seal your new windshield to your vehicle. There are many different adhesives a glass company can use and specific instructions they should follow for it to work correctly on your vehicle. Sika (a manufacturer of windshield adhesives) pioneered the concept of SDAT to the AGR industry in the early 1990’s, so I decided to include their web-site that has a great video that explains this concept.
http://www.noshortcuttosafety.com
Remember, there are no mandatory standards for auto glass replacement in the United States.
At TeleGlass, we want you to be informed through every step of your auto glass repair . The technician will inform you of what s/he is doing and usually in writing, including how long your car will need to sit for the correct SDAT. If you have any questions about your auto glass repair, feel free to speak with your technician. Our highly trained staff is friendly and more than happy to answer your questions.
Read more from
Michelle Chalmers.
As the Director of Member Relations, I find the "best of the best" auto glass companies to become members of TeleGlass.com. Our goal is to provide swift, quality service for all windshield replacements or repairs and it takes a keen eye to find the best.
Tagged as:
Auto Glass,
Auto Glass Repair,
Repair,
Replacement,
Safety,
SDAT,
Windshield
