LONG but WORTHWHILE & TRUE:
After being approached, then thoroughly researching and finally utilizing Coast to Coast Auto Glass to replace my own windshield, I can say to you reading this that Coast to Coast is a legitimate organization. They simply utilize an aggressive marketing approach others in the industry do not or are not willing to do.
I understand that a salesperson to eager or pushy makes a bad first impression and some people, including myself, are turned off by that. Fortunately, for me and the girl from Coast to Coast that noticed the chips on my car she was very straightforward, professional and to the point on what they offer and the advantages they offer such as the lifetime warranty and quality of glass.
MY EXPERIENCE:
I had a sizable chip directly in my line of sight for months and another smaller one on the passenger side. It distracted me every time I hopped in the car because I was always having to look through/past it while driving, but like most people I always seemed to find myself too busy to do anything about it and admittedly I didn't want to "deal with" my own insurance company about getting it fixed, taking it to a shop, etc. It's human nature.
So when the Coast to Coast rep saw it on my car and said she represented CC windshield/auto glass service to fix/replace it at work or in my own driveway I said, "Great! But don't I have to deal with my insurance company on this?"
She said she could set it up w/ my ins. co. right then and there and it would only take 5 minutes. I provided her my card, we called my insurance who verified/confirmed the work to be done and set it up for the next Saturday. I thought to myself, "That was easy." Almost too easy, but at the same time, I didn't give her any money, SS#, DOB, etc., just my name, phone and address, which is public info. anyhow.
Well, because I am a skeptic (especially nowadays) I called my auto agent, who is also a good friend and neighbor of mine. He told me as long as I don't have a history of making windshield damage claims every 6 months for the past few years it won't impact my rates and I should have no worries. He also confirmed what the Coast to Coast rep told me, which was the ins. carriers do have set contracts with companies that will likely use a lesser quality aftermarket glass because (in FL anyway) the ins. co. pays for the replacement. He said the aftermarket glass will meet minimum DOT standards but not necessarily the higher manufacturer specs preferred by auto makers for increased safety ratings by the NHTSA, which the makers want to help sell cars (nobody prefers to buy a car with poor safety ratings). I researched to discover the front windshield has a LOT to do with the integrity of the cars structural rigidity in a crash.
If a person doesn't know any better (which I didn't) and requests a replacement service/product of their choice their ins. co. will still attempt to direct them to the ins. carrier's service co. of choice when they know I as the policy holder have the right to choose the service co. and quality of glass. I pay for comprehensive coverage for a reason and I'm not afraid to use it when it makes sense.
WRAP IT UP ALREADY:
Having been involved in some form of B2B sales for 15+ years, I understand face to face marketing to find the business is the best form of marketing, but it takes someone unique not only to be successful at it, but to have the right attitude and commit to it. It is hard, disciplined work. But it can also come off as unprofessional and sketchy if not presented well and by an appropriate person.
Every organization has representatives who may not represent themselves as professionally as others and this does not inspire a potential customer to take action. These people may be given an opportunity but soon weeded out and it seems these people approached those here providing the negative feedback by some here calling it a SCAM!
The CC girl who helped me saved me a lot of time, possible money and potential aggravation. So I felt somewhat obligated to come back here after my experience to tell it like it is. I wish her much success and will refer my family friends to her should they need her services.
