Christmas is almost here, and everyone has a list – even folks in the automotive glass industry.
And when asked, “If you could get one thing for Christmas for your business, what would it 
be?” the answers were enlightening.
Some of the wishes were very practical, like Tim Robinson’s. He’s a technician at Auto Glass RX in Ft. Myers, Fla., and said, “The first thing that comes to mind is one of those wire cutout tools.”
David Devine, manager at AAA Auto Glass in Marion, Ind., kept it simple: “A new delivery van,” he said.
Also wishing for better wheels is Rick Bradberry, owner of Bradberry Auto Glass in Gardendale, Ala. He said he’d like “ … a new fleet of vans. We have some older models and we’re wearing them out left and right. We’re down to two.”
But Bradberry also gave a shout-out to his employees and made an additional wish for them.
“I just want these guys to be happy,” he said. “They’ve been through a lot this year, and we’re like a family.”
The North Pole gets plenty of lists with near-impossible wishes, and Linda White’s wish might qualify. She’s the president of Harrs Auto Glass Inc., in Columbus, Ohio, and she said, “I’d like for Donald Trump to call me so I can explain to him to what’s going on with these insurance companies.”
Susan Beyl, who works for American Mobile Glass Co., Louisville, Ky., put her wish in two simple words: “New computers.”
Vickie Bland of Waverly Glass in Waverly, Tenn., wasn’t quite as succinct, but just as to the point with her wish: “Better workers, people not afraid to work.”
Karalee Robinson of Robinson Auto Glass Experts, Idaho Falls, Idaho, struck a chord that seemed to reverberate with several people. Her wish?
“The auto glass industry to keep prices at a fair and reasonable price instead of low-balling us so much that we can’t make any money or hire any employees,” she said.
Matt Thomas, general manager of Windshield Doctor in Bountiful, Utah, had a similar wish: “More fair glass prices from insurance companies,” as did Jane Scheppe, office manager of Dave’s Metro Auto Glass, Phoenix, Ariz. She said she’d love to see “more competitive pricing from insurance companies.”
As for Michelle Gebler, president of Access One Auto Glass in Albuquerque, N.M., who said she does a lot of work on recreational vehicles, all she needs is “ … a bigger, better shop to do my RVs in.”
No reports yet on whether Santa has started checking his list.
