A Great Deal -or- a Buyer Beware? Free* Windshield Chip Repairs at ARCO

Chipio Windshield Repair is conducting a high energy sales effort at the ARCO gas station on Palm Avenue.

Here's a YouTube video I shot yesterday of the "Chipio on Palm" sales team in action: http://youtu.be/H_fmEQML4a0

News reports from around the country have been mixed about these pop-up businesses.  Investigative video reports from  Sacramento to Tampa Bay seem to all end with the same, sound advice, "buyer beware". 

Chipio is only a Google search away from online reviews ranging from positive - to buyer beware. Yelp! for instance, has 6 customer reviews in San Diego and nearby Anaheim has 4.  In both cities, the company garnered a rating of 2 out of 5.   

In my many years as an insurance agent, I've heard of, and experienced, this type of business. Some have been accused of everything from poor workmanship, to intentionally causing the damage where none existed, to inflating insurance claims - others have been praised for fixing up to 6" cracks - in a timely manner - at a reasonable price. 

For some, glass repair jobs simply involve a $0 deductible comprehensive insurance claim - but if your policy doesn't cover glass repair, there'll be at least a $40+ out of pocket expense. Oops! There goes the 'FREE' part!

It just so happens that my office represents several of the insurance carriers that Chipio's sales manager told me would cover glass repair without a deductible.

Out of the six that we called - only four would cover it.  

How would a business transaction end with you and Chipio if Chipio told you it would be covered - then fixed the crack(s) - then told you it's not covered by your insurance?

How to tell if a business is legitimate?

1. Business License
2. Established Web Presence
3. Reviews

1. No Business License in IB, nor the required temporary outdoor sales permit.
2. www.chipiorocks.com is UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
3. Googled it! Found 80% bad reviews and lots of BUYER BEWARE!