In Massachusetts there is a law about giving gifts to insurance companies for business. There has been a debate across the country about gift cards, dinner, and frozen steaks exc.

Apparently in the last few weeks JN Philips auto glass filled up a bus with insurance agents then gave them lunch, gambling money and entertained them at Foxwoods Casino.

Does anyone know if that is considered gifting by the Massachusetts guideline?

I would contact the attorney general, she or he would have information regarding what is the legal definition.

Larry

This story sounds incredibly familiar. Wasn't this same scenario being discussed on here a couple of years ago?

Actually it was not that long ago web master and i think it was alleged that is was DT doing a trip to Atlantic City seems like it was about 8 months ago

AND we aren't even allowed to call on agents and leave a few notepads and pens without being in violation of our "Agreement" with TPA's (I know, we're our own worst enemy, blah, blah, blah).
State insurance commissioners or attorney generals doing something about the BADFAITH practices of insurance companies, yeah I'm holding my breath on that one.

I think it's all a dirty game, and there are alot of players at all levels with very dirty hands. The victims are the insured's (unknowingly)riding around with unsafe windshield replacements while paying outrageous premiums, and the glass shops that have their pricing dictated to them until they either drop out of the game because they are tired of fighting a battle that no one in a place to do something about, cares about. We are slowly moving away from AG, and into strictly FG. Where we determine what to charge for our products based on the cost of said product, and the same goes for our labor rate. AG it's just not worth it anymore!!!!!!!!

Who knows this is why i do not even have sales people, people that are corrupt have made it so hard to give anything short of the flu :)

Larry

Webmaster, my understanding is that it's a yearly pilgrimage

SB I want them to take me, take me :) I like craps I like slots, I like to throw the bones, and bet the numbers :)

I worked for a company that told every agent that for every referral we got from them that they would recieve a $25 dollar gift card, and it worked we ran Safeless out of bussiness, I don't know how legal it is but it did work

As an ex-employee of JN Phillips Glass, not only is it true, but they have been doing things like this for awhile!!! It is so unfair to the small glass shops to have to compete with that!!!

It's not just ONE company out there dishing out the gift cards and the perks. We all know that.

When I was a bar manager I used to get Wizards (it was still the Bullets back then) and Capitals tickets from the beer distributors all the time.

Absolutely!! JN Phillips has box seats at Gillette Stadium and Fenway. So, needless to say, they give out tickets for any given home game!! So, let me ask you this. If you were an agent and you had an insured call you to find a glass shop. Would you refer them to the company that gives you pens and pads? Or the company that gives you Red Sox & Patriots tickets? Hmmmm........

The reason why the TPA's don't want you "gifting" is because they want to be the only one's doing it. I know former SGC sales reps that would go to agents offices and give them stuff.
Now Belron has some of those ex-SGC sales people and Ex-Speedy too.

These guys have been going way over the top with there corporate seats to Fenway, Foxboro, trips to the casino's or shared advertising dollars for a long time. Who knows, maybe it's OK because they are booking it through there TeleGlass Network instead of the glass company and there is some law allowing networks to gift?

In this market "gratuities" is a way of life... we actually have agents calling to see if they will get something for giving us their business.... we've suffered plenty because of it.

In response to "IB":

Well, what do you expect?? They've always gotten some pricey gift in return so why should they now accept anything less? If you make your bed, you have to lie in it.....right? And I'm sure that your suffering is not that much of a financial burden...considering that you acquire most of the glass work to begin with!

mgs... Seems you're familiar with the company I work for... Sadly, you're right... Although we don't actually get the amount of business you think we do... The agr industry changed a lot during the short time I was away.... I inherited this "bed" and am having one helluva time getting rid of the bugs....

I have always maintained that there is enough business out there for all of us... Doesn't change the fact that it's gotten to be a game of survival.

Let me say this, though.... I detect a little bitterness. If I or my company did something to hurt you, I apologize.... If you were trying to send me a message, consider it received.