Changes to NAGS Benchmark List Prices

The current NAGS pricing as published in the NAGS Calculators has traditionally been based on the glass manufacturers' published truckload price lists. Over the past years, this method was effective in delivering a benchmark that represented a reliable yardstick with which to gauge acquisition costs for the retailer.

Due to certain changes at the truckload level, particularly over the past twelve months, this method is no longer reliable even with the adjustments we began making at the time of the revaluation in January of 1999. Those adjustments were based on our market research and judgment and were intended to address known anomalies in the market. Despite those efforts, there have been noticeable increases in net priced parts during that period. There have also been growing issues with certain parts that present a loss when sold at either the wholesale or retail level.

This publication, effective May 6, 2002, attempts to deal with those issues and deliver a benchmark that continues to be consistent and useful to the retailer for the purposes of buying and selling auto glass. To achieve this goal, significant changes were necessary.

We are no longer basing the Benchmark on glass manufacturers' published truckload price list, but rather on established acquisition costs for the retailer. Since costs vary widely, certain assumptions have been made based on our knowledge, research and judgment.

There will be many parts with significant price decreases and many with significant price increases. Some lists will have changed little. The result of all these changes is greater consistency with relevance to acquisition costs across all parts.

We have also learned that it is not possible to create a Benchmark that will be 100% consistent using a single method. Cost considerations will apply on some parts. That is unavoidable and that is why we indicate those parts with the 'r' footnote in this publication. That is an indication to the retailer that a different method was used to calculate that list and, therefore, a different purchasing method may be necessary when acquiring those parts. Our goal has been to consistently identify those parts.