Submit a Tip
How to Reach Us
The best way to send us a tip is through this form. We read everything that comes in, and we follow up on stories that fit our coverage beat: automotive appearance, window tinting, detailing, and protective coatings. If your tip involves industry analysis, safety standards, or a story worth covering on the broader automotive beat, we want to hear it.
Before You Write
| Step | What You Do | What You Should See Afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Gather your angle | Write down the central claim or observation in one sentence. If you can’t state it in one sentence, the story isn’t ready yet. | A crisp, single claim. “Window tint shops in New Hampshire are failing to…” or “Ceramic coatings don’t actually…” — you know exactly what the story is about. |
| Identify your sources | Write down where your information comes from: personal experience, a shop conversation, published research, industry reporting. Hearsay doesn’t count. | A list of actual sources. If you witnessed it, say so. If someone told you about it, name them or the role they play (if anonymity is needed). If it’s published, link it. |
| Draft your tip | Write two to five paragraphs. Lead with the claim. Follow with the proof. Keep it tight. | A clear, sourced submission that we can judge on its merits without having to call you back for basic facts. |
What to Expect and When
| Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | We receive your submission and read it. If we have quick clarifying questions, we reach out. |
| Within one week | We make a decision: yes, we’re pursuing this; no, it falls outside our scope; or maybe, we’re holding it for a future piece. |
| If we’re moving forward | We contact you with our reporting plan. We may ask follow-up questions, request attribution clarification, or suggest a tie-in to a story we’re already working on. |
What We Do Not Do
We do not use tips as lead generation for service providers. We are not a review platform, a referral service, or a complaint board for customers unhappy with their shop. We do not cover business news about individual shops unless the story has industry-wide relevance.
If you have a story about a shop that failed you, and you think it reflects a pattern in the industry, that is worth telling us about. If you want us to refer you to a tinting shop or detail shop, that is not what this form is for.
