Be Warned! Tuscan Windscreen Fitting.
Discussion
I had a crack in my Tuscan windscreen so decided to get a new windscreen fitted.
Contacted my insurance broker who then told me that Autoglass would be the company to fit the new screen. I said i would prefer it to be fitted by a TVR main dealer, but no, that was not possible, it had to be Autoglass as they are the best people to fit it and with the most experience!!
So i took my car to Autoglass, Tonbridge to be met be their most experienced TVR windscreen fitter.He had fitted loads of Tuscan windscreens so i was told! His first words were and i quote, how do you get into the car and where is the bonnet release!
This is when i began to worry!
Against my better judgement i left the car with them and was told that it would take 3 hours so i could sit and wait if i wanted to! Just as well i didnt because after 3 days my car was still not finished and i was told they were just waiting for the sealer to dry!!
When i picked it up, to say i was in shock would have been an understatement. I honestly believed they were winding me up and that jeremy beedle would pop out from somewhere. After about 5 minutes standing there with my mouth wide open, it then dawned on me that they were serious!
The screen is wonky, i have never seen so much black sealer in my whole life and the trims are appalling. The rubber around the screen is just sticking up and to top it all i could not put the roof on the car.
I complained to the manager and was told that if i was not happy i could just arrange to have then take another look at it. They then tried to tell me that it was a hand build car and the windcreens never go back the same!
When i drove it home the wind noise was absolutely appalling.
I am in shock!
So just a word of advice. Do not take your pride and joy to Autoglass!
Argue with your insurance company and take your car to a specialist. I wish i did!!
Contacted my insurance broker who then told me that Autoglass would be the company to fit the new screen. I said i would prefer it to be fitted by a TVR main dealer, but no, that was not possible, it had to be Autoglass as they are the best people to fit it and with the most experience!!
So i took my car to Autoglass, Tonbridge to be met be their most experienced TVR windscreen fitter.He had fitted loads of Tuscan windscreens so i was told! His first words were and i quote, how do you get into the car and where is the bonnet release!
This is when i began to worry!
Against my better judgement i left the car with them and was told that it would take 3 hours so i could sit and wait if i wanted to! Just as well i didnt because after 3 days my car was still not finished and i was told they were just waiting for the sealer to dry!!
When i picked it up, to say i was in shock would have been an understatement. I honestly believed they were winding me up and that jeremy beedle would pop out from somewhere. After about 5 minutes standing there with my mouth wide open, it then dawned on me that they were serious!
The screen is wonky, i have never seen so much black sealer in my whole life and the trims are appalling. The rubber around the screen is just sticking up and to top it all i could not put the roof on the car.
I complained to the manager and was told that if i was not happy i could just arrange to have then take another look at it. They then tried to tell me that it was a hand build car and the windcreens never go back the same!
When i drove it home the wind noise was absolutely appalling.
I am in shock!
So just a word of advice. Do not take your pride and joy to Autoglass!
Argue with your insurance company and take your car to a specialist. I wish i did!!
DaveMurphy said:
Argue with your insurance company and take your car to a specialist.
This 'argument' should take place before the insurance is confirmed. There is so much emphasis on securing your payment after whizzing you through the best quote but there's no time spent on explaining what the policy you are about to buy into will deliver in the event of such an eventuality. In most cases, you get told the policy includes windscreen cover. What it does not go on to say is what the exclusions are and how many kittens will die if you do not use the nominated supplier. Noger said:
ICOBS 6.1.5 is a requirement.
"A firm must take reasonable steps to ensure a customer is given appropriate information about a policy in good time and in a comprehensible form so that the customer can make an informed decision about the arrangements proposed".
6.1.7(2) is guidance (but usually followed) and "policy terms, including its main benefits, exclusions, limitations, conditions and its duration" should be shown.
Annex 2 suggests a Policy Summary to be included (it must for a life policy), and to show :-
Significant features and benefits.
Significant or unusual exclusions or limitations, and cross-references to the relevant policy document provisions.
They don't require the summary (i.e. not the small print) to show everything, just things that may not normally be found in comparable contracts.
i.e. enough information to allow them to make a informed decision.
The larger corporate brands are excellent in telling everyone how good they are (and statistically they are) but a specialist job is just that and should never be attempted by someone who has fitted hundreds of production car windscreens. "A firm must take reasonable steps to ensure a customer is given appropriate information about a policy in good time and in a comprehensible form so that the customer can make an informed decision about the arrangements proposed".
6.1.7(2) is guidance (but usually followed) and "policy terms, including its main benefits, exclusions, limitations, conditions and its duration" should be shown.
Annex 2 suggests a Policy Summary to be included (it must for a life policy), and to show :-
Significant features and benefits.
Significant or unusual exclusions or limitations, and cross-references to the relevant policy document provisions.
They don't require the summary (i.e. not the small print) to show everything, just things that may not normally be found in comparable contracts.
i.e. enough information to allow them to make a informed decision.
Dave, I'm really sorry to hear that as I used that branch a couple of years ago to replace my Chimaera screen. I guess that the fitter who did the job has moved on which is a real shame as he was excellent. How about giving Dan Taylor a shout and get him to have a look as if anyone can sort it he can. Good luck and keep us posted. James
Thats not good (TBH had issues with them on the Outback and that is not a hand built car, but required 2 hours at a dealer to fix the electronics they messed up).
I hope your are pursuing this through your insurer and Sale of Goods and Services Act. Seems to me that Autoglass should be picking up the tab for someone to do it properly.
I hope your are pursuing this through your insurer and Sale of Goods and Services Act. Seems to me that Autoglass should be picking up the tab for someone to do it properly.
Sorry to hear of your woes! - horrendous.
Just to ut some balance on this...I had a new screen fitted on my Cerbera by Autoglass in Manchester. I think I was lucky. The job was perfect, and the guys there were enthusiasts. The guy who did it clearly knew TVR's and did a great job. I guess it is luck of the draw as to where you go.
Just to ut some balance on this...I had a new screen fitted on my Cerbera by Autoglass in Manchester. I think I was lucky. The job was perfect, and the guys there were enthusiasts. The guy who did it clearly knew TVR's and did a great job. I guess it is luck of the draw as to where you go.
Just to balance it out.
Autoglass fitted a screen to my Chimaera, and I couldn't have been more pleased or impressed.
The "then" main dealer fitted a screen to my Tuscan and made a total horlicks of it. Took several visits before it was anywhere near right.
The job is as good as the fitter on the day.
Autoglass fitted a screen to my Chimaera, and I couldn't have been more pleased or impressed.
The "then" main dealer fitted a screen to my Tuscan and made a total horlicks of it. Took several visits before it was anywhere near right.
The job is as good as the fitter on the day.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
The job is as good as the fitter on the day.
I would say this is the main point some one who takes pride in there workmanship, I would be embarrassed to hand the key back to a client if it looked like a dogs dinner. But hey some people just don't care.Hope you find some one who takes pride in what they do.
It's all about the fitter as said above. Had the T350 windscreen replaced - by AutoGlass - and was really worried. They re-assured me they have expereinced TVR fitters and the guy who came was Australian and did a really good job. I watched and supervised/helped where necessary but with AutoGlass I think it's completely random whether you get a good job or not.
Alistair H. said:
Just to ut some balance on this...I had a new screen fitted on my Cerbera by Autoglass in Manchester. I think I was lucky. The job was perfect, and the guys there were enthusiasts. The guy who did it clearly knew TVR's and did a great job. I guess it is luck of the draw as to where you go.
Same here,just had a new windscreen fitted on the Sag by AG and the guys did a top job, they would only fit it inside the AG garage as fitting outside they told me the sealer wouldn't dry properly, they needed 2 guys to do the job and it took them about 4 hours, plus they didn't mind me staying with the car as they were doing the work,
cost me £60 excess then fitter showed me bill for the insurance company £1300
SAGRIFF said:
they would only fit it inside the AG garage as fitting outside they told me the sealer wouldn't dry properly
Aftermarket Polyurethanes are moisture curing. There are other more 'rapid' curing products available but on a TVR you would defo want to use a slower curing product. The 'it won't dry properly' thing sounds like an excuse to get it in because - and to be fair - it is a job best done in a workshop.
Glassman said:
SAGRIFF said:
they would only fit it inside the AG garage as fitting outside they told me the sealer wouldn't dry properly
Aftermarket Polyurethanes are moisture curing. There are other more 'rapid' curing products available but on a TVR you would defo want to use a slower curing product. The 'it won't dry properly' thing sounds like an excuse to get it in because - and to be fair - it is a job best done in a workshop.
So, full of trepidation I duly drove the car to the AG Branch here in Southampton....and they did a superb job. They had 2 fitters with the car, walked me round to agree any chips on the scuttle/hockeysticks/roof, and generally gave me the impression that they wanted to do a professional job.
Nick
Just a quick update! I contacted the insurance company, Adrian Flux and told them about the problems that i had with my windscreen. I must admit that they were really good and said that i should contact a TVR dealer of my choice and get a new windscreen fitted. I would then have to pay for the work and the insurance company would then reimburse me. They inturn would then bill Autoglass for the work!
Out of the blue today i received a phone call from a manager at Autoglass. He then arranged for their TVR specialist to take a look at the car. To be fair he really knew his stuff and was appalled at the state that my car has been left in. He assures me that they will put everything right, will do a first class job and that he has done many TVRs in the past.
To save all of the hassle i will let them have another go and hopefully this time they will do a good job.
I was probably a bit hasty in blaming Autoglass. The problem was with the inexperience of the fitter and obviously there are some good technicians working at Autoglass but what i would say is if you are not 100% convinced by the fitter, dont leave your car with them!
I will keep you all informed as to the outcome.
Out of the blue today i received a phone call from a manager at Autoglass. He then arranged for their TVR specialist to take a look at the car. To be fair he really knew his stuff and was appalled at the state that my car has been left in. He assures me that they will put everything right, will do a first class job and that he has done many TVRs in the past.
To save all of the hassle i will let them have another go and hopefully this time they will do a good job.
I was probably a bit hasty in blaming Autoglass. The problem was with the inexperience of the fitter and obviously there are some good technicians working at Autoglass but what i would say is if you are not 100% convinced by the fitter, dont leave your car with them!
I will keep you all informed as to the outcome.
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