Replacement windscreen woes - normal or just unlucky?
Discussion
A well know auto glass replacement company fitted a new windscreen to my A4 yesterday after it cracked. Firstly they sent the wrong screen (green top tint instead of grey). They called back later and fitted the right screen which, during a quick inspection, looked OK.
It was only a couple of hours later when I went to drive the car I found the leather on the top of the steering wheel has been cut and scratched, the top tint is so faint as to be almost invisible and the screen has tiny pits in it. I'll be complaining but I signed that the work was carried out to my satisfaction. Anyone else had a similar experience and if so, what was the outcome?
It was only a couple of hours later when I went to drive the car I found the leather on the top of the steering wheel has been cut and scratched, the top tint is so faint as to be almost invisible and the screen has tiny pits in it. I'll be complaining but I signed that the work was carried out to my satisfaction. Anyone else had a similar experience and if so, what was the outcome?
I paid a local place £145 to replace the windscreen on my 1987 MK1 Suzuki Swift. I did attempt it through my insurance but their "recommended" supplier couldn't manage to source a screen. That or they just couldnt be bothered...
Gave up with them in the end and just called the first local place on yellow pages who came out and did it 2 days later.
Gave up with them in the end and just called the first local place on yellow pages who came out and did it 2 days later.
Edited by Deluded on Sunday 2nd September 11:11
there's another thread about on these folk. Needless to say my experience with them hasn't been flawless, they turned up with the wrong glass the first time and had to come back the next day. I wasn't at all surprised - I warned them that the glass might be unusual but I was brushed off because "nah mate they're all the same innit"
To be fair can't fault the guys that did the job, friendly, liked cars etc but the company clearly needs to up its game a bit.
To be fair can't fault the guys that did the job, friendly, liked cars etc but the company clearly needs to up its game a bit.
I've always had a good experience having had 5 windscreens replaced in the last 10 years! Always a good job, no 'collateral' damage and always cleaned up nicely afterwards.
As for paying yourself - OK when you have a bog standard windscreen but the fully bonded, heated screen for my Range Rover is priced well in excess of £400 and that's without the new trim pieces they fit so paying the £70 excess on insurance seemed like quite a bargain!
As for paying yourself - OK when you have a bog standard windscreen but the fully bonded, heated screen for my Range Rover is priced well in excess of £400 and that's without the new trim pieces they fit so paying the £70 excess on insurance seemed like quite a bargain!
I made a mistake about the pitting, I had a closer look and cleaned the screen just now. It looks like very tiny pieces of clear plastic (perhaps a covering for the new screen), I've managed to remove them. However, the plastic shield along the bottom has been cut and now doesn't seal properly and at the nearside top of the screen I can see the edge of the glass where it hasn't been fitted 'square'.
When I walked round the car I found the driver's door mirror hanging off but that could have been the locals on their way back from clubbing last night. On the other hand, the car's often been parked there during the past five years without damage.
I could really do without this hassle right now.
ETA Phoned their Customer Careline, now awaiting call from Customer Services tomorrow - will advise outcome, not optimistic.
When I walked round the car I found the driver's door mirror hanging off but that could have been the locals on their way back from clubbing last night. On the other hand, the car's often been parked there during the past five years without damage.
I could really do without this hassle right now.
ETA Phoned their Customer Careline, now awaiting call from Customer Services tomorrow - will advise outcome, not optimistic.
Edited by Riley Blue on Sunday 2nd September 12:35
Based on this recent thread - http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f... - it's pretty much normal service you've received and not at all surprising tbh.
I needed a new screen recently and claimed; had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment for them to fit.
They came out with the screen and it had no rain sensor.
Booked again and another 2 week wait.
Took the day off again and they turned up and same bloody thing again, brought a screen without the rain sensor.
They booked it in again for another 2 weeks ahead but I got fed up and went with a different company (had to mess around getting my excess back which the first lot wanted in advance).
The second company fitted the correct screen but the trim along the top was left sticking up and the clips were broken on the A pillar and bodged with some double sided tape which lifted the first time the sun came out
I had to get them back to sort it.
They came out with the screen and it had no rain sensor.
Booked again and another 2 week wait.
Took the day off again and they turned up and same bloody thing again, brought a screen without the rain sensor.
They booked it in again for another 2 weeks ahead but I got fed up and went with a different company (had to mess around getting my excess back which the first lot wanted in advance).
The second company fitted the correct screen but the trim along the top was left sticking up and the clips were broken on the A pillar and bodged with some double sided tape which lifted the first time the sun came out
I had to get them back to sort it.
I think it might have been auto glass, the blue written logo that's gone under now I think. They sent one Person out to fit a screen to my espace which is one of the biggest screens on any European car, he took the old glass out, I helped put the new one in as id already waited ages for it to be done. It's only after he fitted it did I see the five inch scratch in the glass at eye level. He said they never checks the glass before installing. I had to wait ages again for another screen, when the supervisor came to install the new checked unscratched one i recognised him as the same chap that had to come out and install a second screen in my wifes car after the first one had scratches and chips in it from installation. Im off to phone insurance company to get a new screen two days into my new policy, I wonder how long till having a screen replaced is classed as a claim.
philmots said:
9 times out of 10 they'll get away with poor workmanship, scratched trim and pitted screens.. because 9 out of 10 people simply won't care.
Which is a shame for people like us.
Which is a shame for people like us.
Numbers game for the bean counters, compounded by the low-brain celled, 'couldn't care less' monkeys they employ. Coincidentally, about the same ratio.
gtidriver said:
I think it might have been auto glass, the blue written logo that's gone under now I think. They sent one Person out to fit a screen to my espace which is one of the biggest screens on any European car, he took the old glass out, I helped put the new one in as id already waited ages for it to be done. It's only after he fitted it did I see the five inch scratch in the glass at eye level. He said they never checks the glass before installing. I had to wait ages again for another screen, when the supervisor came to install the new checked unscratched one i recognised him as the same chap that had to come out and install a second screen in my wifes car after the first one had scratches and chips in it from installation. Im off to phone insurance company to get a new screen two days into my new policy, I wonder how long till having a screen replaced is classed as a claim.
It does count as a claim! Hence if mine goes I'll probably do it privately. Carpal said:
Just had mine done through Mobile Motorglass for £140. Really nice chap and pleased with the job he did.
My insurance excess was £90 and my insurance has taken a battering the last couple of years, so didn't want to put anything else (even a screen) through it for the sake of £50
Did he use an OEM screen?My insurance excess was £90 and my insurance has taken a battering the last couple of years, so didn't want to put anything else (even a screen) through it for the sake of £50
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