Cerb going to Autoglass

[grass widow]

Please set my mind at rest, the Cerb is going to Autoglass on Weds for its windscreen doing. Not bad a 3 week wait. But they've said they need it for the full day as its a heated screen and its a bugger to fit apparently.

Will it take a day to fit? And how do I ensure they don't rev it from cold. I really don't need this when MOH is away, cos if anything goes wrong, its sure to be my fault. And what are the chances they won't cock up the electrics, we all know how tempremental they can be.

[Glassman]

There are obvious pros and cons...

If you have a good sized garage, request that they send two guys out to do the job there. You'll see that it doesn't (and won't) take them a day to do it and there is no worry of the drive-away time from their workshop.

If they start to get touchy about it, remind them that they are a mobile service and you are entitled to decide what you feel is best for your car - not them. If the matter was escalated to the insurance company, the whole branch will be at your house mowing the lawn and cleaning your house windows!

Glassman.

[SXS]

Make sure the guys who are doing it, have done a few before!!!!! These Autoglass centres can be real cowboys sometimes!!!

[satman]

Having a had a bad experience within last couple of weeks regarding a windscreen change..(although not Autoglass I must add)...make 100% sure the fitters know what they are doing and have done a Cerbera screen before!!

Im not in a position to 'name or shame' the company invloved at this moment in time, as the problem(s) are currently being dealt with through my insurers and that of this (currently) nameless windscreen company's customer care department! Lets say...if things dont get resolved then I'll be seeking legal advise!

Watch this space!

[2DOGS]

I would say if it really is going to take them a day to fit, they don't have any experience of cerbs and they're covering themselves for time to struggle. This is all they do all day, nothing should take them more than an hour surely. If you don't want to take Glassmans suggestion of the call-out,(which does seem a good idea) you could blag them a yarn about not being able to get lift home etc and could they make yours the first job of the day as you will need to wait for the car.Thats school run permitting if you have one.Also do you already have a heated screen 'cos if you don't I would ask them to leave the wiring alone and get your trusted man to do it at the next service. I know! Call the OH and get him to make the final decision and then you've all angles covered

[grass widow]

Thanks, not sure I'm really happy about this, wasn't anyway, as soon as they said they wanted the car all day I was uneasy.

The car already has a heated screen, so the wiring should be in place. I can't do a call out, the garage isn't big enough for them to work in, its a temporary structure to last 12 months or so till we move, so just big enough for the car.

Think I may do the can't get a lift routine after dropping the kids off at school, trouble is if they cock it up I can't afford to be stuck there all day.

Would love to leave the final decision to MOH but he's not due home for another 7 weeks, so it looks like its down to me.

[2DOGS]

Hmmm...tricky one. If your not happy I'd pull the job. There must be other windscreen replacers in your area.

[grass widow]

Will see what they have to say when I ring on Monday and ask for it to be first job of the day so I can wait.

Its taken 3 weeks for them to get the screen, plus MOH paid the excess before going back to work, and he can't sign for it to be put back on his card now, and I'm not willing to let it go.

[2DOGS]

Blimey..the plot thickens.Well I think you'll just have to hope for the best. Maybe when you ring they'll make all the right noises and you'll end up a happy bunny. Fingers crossed and I hope all goes well.

[satman]

Although the changing of the windscreen isnt an all day job, the windscreen company will want the car sationary for a good few hours to allow the new screen sealant to harden..ideally a day and night would be best...This is because the Cerbie probably has more 'flex' in the bodywork than most other cars, and they want to ensure that the screen 'sets and seals' itself before being moved...

...having said that this is 'normal'...the most important thing is to be happy that you are happy that the car is left in the hnds of a fitter who has experience with Cerbera screens...otherwise you could find yourself in my position!

Edited by satman on Saturday 1st July 09:12

[RUSSELLM]

grass widow said:

And how do I ensure they don't rev it from cold

Remove the immobiliser key from the dash, as they shouldn't need to move the car.

The keyfob will open the doors for them, and all the electrics will still work.

As they're probably going to disconnect the battery, it might be an idea to call the dealer / indie who works on the car for you, and ask if you can pass their number on to the windscreen company. In case they get stuck with the electrics, re programming the fob etc.

YHM

[grass widow]

RUSSELLM said:

grass widow said:

And how do I ensure they don't rev it from cold

Remove the immobiliser key from the dash, as they shouldn't need to move the car.

The keyfob will open the doors for them, and all the electrics will still work.

As they're probably going to disconnect the battery, it might be an idea to call the dealer / indie who works on the car for you, and ask if you can pass their number on to the windscreen company. In case they get stuck with the electrics, re programming the fob etc.

YHM

Thanks Russell, never thought of the fact that they will disconnect the battery. Will give my Indie a ring on Monday.

This is making me more nervous than having a new bathroom put in next week. Especially if the plumber gets called away to an emergency before connecting the toilet.

Satman, thanks yes it will need to stand for a while, our drive isn't exactly level so the more the sealant hardens the better I suppose.

[SXS]

Call your insurance company up, and say you are uneasy about them doing the job because they cannot prove they have done a rare car as your cerbera before. And tell them, you want it in writing that they know what to do. If not, then you want the windscreen transported to another AutoGlass branch where they have evidence of experience with replacing cerbera windscreens. The cerbera is not a normal car, things never fit the same way, and the last thing you want is a complete numpty used to fitting BMW/Ford screens let loose on a very VERY sensitive car.

Satman knows what he's talking about (sorry to hear about your dillema mate!) - be VERY vigil!

[satman]

SXS said:

Call your insurance company up, and say you are uneasy about them doing the job because they cannot prove they have done a rare car as your cerbera before. And tell them, you want it in writing that they know what to do. If not, then you want the windscreen transported to another AutoGlass branch where they have evidence of experience with replacing cerbera windscreens. The cerbera is not a normal car, things never fit the same way, and the last thing you want is a complete numpty used to fitting BMW/Ford screens let loose on a very VERY sensitive car.

Satman knows what he's talking about (sorry to hear about your dillema mate!) - be VERY vigil!

Cant agree more...(bout the only thing Ash has said recently that I agree with... ..)

The company i have used have made a complete hash of mine...and thats all Im prepared to say at this moment in time...so really
make sure that they know what they are doing...even to the extent that you get them to check the car and note everything...nuff said!

[see ya]

i once took my very nice done up beetle a real head turner in for a mot had to leave it and pick it up later .i saw the guys from the mot place driving round town in my car with four people in it what a p*ss take . will never leave my car again who wouldnt what to drive a cerbera dont trust anyone ,i took my cerbera to a tyre place and they wanted me to leave the cerbera with them as well for a whole day to fit some tyres ,NO WAY dont leave it mate

[grass widow]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

List of jobs to do Monday, Ring Autoglass and make sure they have done a cerb before. Ring my Indie, I think he's used this branch before but I'll check. If I'm not happy about Autoglass, will re-think my options. I know they're not picking the screen up till Monday from Harrogate, so if I'm not happy I can ring Harrogate and ask them to hold it for me.

The car will be left with the immobiliser key removed, there is no way I'm going to risk someone taking it for a drive, if anything happened MOH would be on the first plane home, and that wouldn't be good news for the person responsible.

My everyday car goes for its service on Thurs, and thats not causing me any stress what so ever.

Will let you know how I get on, thanks again

[RUSSELLM]

If your indie is friendly, tell him your concerns & he may let them do the work at his place...

He can keep a beady on them for you

[Alistair H.]

Just to put some balance. Autoglass in Manc put me a new screen in a couple of months ago. They did a top job, and the carbon trims and rubber seals are better fitted than they were the previous time. thumbs up.

[grass widow]

Spoken to my Indie this morning, and he has used this branch before and says they know what they're doing and I can leave his number in case of problems re-setting the key fob. So looks like we'll be getting the new screen on Weds. Which is good as the crack is now travelling left to right across the screen.

[2DOGS]

There you go..I knew it would all come good..Wednesday evening you'll be all smiles,you watch.