SlimBoJones

Okay, so this is a test for all of you TCCers out there.

The Buying a Windshield TEST



Here's the scenario:

1) You need a new windshield for your Civic. A crack has developed in it that's large enough that you HAVE to replace the whole windshield.

2) You shop around and find a few shops for some prices: $250, $230, $200, $180 BINGO...

3) The $180 shop has actually gotten very positive comments on TCC, so you call up the $180 place and ask a few questions:

You: "What kind of glass do you install?"

Glass Shop: "It's all original manufacturer's glass"

You: "Do you have a warranty on your glass?"

Glass Shop: "Absolutely!"

Your two biggest fears are taken care of: You won't get crappy glass, and if the install is done poorly, you can go back for warranty work to get it fixed.

4) You book an appointment and bring the car in.

5) 45 minutes after bringing your car in, they are finished replacing your windshield. Immediately, you notice this:



You wonder why you've never HEARD of DKG before, especially since the windshield they pulled off was an "original manufacturer" PPG one. You expected a similar PPG to be installed in its place.

However, you give the shop the benefit of the doubt, and bask in the fact you got a brand spanking new windshield installed for $180. You trust the shop that you weren't lied to, and that DKG is some kind of re-branded, lower-priced windshield of equal or better quality. They all come form the same factory in China anyways... RIGHT?

6) After 3 days, you remove the tape surrounding the windshield. The Glass Shop put it on to protect the glue while it dries. You decided to wait an extra day (the shop said leave it on for 2) just to be safe.

7) A week later, it rains heavily. When you return to your car at the end of the day, you notice water dripping from the middle of your driver-side A-Pillar. Uh-oh, you have a LEAK.

You inspect the area, and you notice there are areas on your A-Pillar where there is a fair amount of glue spilling over. It looks something like this:



You decide to go back to the shop, but you will have to wait 5 days, since you have to drive out of town to go to a family member's wedding.

8) During your trip to the wedding, you notice a tiny little crack in your brand new windshield. Before you can freak out, the crack grows larger and larger. With each passing minute the thing grows at a phenominal rate until it looks like this:



The entire crack formed to that size in less than a day.

9) You return from your trip and take it into the shop. This is what they offer you under your "Warranty":

- Cost of the glass is not covered under the warranty. The shop owner points out a chip in the crack which suggests something hit the windshield and caused the crack while you were driving.

- The shop will waive all labour costs of replacement glass

- The shop will give you a real PPG windshield at cost = $130

- Will give you adhesive at cost = $20 (apparently they use really good glue... I just wish they'd put most of it where it's supposed to go )

So here's the test portion:

WHAT (IF ANYTHING) WOULD YOU DO NOW?

You've just spent $180 and have a windshield which is actually WORSE than the cracked one you had before. Now you're about to drop $150 more on it to get it fixed AGAIN.

Are you consumer savvy enough to try and get everything replaced for free? If so, how would you do it? What would your reasoning be?

-SlimBoJones...

SpikeyLee

Maybe argue that you were told that you were told that you would be getting original manufacturer's glass in the first place, which you were told this. The argument could be why you weren't offered the PPG in the first place when they took a PPG windshield off your car. However, the glass shop could rebutt that DKG is used by some manufacturers and hence, the DKG is "original manufacturer's glass."

Beyond that, maybe the Better Business Bureau could help??

imported_starboy869

Why do you have drop another $20 for adhesive?

Since the windshield was already leaking and had to be reglued.


Sometimes the cheapest place isn't the best place to go.

imported_winner007

Did u get any legit papers or saying there is warranty or guarantee that the work is done within 30 days and u can go back to them. If u do get hit by a stone chip it won't be a big major crack. That's insane. If u have actually paid tax and get the papers go to MOT or find a place that u can actually sue them. Talk to the boss or manager that owns that place and tell them u want your $$ back otherwise fix it properly and no cost or sue them and go to court so make them afraid and also u tell the manager or boss that u will tell everyone how u do ****ty jobs in your shop and if i tell everyone u aren't going to get any customers ever again. The rest just bull ****. Make him frightened. Ask him how he'd feel if he spend $180 and the next day or next week it cracks and leaks. Tell them u are a student and can't afford it. Hope that helps. Best way is to sue them and go to court.