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Started By
Message
Got ripped off by auto shop - looking for advice
Posted on 1/8/13 at 5:43 pm
Posted on 1/8/13 at 5:43 pm
Had to replace my windshield on my car. The options were:
(1) True OEM at dealer or elsewhere was $550+
(2) American made OEM equivalent from reputable brand (safelite/pilkington) was looking like $350-450ish
(3) "Aftermarket" aka chinese glass - $175-200
Got a quote from a shop right down the street from my home that said $300. I asked if american or chinese and he "checked with his supplier" and neither of he or his supplier were aware of the existence of chinese glass (I have this statement on voicemail from the service manager). I said deal on $300 american glass and brought the car in yesterday morning and left it for the day while I was at work.
Paid and picked up the car from the shop right before they closed yesterday. Then I googled the markings when I got home and sure enough, it is chinese glass.
I am well aware of the multiple mistakes I have made thus far
so flame away if you so please, but I am really here for advice as to my next course of action. I haven't contacted the manager yet as I was travelling for work today, but I intend to call tomorrow and want my ducks in a row.
My plan for now is to ask for a partial refund ($100 as this is the difference in FMV between the product I requested and the product I received). I'm guessing the guy will tell me tough luck and GFY, so I am considering filing a complaint with the BBB if he takes no correction action (this won't do anything except maybe make me feel a little bit better).
Do you have any other ideas/suggestions of what I can do/say to the shop?
(1) True OEM at dealer or elsewhere was $550+
(2) American made OEM equivalent from reputable brand (safelite/pilkington) was looking like $350-450ish
(3) "Aftermarket" aka chinese glass - $175-200
Got a quote from a shop right down the street from my home that said $300. I asked if american or chinese and he "checked with his supplier" and neither of he or his supplier were aware of the existence of chinese glass (I have this statement on voicemail from the service manager). I said deal on $300 american glass and brought the car in yesterday morning and left it for the day while I was at work.
Paid and picked up the car from the shop right before they closed yesterday. Then I googled the markings when I got home and sure enough, it is chinese glass.
I am well aware of the multiple mistakes I have made thus far
so flame away if you so please, but I am really here for advice as to my next course of action. I haven't contacted the manager yet as I was travelling for work today, but I intend to call tomorrow and want my ducks in a row. My plan for now is to ask for a partial refund ($100 as this is the difference in FMV between the product I requested and the product I received). I'm guessing the guy will tell me tough luck and GFY, so I am considering filing a complaint with the BBB if he takes no correction action (this won't do anything except maybe make me feel a little bit better).
Do you have any other ideas/suggestions of what I can do/say to the shop?
5
Posted on 1/8/13 at 5:57 pm to kennypowers816
quote:
Do you have any other ideas/suggestions of what I can do/say to the shop?
Tell the guy you're going to post his name on message boards warning potential customers to avoid him.
Posted on 1/8/13 at 7:17 pm to kennypowers816
Get decent insurance and they will handle it for you.
Posted on 1/8/13 at 7:35 pm to kennypowers816
If you have a recorded oral agreement for a price and a certain type of glass you are right.
Small claims court deals with this level of expenditure and you don't use a lawyer. 15-30$ court fee which I believe if you win can be tacked on to your settlement
Most people when threatened with small claims court and evidence of an agreement will cave and compensate you. I had a 2 hour conversation a couple years back with Apple Legal about the finer points of their warranty agreement and when I brought up small claims court and that I was right they immediately relented
Small claims court deals with this level of expenditure and you don't use a lawyer. 15-30$ court fee which I believe if you win can be tacked on to your settlement
Most people when threatened with small claims court and evidence of an agreement will cave and compensate you. I had a 2 hour conversation a couple years back with Apple Legal about the finer points of their warranty agreement and when I brought up small claims court and that I was right they immediately relented
Posted on 1/8/13 at 9:38 pm to kennypowers816
Should have just called your insurance company and let them handle it.
Maybe I'm an idiot but I don't see why Chinese glass should be any less expensive than or inferior to American glass. It's glass. It won't make your vision slanty.
Maybe I'm an idiot but I don't see why Chinese glass should be any less expensive than or inferior to American glass. It's glass. It won't make your vision slanty.
quote:
I am considering filing a complaint with the BBB if he takes no correction action (this won't do anything
Posted on 1/8/13 at 9:45 pm to foshizzle
they still make glass in america?
I just assumed all auto glass was made elsewhere.
I just assumed all auto glass was made elsewhere.
Posted on 1/8/13 at 9:47 pm to foshizzle
Chinese glass doesnt make your vision slanted? 
Posted on 1/8/13 at 9:55 pm to Catman88
No, that comes from excessive fapping.
Posted on 1/9/13 at 9:30 am to Layabout
quote:
Get decent insurance and they will handle it for you.
Exactly
I have State Farm and had mine replaced 2 or 3 weeks ago.
Safelite came to my house and replaced with OEM windshield.
All I paid was the comprehensive deductible
Posted on 1/9/13 at 10:02 am to kennypowers816
serious question...is the chinese glass just absolute shite or something? Just want to know.
Posted on 1/9/13 at 10:51 am to dagrippa
quote:
is the chinese glass just absolute shite or something?
I dont think so. As a matter of fact, the windshield that they gave me actually looks exactly the same. But I had read previously that the glass can sometimes be faulty and cause some minor distortions in vision. Also, the chinese glass has to be reverse engineered because the exact specs are proprietary. Apparently this may cause the glass to be an imperfect fit and increase road noise.
So far, I'm not upset with the quality. Just frustrated that they mislead me and overcharged me for the particular product. I dont think small claims court is an option because I'm not sure the voicemail was quite specific enough. I dont know though. Besides, its probably not worth my time anyway.
As for insurance, I checked with my insurance and I would have had to pay my comprehensive deductible ($500) so it wouldn't have been worth the claim. Yeah yeah, I am insured with a more "affordable" company but I'm saving over $1000/year on insurance compared to the quotes from other insurers. It just wasn't worth it seeing as I've never had to make a claim in my current driving history (:knockonwood:).
Posted on 1/10/13 at 12:53 am to GenesChin
The cheapest small claims court in Louisiana ive ever seen will run about 80 bucks. Not 15. I'd like to know about the 15 ones if they existed, but i doubt it.
Posted on 1/10/13 at 7:43 am to MNCscripper
quote:
All I paid was the comprehensive deductible
My comprehensive deductible is $1000. So why would I let insurance handle this?
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