Autoglass - waste of time?
Discussion
Had to call Autoglass out today for the first time in my life and I must say I was rather dissapointed with their service.
They did some jiggery-pokery on the screen but the final finish is not much better than before they came out. They claim its guaranteed workmanship but its not much good to me when a potential buyer on the car can see two clear stonechips no matter how much I tell them its repaired.
I just feel like getting the screen replaced.
They did some jiggery-pokery on the screen but the final finish is not much better than before they came out. They claim its guaranteed workmanship but its not much good to me when a potential buyer on the car can see two clear stonechips no matter how much I tell them its repaired.
I just feel like getting the screen replaced.
Spoke to an ex autoglass technician the other day; apparentley they have a 50% call back to do the job properly. Not sure how true that is though.
The stone chip repair is to stop it from getting any worse, not to make it invisible, although it should look better than when it started.
The stone chip repair is to stop it from getting any worse, not to make it invisible, although it should look better than when it started.
Spoke to an ex autoglass technician the other day; apparentley they have a 50% call back to do the job properly. Not sure how true that is though.
The stone chip repair is to stop it from getting any worse, not to make it invisible, although it should look better than when it started.
The stone chip repair is to stop it from getting any worse, not to make it invisible, although it should look better than when it started.
Kong said:
Had mine done and the resin came lose within 6 months. Not bad considring it was 'free' with my fully comp insurance and you can take it back to be fixed anyway.
Will they replace the windscreen for free too if I'm not happy? I will pay the excess no problem but it just looks crappy at the moment.Edited by Kong on Tuesday 28th December 22:14
volvoforlife said:
Kong said:
Had mine done and the resin came lose within 6 months. Not bad considring it was 'free' with my fully comp insurance and you can take it back to be fixed anyway.
Will they replace the windscreen for free too if I'm not happy? I will pay the excess no problem but it just looks crappy at the moment.Edited by Kong on Tuesday 28th December 22:14
If you're happy to pay the excess then simply throw a brick at it. Then you will guarantee a new screen and it wont affect your no claims..
Fleckers said:
I have had 2 chips done on 2 different cars.
Both left a tiny mark you could see if looking for it.
I thought it was OK and it never got bigger or fell out.
I guess its down to the man who does it ?
go back and askfor it to be redone if your not happy......
Well I said to the engineer that it didnt look that good... but he said he was happy with it so I guess that implied its the best I'm going to get!Both left a tiny mark you could see if looking for it.
I thought it was OK and it never got bigger or fell out.
I guess its down to the man who does it ?
go back and askfor it to be redone if your not happy......
volvoforlife said:
Kong said:
Had mine done and the resin came lose within 6 months. Not bad considring it was 'free' with my fully comp insurance and you can take it back to be fixed anyway.
Will they replace the windscreen for free too if I'm not happy? I will pay the excess no problem but it just looks crappy at the moment.Edited by Kong on Tuesday 28th December 22:14
About 8 years ago they did, got a chip filled with special resin and 2 days later the crack spread to the top on a hot day. They replaced the screen with no further cost to me though I think they just billed my insurance but waived the excess.
Last year with a different car I wanted to get a chip fixed and they would no make no guarantees, still got it done but its not very reassuring.
Funny that windscreens suddenly have become so brittle in the last few years that they fall out when chipped.
I've been driving for 15 years, had chips in lots of windscreens, and I haven't died in a fiery ball of death due to spontaneous windscreen failure. In fact, none of them have cracked after chipping. Only one did I have to get replaced, and that's because the chip went right through letting water dribble down the inside of the screen.
Autoglass and the likes are cashing in on bulls
t and charging insurance companies, which is putting everyone's premiums up.
I've been driving for 15 years, had chips in lots of windscreens, and I haven't died in a fiery ball of death due to spontaneous windscreen failure. In fact, none of them have cracked after chipping. Only one did I have to get replaced, and that's because the chip went right through letting water dribble down the inside of the screen.
Autoglass and the likes are cashing in on bulls
t and charging insurance companies, which is putting everyone's premiums up. I've just had an Autoglass experience.
My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I've just had an Autoglass experience.
My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
Mine was the same experience but the finished article looks hardly any different than if I didn't call them out (whereas the TV adverts suggest they make small cracks almost dissapear). Are you not a bit annoyed that the cracks are still clearly visible? Mine look like two huge raindrops and anyone wanting to buy the car will see it straight away.My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
volvoforlife said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I've just had an Autoglass experience.
My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
Mine was the same experience but the finished article looks hardly any different than if I didn't call them out (whereas the TV adverts suggest they make small cracks almost dissapear). Are you not a bit annoyed that the cracks are still clearly visible? Mine look like two huge raindrops and anyone wanting to buy the car will see it straight away.My screen had a small crack in it when I bought the car 3 weeks ago. Got money off for that, and hoped it would stay a small crack. Of course, it didn't, and spread right across the screen by the 21st Dec.
Called my insurance company and their screen claims line goes through to Autoglass. I had a look at the small print of my policy and it said if I want to use a different company than their nominated guys at Autoglass, then they will only pay about 50p towards the claim.
Anyway spoke to the chap at Autoglass, who said I can either have a chap come out or I can go to their centre. As it wasn't that far away, I nominated to go there, and they could fit me in on the 23rd at 4pm.
Anyway on the 23rd my phone rings about 2pm, it's the Autoglass chap from the centre. He says he's had a couple of cancellations, so he can come up and do it wherever I am if that's ok? I said I was concerned about him doing it outside as it was so cold (about plus one or two outside) but he said their bonding material is ok down to minus five and it would be no problem.
Anyway he tips up an hour later, really nice friendly chap. I said 'are you sure you can do this outside by yourself'? He says 'honestly, no problem at all'.
First of all, he insisted we go round the car noting any existing damage in case he caused any damage himself. There is actually no damage, and I signed a form to say so. The only worry was that the plastic scuttle panels on my car were a bit loose and flappy, looking at the service receipts it seems a garage had replaced the wiper motor and it looks like they buggered up the plastic panels, breaking the locating tabs on them. Typical
About an hour later, he comes back into my work and announces it's all done. I went to sign his form but he insisted I went back outside to check it all over and make sure I was happy. I did so and it all looked good. He had also taken the trouble to affix the flappy panels back down nicely for me with a bit of plastic adhesive, so they sit nice and flat and properly fitted now.
The screen is a nice piece of tinted Pilkington glass, and so far the car has no squeaks, rattles, leaks or wind noise from it. And don't worry, it's been tested to a high velocity
So all I can say is, I am very happy and I feel like I received a professional, courteous service from a nice chap who seemed to have my satisfaction as his concern.
Thumbs up for Autoglass (well, from the Southampton branch anyway!)
If glass is chipped or cracked, then already the integrity of the material has been compromised? You can't stick, bond or glue ANYTHING in life seamlessly to make it the same as new, can you? It's just a fact, really.
I've had chips in screens repaired before too, as I used to do ridiculous motorway mileages and pick them up quite regularly. I think the main idea of repairs isn't to make the chips 'invisible and like new', as this is unrealistic really, but it's more to arrest the chip or crack to the localised damage and stop it from spreading, no?
All the chips I've had repaired before haven't been much less visible than 'pre repair', but what I can vouch for is the fact that once repaired, they've never spread or got bigger over time and many more miles.
If it's that bad, then only a new screen can sort it I think.
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