Auto Windscreens Will Not be Keeping Their Appointment
Discussion
Not sure how it all went wrong for Auto's - I was at Autoglass when the RAC bought them out and we were bricking it - They had everything in place to be number 1 - big backing, plenty cash and a good hardcore of fitting staff. Its a strange industry for sure and I guess the senior management team never adjusted to the windscreen trade.
Word has it that the AA are looking to buy Auto's for a quid - lets hope that they dont make the same mistakes as the RAC. Listen to your fitters and experienced branch managers guys!!!!!
Been out the trade 3 years now but still gutted for everyone at Auto's.......
Word has it that the AA are looking to buy Auto's for a quid - lets hope that they dont make the same mistakes as the RAC. Listen to your fitters and experienced branch managers guys!!!!!
Been out the trade 3 years now but still gutted for everyone at Auto's.......
This has been coming for a while now.
In the summer they took months to get a dealer part windscreen for my BMW and cancelled four or five appointments. When I said to them that the reason they couldn't get the part was because they didn't have any credit with BMW Parts, they didn't argue.
Someone will pick them up. Would make a nice fit with the AA/Nationwide autocentres.
In the summer they took months to get a dealer part windscreen for my BMW and cancelled four or five appointments. When I said to them that the reason they couldn't get the part was because they didn't have any credit with BMW Parts, they didn't argue.
Someone will pick them up. Would make a nice fit with the AA/Nationwide autocentres.
firstly there are no longer nationwide service centres they were bought out by halfords ( which incidently weren't anything to do with the AA, they weren't owned by them).
the AA are in the process of buying and buying to make it more attractive to either float on the stock market or sell. they recently bought BSM for £1.
over the last 8 years or so the AA has changed hands 3 times.
i know all anyone wants is a job at the end of the day but as they already have a windscreen company what do you think will happen to these guys. personally i would say.. try finding another company to work for.i know easier said and done but things arn't all roses within the prospective buyers.
the AA are in the process of buying and buying to make it more attractive to either float on the stock market or sell. they recently bought BSM for £1.
over the last 8 years or so the AA has changed hands 3 times.
i know all anyone wants is a job at the end of the day but as they already have a windscreen company what do you think will happen to these guys. personally i would say.. try finding another company to work for.i know easier said and done but things arn't all roses within the prospective buyers.
That's a shame, the bloke that replaced my screen a few months ago was exemplary. He had 20+ years experience and the company used him for the 'tricky'/valuable jobs amongst others - he'd done a Lambo Murci before coming to me.
After removing the old cracked screen he checked for rust (common 993 complaint), cleaned up some grime and applied rust inhibitor before replacing the screen to a very high standard.
Funnily enough, when chatting over a cup of tea he mentioned his concerns about the company and the competition.
After removing the old cracked screen he checked for rust (common 993 complaint), cleaned up some grime and applied rust inhibitor before replacing the screen to a very high standard.
Funnily enough, when chatting over a cup of tea he mentioned his concerns about the company and the competition.
I hate to think of people loosing jobs, but just a few months ago these clowns replaced a broken screen in my near concours, much loved 968CS. They broke the rear view mirror, dropped windscreen wiper components down in the works, never to be found again. So in all it took six weeks to get replacement parts from Porsche, then when the car was returned to me the fitting of the screen was a dog's breakfast, the trim rubber all stretched and filled with "black goo". When I put the car in my workshop with strip lights I noticed horror of horrors the roof was dented in several places around the screen aperture. To cut a long story short despite a great deal of time and effort and two visits to my home Auto Windscreens denied all responsibility, my insurers washed their hands of it suggesting I was attempting to commit insurance fraud !
In the end I decided to have the car rectified at my cost, windscreen removed, headlining dropped, and a proper craftsman with the ability to shrink metal to remove the roof dents, then the whole roof repainted, net cost to me £1500 ! But just as well I did it, because on removing the screen, it was found that the windscreen fitter had levered so hard on the "A" post he'd damaged it, He'd cut right through the paint around the screen aperture, and best of all, the dents that were "impossible" for Auto windscreens to have created in the roof lined up exactly with and standard windscreen removal tool !
Object lesson, go to old established windscreen company, and pay for the job yourself !
In the end I decided to have the car rectified at my cost, windscreen removed, headlining dropped, and a proper craftsman with the ability to shrink metal to remove the roof dents, then the whole roof repainted, net cost to me £1500 ! But just as well I did it, because on removing the screen, it was found that the windscreen fitter had levered so hard on the "A" post he'd damaged it, He'd cut right through the paint around the screen aperture, and best of all, the dents that were "impossible" for Auto windscreens to have created in the roof lined up exactly with and standard windscreen removal tool !
Object lesson, go to old established windscreen company, and pay for the job yourself !
Edited by ravon on Tuesday 15th February 15:10
ravon said:
I hate to think of people loosing jobs, but just a few months ago these clowns replaced a broken screen in my near concours, much loved 968CS. They broke the rear view mirror, dropped windscreen wiper components down in the works, never to be found again. so in all it took six weeks to get replacement parts from Porsche, then when the car was returned to me the fitting of the screen was a dog's breakfast, the trim rubber all stretched and filled with "black goo". When I put the car in my workshop with strip lights I noticed horror of horrors the roof was dented in several places around the screen aperture. To cut a long story short despite a great deal of time and effort and two visits to my home Auto Windscreens denied all responsibility, my insurers washed their hands of it suggesting I was attempting to commit insurance fraud !
In the end I decided to have the car rectified at my cost, windscreen removed, headlining dropped, and a proper craftsman with the ability to shrink metal to remove the roof dents, then the whole roof repainted, net cost to me £1500 ! But just as well I did it, because on removing the screen, it was found that the windscreen fitter had levered so hard on the "A" post he'd damaged it, He'd cut right through the pant around the screen aperture, and best of all, the dents that were "impossible" for Auto windscreens to have created in the roof lined up exactly with and standard windscreen removal tool !
Object lesson, go to old established windscreen company, and pay for the job yourself !
Blimey. What a horror story and sadly very common when inexperienced/careless techs are involved.In the end I decided to have the car rectified at my cost, windscreen removed, headlining dropped, and a proper craftsman with the ability to shrink metal to remove the roof dents, then the whole roof repainted, net cost to me £1500 ! But just as well I did it, because on removing the screen, it was found that the windscreen fitter had levered so hard on the "A" post he'd damaged it, He'd cut right through the pant around the screen aperture, and best of all, the dents that were "impossible" for Auto windscreens to have created in the roof lined up exactly with and standard windscreen removal tool !
Object lesson, go to old established windscreen company, and pay for the job yourself !
ravon said:
Object lesson, go to old established windscreen company, and pay for the job yourself !
I waited weeks for a replacement screen for my GTV from Auto Windscreens. After repeated phone calls, them not calling me back when they should and generally being totally useless I got a local chap to come round a fit a screen. He did an excellent job and let me watch the whole process (not surprising considering it was his own business).I later billed my insurance company and got a cheque through to reimburse me a couple of weeks later.
Over the next two weeks I got two missed appointment cards through my door. Auto Windscreens were still sending someone round even though I'd called them cancelling the appointment, twice! Not surprised they've gone bust. Absolutely shocking company imho...
I picked up a stone chip back in November and rang the leasing company to suggest it was fixable, rather than letting it get worse in the cold weather. They agreed, and an Auto Windscreens man turned up - at our Head Office, where I'm not. Ever. Despite being told I'm home-based. Never mind. Try again. Eventually a chap turns up at the right place. He's a nice bloke, does a good job - the repair is almost invisible and I'm happy.
I've just received an invoice, generated on the 10th Feb, payable by 10th Feb. For £0.00. Plus VAT at 17.5%, totalling £8.75. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 17.5% of zero is.....erm....nothing. Not to mention that any invoices should be sent to the leasing company, not to me.
All in all, a f
king shambles, and none of it the fault of the guys that do the actual work. Had a windscreen replaced by them before and more than happy with the work. I normally hover nearby, look interested and ask a couple of questions; observing pays dividends when it comes to the quality of work it seems, based on some of the horror stories.
They did a good job for me, but their back-office and admin is a joke. I hope those who're competent fitters find employment quickly elsewhere.
I've just received an invoice, generated on the 10th Feb, payable by 10th Feb. For £0.00. Plus VAT at 17.5%, totalling £8.75. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 17.5% of zero is.....erm....nothing. Not to mention that any invoices should be sent to the leasing company, not to me.
All in all, a f
king shambles, and none of it the fault of the guys that do the actual work. Had a windscreen replaced by them before and more than happy with the work. I normally hover nearby, look interested and ask a couple of questions; observing pays dividends when it comes to the quality of work it seems, based on some of the horror stories.They did a good job for me, but their back-office and admin is a joke. I hope those who're competent fitters find employment quickly elsewhere.
St John Smythe said:
I waited weeks for a replacement screen for my GTV from Auto Windscreens. After repeated phone calls, them not calling me back when they should and generally being totally useless I got a local chap to come round a fit a screen. He did an excellent job and let me watch the whole process (not surprising considering it was his own business).
I later billed my insurance company and got a cheque through to reimburse me a couple of weeks later.
Over the next two weeks I got two missed appointment cards through my door. Auto Windscreens were still sending someone round even though I'd called them cancelling the appointment, twice! Not surprised they've gone bust. Absolutely shocking company imho...
Mixed bag of experience with them for me.I later billed my insurance company and got a cheque through to reimburse me a couple of weeks later.
Over the next two weeks I got two missed appointment cards through my door. Auto Windscreens were still sending someone round even though I'd called them cancelling the appointment, twice! Not surprised they've gone bust. Absolutely shocking company imho...
Used them for a new screen after having a massive stone hurled into my windscreen on the M40.
The screen obviously hadnt been fitted properly as about 3 weeks later a tiny stone hit it and put a 6 inch crack in it from the edge. It seemed to be under so much pressure it cracked straight away.
It went back in again for a new one and exactly the same thing happened but on the other side.
The 3rd screen I had done by their mobile fitter who I explained the problem to and he was much better.
I did try to use a local independent fitter but as Auto Windscreens were the only approved supplier and fitter under my insurance I was stuck with them.
Funk said:
I've just received an invoice, generated on the 10th Feb, payable by 10th Feb. For £0.00. Plus VAT at 17.5%, totalling £8.75. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 17.5% of zero is.....erm....nothing. Not to mention that any invoices should be sent to the leasing company, not to me.
But 17.5% of the £50 excess is £8.75 and that will not be covered by the fleet policy of a VAT registered business, so actually they got that bit right!Ean218 said:
Funk said:
I've just received an invoice, generated on the 10th Feb, payable by 10th Feb. For £0.00. Plus VAT at 17.5%, totalling £8.75. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 17.5% of zero is.....erm....nothing. Not to mention that any invoices should be sent to the leasing company, not to me.
But 17.5% of the £50 excess is £8.75 and that will not be covered by the fleet policy of a VAT registered business, so actually they got that bit right!Total: £0.00
VAT @ 17.5%: £8.75
If they raised the invoice on the 10th Feb, surely the VAT rate should reflect the point of invoice too..?
Doesn't matter to me anyway, it's down to them to ask the leasing company for any money owed.
Funk said:
Ean218 said:
Funk said:
I've just received an invoice, generated on the 10th Feb, payable by 10th Feb. For £0.00. Plus VAT at 17.5%, totalling £8.75. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 17.5% of zero is.....erm....nothing. Not to mention that any invoices should be sent to the leasing company, not to me.
But 17.5% of the £50 excess is £8.75 and that will not be covered by the fleet policy of a VAT registered business, so actually they got that bit right!Total: £0.00
VAT @ 17.5%: £8.75
If they raised the invoice on the 10th Feb, surely the VAT rate should reflect the point of invoice too..?
Doesn't matter to me anyway, it's down to them to ask the leasing company for any money owed.
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