I need some opinions on what I should do:

I had to have the windshield replaced in my truck yesterday. When I got the truck back, here is the list of things wrong:

1.Blood on hood in 2 spots - not a huge deal...
2.Dent in drivers side fender – about the size of a quarter
3.Rubber/plastic shavings not cleaned up from interior of truck - not a huge deal...
4.Plastic cowlings scratched and scarred up from tools used when removing them.
5.Window not installed flush, urethane too thick to where it is visible on pillar from drivers seat. This caused the moldings on the side and top and the cowlings to not install snug and flush.
6.Extreme cigarette smoke odor on interior of truck.
7.Plastic on dash has surface scratches from tools used when installing/removing window.
8.Rear view mirror vibrates severely while driving down the highway, can’t see out of it as a result.

I am getting kind of a runaround from the guy on this as far as taking care of it. He is going to replace the windshield in 2 weeks under warranty because apparently there was a scratch on it when installed (I didn't notice it, thought it was a smudge), but this didn't even get mentioned until today when he called me back to discuss my concerns, so why all of the sudden is this an issue when the installer didn't even tell me about it yesterday.

So the rest of my list he keeps sidestepping saying we will look into it when I bring it back in 2 weeks. The dent I think should definately be fixed even though he seems to be trying to say it wasn't their fault, I will fight tooth and nail on that one.

I guess my question is, how much should I push for the 3 things I want:
1. Dent fixed to my satisfaction
2. Plastic cowlings replaced
3. Interior professionally cleaned due to smoke smell.

I don't really want to wait 2 weeks to resolve all this, but he won't do anything before then, and he said it takes 2 weeks for the urethane to completely dry, so that is why he won't replace it before then.

My dad things I should go ahead and get estimates on the dent, and get the interior cleaned and give him the bill even thought this guy told me we look at it later. Things seem fishy because he also tried to tell me that the scratches and scarring of the cowlings is normal when replacing a window.

Anyway, never really had to deal with somethign like this before, so any thougths or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Don't wait or get in writing from him that you have discussed this. The longer you wait the more room for wiggling he will have such as "Its been 2 weeks that could have happened from rocks popping off the road his mishaps etc etc"

 

tell him that if it doesn't get resolved ASAP, he'll be hearing from your attorney. If it doesn't get fixed in a couple of days, just have one of your buddies call and say he's a lawyer. It may not be the most ethical of things, but he's trying to screw you over.

 

Is it a locally owned shop or a franchise? Is the one you talking to the highest in the pecking order there?
The problem you may have is proof that they indeed did the damage. I had a DVD installed in my wifes car that the installer totally screwed up. There was grease marks on the headliner, the screen was broken, and where he placed the dvd player was very tacky looking. After 3 seperate times bring it back and alot of heated discussion with the manager, they finally removed all of there stuff and replaced all the interior items that were damaged.

The funny part was at one time I was willing to just get my money back a replace the interior parts they had to alter for the install. I figured it cost them about $1500 just in parts.

Keep going up the ladder complaining to who ever you have to. Sometimes they will take care of it just to shut you up!! good luck!

 

[QUOTE=piercede]My dad things I should go ahead and get estimates on the dent, and get the interior cleaned and give him the bill even thought this guy told me we look at it later. Things seem fishy because he also tried to tell me that the scratches and scarring of the cowlings is normal when replacing a window. [QUOTE]

That isn't normal at all. I had to have the windshield replaced in my '05 STX Reg. Cab 4x2 at the end of Dec. and there was not damage to the cowling at all. The only problem I had after the install was that the two clips that hold down the cowling on each side of the truck kept popping out and the installer was awesome about handling it. He actuallly gave me a whole box of the clips in case the come out again, I can just replace them.

 

This is the reason I don't want anyone working on my house or vehicle... you just can't trust anyone to good work these days.

The problem I would have with your situation is this: If those guys did that much damage changing the windshield in the first place then how bad and in what condition is the truck going to be when they re-fix it?

Granted there would be a different person doing the body work on the fender than the person who installed the windshield, but if the windshield installer is any representation of how the company conducts work quality then who knows how bad they coud *** up a paint job.

Good luck, but I find that generally when things like this happen to me I'm never happy with the end product.

 

I see no reason why he can't go ahead and take care of your fender dent, cowling and interior. That doesn't need to wait 2 weeks like the windshield does. Take photos of the dent and scratches now so you have them, and like the others said, keep going up the ladder with the company until you get the answer you deserve.
He's just hoping if you wait the two weeks, he'll be able to wiggle out of the blame.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks all for the help. I have called him back and left him a message telling him I was getting estimates on the dent, cowlings and cleaning because I don't feel comfortable waiting 2 weeks on that and don't see any reason to. He is out of town right now so I told him if he had issues with that to call me back. But after reading all of this I am definately going to pursue it harder.

I did take pictures last night with a film camera as my dad didn't know if digital pictures will hold up in court if it goes that far.

I am finding out after the fact that this guy owns the company, but doesn't do the work, the guy that did the work is a contractor glass guy. So it gets a little hairy to deal with.

He doesn't seem to be arguing that the dent happened after the fact, he seems to be trying to pull the we have no proof the dent wasn't already there when you brought it. That I have no physical proof of other than me and my wife testifying to knowing it wasn't there.

Thanks again for all the info, I do appreciate it. I agree, it is damn hard to find anyone who takes pride in their work anymore. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

Why does it have to wait 2 weeks to replace the glass?
I had a faulty glass installed and they replaced in a couple of days because they had to order a replacement.

 

Did I miss something here? Why is there blood on your hood?

 

Well, apparently the installer cut his arm at some point... It seems the main contact is starting to come around and realize he has to take care of things. I am not sure I will get all I want but it sounds he is at least going to replace the cowlings and fix the dent. I can live with the rest if I have to.

 

Did I miss something here? Why is there blood on your hood?


Well, apparently the installer cut his arm at some point. <------THAT'S HOW YOU GOT THE DENT IN THE FENDER........ He got pissed and probably punched it!

 

Well, that was my thought that he either fell and hit his arm on the fender causing the dent and dropping the glass and cutting his arm, or he got mad and took it out on my fender. Either way, it would be nice if he would just fess up to it rather than playing dumb.

 

This does not sound like a windshield replacement shop.

Did you take it to a general repair shop, or a windshield place?

Either way, post the name so others don't ever have to go through this problem.

 

Yeah, the main guy runs a place called Auto Glass Solutions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He gets the glass and then hires the installer out of Iowa City to do the install work. The installers business is called Mid-Town GLass in Iowa City, Iowa.

Just to add insult to injury, I washed the truck up to get the blood and other stuff off and noticed his tool used to remove the window at the roof left a few nicks in the paint up there as well. Might just have to point this out too.

Guess I should have left the cracked window in...