The windshield on my truck was never replaced, and after repairing chips in it for 10 years, I decided I would just replace it. So I took it into this "reputable" shop, which supposedly has a name for decent installations.
Last year I installed a Gentex auto dim rearview mirror on my truck, because I was sick of having the flip the day/night mirror every now and then. Got a brand new one for Chrysler applications on eBay, and that was the best $70 I spent.
Anyhow, the OEM mirror was mounted to the roof and the Gentex one I retro-fitted is attached to the windshield. Prior to getting the windshield replaced, I stopped by the Mitsubishi/Chrysler dealer I deal with and bought a new Mopar wire cover, and button to fix the mirror to the glass. I somehow felt I needed the button, because the one I glued wasn't going to come off easily.
I take it into the shop, and they did seem rather professional at first. I told the installers my mirror was attached to the glass, and gave them the wire cover and the button. I reckoned they would apply heat to the button to come off the glass. Instead, the guy took a giant scrapper and smashed it into the button to remove the mirror. Inevitably, there was glass still on the button and I was of the "Oh well, at least I provided them with a new one" mindset.
The other guy then took my mirror and went away. Instead of using the button I purchased, he was "machining" the glass off the old button, still mounted to the mirror!
In the process, he managed to skim off a few millimetres off the mirror's mounting button as well!
The company didn't take responsibility for it, either...even though I told them I provided them with a brand new one. They didn't even take responsibility for the deep scratch on my roof from prying off the chrome adornments. I had to remove the mirror off the bracket, get it machined so both sides match and paint it in black. Also had to get part of my roof painted.
Maybe I'm being quite fussy, but even if I'm provided with a free windshield and free installation, I don't think I'm ever going to replace it unless I absolutely have to.
All the other places I've been to were absolutely reckless, and it took me a good while to find out about this place through word of mouth. Quite possibly, nobody else cares for such imperfections and that's why they reckon this place was so "great".
Could have been better off biting the bullet and paying an additional $290 to get it replaced at the dealer.
Last year I installed a Gentex auto dim rearview mirror on my truck, because I was sick of having the flip the day/night mirror every now and then. Got a brand new one for Chrysler applications on eBay, and that was the best $70 I spent.
I take it into the shop, and they did seem rather professional at first. I told the installers my mirror was attached to the glass, and gave them the wire cover and the button. I reckoned they would apply heat to the button to come off the glass. Instead, the guy took a giant scrapper and smashed it into the button to remove the mirror. Inevitably, there was glass still on the button and I was of the "Oh well, at least I provided them with a new one" mindset.
The other guy then took my mirror and went away. Instead of using the button I purchased, he was "machining" the glass off the old button, still mounted to the mirror!
Maybe I'm being quite fussy, but even if I'm provided with a free windshield and free installation, I don't think I'm ever going to replace it unless I absolutely have to.
