Incompetant Windscreen fitter (RANT)

[Tom_1569]

My brothers been due for a new windscreen on his VN for quite sometime but we left it until we had finished painting the front end, caus we took the seal out to paint all off it, and didnt want paint on the new windscreen etc.

So the time comes for the new screen, and a new seal. The old seal IS damaged and looks [Naughty Pottyword].
Got a quote for 200 bux, for new seal + screen + labour, seemed fair, so today it goes in to get this done.
I get home to find out, they said the old seal is fine and put it back on. The old seal was damaged, had paint on it and looks [Naughty Pottyword], I know this because i was the one that damager it with the wire cup. Im shocked to find out they still charged him 200 bux even though they didnt replace the seal. Ok i can deal with that....

But remember how I mentioned brand new paint job?
After he had handed over the cash and was walking out they proceeded to tell him that his drivers door doesnt open. A bit strange since its never had a problem. The dumb pricks have moved the gaurd hard up against the door, then ripped the door open chipping all the BRAND NEW paint on the gaurd. Not bothered to fix the gaurd at all, and told him he would have to hope through the passenger side to move his car. My brothers a big bloke and I imagine this would of been quite comical, but they didnt even have the decency to lend him some tools, let alone fix their mistake.

He came home and moved the gaurd to where it should be, but the paint is still chipped, and the seal still looks like [Naughty Pottyword] even though he paid for a new one.
Also they told him he cant have the chip repair deal they offer because his chips are clearly from opening the bonnet to quickly... WTF I never knew opening the bonnet quickly magicly jammed it through the windscreen.

I havent seen the car as of yet but if that paint is badly damaged they are going to have me with a heap of different quotes on their door step, until they pay or have no business left.

Sorry for the rant, but when you put hours and hours of your time doing up a car, to have some [Naughty Pottyword]wit wreck it when your paying them for a professional job it ****es me off.

Rant over...

Cheers Tom

[ClairBear]

Is this a small business or part of a franchise? Do they have the equivalent of RAA (here in SA) approved dealer or MTA or similar?

I would put my case in writing and post to the owner of the business. If it is a franchise or approved dealer, I would send a copy to them also.

Be rational, state your case logically and ask if they are prepared to compensate you.

Failing that, contact your relevant Government body that deals with fair trading.

[commsirac]

Windscreen fitters are unfortunately just like many of the auto trade that work on your car.
They think that because they actually put the window in there that they have done the job. Never mind the trail of destruction they cause to the car around it.
Ive had the dashboard cracked by a fitter when they climbed into the car and were pushing on the screen to get it out......no they didnt tell me about it......I found it on inspection and didnt pay.......but then you are dealing with thugs who wont let you have your car back etc.....not fun.
Ive had them leak after fitting, get the black caulking stuff on other things etc. Rear screens put back with the headlining not fitted back properly etc.

Can anyone recommend where they have had a new screen fitted where there were not problems?

[Tom_1569]

Is this a small business or part of a franchise? Do they have the equivalent of RAA (here in SA) approved dealer or MTA or similar?

I would put my case in writing and post to the owner of the business. If it is a franchise or approved dealer, I would send a copy to them also.

Be rational, state your case logically and ask if they are prepared to compensate you.

Failing that, contact your relevant Government body that deals with fair trading.

There a franchise, not sure how big, I just know theirs a few in a Gippsland. Not sure on approved dealer, didnt think to check.
The reason we went with them over a cheaper quote is they said themselves that they care about the car, blah blah... talked **** really, but as we were concerned about the painting getting damager we got hooked in, hook line and sinker.
Ill take the car down their on wednesday and show them what the damage is, and if they choose not to listen, I will be taking it as far as I can, I will stand out the front of the store and make sure they dont get another customer if thats what it takes.
Also I wont be allowing them to touch the car even if they want to fit a new seal, they can pay the bill for someone else to do it, there is no way they are touching the car again.

EDIT: Yes they are massive franchise, sorry never really thought about it until now, but googled them