A RANT...Windshield replacement.. you won't believe this!!

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by illion

... They even told me that it would have to have a new inspection sticker (39.95) and the new one would only be good for ONE year instead of the two years on the original sticker. ...

I have had two USAA/Safelite windshield replacements (on the Outback), and both times the installer who came to the house moved the inspection sticker to the new glass. I don't know how he did it (I was probably inside having a coffee both times), but they looked like they were just put on. The City tax sticker and DoD stickers were a different story, and had to be replaced (at no cost).

[illion]

Old Smart, I asked the service rep about that. In Texas, if you buy a new car, the inspection sticker is good for 2 years. He said it was illegal to transfer one to a new windshield, yet I know glass companies here do it all the time.

I've written them a letter, asking for a refund of the charges I wasn't told about. We'll see how they respond. My other recourse is to contest that part with my credit card company and see if they'll refund it and backcharge it to the dealership.

angel, I DID ask to speak to someone else and they brought back the service rep who handled it. I was so upset that I needed some time to think it over anyway, so I just paid for it and left. Probably not "smart", huh.

[Old smart]

Mmmm. I've heard of some states issuing a 2-year sticker to a new car (not here). Maybe the dealer's theory was that at that point it wasn't new (as in being initially delivered). Anyway....

In VA we have this:

"Replacement of Stolen/Lost/Damaged Safety Inspection Approval Stickers

"The Safety Division issues replacement stickers for lost and/or damaged safety inspection approval stickers under certain conditions, without causing the vehicle to be re-inspected. This process provides a valuable service to those citizens affected by loss, damaged and stolen inspection stickers without compromising the purpose of the Inspection Program. To replace your inspection sticker, contact the Safety Division."

Now, it makes me wonder if a certified glass installer in VA has the authority to apply the replacement on the spot on behalf of the Safety Division. What I ended up with looked as good as the one on the old glass.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by illion

I'm only carrying liability coverage on it.

Lesson learned? It's hard to get mad at smart when you played the insurance game unwisely and lost.

[bumblebee]

Originally Posted by illion

Old Smart, I asked the service rep about that. In Texas, if you buy a new car, the inspection sticker is good for 2 years. He said it was illegal to transfer one to a new windshield, yet I know glass companies here do it all the time.

There's nothing from the Texas Department of Public Safety's code saying that it's illegal to transfer from one to a new windshield. It's illegal to transfer from one vehicle to another but it's not if you are simply removing the sticker from a broken windshield to a new one.

Here's the code from TXDPS site:

§ 548.102. TWO-YEAR INITIAL INSPECTION PERIOD FOR
PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. (a) The initial inspection period
is two years for a passenger car or light truck that:
(1) is sold in this state;
(2) has not been previously registered in this or
another state; and
(3) on the date of sale is of the current or preceding
model year.
(b) This section does not affect a requirement that a motor
vehicle emission inspection be conducted during an initial
inspection period in a county covered by an inspection and
maintenance program approved by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency under Section 548.301 and the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.).

[2micro4u]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

Why didn't you use your insurance? Most states mandate that insurance companies cover windshield replace without a deductible! Afterall, its not a warranty issue.

I agree thats what I would have done aswell. Used my insurance...thats what is for.

[Fredvon4]

Originally Posted by illion

I'm only carrying liability coverage on it.

asked and answered

[Razorback]

Originally Posted by illion

I'm only carrying liability coverage on it.

I too considered this since the smart will be paid for but in retrospect I will choose to have full coverage and should something like this happen my insurance coverage would have paid for itself. Lesson learned me thinks, but to each their own.

[Karl Roth]

Here I thought the problem was overpriced substanard work impropely quoted was the main problem. Look where the who cares not my dime attitude has gotten us.
I bought a smart, not a Mybach. Some of the prices are nuts.
karl

[Chassol]

My BIG question is the price difference. I truly question the rain sensor having to be replaced (unless it too was damaged). And the first quote was
Texas -$543 versus Portland - $240 for the windshield & 250 for installation = $490. Do you question this or not. I think the service and parts department in Texas are either real new or???. I'd really want smart USA to check this out for sure - something is very very wrong here.

TEXAS: - $1272.15
"That'll be $1272.15".

I nearly fainted!!!!!! I finally sputtered.. "but.. both Bill and Jed said it was $543". She said she'd call the service rep up and he explained that that was JUST the cost of the windshield itself. I asked "well did they think I was going to install it myself????" I was livid!! They actually charged an additional $318 for the rain sensor, which they never bothered to mention on the phone, $122 for a "repair kit" whatever that is, and even $5.96 for GLASS CLEANER!! Adding to that was $160 labor, plus all the taxes. They even told me that it would have to have a new inspection sticker (39.95) and the new one would only be good for ONE year instead of the two years on the original sticker.

Portland, Oregon

We had a simular experience w/ our smart. When I call my insurance company, USAA & their glass sub-contractor Safelite informed me that they could not replace the windscreen. It was not in their database? I called our dealer, smart center Portland and they quoted me $240 for the windshield and $250 for installation. This is not really much more than the cost of windshields on previous cars that we have had. Smart USA towed the car to the dealership for us and we had the car back by the end of the day. Great service and not really a bad experience, except for my $100 deductable. That sure was an expensive rock!