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

[dennyrex]

I was quoted ~$1,500.00 in early April to replace a windshield in Manhattan.

[dbwill]

Originally Posted by saskdiesel

You know Fred, that may be not that bad.
When I was a junior apprentice at a large GM dealer I was assigned to "Fiero" duty with my mentor.
Looking at the rear cradle on the Smart it shares the same basic design.
We would drop the entire rear cradle for nearly any major work and could eventually do an entire engine swap in less than 6 hours.

Our tech. guy said the engine cradle comes out with 4 bolts, so shouldn't be a big labor thing. I also remember that it seemed like every time I took my 65 Beetle in they dropped the engine and set it on a work bench to do plugs etc.

[saskdiesel]

Originally Posted by dbwill

Our tech. guy said the engine cradle comes out with 4 bolts, so shouldn't be a big labor thing. I also remember that it seemed like every time I took my 65 Beetle in they dropped the engine and set it on a work bench to do plugs etc.

But with the Beetle there were no cooling lines, A/C lines or a huge mess of wiring to deal with!

[dcrooks]

Originally Posted by dennyrex

I was quoted ~$1,500.00 in early April to replace a windshield in Manhattan.

Someone told me in NY glass was free...?

[illion]

Ok, I'll grant you that I *should* have considered taking out full coverage, but didn't.. you're right- lesson learned.

But my *real* beef is that the dealership didn't stand by their original price, right or wrong. I'm in the retail business too, and when some of our employees give bad or incorrect quotes to a customer, we'll stand by it, even if it means losing money to save a customer relationship. I suppose we may be the only company left that believes "the customer is always right."

My original post would have been far too long had I explained the difficulty in reaching anyone even AFTER they were supposed to have ordered the windshield. What was to have been just a few days turned into two weeks, after the first one arrived broken and they had to reorder it.

You know, when we buy these, didn't most of us have to go to see their "financial officer" so they can talk us into buying the extended warranty, lo-jack, etc? Well, I did as well, and he even commented that they didn't make anything off of those cars. I got the impression that selling Smarts is beneath them.. they're used to Bentz owners who don't care what repairs cost, folks with more dollars than sense. (No offense to Bentz owners that don't feel this way- I'm only reflecting the impression I got from the dealership, which in Dallas, is a part of the Mercedes dealership.)

So, I suppose my main gripe is that I was not informed about the cost before the work was done, and they didn't stand behind their quotes. The reply I received basically told me that I should have just known that all this was going to have to be done- that it would require a new rain sensor, a "repair kit", window cleaner, etc.. (Makes me wonder what they used to install that glass in Portland!) Yes, but I assumed that was part of the quote since I wasn't told differently. My comment back to him was that it would be like me telling a surgeon how to operate on me. THEY are the professionals, not me.

I'll hush now.. thanks for all the feedback, sympathy, and opinions. I only hope there will be someone else in Dallas soon that services and repairs our Smarts. They've really pee'd on my marbles here.. taken some of the joy out of owning this baby.

[JRyan]

I had to replace the windshield on my MINI a month ago. The technician showed me the rain sensor came out in two pieces, one piece with all the diode and sensors, which can be pulled off the windshield. The new glass comes with the plastic light transmitter which is bonded to the windshield. I hope the smart design did not bond all the components permanently on the windshield. I can understand the higher price if it does.

[illion]

JRyan, the service rep explained that they had to replace the rain sensor because it was glued onto the windshield. (Of course he explained this to me AFTER I questioned the price.) It was $318.74 plus tax.

I thought they would just remove it and put it on the new one. The crack was on the left side of the windshield.

[saskdiesel]

Originally Posted by illion

JRyan, the service rep explained that they had to replace the rain sensor because it was glued onto the windshield. (Of course he explained this to me AFTER I questioned the price.) It was $318.74 plus tax.

I thought they would just remove it and put it on the new one. The crack was on the left side of the windshield.

This is crap.
I worked at dealerships for years as a mechanic. If the service writer issued a quote, over the phone or in person the quote was held.
I remember needing a new injection pump for a diesel Blazer. The service writer quoted over the phone when the customer called that it would be about $600 installed. The pump itself was $1200!
The Dealership ate the costs. And the service writer was spoken to, but not fired.
I think you are getting the Royal screw job.

[illion]

Sask, that's the way we do business too.. unfortunately I guess everyone doesn't adhere to the same morals and principals we do. How sad.
Yep.. I was FWAK'd.. Royally!

[mmmeat]

Originally Posted by saskdiesel

This is crap.
I worked at dealerships for years as a mechanic. If the service writer issued a quote, over the phone or in person the quote was held.

And that's where I'm getting confused. If the OP took the car in - which he said he did:

Originally Posted by illion

Anyway, they called yesterday and said it was finally in (after the first one arriving broken and having to reorder it again) so I took it in to have it replaced. They kept it overnight and I went to pick it up today.

Then where's the original quote? Where's the write up? It should have had the quoted price on it, right?

Your pal,
Meat.