Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Need advice re: back window scratched by window tinter

roushraven · 01-03-2004, 01:03 PM

Hey guys the window tint company I used agreed that they are responsible for scratching my back window and therefore will be telling their insurance company to contact me for settlement. What should I ask for? I dread having the rear window replaced only because I'm afraid of what else might be damaged in the process. If I ask for monetary compensation would asking for the window's retail value and the cost of new tint be the most reasonable thing??

Any advice would be appreciated.

Arthur

FUBU69 · 01-03-2004, 01:24 PM

IMHO, you should be entitled to the cost of a new OEM Window and the amount of $$ you paid to tint THAT window.

Best of luck!

Les

z06_23_45 · 01-03-2004, 03:00 PM

The rear window costs $2500. If you could get that, you'll be getting a few mods I'm sure.

dfunde01 · 01-03-2004, 03:32 PM

The insurance company will most likely agree only to replace the window and tint the new one. They won't have to pay retail to have it replaced so getting a check for full retail replacement cost is probably a long shot.

roushraven · 01-03-2004, 03:58 PM

I'm sure the insurance company will try to low ball me somehow, but the fact is that the Z06 glass "ain't" cheap. By the way, according to the shop manager the installer was fired. Sad way to start the New Year eh.

dilly03 · 01-03-2004, 04:21 PM

The insurance company might also recommend a scratch repair company that can buff the scratch out for a small fraction of the price...I used to work for a company that could buff scratches out of windows with a special buffer and several different stages of compund. Very neat process and nice alternative to replacing the entire window, however the car will get pretty dusty with all the compund residue; we always detailed the car after it was done. Hope this helps you out a bit.

**FiveOJoe** · 01-03-2004, 04:33 PM

Are you going to have the glass replaced for sure, or take the money and live with it??? Did they scratch the matrix at the top inside, outside during prep or what?? Just curious.

Joe

roushraven · 01-03-2004, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Are you going to have the glass replaced for sure, or take the money and live with it??? Did they scratch the matrix at the top inside, outside during prep or what?? Just curious.

Joe

I'm torn really.

As for the area scratched, it's an area that extends from inside the dot matrix to the area just above the first defroster line and extends from one side of the glass to the other (left to right). The worst area is about 3.5 to 4.0 inches wide of several straight line scratches. It's as if the guy used steel wool to smooth over the dot matrix area and got very careless. The shop owner said it was the worst he had seen and was more than apologetic and commented that's why he has insurance. In any case, I'll post a picture tomorrowwhen the lighting is better.

Arthur

bobby778 · 01-03-2004, 08:07 PM

The rear window is not 2,500.00 get real!! Get ot replaced with NO tint. It hurts resale with windows tinted!!

roushraven · 01-03-2004, 08:10 PM

Resale is not an issue I never plan to sell this one.

z06nut · 01-03-2004, 09:16 PM

OK guys I've looked all over the net for the price of the rear glass with no luck. They make you get a quote. I didn't find one price list.
Another thing that would bother me is not knowing if they replace it with the correct glass. ('01 vs '03) How easy would it be for them to buy a cheaper version to replace it with? How would you know if you got the right one? Is there a part number to look out for?

These are things I would think about finding out if it happened to me.

**blkZ06** · 01-03-2004, 11:09 PM

cost to replace the window!

NYCHASM · 01-03-2004, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by roushraven
I dread having the rear window replaced only because I'm afraid of what else might be damaged in the process
Arthur

If the replacement is done by a reputable glass shop, I don't think I'd be concerned with any collateral damage. They should know what they're doing, no?

Dilly03 -

roushraven said the tinter's insurance has agreed to pay the cost. How in the world would roushraven's insurance get involved

I think dfunde01 is probably right. The insurance company probably will ONLY replace the glass and not write you a check. That's my opinion also.

Charlie

SMFCPACFP · 01-03-2004, 11:41 PM

If the window is really scratched badly, would you not want to replace it?

roushraven · 01-04-2004, 01:01 PM

Quote:

If the window is really scratched badly, would you not want to replace it?

Yes. Fortunately the scratches are only visible from the outside.

Quote:

If the replacement is done by a reputable glass shop, I don't think I'd be concerned with any collateral damage. They should know what they're doing, no?

I hope so but then again I didn't expect the tint shop to make the scratches in the first place and that shop is reportedly the best in this town.

Here's some of it: