My insurance company has an agreement with Safelite, so I made an appointment with them first. I arrived at their facility and two hours later, they told me that after looking at six replacement windshields, none were without flaws. I was told to reschedule and they would get me a good windshield from another warehouse. So I rescheduled and told them that I want a call before I arrive to confirm that they have a good wind shield. I was a little annoyed after wasting my time from the first appointment. A couple of days later I get a call to make an appointment and when I told them I already had an appointment, they said I was not on the schedule. So I told them to schedule me and call me before hand to confirm the windshield was good. The day before my appointment, I still had not heard anything, so I called Safelite and they said they still haven't inspected any windshields for me yet. I asked that they find me a good windshield and let me know before I come down. The day of my appointment, I still have not heard from Safelite, so I called and apparently got someone at their call center who told me my windshield was in and it was good and I should keep my appointment. So I drove down to their shop and was told that they still were not able to find a good windshield. So this is twice that I have wasted my time with Safelite. Their solution was to offer to install an OEM windshield that they know is a good one at a cost three times their original quote. Originally Safelite told me that all their windshields are made in USA and they are made by the same manufactures that make the OEM products and their windshields meet all the OEM specifications for safety. I was told there was no difference between the OEM and the windshield that they would install for a fraction of the cost of the OEM product. Now they are telling me just the opposite. That the OEM is sure to be without defects. Safelite may be the biggest auto glass installer but they are not the best. They are unorganized, they operate on bad information and not truthful about the product they sell. The DOT number etched on the windshield corresponds to where the product is made. Most replacement product will come from outside the USA. Foreign manufactures of replacement windshields will be less expensive but the quality may not be controlled as well as a product with the OEM brand etched in the corner. It's all about quality control.
Safelite continued to call me and wanted to steer me toward an OEM product, however my insurance deductible was too high and I decided to try another installer. That's when I consulted Yelp and found Autoglass Solutions. I requested a quote online and they responded the next day, by email, with a price that was very close to what Safelite originally quoted me. I accepted their quote and Paula informed me of how they do mobile installations and we set up an appointment. She also had questions about my vehicle for the color of the brow shade and also if I had a light sensing rear view mirror. At this point I explained that I wanted a good windshield free of defects and asked where their windshields were made. Paula took the time to tell me about the different suppliers they buy product from, the different windshields each supplier would have and what would be best for my vehicle. When I asked if these windshields were made in the USA, Paula told me that the DOT number would tell where they were made and that they could come from a foreign manufacture. I sent pictures of my cracked windshield showing the color of tint and the rearview mirror, so that we could decide on the right replacement windshield. I got a call back from Paula confirming that they were able to get the windshield that would be right for my vehicle. We kept in touch as the appointment neared as the weather could be cause to reschedule since the installation would be done outdoors. The weather appeared to cooperate, so we were on.
Luke called prior to arriving and showed up on time. He was professional and answered all my questions, giving me some confidance that he knew what he was doing. He told me another installer would arrive a little later and they would both set the new windshield. I left him alone to do his work. About an hour and a half later, the job was done and looked just like new. I kept expecting something to go wrong but nothing did and Luke said that the installation was straight forward without any issues. He then went through the caution list for the new windshield and the warranty. I paid and he left.
I couldn't be more satisfied with how I was treated at Autoglass Solutions. Don't waste your time with the biggest installers in the country, do business with these guys. They actually pay attention to the customer and know their business too. read more
