My 2019 Tacoma needs a new windshield. I thought we had a windshield thread a while back, but I can't find it.
I've used Safelite before, but I thought I'd investigate other options.
I don't think we have a local glass shop around here anymore.
Any suggestions?
I've typically used safelite. It's convenient, most times I've had I'd done in my driveway or the parking lot at work.
The one time they requested having it taken into the shop they provided an Uber to get me to and from work from their shop.
My son just used Safelite. They did it in the driveway while he was out of town for work, and even threw in a new set of wiper blades.
A coworker just had the windshield replaced on his car and had a tactic I hadn't thought of. He called the local Porsche dealer and asked them who they farmed their work out to. He went there and said the work was great, turn around was fast, and the cost wasn't much more than others.
I have a mom and pop here that I frigging LOVE. but they're local only.
On the road, or if I have no other option due to insurance (it happenedbefore allstate), safelight. They don't suck.
Not specifically an endorsement but I need glass too and some simple searching brought me to a $80 off code for Safelite.
Save $80 today on fast and easy auto glass replacement*
Schedule now using promo 80SEM
*Offer valid only for auto glass replacement when scheduling on safelite.com; not valid on insurance claims or commercial/fleet services.
berkeley Safelite!
I booked an appointment with them online (for a Prius V) at price = X.
Got to the confirmation page and they slipped in a $39 glass disposable fee on top of the original quoted price.
I immediately cancelled the appointment.
Got a different company to do it for $30 less than the Safelite's original quote ( so $69 cheaper)
berkeley Safelite!
John Welsh said:Not specifically an endorsement but I need glass too and some simple searching brought me to a $80 off code for Safelite.
Save $80 today on fast and easy auto glass replacement*
Schedule now using promo 80SEM
*Offer valid only for auto glass replacement when scheduling on safelite.com; not valid on insurance claims or commercial/fleet services.
As I just posted, beware the hidden fees. I was using a $40 off digital coupon, but they snuck that E36 M3 right back in on me at the last minute.
Check the hidden fees!!
Oh and berkeley Safelite!
It's all going to depend on the quality of work by the glass shops in your area. For national chains like Safelite there's no way to tell if a shop in one area will be good and one in another area will be bad.
My experience with Safelite has been fine, but they were all paid for by insurance.
I used a local guy to replace a windshield in my son's RX-7 and got bent over the desk. When I drove up there and he saw my company truck was a company he did all our glasswork for he softened up a bit. He was just a damn thief.
I used Safelite for my Outback they came to work and did it pretty quickly.
Now as for the Datsun; that wasn't a good experience but it was so far out of their realm that I should have expected the issue.
I have paid out of pocket for SafeLite, and I have had service from SafeLite through Allstate. Zero complaints from me either way, probably 6 or 7 windshields over the years.
In reply to Indy - Guy :
When the tire store adds a disposal fee per tire, do you say berkeley the tire store?
^^^^ Yes
In reply to RacingComputers :
I think that's dumb.
Windshields are not toxic waste like tires. There's no federal mandate for handling windshields that I'm aware of.
SV reX said:In reply to Indy - Guy :
When the tire store adds a disposal fee per tire, do you say berkeley the tire store?
When businesses try to sneak "hidden" fees in AFTER they send you a quote and AFTER you book the appointment for the work, YES BERK them !
Tire shops quote that in from the beginning.
In reply to dculberson :
They don't need a federal mandate. If the company has chosen to recycle they have the right to make that choice. If they choose to charge for that, that's their choice too.
Similarly, everyone gets to choose whether they want to do business with them or not.
Its a fee that is clearly posted on their website. Not a hidden charge.
No reason to cuss them out or bad mouth them. It's just business.
In reply to SV reX :
we will just agree to disagree on this point.
In reply to Indy - Guy :
No they don't. Tire shops quote the cost of the tire. They post the prices on their websites and in their ads. They quote the tire price over the phone. Then they will tell you the labor cost separately. You have to specifically ask for the price out the door if you want to know all the related fees.
Looks like there are a lot of people here who have been very satisfied with Safelite's service. I'm sorry your experience was different. You are free to take your business elsewhere (as you did).
In reply to SV reX :
Yep, and whenever someone, like to OP asks for advice, I freely share my experience. Beware of the hidden fees.
In reply to SV reX :
Tires are a bad choice for comparison because disposal is regulated. Not so with a windshield. Apples to oranges as they say. Name another business that charges for disposal of the items they remove for you; I can't think of any right now but I'm sure they exist.
but the fee is egregious; the amount Indy said is just too much.
In reply to dculberson :
Not completely.
Windshields are laminated. They've got a plastic layer in them. I don't know the rules, but I'm certain they are not treated like standard glass.
Im not arguing about regulations. Im saying a business is not straight from hell because they have fees attached to their sales. (Which are clearly posted on their website)
In reply to SV reX :
I never said anything about the composition of a windshield, just that disposal of it is not regulated like toxic waste (ie, tires).
Windshields go in dumpsters with normal trash. Tires do not. This argument is silly.
Back to the original question: Safelite is hit/miss. They are generally the training ground for glass techs. They all start there. The good ones then open up their own businesses. I've had good work done by Safelite but also hear endless complaints from shops and customers in my line of work. I always suggest people call their local body shops or car dealers and ask them who they use. Body shops in particular will be loyal to a good glass guy because they won't have comebacks. Leaks, sealant oozing everywhere, etc. They are all competitive on pricing as they all get their glass from the same handful of suppliers. A good glass guy also knows what brands to avoid that have a history of optical distortion (more Chinese quality!).
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