Compromise

Life is full of compromises. The big question is what are you willing to compromise? Will the compromise involve lowering your standards? Will the compromise involve "settling" for less than what you expected? In the case of your vehicle, will you unknowingly compromise? I'm sure the average Joe or Josephine out there has very little information about auto glass installation. The same can be said for the safety components designed in all of today's vehicles. So as not to create another item on the "list of chores" it's safe to say that the consumer will have to "trust" the company and certainly the glass technician to do the right thing. It's pretty much the case that auto glass installations are not recommended for the novice. OK so here's where it gets interesting: as a glass technician you work for one of the high volume "industry leaders" and you load up your day with 8 jobs to do. A very good tech can probably put out a job in roughly 1 hour.

Now, we're assuming that the "industry leader" has instructed and trained their glass techs on the AGRSS practices http://www.agrss.com/standard.php or some kind of self derived facsimile how so ever named. (Please feel free to take a look at the AGRSS standards before you have your windshield replaced.) You then put the tech in a truck, add travel time and other mitigating circumstances and what do you get?

Perhaps there is a compromise! Very simple steps such as using primer to coat metal surfaces where the adhesive holds the glass in place become an after thought. Of course this is in the of interest saving time. So, as you probably looked at the photos in this post, guess what didn't get done??? Whomever replaced the windshield in the Chevy Express van we did the other day didn't use primer!

WOW you say...what a mess! That's right!

Here's a little safety tid-bit for you: The glass in your vehicle is part of the safety design feature of your vehicle. No kidding folks.

Now we all know about gambling. We all know why it is the casinos stay in business too. The odds favor the house. What do you think the odds are that if the vehicle pictured above rolled over: Would the glass have been able to support the roof structure as it was intended to do?

You're probably asking the question: "What are the odds that this vehicle would be in an accident?"

Any one care to roll the dice?

By the way....before you roll.... we have already encountered 12 or more vehicles since Januuary whose glass was replaced prior to visiting Excel Auto Glass in Middletown that were flat out rusted due to shoddy workmanship. We have a book full of pictures too!

So go ahead...roll the dice!

Incredible

It is very hot today...

really hot....

Just a short while ago we got a visit from

a customer who had some

"scratches" on his windshield.

He had been to another shop a few towns over from our store in Middletown. No big deal...right?? The CSR there looked at the customer's windshield and proceeded to give him the low down on why they wouldn't polish the scratches out due to some issues with distorting the windshield...it's going to take all day to do your car so leave it.... and the price is $300.00 plus tax. Blah blah blah.....
The customer is driving a late model Chevy Impala, not a bad ride...looks to be in good shape. He seems to be a nice guy too... "Can you take a look at my windshield?" he askes...
Sure, No problem! Upon inspection...the scratches appear to look more like some type of tape remnent but to be sure, we pull the car into the shop and with the guy looking, take some window cleaner and a fresh razor blade and whadda ya know..... the "scratches" are gone! WOW just like MAGIC! So we proceed to clean the rest of the guy's windshield and he is truely amazed! Not only did we solve his problem but we were HONEST!
Now, it's fair to say that maybe the person he saw at the other shop was a novice...a tad bit on the inexperienced side you might say... or was this something more sinister???
The moral of this story is: Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Ask some questions and make sure you're comfortable with the knowledge and level of quality of whomever is going to replace your windshield.
Just remember:
While most people can make a hot dog and it'll taste OK.....
Not every person can install a windshield the correct way.

Why choose EXCEL Auto Glass?

As you can see this truck was the "victim" of an improper installation. After a year and a half, the vehicle started to rust. The damage was underneath the vehicle windshield so the owner and the glass installer had no idea what was lurking beneath the windshield. Sad to say, this is an all too common problem in our area and in this industry. The good news for the owner was that we were able to restore the metal surface and safely install the windshield. The process of installing automotive glass at Excel Auto Glass involves following the AGRSS (Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standards). Although to the customer, this is an area that they understand very little about. So we try to educate the customers and give them the idea that this is a real safety issue and not like a trip through the drive through for a quick meal. Even so, a lot remains hidden underneath the surface where the safety features of their vehicle can ultimately affect their own safety as well as the safety of their families. We don't compromise. Neither should you. How many times have we heard: "Just put it in any way...I'm selling the car." "Let the next guy worry about it." What's wrong here? I suppose it's up to us to be the conscience for the customers. Or, they'll find someone who is willing to compromise the vehicle integrity and just put the glass in anyway. How unfortunate it is that this goes on. Ignorance is negligence.

EXCEL AUTO GLASS CORPORATION