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leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold

MVM

[Help] broken door window repair

My car (2005 Toyota Prius) was broken into today and the rear door window was smashed in.

My first thought was to take the car to a Toyota dealership to replace the window but I'm wondering whether perhaps one of the auto glass specialists might be a good (perhaps even better) alternative ?

While I don't want to spend any more money on the repair then necessary, my main concerns are that the repair is done properly (no leaks, proper electric window function, all broken glass removed) and as quickly as possible.

I'm not even considering the possibility of doing this myself. I would like to hear from those who have had car door windows replaced whether they used a car dealership or an auto glass specialist and whether they were happy with the results.

NS4683
join:2000-08-25
NJ

1 recommendation

NS4683

Member

Most dealerships just send out glasswork. So I'd go to a place that specializes in replacing glass.
fixrman
From a broken heart to a hole in the sky
Premium Member
join:2003-02-10
Hatboro, PA
·Verizon FiOS

3 recommendations

fixrman to leibold

Premium Member

to leibold
Your insurance may pay for the damage; check the policy or call the agent. Theft also may not be affected by deductible or perhaps your homeowner's policy will pay for it. I'd investigate those things were I you.

That out of the way, I always did glass work at the dealerships and independents I worked in. I especially did not mind glass installed via rubber seals - we called the replacement, "Rope-a-Dope", because the dope (me) was going to use a soaped rope to install it.

Door glass was exceedingly easy to replace. We had a rule at the dealerships: you cannot leave glass in the car. Anywhere. Not in the door, not in the carpet. If you are a professional, you can't do that. Just like removing inspection stickers: If you don't remove all of the snot left from scraping - not some, not most - all - it means you don't give a %$@* and you ought to just go the hell home. And there better not be fingerprint or grease mark number one on the window or door panel either. That's how a Dirty Gerty works.

[Almost] anybody can do that repair. There isn't anything particularly special about it, other than getting the right window. To me, it is a standard job, meaning the repair should be done properly no matter who does it.
Tig
join:2006-06-29
Carrying Place, ON

1 recommendation

Tig to leibold

Member

to leibold
I've always used glass shops. Never had a problem.

leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold

MVM

Thanks for all the replies. I looked for local auto glass places both on the Internet and the old fashioned yellow pages but most listings appear to be referral services rather then actual local businesses (no physical address within the area).
I contacted two nearby Toyota Dealerships and one of them would have accepted the repair but has no available appointments until next week. The other doesn't accept glass work at all but was able to refer me to two local companies that do.
I'm now waiting for a callback to confirm an appointment today.

Thanks!
rjgogo
join:2003-10-22

1 recommendation

rjgogo

Member

»www.safelite.com/auto-gl ··· acement/

leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold

MVM

I was still waiting for a callback when the technician showed up on my door!
Quick and clean service. While I hope that I never have a broken car window again, next time I know who to call

For those in the SF South Bay, the company I used was "Mobile Glass Works" in Santa Clara.

ttiiggy
Premium Member
join:2001-03-27
Bozeman, MT

1 recommendation

ttiiggy

Premium Member

Seems like sketchy coordinating if the technician just showed up instead of verifying with a callback.
fixrman
From a broken heart to a hole in the sky
Premium Member
join:2003-02-10
Hatboro, PA

1 recommendation

fixrman

Premium Member

Maybe he was just ahead on the prior appointment.

leibold
MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
Netgear CG3000DCR
ZyXEL P-663HN-51

leibold to ttiiggy

MVM

to ttiiggy
I had made it very clear that I wished to have the window fixed as quickly as possible and was told that they would rearrange the technicians schedule to accommodate me the same day.

I must have been lucky to be located near some of his earlier appointments for that day.

I definitely preferred to have the technician arrive this early instead of getting a call back saying it would be the end of the day (or possibly not that day at all).