Autoglass ! Absolutely shocking service......

[cliffanger]

If you didn't know National Windscreens is Autoglass.

Didn’t know that. Comfort offered us the choice of 3 companies, One I can’t remember, National Windscreens or Autoglass, so naturally thought they were different companies.

 

[Burstner Boy]

Autoglass? - complete numpties in my experience!! I'll say no more.

 

[bobnick]

Always surprises me how these company's survive and thrive providing such service. I would have been out of business within months where i was.

 

[burtonwisher]

If you didn't know National Windscreens is Autoglass.

That's not the case.... National Windscreens and Autoglass are completely separate companies.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's not the case.... National Windscreens and Autoglass are completely separate companies.

Why is it then when you phone Autoglass, National Windscreens answer and Autoglass do the job.
When I phoned Autoglass, National Windscreens answered I quired them and they said they were Autoglass.

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[Spriddler]

Some years ago I put together a general tender for a pal who had a substantial vehicle body repair business and who who hoped to be put on an insurer's 'Approved repairer' list. To have any success we knew we had trim our tender to as low as possible. It would seem logical that an insurer would want to pay out as little as possible on claims and therefore would favour a repairer who offered them low labour rates and used lower cost pattern parts whenever he could get away with it. The insurer's assessor would make spot checks to ensure that the labour and parts quoted for a particular repair claim were at the lowest possible cost.
It may be that windscreen replacement firms are under the same pressure from the insurer, especially since replacing a windscreen is largely a fixed labour and known parts cost (for similar base vehicle 'screens).

 

[burtonwisher]

Just for my information what is a OEM screen and how can you tell. I have Bavaria (pilote) A class. We have a tiny chip high up that auto glass says doesn’t warrant a repair .

As has been said, OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer, and is essentially the company that owns the vehicle brand... In this case the Motorhome manufacturer, and in passenger car terms its the car manufacturer such as Ford, VW. etc.
As it's these companies that own the vehicle brands and logos, the glass manufacturers are not permitted to sell parts to anyone else with those logos on them, which is why you can only buy logo glass from the dealer at inflated prices.... it's more to do with the legality of brand ownership than product quality.
There are many glass manufacturers in the world. Common parts such as Ducato screens are made by around 20 different companies, but A class screens that have much lower volume are often made by only 1 or 2 companies. So for many A class screens the OEM and the aftermarket screens come from the same factory, with the only difference being the logo, but you can always tell this by looking who the glass manufacturer is in the corner print. Either way however even if the manufacturer is different they are all made in the same way to the same standards. There are actually as many quality issues with OEM screens as there are with aftermarket screens... sometimes the OEM screens have more quality problems.

 

[burtonwisher]

Why is it then when you phone Autoglass, National Windscreens answer and Autoglass do the job.
When I phoned Autoglass, National Windscreens answered I quired them and they said they were Autoglass.

If you phone Autoglass, it'll be Autoglass who answer the phone, probably from their head office call centre in Bedford. I don't know what you may have been told on the phone, but they are a completely seperate company from National Windscreens

 

[Lenny HB]

If you phone Autoglass, it'll be Autoglass who answer the phone, probably from their head office call centre in Bedford. I don't know what you may have been told on the phone, but they are a completely seperate company from National Windscreens

When I first phoned the Autoglass number National Windscreens answered so I went back to my insurance company as my windscreen cover was limited to £3000 if I didn't use Autoglass. Insurance company also told me they were the same company.

So I arranged for National Windscreens to do the job & Autoglass turned up.

 

[burtonwisher]

When I first phoned the Autoglass number National Windscreens answered so I went back to my insurance company as my windscreen cover was limited to £3000 if I didn't use Autoglass. Insurance company also told me they were the same company.

So I arranged for National Windscreens to do the job & Autoglass turned up.

I've worked in corporate positions in this industry for 25 years and I know it pretty much inside out. It is possible in your example that the job was subcontracted, which is extremely rare but can happen, but Autoglass and National Windscreens are seperate companies.

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[gus-lopez]

Ummmmm

mine was pence short of £3000.
covered by comfort. OEM fitted by SMC
Auto glass good for small chips but shows away from new screen because of leccy blind they thought they might damage.

You only know how much a screen will cost if you physically purchase them yourself.
When working I had a £75 excess on glass, which I couldn't claim back .It was cheaper to buy the screen myself at £97 & then I could reclaim the vat & the screen cost-& that was for a transit.

 

[JJ]

I reckon that if a fitter does an excellent job then you rate the company he represents highly.

If he doesn't do a good job you rate that company badly.

Maybe a case of pot luck?

Only had one windscreen fitted professionally on my Iveco 60-10 van.

Autoglass did it and they were brilliant.


JJ

 

[Ivory55]

I wonder how many policies say in the small print that they can use pattern parts to repair the van. Everyone is the same wanting the cheapest insurance then can’t understand when it’s not quite what they was expecting.

 

[Crazylegs]

If it’s a small bullseye, it’s repairable, the National companies will tell you that you shouldn’t repair a screen in an area in front of the driver and it’s true.
However I can assure you thousands of trucks and buses have these chips repaired every year, because it’s quick and cheap and doesn’t usually involve downtime for the vehicle.
Find yourself a decent local independent screen repairer and if he’s good you will be hard pressed to see the chip after repair.

 

[mikebeaches]

When I first phoned the Autoglass number National Windscreens answered so I went back to my insurance company as my windscreen cover was limited to £3000 if I didn't use Autoglass. Insurance company also told me they were the same company.

So I arranged for National Windscreens to do the job & Autoglass turned up.

Strange. Looking at their websites, they appear to be different registered companies:

----------------------------------------

Belron UK Limited t/a Autoglass® is registered in England and Wales. Number: 00494648. Registered Office: 1 Priory Business Park, Cardington, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK44 3US.
AUTOGLASS® and the logo are registered trademarks of Belron Group S.A. and its affiliated companies. © Copyright 2021 Belron UK Limited. All rights reserved
----------------------------------------
National Windscreens is a registered company in England & Wales
Registered Number 1612587 VAT Number 322 1657 86
-----------------------------------------

And here's a list of the Belron Group brands: https://www.belron.com/discover-belron/our-business-and-brands.

And a bit more research provides info on National Windscreens:

Bristol-headquartered Mobile Windscreens Limited, which trades as National Windscreens, has been acquired by vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist in Scandinavia, Ryds Bilglas AB. (August 2018)

Mobile Windscreens Limited acquired by Ryds Bilglas - Business Leader News

Bristol-headquartered Mobile Windscreens Limited, which trades as National Windscreens, has been acquired by vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist in Scandinavia, Ryds Bilglas AB. Mobile Windscreens was established by George […]

www.businessleader.co.uk

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[Grummyb]

They messed up the MINI screen too, a subsequent screen fitter said the previous screen had no sealant contact across the top of the screen, you could hear it knocking when going over a bump, I knew something wasn't right and mentioned it to the fitter... That's when he told me.

What you've got a mini that goes wow that's impressive

 

[glenn2926]

huge difference between a standard van windscreen as fitted to a coachbuilt van and an A class screen. The former is a stock item, the latter a special order from the converter at best or a factory order at worst. The price difference is a few thousand pounds too

Correct me if I’m wrong but I did think this thread was about the service provided by Autoglass. Why you thought bringing up different types of vehicle had any bearing on the service I don’t know.
I can only speak as I found and the standard of service was excellent from first contact to cleaning up after the job was finished. Prompt, professional, cheerful man carrying out the screen replacement. As I said earlier, a good service.

 

[Scattycat]

huge difference between a standard van windscreen as fitted to a coachbuilt van and an A class screen. The former is a stock item, the latter a special order from the converter at best or a factory order at worst. The price difference is a few thousand pounds too

One of the deciding factors that we decided to stay away from an 'A' class

 

[The general]

Am I right in saying auto glass is the only company insurance companies deal with ?

 

[burtonwisher]

Am I right in saying auto glass is the only company insurance companies deal with ?

No, there are others that insurance companies deal with, but Autoglass is the largest with a lot of insurance contracts

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[Landy Andy]

Am I right in saying auto glass is the only company insurance companies deal with ?

It’s the company that have done a deal with most insurance companies. I go to an independent who then deals with my insurance company, and also looses my excess.

 

[funflair]

One of the deciding factors that we decided to stay away from an 'A' class

I wouldn't let that put me off an A class and the fear factor around A class screens is unfounded in my experience, when we had the N+B Flair you could be forgiven for thinking that the screen would be as rare as rocking horse poo but no it was in stock in a central warehouse in the UK. Friends with a Concorde D liner possibly the only one in the UK and they got a screen OK.

While we are on "Autoglass" discussion I will mention that there is another company "Autoglaze" not be confused though, they fitted to our Flair.

 

[Fletton]

My two-penneth...

I'm on my 4th screen.. Aclass Knaus..

Once I managed to convince the call centre that it was a special screen and not a standard Fiat .. I was contacted directly by the Leeds depot fitter/manager.. and dealt directly with him from there on.. and each time following.

I've had nothing but exceptional service from the Leeds Depot.

Had to wait each time for screen (a few weeks) imported... but kept informed

Had to send measurements and Vin on first occasion.. but on file after that..
Also informed that would be a two day job.. etc.. and when I told them I live in van... No problems they said

I arrived each time.. spent a few hrs meandering around IKEA..

Wander back mid pm.. move moho to level area of large secure gated carpark at Depot.. kettle on feet up..

Drive away mid morning following day..

 

[pappajohn]

EOM markings painted on..... Don't quote me but I doubt that very much.
Any lettering/symbols etc with be INSIDE the laminate.

 

[Rob1562]

My two-penneth...

I'm on my 4th screen.. Aclass Knaus..

Once I managed to convince the call centre that it was a special screen and not a standard Fiat .. I was contacted directly by the Leeds depot fitter/manager.. and dealt directly with him from there on.. and each time following.

I've had nothing but exceptional service from the Leeds Depot.

Had to wait each time for screen (a few weeks) imported... but kept informed

Had to send measurements and Vin on first occasion.. but on file after that..
Also informed that would be a two day job.. etc.. and when I told them I live in van... No problems they said

I arrived each time.. spent a few hrs meandering around IKEA..

Wander back mid pm.. move moho to level area of large secure gated carpark at Depot.. kettle on feet up..

Drive away mid morning following day..

Much as this sounds like an Autoglass bashing rant, the service and professionalism from the Sheffield depot was great.....they clearly know what they're doing. They mentioned that there are 3 depots in the North (Sheffield,Leeds and Manchester) that are set up to fit these screens and if I had dealt direct with them I'm sure the timings etc would have been sorted.
The main complaint is with the staggering incompetence of the admin side.....clearly there are people dealing with the admin that don't know an A-class from their elbow !
A sign of the times I fear.
Regards, Rob.

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[Wack]

The markup on screens must be astronomical , when I had transits I used a guy from bury , he'd come to Warrington , fit a new screen and charge me £120

I think my excess was £100 and no glass claim to declare

It's amazing glass claims are still processed without loss of NCB when you see the price of some of these screens

When I had a Mustang a number of members recommended a broker who'd put them all with the same company , it wasn't until I pointed out the £500 screen cover would only pay for ⅓ of a new windscreen they realised it was cheap for a reason

 

[IRHP]

If it’s a small bullseye, it’s repairable, the National companies will tell you that you shouldn’t repair a screen in an area in front of the driver and it’s true.
However I can assure you thousands of trucks and buses have these chips repaired every year, because it’s quick and cheap and doesn’t usually involve downtime for the vehicle.
Find yourself a decent local independent screen repairer and if he’s good you will be hard pressed to see the chip after repair.

It's pretty specific what can and can't be repaired to pass an mot. Size of damage and field if view all matter. No point getting a repair if it will fail an mot.

 

[Crazylegs]

It's pretty specific what can and can't be repaired to pass an mot. Size of damage and field if view all matter. No point getting a repair if it will fail an mot.

I speak as a former trainer to the windscreen repair market. The only time a screen repair would cause a vehicle to fail an mot is if a poor repair is still visible to the tester, when repaired correctly they are very hard to spot.
Windscreen repairers are at work everyday in car showrooms, car supermarkets, trade auctions, hire companies, lease de fleeting centres and as previously stated bus, coach, and trucking depot’s.
All of the above would much prefer a quick £30 repair compared to the costs and inconvenience of replacing the windscreen.

 

[dunnah01]

Am I right in saying auto glass is the only company insurance companies deal with ?

I had mine replaced under insurance by Autowindscreens a couple of weeks age so it must be a no

Job went very well at their Peterborough depot but the admin side was a bit frustrating. You can only phone the central service centre so booking an appointment time took over 2 weeks due to them getting most things wrong.

 

[Jaws]

Autoglass went from being just about the best to a total shower of incompetent untrustworthy numpties within in a year of Belron taking over
Every fitter at our local depot left within months of the take over.. Word soon spread and it seems they only get fitters who might be classed as less than at the top of their game ( apparently )

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