Just another Autoglass experience I would share …
Fully accepted that if you live in a city, you need instant attention for a totally smashed glazing issue. I think that 1) You were extremely unlucky to be targeted by a total pr*t just to nick a charging cable, and 2) You were extremely lucky to find such a man to sort it. I think he must be a very rare animal!
My own (far less critical) experience of Autoglass was mixed due to a stupid booking system and office back-up for the fitters, but excellent attention from my fitter – who was evidently let down by the ‘office’. He also said that payment up-front was not in fact necessary until the job was finished ...
On our recent trip to France, I got bombed by truck with a Barnes Wallis ‘Dam Buster’ of a boulder. (Odd how you can sometimes see them coming, but can do nothing about them!) Thankfully it was on an upward bounce, so only glanced the screen – but still made a too large a star for repair. It was also just in the line of fire despite my not being at all aware of it while driving – so it had to go. I did 1500 miles abroad, with no expansion of the star so left it for home to sort it out.
My insurers (LV) linked me straight through to Autoglass, and the booking-in was a doddle – but no mobile service (which I would have preferred) and not for 48 hours. Not a problem for me, but not helpful for the likes of
@FunkyWorm. I added a note that I would need recalibration, but they were ahead of me and told me so. They added that it needed their workshop to carry out successfully – hence no mobile, I guess.
Then the stupidity started. First, it became impossible to pay the (gross £140) excess in advance as instructed, as they demanded it to be done online, but the link said that it was not possible ‘at the moment’ and to phone a number. Phoned the number only to be told to pay online!!! Eventually, by using all the wrong automated extension numbers, I got through to a stroppy ‘lady’ who very brusquely took no more than the essential details – and of course my money.
Next, although the fitting was on time, the very polite and helpful fitter found that the office hadn’t sent through the ‘job sheet’, so he didn’t know what he was supposed to be doing! It took 15 minutes for them to send through the correct one. I had decided to leave the car and go for a long 2-hours walk, but when I got back the car was still in the workshop with nothing going on. I was then told by the fitter that Autoglass
don’t actually have the right software for my car, so they have to get someone in from elsewhere to do it for them – and they had been waiting for 20 minutes already for him to turn up.
I went and got a drink and to watch out to see if it was my least favourite local MG dealer keeping us waiting, but saw no-one arrive for another 20 minutes, when suddenly my car disappeared down the road, which I hoped might be for calibrating. Thankfully it was, and all was completed promptly – and actually still within the 3.5 hours slot that they had allowed. It could have been an hour faster if their systems worked as well as their fitters.
Oh - and the advertise on their walls that they only use the best quality OEM screens - so NOT original MG!
So, the jury is still out, I guess.