Keep a CLOSE EYE on your Safelite "tech"

[Yawnie'sPapa]

I've been down with a really bad case of bronchitis this week - from sweating out puddles that drip off my arm, to coughing so bad I almost puke, so wasn't my normal "attentive" (to the point of annoying, I'm sure) vehicle owner this week when Safelite came out to replace the windshield in my wife's REIGH JLU. It's her pride and joy - not a mark or scratch or imperfection anywhere on the paint or body of that jeep. The picture of perfection. Or at least it was.
The idiot was using a METAL tool to poke OUTWARD through the seal to get a cable through to cut the glass out.
we all know the glass in our Jeeps sits DOWN in a channel - the outer surface of the glass is lower than the surrounding metal frame - the windshield frame sits a bit proud of the glass, even at the best. That means the inside surface of the glass where it was trying to poke through was LOWER than the windshield frame - so what's he going to hit when that metal tool breaks through the urethane? Yeah, all of that force he's applying to break through the urethane is suddenly released into that tool and SMACK, GOUGE - there goes the paint and it's bad enough its almost as if he actually gouged the metal frame itself!

Don't let them use a steel tool to poke outward toward the windshield frame. This may be the result. Print and show them pictures before they start work. Ride them closely. This is a really tough area to deal with.

I was sick, sweating or trying to sweat off a fever, and didn't notice it until my wife needed the Jeep today and noticed the windshield was filthy - had smears and smudges on the inside. So I went out coughing and cleaned it inside and out - spotless. When I was THIS - oh, wait until my wife gets back home and I tell her - she's going to want to kill someone...........

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[C.Sco]

I take mine to the local main SafeLite distribution hub (which happens to be right down the street from my work). The techs they have there seem to actually know what they're doing, and they also have WAY better tools and equipment in their shop bays than the SafeLite tech who comes to your house will have.

The one time I had them do the windshield at my house, I was very unimpressed. It took him forever, he really seemed to struggle, did a terrible glue job with big gobs of glue hanging down the edges, and broke my rollbar handle webbing somehow.

I've been much happier with my experiences at their main hub. And since it's a distribution hub they basically always have every windshield in stock. I'm not sure how many of them there are around the country though.

Edit: According to their website, they have 2 distribution hubs, 93 warehouses (which is what I use), and 600+ "stores" which is usually where the idiot techs come from.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

I take mine to the local main SafeLite distribution hub (which happens to be right down the street from my work). The techs they have there seem to actually know what they're doing, and they also have WAY better tools and equipment in their shop bays than the SafeLite tech who comes to your house will have.

The one time I had them do the windshield at my house, I was very unimpressed. It took him forever, he really seemed to struggle, did a terrible glue job with big gobs of glue hanging down the edges, and broke my rollbar handle webbing somehow.

I've been much happier with my experiences at their main hub. And since it's a distribution hub they basically always have every windshield in stock. I'm not sure how many of them there are around the country though.

Edit: According to their website, they have 2 distribution hubs, 93 warehouses (which is what I use), and 600+ "stores" which is usually where the idiot techs come from.

In any other times, I'd have probably opted for taking it in - but - I've been down for a week with really nasty fever and bronchitis, and my wife's quilting machine is still sitting in the back seat of my JT - I'm to sick to struggle it out of there and into the house and down the stairs. She needed a vehicle and the best option in this case was here Wednesday. Or clear across the county later (pretty much everything is a 30-40 minute drive)
In another week, I'd have driven it out there, but..............

I'd hate to see what it takes to get a windshield for my 25 JT when that time comes - hopefully never, but......... it's loaded and of course, sales guy warned me "these 24 and 25 windshields are not cheap".
Hers was in stock easily because it was a parts shortage build without and ACC/FCW and so on. Simple acoustic glass.

Grimes is a trip through some pretty nasty traffic clear across the county - so we avoid that part of Polk County whenever possible. It's a death wish certain times of day. I trust NYC drivers more than WDSM drivers (and a guy from Toronto even told me that)

 

[Rhinebeck01]

I do my homework before l let a glass tech touch my vehicle. l want the pick of the litter glass tech wise... I let the Manager and glass tech know, that l expect a top notch install and l tip accordingly.

Here is my Google review in regard to my 5/5/25 Safelite store visit with my JL:

"5/5/25 Super clean, top notch, windshield install. I expect this from Safelite AutoGlass.

Added plus, was that both the Manager Caesar and Glass Tech, Scott were very communicative, personable and professional.

Glass Tech, Scott treated my vehicle with great care.... as I would treat it myself. You could tell he truly gave a damn and was not let's say....just going through the motions.

It's was a pleasure to do business with Glass Tech, Scott and Store Manager, Cesar Dones. These two guy's are both real assets to Safelite AutoGlass!

It is apparent that Cesar Dones the Manager at this location is far far above average and his Glass Techs benefit from him being so.

Had a similar experience at this same Safelite store in May of 2024. Tech that worked on my vehicle then was Anthony, who as with today's Tech, was very communicative, personable and professional...and treated my vehicle with great care.... as I would treat it myself.

Thank you Safelite! "

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

I do my homework before l let a glass tech touch my vehicle. l want the pick of the litter glass tech wise... I let the Manager and glass tech know, that l expect a top notch install and tip accordingly.

Here is my Google review in regard to my 5/5/25 Safelite store visit with my JL:

"5/5/25 Super clean, top notch, windshield install. I expect this from Safelite AutoGlass.

Added plus, was that both the Manager Caesar and Glass Tech, Scott were very communicative, personable and professional.

Glass Tech, Scott treated my vehicle with great care.... as I would treat it myself. You could tell he truly gave a damn and was not let's say....just going through the motions.

It's was a pleasure to do business with Glass Tech, Scott and Store Manager, Cesar Dones. These two guy's are both real assets to Safelite AutoGlass!

It is apparent that Cesar Dones the Manager at this location is far far above average and his Glass Techs benefit from him being so.

Had a similar experience at this same Safelite store in May of 2024. Tech that worked on my vehicle then was Anthony, who as with today's Tech, was very communicative, personable and professional...and treated my vehicle with great care.... as I would treat it myself.

Thank you Safelite! "

I'm going to have to be a lot more picky next time. On my 2020 JT, Safelite was too busy and passed it off to a "partner shop" in another town. that guy knew Jeeps, knew his stuff and was meticulous. It was perfect when he was done and although not necessary, he explained every detail (fine as I deal mostly with butyl installations, not urethane)

 

[NWJeepr]

Another stellar install by Safelite...

Mistakes happen, but they should be teaching these techs to own their mistakes and inspect the final job.

 

[Barchetta]

Have you reached out Safelite? What was their response?

 

[Blade1668]

In any other times, I'd have probably opted for taking it in - but - I've been down for a week with really nasty fever and bronchitis, and my wife's quilting machine is still sitting in the back seat of my JT - I'm to sick to struggle it out of there and into the house and down the stairs. She needed a vehicle and the best option in this case was here Wednesday. Or clear across the county later (pretty much everything is a 30-40 minute drive)
In another week, I'd have driven it out there, but..............

I'd hate to see what it takes to get a windshield for my 25 JT when that time comes - hopefully never, but......... it's loaded and of course, sales guy warned me "these 24 and 25 windshields are not cheap".
Hers was in stock easily because it was a parts shortage build without and ACC/FCW and so on. Simple acoustic glass.

Grimes is a trip through some pretty nasty traffic clear across the county - so we avoid that part of Polk County whenever possible. It's a death wish certain times of day. I trust NYC drivers more than WDSM drivers (and a guy from Toronto even told me that)

Bill, best of luck with it, hope you are doing better.

 

[Heimkehr]

Sorry to read about your dodgy experience with Safelite, Bill. They've been our Go To for years now, to include at least two full windscreen replacements and probably no less than half a dozen chip repairs...both in-shop, and via their mobile service. Their work has been correct and acceptable (which is high praise from me), every time.

Let us know if you've reached out to their company for resolution, and if so, if or when it can be made right.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Have you reached out Safelite? What was their response?

Their contact/text was horrible. And when I went to safelite dot com and entered the year of the vehicle and my info, it didn't have anything listed since our 2004 Grand Cherokee 2 decades ago.
I hate 800 number punch a button for english, wait on hold for transfers and so on, but was pleasantly surprised that I didn't wait on hold very long, it was just one button press and the guy was clear, polite and helpful. He asked for pictures, took my information and said he was putting it up to management but it might take 24-48 hours for someone to contact me.
30 minutes later I got a call and was told to take it to 1 or 2 body shops for estimates.
Inconvenient as heck as that means more driving clear across town and hours out of my day - and then probably a week or so without it while the work is done.
That's the irritating part, but no real way around that.
It will mean we'll be down a vehicle for a period of time. (and it's coming up on the times of year when we rely on having them both available)
At least I got quick response. The guy on the phone was fantastic - even though my internet was screwy at that time and I had a heck of a time getting just two ordinary pics to go through gmail.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Bill, best of luck with it, hope you are doing better.

Bad bronchitis - when I get something, it settles DEEP, into my throat and downward. And it lasts. On prednisone and an antibiotic.
Hard to deal with this type of stuff when you feel like crap anyway and can't keep watch on things and manage the juggling.
Of course - our 17 year old washer broke down this week, my wife's quilting machine broke down last week and had to go back to the factory for repairs. Took it up in the back of her Wrangler - and that's when the windshield hit happened. She needed to go get the machine on Wednesday, which of course is when the windshield appointment was - so the quilting machine is strapped into the back seat of my JT - waiting for me to feel well enough to get it out of there and into the house and down the stairs (then a couple of hours hooking it all back up since it's a CNC type control system on it)
When it rains, it pours!
She's not a happy camper - she loves that Jeep and of course "it's the prettiest Jeep out there" (just ask her!)

 

[jjmarkus]

Not a fan of Safelite. Even though insurance covers less deductible, I found they charged insurance more for their Safelite windshield than for what I could get an OEM installed at other professional glass place plus have cruise camera recalibrated. May use for chip repair, but nothing else.

 

[AC77]

i manage a body shop, and a few years ago we had safelite replacing a glass , and i had to help him and guide him, that was the last time Safelite placed their foot on this property!!! Period

 

[Aonarch]

Same thing happened to my Gladiator. The Safelite tech did an absolute number on the windshield frame.

 

[Wabujitsu]

I’ve had a NUMBER of windshields replaced by Safelite, between my previous FJ Cruiser and previous JLU, here in Sarasota. The techs always did a perfect job.

Then, last fall, I drove from Sarasota to Phoenix, and caught a rock en route.

After the first Safelite tech in Phoenix replaced the glass, I had a whistling noise. Some of you may remember the thread I posted here. He bragged to me about how good he was with the Wrangler glass. Then, the second tech came out and reset the glass. It still whistled. He too bragged - about how much better he was than the first tech.

I called the closest Safelite shop a few miles away. They told me to come in immediately. The manager was extremely apologetic, even though the techs were not from his shop. Then, he replaced it personally, with new glass, and then test-drove it. He did a perfect job, no problems since.

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