Window Tinting.

[Jemdawg]

Yes, another window tinting thread. Just had a new question I wanted to bring into discussion: I figure that a place with a lifetime warranty is generally a reliable place for the quality of the installation of, and the tint itself. Does anybody agree or disagree with this?

My reasoning is that a place that gives a lifetime warranty is confident enough in their work that nobody will come back with problems, thus more revenue and less overhead. Is there a loophole or two that I'm missing?

BTW, I'm still in the process of shopping around for a good priced and reliable tint shop.

[MDWeezer]

I got my windows tinted this past weekend (they had a black friday weekend sale). Reputable business, 30% on all windows (except windshield of course, and no strip), came out to $160ish. I'm in Florida.

The tint looks fantastic and it's got a lifetime replacement if it ever does bubble up. So if it ever does I'm covered, if not, great.

If you can get the same deal, you might as well go for it, I don't think they're worried about their poor job but covering what you do to your windows (wash them with something the tint doesn't like, etc)

[cireecnop1]

I would agree Jemdawg. If they offer the warranty for life, then thier stuff "should" be good. In my opinion at least

(just cuz i thought it was cool looking)

[Ever Victorious]

I would agree with that assessment.

The shop that I went to was painfully expensive, but had lifetime tint and labor warranty... and they do ALL the work for the nearby Porsche and Mercedes dealers.

[rwanttaja]

My reasoning is that a place that gives a lifetime warranty is confident enough in their work that nobody will come back with problems, thus more revenue and less overhead. Is there a loophole or two that I'm missing?

1. Company tints your windows, justifing their higher prices because they offer a "lifetime warranty"2. A year later, the owner terminates the company.3. Owner "starts" a new company, with a new name, at the same location using the same equipment.4. Denies warranty claim, since it's legally not the company that issued it.5. New buyer buys tint with "lifetime warranty."6. Repeat steps 2-5.

A "lifetime warranty" is only good for the lifetime of the company that installed it. If you're going to pay more for one, make sure the company has been around for a long time...the company *itself*, not just a window-tinting business in the same building.

Ron

[cireecnop1]

good point, althought shops that have been around longer would always seem more attractive to a person looking for quality work, rather than a shop that looks like it just set up on the street corner with banners and a white tent.
Modified by cireecnop1 at 7:02 AM 12/1/2006

[proxim2020]

That's true, but I think that would only work if you're a corporation. Most tint shops are smaller businesses that are either sole proprietorships or they are partnerships. If the company didn't exist anymore, you still have the right to sue the owners to have your problem fixed. Even if it was an LLC, you still have the right to sue the members of the corporation. You would only be allowed to sue up to the amount that each member put into the corporation. I wouldn't think a standard corporation would go through the hassle of being that shady. It would cost them more to absolve a corporation than to honor the warranty. I could be wrong, I'm no business professional. I'd say a lifetime warranty would be a good bet on the shop. If you can't get warranty work out of the company, I'm sure a lawyer can get it out of someone else.

[nissansalesman_wtx]

We use one company in specific for all our tinting I don't want to drop the name cause no since in advertising but they do carry a lifetime warranty on all their tinting we pay about $100 for V's. Of course that is with dealership discount. They did my car over a year ago I have had no problems or issues with it. I got mine 20% front, 5% all the around the back. (15% is legal for texas but they haven't got me yet.... )

[getfdaz1]

Im not far from you. im in islip, got my tints done at sound waves 323 larkfeild rd east northport, NY-- his number is 631 368-8853 he also lifetime.I had my old cars done by him long time ago. just did my versa a few weaks ago. he also instaling my gps pioneer d2. you could negotiate with him. my tints were $190 but i was extremly satisfied.he also does remote start for 150. we'll catch you later.

[rwanttaja]

good point, althought shops that have been around longer would always seem more attractive to a person looking for quality work, rather than a shop that looks like it just set up on the street corner with banners and a white tent.

No, I'm talking about serial businesses set up in the same building, not a temporary outfit sitting in a parking lot.

Near where I live, there is a lot selling used cars that has been there for as long as I've been in the area (25 years). While the buildings and location stay the same, the *name* on the sign changes every year or so. And the one on the business license, I suspect. If I'd bought a car with a "lifetime warranty" there ten years ago, there's no chance the current occupant of the corner will honor it.

That's true, but I think that would only work if you're a corporation. Most tint shops are smaller businesses that are either sole proprietorships or they are partnerships. If the company didn't exist anymore, you still have the right to sue the owners to have your problem fixed.

Certainly. But how much does it cost for a window-tinting job? $500? That'll pay for three or four hours of attorney time. Taking a case all the way through trial will probably run several thousands of dollars and take considerable about of effort. Are you ready to pay someone to pore through business records to be able to prove the current business owner had anything to do with the work done on your car?

If you want a good tint job, look for cars with good tint jobs and find out who did the work.

Ron

[proxim2020]

Certainly. But how much does it cost for a window-tinting job? $500? That'll pay for three or four hours of attorney time. Taking a case all the way through trial will probably run several thousands of dollars and take considerable about of effort. Are you ready to pay someone to pore through business records to be able to prove the current business owner had anything to do with the work done on your car?

If you want a good tint job, look for cars with good tint jobs and find out who did the work.

Ron

Paying $500 for a tint job or finding good work isn't a guarantee of any sorts. Only thing that matters is the job done on your car. Bad things can happen to the best installers and you will need to have the warranty honored. Remember, this is a lifetime warranty (a very long time). Plus, the quality of work has nothing to do with the ability to make wise business decisions. If the owners bail because of something unexpected, you'll still be at a point to where you're looking for someone to honor the warranty. I wasn't suggesting you get a lawyer on retainer before getting a tint job. Or even purchase a lower grade installer because you'll be protected. I was simply letting others know that even if a business no longer exists, there's still someone responsible for the warranty.

[Jemdawg]

Yes, the lifetime refers to the life of the owner of the tint and/or the tint itself. The business who offers the warranty will have to pass over the responsibility of honoring the warranty to someone else or retain warranty work at the very least. For example, Sony now does all warranty work for Konica Minolta on cameras since Minolta stepped down from the photography business. Why? Because they cannot refuse to offer work on a warranty they gave you, or one that you paid for.

[Logan76]

Why not do it yourself for near 40$? if it bubbles in a year or two replace the tint on the window that had the bubble in it? even if you did it this way in the end its probably cheaper than going to a shop, tint is something ANYONE can do, im going to be tinting my S13 soon ill do a write up.

[Fla_Versa]

The warranty is least important to me. If you think about it, you'll probably get rid of the car long before there are warranty issues with the film company itself. Labor, meaning the install was done correctly, can be checked by looking at example work of the shops or ask for references.

The maintenance of your tint job will always remain the key issue and first point of argument from any shop you have to go back to. Keep away from all ammonia products when cleaning your windows. Ammonia will chemically break-down the film and cause it to start turning purple. Constant sun will eventually do that too, but the film companies are doing much much better with film ingrediants that combat the effects from the sun.

I would ask about their film-cutting equipment, insist that THEY clean your windows before they begin, and it is always good if the shop lets you watch them do the work. There are plenty of computer interfaces that assist the tech with taking measurments of each window that easily transfer to the cutting machine. If everything is being done by hand, look for another shop.

I spent $180 to get my Versa done, they had a hand scanner-type device that transfered the "trace" to the cutting machine, and I didn't even care about their warranties. If a window bubbles-up or starts to peel, I'll simply go back to them (if they are still in business) and ask nicely for them to repair/replace that specific problem.

Good luck with yours,

-paul

[fayceoff]

Why not do it yourself for near 40$? if it bubbles in a year or two replace the tint on the window that had the bubble in it? even if you did it this way in the end its probably cheaper than going to a shop, tint is something ANYONE can do, im going to be tinting my S13 soon ill do a write up.

Exactly what I was thinking...

[proxim2020]

Well I'm a tint idiot. I tried to tint a window at home once. Not pretty and my wife thought the window would look better bare than my tint job. If I have to do the job over twice over the life of the vehicle, that would be $120 for me. I could pay a little more, have a professiona do it, and it would come with a warranty. I leave some things to the professionals. Others may have more abilities than I do and may be perfectly capable of doing a good job.

[Logan76]

sometimes you have to tint a few cars to get some practice at it first but, I totally see your point to just take it to a shop and have it done right the first time.

[fayceoff]

Yeah, I guess if you had trouble with a flat home window, then the curves on a car would give you crazy grief. Still, don't pay more than $150-175 to get your windows tinted - even with a lifetime warranty.

[Jemdawg]

That's not an option around here, 200 is the lowest price.

[Nolalove06]

The dealership did my tint

50% on front windows35% on Rear15% on hatch glass

$185, might wanna check out the dealership to, lifetime warrently i believe, and you know they won't change their name

(i got my tint for free cause when they requested it from another dealer, they didn't tell him it had tint

[Althalus]

Well, the only shop close to me offers life time and it's around $200 for all the windows, gonna call them up later and get more details.

Only thing is they do all measurements by hand..

[cnsmike]

I made the mistake of taking one of my other cars to a shop that had a great price, turns out they were not in business when i had bubbles. The tint did not have a lifetime warantee on it. The place I am taking my Versa offers a lifetime warantee on the tint, i can take it anywhere that is a dealer of the tint brand and get it replaced if there are problems. They are about $50 higher than the other shops, but to me the peace of mind is well worth it.

The shop is dust free with all the computerized cutters and they do alot of show cars and high end jobs. I think i trust them and they have been in business for 30 years.

Just my thoughts.

[Clipsed]

if you can get that with 3M tint, you are good to go! Also just because a shop has been doing it for a long time does not mean that the guy tinting the windows has, just food for thought. Lifetime warranties are good, BUT make sure you get clarification on what is covered! Most people think w/e happens to their tint it will be replaced, but this is not the case. Most places only cover bubbling, fading, cracking, and screw ups on the job. Anything else is not covered MOST of the time.

[Jemdawg]

Llumar is high quality tint as well. And I also think you should look over the exact terms of the lifetime warranty because, as there are in all warranties, there are probably loopholes.

[Clipsed]

Llumar is good, but fades pretty quick

[Deke40]

Paid $150 for 35% on front and 20% rest of the way around. Five year warranty as I probably swap before then.

Here in Texas they normally have to do only 35% all the way around but they classify the Versa Hatchback in the minivan class therefore you can get the darker on the other windows.