Window tint issue with car audio shop.. Need advice. (Long)

knightsfs4

knightsfs4

New member
Hey guys,

You all know I'm young and though I know a lot of stuff, I don't know much about my rights in this situation.

My friend works at a car audio place and he told me their tinter was really good. They said he did Lambos, Bentleys, etc... I even saw a car that the guy tinted. I called and they said it would take 3 hours to do my whole car and cost $280. I showed up and had the guy tint my car. 6 hours later he finally finishes. My entire car is messed up with soap and my chain stickers were everywhere. I took my car and left. Next day I begin to look at the quality of the job. The cuts were awful, the tinter messed up the passenger side vinyl, and I had to replace two interior trim pieces. I call the guy working there, and he told me to bring it in the next day. So we're on day 2. He looks at my FRONT TWO WINDOWS only. He says, yeah they don't look very good. I told him I was pissed and I wanted $100 to have the front 2 windows redone by a different shop. He says no, but I can have a store credit. He gave me a set of HIDs for my lows. So I'm thinking I'm okay. Next day I go to clean the interior of my car since it was so messed up by the tint guy. The rear triangle windows were already peeling off and the cuts were terrible. I also rolled down my rear window and it looked horrible. I brought my car back, but the guy I was working with went out of the country for 40 days. So I had to wait for him to get back. I had heard that letting tint glue dry on factory windows and then removing the tint can mess up the window, so I took it to a different shop who removed the old tint and put on the right tint for $250 total. In total, I spent around $30 in gas, $20 for 2 trim pieces, $280 for crappy tint, and a messed up vinyl piece. I have tons of pictures of the damage, and the guy I was working with is back in the country. I will attach pictures of the old shotty job. What rights do I have here? I'd really appreciate any advice!

Thanks a lot guys

Jack
 

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That looks like ****. I can't believe you even accepted the truck in the condition you are describing. So, the dude that did the job went back to Mexico huh? I would demand a full refund minus the cost of the HIDs you got (you probably won't get any refund) but you should try. Then take that money and go someplace else. Maybe your friend should comp you, lol. He recommended it right? You need to make a report to the BBB. Do they even have a business license? I would bring somebody with you are raise hell until they make it right. They took advantage of you, probably because you are young. The only way this is going to get fixed is if you make them do right.
 
Well the reason I accepted the truck in its condition was because it was dark by the time I got it and couldnt see any imperfections in the dark, and because the other imperfections were only visible with the windows open. They are a big car audio shop and do have a license. And before the tint guy did my car he saw me, so my guess is he probably thought he could take the day off on my truck.
 
looking at the rear window, i could tell that was a ****ty tint job. cuts were not correct at all. the rear window should have less than a 1/8in of gap from the rolled window edge.

i would keep asking for a refund or at least the labor part, and have them reimburse you for the trim pieces
 
My friend was pissed too but he couldn't do anything about it. And the place is run by a Russian family. The guys that worked in car audio were awesome. They worked really professional and that side of their business is great. But they're tint guy sucked ass and now I gotta find out what to do cause the way I see it they owe me around $300.
 
the only thing you can do now without legal recourse is just hound them for a refund pretty much every day. you prob made the tint worse by rolling it down the next down but it was already so poorly installed it didnt really matter.

go back and raise some more hell! unless its illegal shade tint and cash deal, you should have had a warranty. any reputable tint shop would give you one.
 
I would have been a little suspicious at the cost, $280 for the whole truck is very good. I got a quote from a reputable tint/car audio shop in town for about $400 for the whole truck, and from what I hear, that's about what it is for the most part.
 
knightsfs4 said:
My friend was pissed too but he couldn't do anything about it. And the place is run by a Russian family. The guys that worked in car audio were awesome. They worked really professional and that side of their business is great. But they're tint guy sucked ass and now I gotta find out what to do cause the way I see it they owe me around $300.
Click to expand...

It's a ****ty situation but look at it with a "glass half full" attitude. If you don't get you money back consider it a lesson learnt, $300 isn't anything to sneeze at but it could have been a much worst.

For future reference, don't pay for a job until your happy with it, within reason that is. Some places may require a deposit, but you should never have to pay in full before the truck is finish and you can inspect the work.

Don't beat yourself up too much tho, your young and bound to make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them. Hell, I'm young too and I've made lots of stupid mistakes and I'm sure I'll make many more...C'est la vie
 
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Frame up a letter explaining the situation, state what will rectify the situation, provide receipts and documentation, give a deadline for them to respond, then mention you will proceed to other legal avenues if you can't reach an agreement. Send the letter via certified mail. If you know an attorney, ask if they are okay with you carbon copying the letter to them and indicating that at the bottom of the letter.

I followed that procedure with a muffler shop years back. The owner called the day he got the letter, then he stopped by my workplace less than an hour later with his checkbook and we settled on the spot.
 
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Chad T said:
Frame up a letter explaining the situation, state what will rectify the situation, provide receipts and documentation, give a deadline for them to respond, then mention you will proceed to other legal avenues if you can't reach an agreement. Send the letter via certified mail. If you know an attorney, ask if they are okay with you carbon copying the letter to them and indicating that at the bottom of the letter.

I followed that procedure with a muffler shop years back. The owner called the day he got the letter, then he stopped by my workplace less than an hour later with his checkbook and we settled on the spot.
Click to expand...

As much as I would want to, and probably would, go back there and completely crawl somebody's A$$ for this, Chad T is right.

Don't beat yourself up over it. You were just going on your buddy's word.

Good luck buddy
 
the best way to ensure a perfect job...

1-find the film you want
2-call the company that makes that film & have them refer you to an installer
3-tell the installer you were referred by the corporate company


I would personally suggest 3M. I have yet to come across a poorly crafted 3M product.



- The windows will be fine, get someone to re-do the job. The scrapes on your interior trim is unacceptable.

Personally RAISE HELL and ask for a new door panel. They will see the $500-700 dollar "quote" and be happy to give you your $300 back. Its all relative.

Get a quote from an autobody place and attach it to your letter. Show them you are serious. Because this is disgraceful.
 
I already had my tint redone perfectly. Can anyone shoot me the part number to the vinyl on the passenger side done shown in the first pic? I want to find it online and print it off to send along with my letter. I composed a strongly worded, but respectful, letter that I'm going to send to them. I'm going to ask for $400, but we'll see where it gets me.

Jack
 
blk-4runner said:
Is it possible if you could post the name of that shop, so that would could avoid going there.
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Agreed. Put these ****er's out of business. Post there shop name here. If any of your local news stations have a "On your side team" call them. The 1 thing any business Doesn't want is BAD Publicity. Trust me it works and they will B kissing your Ass. Don't stop till you get your money back. Then kick your friends Ass just to make yourself feel good. The guys was tanked on Vodka when he did the job it looks like.
 
Have you spoken with you parents? If not, you should. They probably financed this and should be involved.

Beyond that. You have legal recourse. It is refereed to as small claims court. It is a court of law and has the legal authority to get your money back.

Small claims usually only deal with money lower than 5 or 10 thousand dollars. They do not allow lawyers present, to lower costs to people to have access to the court.

So. Take a ton of pictures... and file a suit. I won't advise you how, AS every state is different. Learn. Contact your Small Claims Court Clerk, they are very friendly.

Then, contact the store and tell them they did a horrid job. Worse than horrid, they did actual damage to your vehicle.
Go to a Toyota dealer and have them print you off an estimate as to how much to professionally repair all of the damage that was done. Then, take that to them. And say if you do not cut me a check, right not, for this damage; I am filing an Civil Court.



And then... if they don't pay. You document EVERYTHING... and you sue.

Heck, use this thread as evidence as to when the damage occurred. A Judge will look at everything and make a ruling. I see a strong chance of victory for you.


And finally. Talk to your parents.
 
First mistake, never ever get windows tinted at a stereo shop, happen to my old 4runner, tailgate had some tiny bubble and they wouldnt warranty it, even though it was lifetime warranty. Paid about 500 for removal of old faded tint and new tint. Always go to a window tint only shop, price might be higher, but work is better and area is dust free, i paid 575 to have ceramic tint on my new 4runner, thats 9 windows to be tinted, and the work was better than my old truck.
 
I talked to my Dad, he wasn't happy but it is what it is. I pay for all of my car stuff myself. This is a lot of money to me which is why I am taking the time to do all of this. I do feel like it's a good learning experience. The only thing is, I don't see how I could avoid this in the future. Take it to a more reputable shop and not listen to my friend? Their tint guy was just a total ass though. He must've saw me and thought "hey now I get the day off." I'm gonna blow these guys up.

The name of the shop is Jokers Audio in Kennesaw, GA. They also have 2 shops in Dacula, GA as well.
 
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"Joker's" huh?
Looks like the joke was on YOU. :( I'm glad you got it all sorted out and it was done right, but damn.
I'd be absolutely SNAPPING on my friend for recommending that hack...or should I say clown.
 
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