Caught....installing the wrong film.

So last week I lost a car install so another shop using the same product,because I wouldn't meet their price.The customer goes and gets it done now spending more than what I was going to charge because he/she has the windshield tinted.The same day the custy calls me so I can price re-doing the B/G because the 3rd light is HACKED OUT.When the customer gets here for a visual inspection I immediately notice that the film on the car is not the product that was paid for.FRAUD!!!So now I am pissed because this happened about 14 months ago with the same shop.My mind is thinking,how many cars have been filmed by this shop using a different product than what the customer paid for?How many cars would have came here instead but figured they can travel 20 minutes to save 100 bucks?Well now it is time to seriously investigate.I sent off a sample of the film to the manny.They are in the process of identifying what it is.I know for a fact that it is not was it was supposed to be by color and BTU measurements.Oh and by the way the car is a 2009 Audi A4 that also needs a new rear view mirror because the other shop broke it and the humidity/rain sensor.What I can add is,if anybody/shop upsells a product,install what you sold.I hope this other shop loses in court for fraud.DO NOT LET IT BE YOU!

This is common. CP had a lot of bait n switch problems with people using a cheaper film that looks the same. I heard a few dealers got caught and were dropped but the problem still persists.

that is one my biggest pet peeves too remain true to your integrity and you will succeed

I've lost customers to this as well. The problem is the customer hears the words "lifetime warranty" and assume that if a shop utters those magic words that the film they just got quoted on is the best. Blinders are now on and the words "hybrid , metalized, ceramic , ATX , etc means nothing to them. The customer is pretty much left to the honesty of the installer which is too bad really. It would be nice to play on an even playing field..but that's life . There are crooks and there are honest business people .

I like to believe that the honest business people draw to themselves the customers that deserve them..and visa versa . I live in a dream world perhaps ..bu that's the way I think

The problem is when someone says that they'll sell you F1 or ATX or whatever and then they put something that looks similar but is far from genuine. Customers usually don't think to check the warranty card and an invoice can be made to say anything...

Bunch of crooks out there, people have to be educated.

yea what ellse is new.

Guy down the road from me does that with FG films..

Nothing new at all. The first tint shop I worked for about 22 years ago got their 3M territory because the last guy that had the territory was putting cheaper film into 3M boxes and was eventually caught by 3M.

The irony of it all is that not only does this happen on the retail end but it is also happening on the MFG side. Films are re-boxed and sold as different brands. Who knows how many switches happened by the time a piece of film gets installed on a window?

So true 100%

Most shops carry 2 or 3 different films (good, better, best) Let's say you sell them ATX and and realize when you get to the back window your just a foot short! Are you going to put ATR on, or tell them to come back when you get more film in? I would never do a bait and switch because i have a conscience but i'll compromise if need be! Ok OK let's hear some feed back on this! What are your thoughts on that?

As far as not having enough film in stock that is being lazy,not keepin up with the responsibilty of being an owner or manager.I never have had to bait and switch.Those who switch films on the customer are crooks.That is like getting an oil change on your car and not replacing the filter.I will keep this thread up to date as far as the legal action permits.

So the I met with the customer on Friday.He/she is taking the shop to court for damage to the vehicle(rear view mirror and sensors) $750.00 dealer estimate for repair.The customer is also going after fraud.It really sucks to see how unregulated this industry is.Maybe the Burea of Automotive Repair should step in and develop guidelines for auto filming.Why not huh,the CSLB did it to us in 1990 for flat glass.

Sure is... I can't believe how many MFG's & Dists sell to unlicensed flat glass companies.

Auto obviously suffers from similar issues... let us know how this plays out.

I blogged about licensing and FG tinting, I think all states should require it. Automotive should have some kind of check and balance for the consumer's protection as well. A lot of these problem can be avoided if the consumer would step up and demand a Contractor's License # before doing business with FG companies it would change this industry.

True it shows some lack of responsibility and i can admit that, but it does happen from time to time especially when were in season and your not paying attention(human error) It doesn't make me a crook! And its deffinitly not something i practice. Just something from time to time i might have to comprimise!

So put yourself in the shoes of your customer.Would you like to be told "by the way I installed something other than what I sold to you in the first place".Or you do not say anything at all?I bet that if you told the customer that you came up short and would rather install the correct film in a couple days they would be more than happy to wait.

Oh i completly agree with you about short changing the customer! . And it does bother my conscience when i've comprimised film on the back window! I would never do a whole car like that. And really your right about not ordering enough film is really my fault! Well that's why this is a kick ass forum cuz it can teach you more than just tinting windows,and in my case : Honesty!! Sometimes you got to hear it from another view point in order to correct yourself! Thanks Maddtinter

i have one time ran out of a roll of tint for a car. but i called the custy and told them. i offered to do it in an upgraded film for the same price. they were happy. i was short on the back, and nobody else here carries 3M. so i could either 2 piece it or put another film on it, i chose to just upgrade them to ATX for free. there are other shops around here that carry llumar so i can always hit them up if i ever run short. but i stock film up the @ss so it never happens. however they borrow from me all the time

Years ago I made a mistake installing a residential 30% insted of the equivilent 50%. I caught my mistake when having to get another roll off the truck and it wasn't there. I went all the way back to my shop and get the roll, came back went to put it up and instantly realised my mistake. I started sweating. I went back to the truck and found a box of the film (wrong film) I was using. I put up the last peice (what was I thinking) I called them in the room, and said I am all done (looking at the paper work). They said wow it looks great, much darker then I thought, I love it.....

I then said "you know it is darker, this is the wrong film!"

mrs. custy "what do you mean the wrong film?"

me "Yes, I made a mistake, this film is the darker one that cuts out more heat, you wanted the lighter one that cuts out less right?"

(showing them the paper work)

me "hold on let me get the right one out of the truck...."

Me "see this is the lighter one" (thank goodness it was the same brand!)

mrs. custy "oh I see, but I was afaid of the film being too dark, and thats not dark at all, don't worry about, we love it"

(mrs. custy smiles)

(I pack up)

Mr custy (the husband) says "here ya go"

$5.00 tip! (they were senior citizens by the way)

Me "THANKS SIR!"

then I drove away into the sunset with the sweat disapating, it was a great day?

HONESTY PAYS!