One up for Solargard.

Q. How do you really gauge the commercial integrity of your film supplier?

A. When a company like Solargard steps in to take help a disadvantaged film installer and his customer from being screwed senseless by another wholesaler who doesn't want to acknowledge their lifetime warranty commitments.

How could this happen you say?
Well let me ask you this!

How difficult has it been for any of you to get fair and morally right compensation in the event of a film failure covered by a lifetime warranty in Australia?

(There is no need to answer this as I know the reply already.)

The case in question revolves around a notorius alternative film brand that had film failures all around the country and my customer unfortunately was one of those that experienced this problem too.

I bought their product in good faith as it was sold to me as a high performance film that set new benchmarks in the industry and was covered by a lifetime warranty.

The job was done some years ago but that doesn't matter. What does though is a technicality based on the fact that my customer who is the original purchaser cannot produce the paper trail warranty form which is a direct synopsis of the invoice which I found and gave to him as a copy last week.

In that invoice I have his name, the full details of the car tinted like make, year, model, registration plate, date installed, film manufacturer, film product line type, and roll number....what more is there?
It is impossible to deny he is the owner of the installation, when it was installed and whose film it was!!!!!!
These details at the time were then written onto their form and therefore nothing was different.

So where are we now at?
Well this film company won't help with the claim at all and any fair and reasonable approaches have been negated as null and void and we all know why! They hate paying claims and anything that they can do to obstruct the process they will because the problem is so notorious.

What's this got to do with Bekaert Solargard?

I had been discussing this fiasco with Carlo Cicchini my state rep whom I've known for quite some time and in passing conversation told him of this saga and how I decided to make good this ridiculous situation at my cost.

It was here that Carlo offered very generously to supply me his own material for the redo in order to lessen the angst I experienced from one of his competitors....now I ask how good is that?

He even brought the film around after hours on his way home which is beyond the call of duty.

The car will be redone this week at no charge to the customer (he is rapt to say the least) and may I say very humbly that I thank Carlo and Bekaert for such incredible service that should have been forthcoming in the first place from the other mob.

This is service, this is the definition of integrity and I hope any new tinters considering shifting to Bekaert heed my advice to buy from a decent company like them who care about tinters first.
Devil

Devil, it's good here that you've been looked after. Carlo is a good guy, pity he isn't my state rep. Makes me think of when Bekeart was DTI... better film, better service.

Funny thing though, whilst I was reading your post I couldn't help but marvel at how easily Bekeart find it to help you out on a competitors warranty claim ( I can guess whose it is too ) but they aren't quite so relaxed about paying out their own. I have a file currently holding approximately 7K in legitimate warranty claims that Bekeart refuse to pay because I no longer buy their film. My defection was based on this consistant product failure but rather than try to tempt me back they refuse my claims and I know that I am not the only one. Guess that dealer excellence trophy they gave me to acknowledge that I was their largest film purchaser doesn't count for that much. Will I ever get paid? Probably not. Will I continue to service warranty at my expense? Absolutely, my customers come first!

I thought you used Madico? If so, I find it strange you would consider Bekaert, especially with the lawsuits against them.

Wow that's very ordinary Wife.

I'm shocked by your treatment and comments if indeed 100% correct and I know Carlo may read this.

There should never be any excuse whether you've become an ex or not tinter from paying up fair dinkum warranty claims.

This whole lifetime warranty thing is ludicrous and out of control here in Australia but what surprises me is that Bekaert have always said to me, fix the customer up first as their top priority then they'll address the warranty compensation with the tinter.

I just don't understand why our local industry can't rid this BS life warranty thing when none of them are happy about coughing up when it hits the fan.

Devil

I normally would have TJ out of my own stock but it just so happened that I was speaking to Bek at the time and the offer was made.
I can't even get a sample out of Maddy to trial evaluate their new release Wincos unless I pay for it big, big time.
Devil

Bully for you and I am happy you are being taken care of in this situation!

However, I am sorry to break it to you, but this is NOT some wonderful decision on the part of Bekeart as much as it is the Rep trying to win your business and take care of it. I would almost guarantee that he is acting on his own here. Bekeart is no different than any other film manufacturer. This rep sounds like a great guy. I once had a great guy for a Bekeart rep who always took care of warranty issues by simply sending out a whole roll of film - enough to replace the bad stuff and then plenty to make money on without any cost to me. I stayed loyal to Bekeart for this type of service.

As soon as my rep was "downsized" out of a job, my new rep put the screws to me and the service turned into no service, and no help, with raised prices and eventually selling to my biggest dealership account - who I subsequently lost in the process.

Lesson here: A film company is only as good as the guy that sells you the film. It is really more about people than the product. Ask anyone on here who is using the new SunGard from Solamatrix. They are buying primarily because of their longstanding relationship to/with Bill Stewart. They trust him.

Wincos works great, looks pretty good, but gives off a haze when the sun hits it. I put it on my wifes Volvo and you can hardly feel any heat. I personally dont like it. Contact Enpro Distributing in Houston. Last week they had a ridiculous offer on Wincos, 2 rolls of it and they were throwing in a wow box, for really, really cheap. It costs less than what one roll of MAC 3000 60"....if that gives you an idea.

Good to see someone helping you out dev

sounds familiar

I was thinking the same thing...

Great that you have a helpful rep that is stepping up. A very eloquent tribute from you as well. But if you break it down you've received a sample roll.... Something he's quite willing to comp any dealer, especially those using competative lines.

A year from now, Dev is going to be posting about how Solargard's (or insert any film name here) films is going bad and not honoring warranties.



just kidding!

100% correct Devil I'd have no trouble proving it.

What exactly shocks you, the fact that the film fails, in less than 2yrs I might add or that you can go from a highly respected and recommended dealer to 'persona non grata' when the numbers stack against them and you dare to question why your paying premium $$ for budget quality film?

I completely agree with you there should never be any excuse.

Whilst the lifetime warranty roulette works in their favour it will never go away, when it doesn't work in their favour they tell us to go away and yes it is BS especially in our climate.

More than probably right TD.
Devil

Likely. VERY likely. This happens alot on here. I have done it myself.

They're are all tarred with the same brush.
Oh how I can hark back to them dear ol' days when things were fair dinkum before one major mob rooted the business and all the others had to follow.
Devil

Hi Devil,
Long time don't hear You.
But I am Your neighbour now.
We are opened at KiwiLand

Across the pond as we Aussies say about NZ.
Devil

Next week WINTER THERE?

Nearly Leo...3.5 weeks to the shortest day.
Devil

Interesting thread Devil...I belive this brand is generally in the right direction and my area is blessed with great rep also. My aproach has always been to pick the film that works best for the clients application regardless of film type or brand.Lifetime in the majority of cases really means longer lasting.As far as 90% of customers see it we are the brand and tint is just tint.

That's how it is with me too mate but it gives me the Tommy t**s when a wholesaler won't play the game correctly.
Either they should eff off out of the business or fix the darn sob problems and drop the false facade of the lifetime warranty crap thing.
Devil

What the heck is that?

You have to be an Aussie to understand our unique brand of lingo TD.
Devil