Have I been ripped off? (Tint problem)
 

Mods: I don't know whether I should post this in the Cosmetic Mods or Cosmetic Maintenance section, so please move it to the appropriate one or just leave it here. :)

I have a Scion FR-S and I think it already came with very light factory tint all around except for the windshield.

I went to a local "3M Authorized Dealer" shop and I asked them to install 3M Crystalline 70% all around including the windshield. Paid $800 for everything.

Took them 2+ hours to install it. When they're done, I noticed there's a small tear in the windshield part, and there were "some" bubbles and basically a lot of imperfections. I was told the tint is hard to install and that mistakes are normal, and that the bubbles would go away after a week or so. At this point, I'm disappointed with the quality of the job, given that they have a lot of 5-star reviews in Yelp. But I obliged to wait for a bit, maybe I was just being too anal.

One week later, I noticed the bubbles did not only went away but now there are more than ever, like more than a dozen tiny specks and bubbles not only in the front windshield but also on the rear side windows. I called them and scheduled an appointment. They looked at it and agreed to redo the tint. I was scheduled to drop my car in again a week later because they don't have an available slot for me.

So, another week passed and I dropped my car at their place. When I came to pick it up later that day, the tint is already installed and they were just drying the car out in the sun.

A few weeks have passed and I kept noticing that the (new) windshield tint does not perform as well as the front side windows and rear window, and that it doesn't have the same color. I took my car to two other reputable tint shops, and they confirmed that the front tint is not the same as the back, but here's the kicker: the original tint they put in (front side windows, rear window) does not look Crystalline at all! They said that Crystalline has a gray tinge, while the one I have is greenish, which looks very similar to Color FX. The latter costs just around $300 to install all around, FYI.

Here's some (large-res) pics I took just now:

1. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2010.50.54.jpg
2. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2010.51.08.jpg
3. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2010.51.23.jpg
4. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2010.52.07.jpg
5. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2010.52.12.jpg

Thing is, the front side windows and the rear windows work really well, rejects heat a lot, but then again I don't have a comparison experience between the FX and the Crystalline.

Have I been ripped off? If I have, I will file a chargeback against them, cause I'm not getting what I paid for. :mad0260:

You were ripped off the moment you paid $800 for tint. Are you friggin nuts?

800 bucks... most I've paid for a full tint job is 65 bucks... and after 4 years they still look good...

I really hope you meant $80.

Not sure I would ever trust Yelp. Did any of them have a 'WTF" next to the cost of the work/

i see your in socal
goto Six Autosound to do your tint.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/six-autosound-los-angeles

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=3168

$800:eyebulge:

Let me clear this part up.

1. I want the best heat rejection tint.
2. I don't want dark tints.

Crystalline is 3M's top-of-the-line tint that does both.

I've checked it costs $700-800 from other installers (for full installation inc. windshield).

I want the best and it has actually somehow paid itself off. The side windows, if they are actually Crystalline, you can put your hand in the sunlight and you won't feel a thing.

If they tried to sneak you some cheap tint then I would plant my fist firmly inside their face. Go back and force them to re-do it. It'll cost them more $, which will hopefully teach them a lesson.

I plan to do this. I've set up an appointment with them and will be collecting more "evidences" (confirmation from other installers that what I have installed are not Crystalline).

800 bucks is too high for an all-around tint job.

*By the way, yelp is not all that useful a tool for finding good places...yelp filters out reviews to benefit those businesses who advertise them (yelp itself) or those who advertise with them...

Asked around forums and such. The materials (Crystalline) are already $500.

I agree 800 bucks for tint I got mine for 150 for all windows with whatever % I wanted and a lifetime warranty. I would get your money back ..

He likes special tint and is willing to pay for it. As for me I spent 0 since dealer through it in. And the tint is perfect. To each their own and just make sure the finish project is to your standing and then go enjoy it. Your money do with what you want with it