Have I been ripped off? (Tint problem)

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

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

Geez, you guys are getting raped in California.

Either way, you shouldn't have any bubbles or tears. Also, not to discount any of the other dealers you went to, but it's possible that the front looks different than the sides/rears because the windshield isn't tinted from the factory like the rest of the windows are.

Not sure how you'll be able to prove to the dealer that they didn't use genuine 3M Crystalline unless you can get 3M themselves to certify it.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by MyGT86

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 ..

I don't think I can get the money back unless I do a card chargeback if they refuse to install the tints I paid for.

[campy]

I usually say that a chargeback should be an absolute last resort, and that it's usually best to just deal directly with the seller to get the issue fixed, but if these guys already tried to pull a fast one on you, I'd just do the chargeback. Leave them with the $500 materials bill and labor costs. Clearly they don't respect you, so why should you respect them?

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Geez, you guys are getting raped in California.

Either way, you shouldn't have any bubbles or tears. Also, not to discount any of the other dealers you went to, but it's possible that the front looks different than the sides/rears because the windshield isn't tinted from the factory like the rest of the windows are.

Not sure how you'll be able to prove to the dealer that they didn't use genuine 3M Crystalline unless you can get 3M themselves to certify it.

My coworker's FRS is brand new. I also have an actual Crystalline sample, so I can try it on his car and see if it will look the same.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

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

My tint guy can do my front windshield (only) with the CA legal stuff for $150...not sure if it is crystalline, but anything that is legal and durable is good enough...

But hey, since you paid so much, you deserve to be absolutely satisfied with the job...if not, make them do it again or ask for a refund

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

My tint guy can do my front windshield (only) with the CA legal stuff for $150...not sure if it is crystalline, but anything that is legal and durable is good enough...

But hey, since you paid so much, you deserve to be absolutely satisfied with the job...if not, make them do it again or ask for a refund

I'm only after the best heat rejection tint with the highest visibility, hence I'm OK with spending that much.

The ones from the first batch of install actually works well, but if it's not what I paid for and if the real Crystalline will work better, then they better redo everything or I file a chargeback.

[Drftfan]

Wow. I understand wanting the best. But your in SoCal. Not Vegas.
This is probably one of those things I don't get.
I guess I could have found better things to spend $800.00 on.

[Jidonsu]

$800 is a lot to pay for tint, but if your car spends a lot of time in the sun, and you're willing to pay $800 for the heat rejection properties of Crystalline film, it's worth it. I've played with the film, and it is pretty neat how little or no heat gets transmitted. With that said, I hope you get this sorted out. Don't listen to the haters. Crystalline is expensive everywhere.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by Drftfan

Wow. I understand wanting the best. But your in SoCal. Not Vegas.
This is probably one of those things I don't get.
I guess I could have found better things to spend $800.00 on.

My commute is one hour drive one way, facing the sun. It's totally worth it for me.

[2SeeKU]

Small bubbles is usual. I recently (last week actually) had tint installed and l had small bubbles in a few locations. Sure enough, they were gone within 2 days. The place l had it done said if the bubbles were still there after a couple of days to bring it back and they would fix it up. I wouldn't expect anything less from a tint specialist!

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by 2SeeKU

Small bubbles is usual. I recently (last week actually) had tint installed and l had small bubbles in a few locations. Sure enough, they were gone within 2 days. The place l had it done said if the bubbles were still there after a couple of days to bring it back and they would fix it up. I wouldn't expect anything less from a tint specialist!

Yeah, but I'm talking about dozens of tiny bubbles concentrated in one area, that were still there a week after.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

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

Just FYI, I have the 3M Crystalline 70% all around also on my BRZ, including the front windshield. I paid $775 for mine, and works great (2 weeks and counting now)... got mine done at Campbell Window Film in Huntington Beach via a recommendation from a friend.

If you want to compare the tint, I could possibly meet you next Saturday at South Coast Subaru as I have to go in for the Homelink mirror "fix", or even Cars & Coffee beforehand.

As for everyone else that said it's a ripoff:

CA law is 70% visible light, but you're allowed to tint the fronts for UV protection. I wanted a tint that was high quality and I've sat in 3 different cars with this tint, and they all work great.

Just did 900+ miles this weekend going up to Bishop/Mammoth/June Lake/Lee Vining in 90+ weather, and the tint worked so well that my AC was half off the entire time. Plus, I have zero loss of nighttime visibility.

-alex

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

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

My tint, via pics taken today at June Lake, CA:





-alex

[Books]

Jeez, that is some really expensive tint And I thought I splurged a little bit by getting ceramics! (Paid a little over $200)

If I paid that much for tint, they better have used the correct tint!