So what about aftermarket auto glass?

Here we go again! I lost my back slider glass earlier this morning. An 18 wheeler coming off the right shoulder threw several near golf ball-sized rocks forward from behind. I saw them coming but was stopped in traffic and couldn't move. That thing blew out like a bomb had gone off!

Well now on to me asking you to share your knowledge or opinion about aftermarket replacement glass. My policy gives me the option of choice between OEM or aftermarket glass. I have always asked for OEM simply because I feel that all things considered that you are assured quality.

The question is, is aftermarket really the same or better quality, etc.?
I'm told that there may be an OEM supply issue with the COVID thing which could potentially delay the repair. But they have whatever brand aftermarket in stock and tell me they can have it installed by 10 am tomorrow morning. Can anyone offer insider information regarding a true comparison OEM to aftermarket?

 

I had my front windshield recently replaced by Safelite and did the OEM equivalent aftermarket option. It seems to be pretty much on par with the OEM, the only minor thing I have noticed is a bit of fish eye in the upper corners of the windshield. I would imagine on your rear glass being a flat panel that would be a non issue. The price difference was also pretty significant so it was worth it to me for the savings.

 

I have only seen one aftermarket sliding rear window install. It was close but not quite right. The question is "will it be watertight"? Of course they'll say yes but will the installer stand behind their work?

 

take it to a specialty shop, not safelite or a big name glass installer. that's the biggest piece of advice i have. most oem and aftermarket windshields are made in the same factories anyways from what I am told.

 

If given the option, I'd go OEM every time. Installation is a huge consideration as well, but again, OEM.

 

Ive had an aftermarket rear sliding window for 5 or 6 years now and it's held up great. Im not with my truck at the moment but I'll update this comment later tonight to include the brand name. It's much darker than the OEM glass and I like it.

 

I absolutely agree with 90% of this ^^^^. The only nit I might pick is the part aftermarket glass being made in the same factories as OEM. This is only partially true. All automakers outsource production of the vast majority of their parts to outside suppliers. So some aftermarket glass is made by the same suppliers. The bigger question becomes what standards the glass made by a given manufacturer meets. The OEM glass is made to the very highest standards. The glass made in the same factory to non-OEM specs is generally not held to those higher OEM standards. Glass made by suppliers who are not OEM suppliers is the lowest quality. (Safelite cough, cough.)

 

Well crap, I am in a position to almost certainly have to go with aftermarket if I am to have it replaced in the morning. You know, I hear a few negative commits concerning Safelite's work.

But I personally have had like 9 or 10 glass replacements with them with only one issue. I call and went straight down that day and they jumped right on it and it was fine.

I do always ask and get OEM everything especially glass though. And frankly, at this point, after hearing from you all here, I am starting to feel a bit uncomfortable considering A/M.

Who knows, they may have it waiting there on me when I show up in the morning. It doesn't cost me anymore one way or the other, and they will get the OEM at my request.

I don't know, should I back out and wait for OEM if they haven't located one for tomorrow's install? Sound kinda silly, but I don't know much about the difference and only have one shot at getting it right.

TIME FOR SOME YOUTUBE!!!

OEM For Sure!!!

I'll wait if I have to, crap, you could see it in the guy's face that he knew something we don't. Thank you guys, I'm not so sure the back glass is so critical but never on the front windshield for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qetSFTlCs5A

 

Again though guys, what's the grief with Safelite? I really have 100% confidence in them. They kinda remind me of Bill Wilson's gun workshop philosophy. And this is to have one person do the same job over and over until he is a master at whatever he is doing.

I can't imagine anyone having the experience of the guys I actually know there through the work I have had done through the years. They do literally 100's of windshields a week. I don't know what else to say except that they treat me very well as far as customer service goes etc. and I can't find a thing wrong with their work.

As an example, I had reached out earlier today inquiring about the possibility of having the OEM glass I need in inventory. I noticed that the office lady had not called back so I was thinking of what to do in the morning. So I see a text come through and it is Safelite's Eddie on what may be his personal phone asking if I had got a callback?

When I told him no, he said he would be on the phone with them at 5:45 in the morning and reach out to me with the info. This saves me over an hour's drive and he's following up with me after 9 pm because he wanted to make sure I was taken care of properly while he was away from his store.

I know your opinions are founded out of experience and knowledge and I respect that. But maybe consider trying another location. i.e. sometimes my wife and I will drive some 41 miles each way to the Cameron Dairy Queen for burgers and fries. We do this because they really seem to care about their food being hot and fresh. There is a Dairy Queen about 16 miles the other direction. Same sign different everything.

Just Saying, My Brother Tacomians!

 

I used to drive pilot car behind trucks that constantly tossed sand and rocks at my windshield all day long. The original windshields in my trucks always lasted much longer than the aftermarket glass they got replaced with. It always seemed to me that the replacement glass was softer and less resistant to pitting and starring.

I drove Toyotas, Nissans, Chevy and Ford trucks and in each case the Safelite glass wore quicker than the factory glass. Insurance paid for some of them but when I paid the bill there was such a discount on aftermarket glass that I never considered factory.

 

What insurance do you have? I’ve got AAA and they won’t do anything about my windshield. Not even 2500 miles on my truck and I’ve got some gnarly damage.

 

37 years +/- with Allstate. I have retired three agents and really like the ones I have now. Let's face it, truth be told there is a seat right next to almost every Lawyer for people in the insurance business on a train headed straight to HELL. As a whole, It has to be the most corrupt industry on the planet. Allstate at least still does support their patrons to a reasonable degree.

I pay like $60 a year extra for my comprehensive coverage over the normal cost. Something I added years ago when I covered like 100K miles a year driving. Admittedly it normally is just money being collected and enjoyed by Allstates shareholders, but this year I have had the worse luck and have already had three glass claims.

I don't know if all of their policies are the same or if it is the way my policy is set up. But my comprehensive coverage which covers my autos glass etc. has no detectable and I have the right to demand OEM parts etc.
Hope this helps.

I offer this video to help you understand my disdain for the crooked Bastigeses. It took over a year for the other driver's insurance company to accept falt. The driver of the car that hit us filed a claim saying we ran the red light and hit him.

The dashcam footage is from our car. I gripped the wheel so tight in reaction to the impact that it tore my rotator cup. No real medical help because they wanted me to be out of pocket for the expense until liability was established.

I went ahead and paid my deductible and filed an uninsured motorist claim so Allstate would pursue the other guy's insurance co. A little off-topic but I am passionate about my feeling for insurance companies. It could have been a lot worse. All from someone wanting to beat the yellow light.

My son flenched for months entering intersections after that impact. Oh and please forgive the language, I also learned he was capable of dropping the F-bomb from the experience. Oh and please leave a like to my video, as I've never had one before.

https://studio.youtube.com/video/s39FEhvHf0I/edit

 

This is good information. So I take it that Safelite actually brands their own glass or has a manufacture? Or is it that most all aftermarket offerings are inferior I wonder.

I would guess in this day and age it would be hard to keep up with all the brands available in order to distinguish the good from the bad. I actually was feeling a bit bad about demanding OEM a few weeks ago when I had my Tacoma's front glass replaced. But not after this exchange, it defiantly was the right choice.

 

The glass shop might be pushing the aftermarket glass because it's in stock and they can get it done quickly..

But they also might be steering you away from OEM because they take a bigger hit on the profit margin compared to the a/m piece

If your insurance is helping cover it, get the nicest one available

 

I feel you are right on all counts. I am going OEM for sure. But frankly, if the quality was the same it wouldn't be an issue.

 

I have no complaints about safelite, but they broke my glass before I got in and had to order a new one so I went with the local guy next door to them. He had the glass installed that day for $100 cheaper. I like giving small shops my money so I was pleased with the outcome.

 

RESPECT, thanks

 

My rear slider glass was leaking water, so I replaced it with this tinted solid panel from eBay. It's been great. I never used the slider window anyway, so the extra visibility looking backwards is great.
Glue only to install. No leaks for over a year and a half.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273567195878

 

Here you were dead on brother, it was close but not quite right. 3/16" gap up the passenger side seal.
They are going to replace the aftermarket they installed today with the OEM as soon as it arrives. Oh, and yes thankfully, the Safelight I use does stand behind their work.