MIDWEEK MUSINGS
I hold fond memories of helping my Dad wash our cars growing up and I also afforded my own kids the same memories ... water play with the hose and buckets of sudsy water and sponges.
Nowadays washing one's car is basically a thing of the past for many as the long lines at automatic carwashes attest. It's even difficult to find the basic self service carwashes with those long water wands and push buttons for soap and rinse.
It is fun going through the touchless carwashes now with colored soaps / lights and having vacuums and cloths available to finish up the cleaning job. So when a new automatic carwash Glide Xpress was built across the street from my grocery store, it was a no brainer to subscribe. And after buying Red Hot, the 2010 BMW hard top convertible, she too was added for the same treat.
You know that' pride in the ride'. Then one day after going through the carwash while drying off some undried areas, I noticed the driver's side roof top hinge cover had popped up. (It's a cosmetic plastic piece covering the hinge). One of the carwash's felt fingers must have gotten caught at one end and as the track moved the car forward pulled it up and broke it. A Glide Xpress worker filled out the accident report for me and relayed that the claim would be evaluated. I decided to be proactive and go straight to the BMW dealership to see if the part was in stock. No such luck.
In fact, both sides have to be purchased as a set @$530 not including installation and it was my responsibility to find a body shop to paint the pieces. The BMW mechanic looked at Red Hot and said a new hinge also was needed. Now Red Hot's estimate jumped to $1,743.00 w/o labor and painting.
Upon returning to Glide Xpress, the manager shared he'd speak with the boss and call me but in many cases management will not cover damage due to the age of the car. * There was a period when workers taped down back windshield wipers (my SUV) before you went through the wash. Obviously, an adjustment to prevent damage...
I told the manager I was planning to shop around for the repair regardless for lower quotes. There was a sign saying certain age cars would be exempt for damage compensation.
Next stop for me was the dealership where Red Hot was purchased and their mechanic said the hinge was fine and to look online for the part. Lo and behold left plastic covers could be purchased separately and he could install it once it was painted.
I did receive a voicemail while I was out of town saying Glide Xpress had said NO to the claim. After returning home, I revisited the manager. Since there was a meeting that day, he would reapproach management.
As you can guess the response was a 'NO,'
Well, the body shop of my choice would paint and install it .
Total cost including part $152 vs BMW's quote plus paint + labor. ~2,000
I have cancelled both my Glide X press subscriptions, will post a less than stellar review, and am sharing this with you all on my blog.
Glide Xpress might be penny wise but pound foolish,
There is what appears a new/ cleaned sign along with a lot of green cones to prevent members from just coming to vacuum their cars...
All I can say is Buyer beware ...
Seriously, how many of us have cars less than 3 years old?
