Choosing Between Corporate and Local Independent Auto Glass Shops

When choosing any auto glass shop to replace your windshield or auto glass, it is important to know what type of auto glass is being used! There are local and corporate shops that use aftermarket/OE Equivalent glass and don't always disclose this in their quote.  The successful calibration of the camera can be affected by the brand of glass.  Many local and corporate shops may quote you the cheapest aftermarket glass without factoring in the brand and calibration.  Some vehicles need OEM glass only for a proper calibration.  This is important to know because a shop may install the glass and require  you to go to a dealer to get a calibration and you may discover the dealer can’t calibrate the glass either leaving you stuck without a calibrated safety and driver assistance system.

The fact is, most reputable auto glass shops use auto glass that meets or exceeds OEM quality standards. When getting your free quote, it is important to consider "who is installing your windshield or auto glass". This is where the local, independent shop has the advantage, in most cases. There is typically less employee turnover with a family owned and operated shop versus a corporate company. The technicians also have liberty to utilize various tools and techniques that are best for your specific job, rather than being limited to a specific set of tools or techniques. When you choose a local shop, you get a more personalized experience and an auto glass technician that most likely has been with the company for many years.

At Wyndshyld Auto Glass our technicians are fully AGSC certified and go through rigorous ongoing training to stay at the top of our industry as it changes. Our leadership team is an active member of The Independent Glass Association, by serving on the Board of the Independent Association (IGA), and is a valued member of The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC). Learn more about our commitment to excellence in the auto glass industry, click here.  It is also important to choose a shop that is a Registered AGSC member as they and their technicians are required to go through random 3rd party independent audits to ensure they are following the AGRSS Safety Standard.  There are a couple well-known large corporate auto glass shops that DO NOT go through this audit. 

When you need a windshield or auto glass replacement, costs can be substantial. Understanding the details of the lifetime warranty can prove invaluable should issues arise months after you had your windshield or auto glass replaced. For instance, if you discover a leak in your windshield three months later, will the warranty cover it? This knowledge is crucial, especially when facing an expense ranging from $300 to $600 for an average windshield replacement.

Before you agree to go with any auto glass shop. Make sure there are no additional fees or expenses that weren't included in the original. Some examples of this are; disposal fees, sales tax, moldings, etc.

As a policyholder, you have the right to choose the auto glass shop near you that you think will do the best windshield or auto glass repair. Despite any suggestions from your insurance company to use aftermarket auto glass or directing you to a larger corporate chain, you maintain the right to choose. Take the time to research and choose the auto glass repair company that is best for you. Your insurance policy is obligated to cover any reasonable quote from a reputable company to restore your vehicle's auto glass back to its original condition.

Insurance providers may even have arrangements set up with corporate chains that include,  the corporate glass company answering the phone on behalf of the insurance company when you call your insurance company to file a glass only claim.  In these cases, you are talking with a 3rd party glass claim administrator owned by the same parent company that owns the corporate glass company without even realizing it. You have the right to choose who performs your auto glass services. Learn more auto glass insurance claims in Georgia, click here.

There are many good auto glass shops to choose from. Start by doing online searches for a windshield replacement near me or best auto glass shop near me to look into what the community is saying about your local, independent auto glass shop or a corporate chain location in your area. Don't rely on reviews on their websites, instead look at Google or other review sites to see what their past customers had to say. If you are local to the north suburbs of Atlanta, feel free to check out our reviews on Google, click here.

When it comes to your free auto glass quote, having a knowledgeable professional review and analyze your quote is essential. This ensures you receive the best and most accurate quote for everything you will need. Accurate quoting helps prevent unexpected surprises, avoiding extra costs down the line and ensuring the job is done correctly the first time. Large corporate auto glass companies often have support staff answering calls from remote locations. However, when you contact a local, independent auto glass shop, you're speaking to someone closely connected to the owner or manager. This means you receive personalized attention and a more detailed, accurate quote from specialists who are invested in meeting your specific needs.

At Wyndshyld Auto Glass in East Cobb, GA, we recognize that you have many options when choosing the best auto glass shop for your windshield replacement or auto glass repairs. We appreciate each and every customer for allowing us to support our local community by creating meaningful employment opportunities for our employees. We proudly service East Cobb, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and surrounding Northern Atlanta suburbs! If you have any questions about if you should repair or replace your windshield, or need a free quote, contact us today!