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So Annoyed right now... XTC Avenger Top

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paradiddle1984

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Woke up this morning and thought I'd treat myself and use my Nav for my drive into Manchester - unfortunately I was presented with this....

Image


The glass was all on the floor as opposed to in the truck and the way it had shattered indicated a failure of the glass itself. Now, I'm very careful and ensured that the top was fitted with the bolts set to the correct torque so you can imagine how frustrated I am.

Autoglass called and on their way - going to give Hardtops UK a call shortly and see what they say. So annoyed right now
 
#3 ·
Did you have to fit the windows or did they come pre installed?
Glass can have stress points on manufacture, I've had windscreens shatter for no reason other than manufacturer defects according to Autoglass.
Or as above ....
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Biggi said:
Did you have to fit the windows or did they come pre installed?
Glass can have stress points on manufacture, I've had windscreens shatter for no reason other than manufacturer defects according to Autoglass.
Or as above ....
Click to expand...
Glass was pre-installed. According to Autoglass it's a common thing for them to go pop when the glass is fitted before the top goes on the truck. Positive that it's not some ne'er do well as the car park is secure with only one way in/out.

Waiting on Hardtops UK to ring me back now!
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Fitted it about 3 weeks ago and then re-tightened last night to 15nm as the instructions recommended after putting some miles on the truck with the top fitted.

Spoke to Hard Tops and they say the glass isn't covered on the warranty so I'm on my own. The glass has damaged the truck itself when it has blown and gouged some of the paint out.

Suffice to say I am not impressed at being told all this for something costing in excess of £1,000.
 
#7 ·
Not at all acceptable!!!
Get a written report from Autoglass or alike, obviously its an imperfection in the glass, regardless of their warranty the item is not fit for purpose.
Quote "Refusal of help from hard tops will result in legal action against them for faulty goods"
Worth a try for a start
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Biggi said:
Not at all acceptable!!!
Get a written report from Autoglass or alike, obviously its an imperfection in the glass, regardless of their warranty the item is not fit for purpose.
Quote "Refusal of help from hard tops will result in legal action against them for faulty goods"
Worth a try for a start
Click to expand...
Cheers Biggi,

More bothered about the paintwork of the truck itself now as that isn't going to be cheap. Really annoyed at how Hardtops are washing their hands of it. Feel like getting a refund on the top itself and whacking an aluminium farming one on instead!
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Small update.

Guy I've been speaking to at hardtopsuk said the company director is back off holiday tomorrow and he will mention my complaint to him and call me back but doesn't think I will get any further based on his experience and as they don't include glass in the warranty.

However, having had a look round and having a word with a family friend I understand that regardless of their warranty claims, they can be liable for this kind of thing for a few YEARS after purchase on the basis that the item is meant to be fit for purpose and safe. Glass shattering randomly within 3 weeks of purchase is not normal. The chap at Hardtops said it could have equally been a window on my car but in that instance I would still be on at the manufacturer given it shattered without warning. Auto glass say its a common issu as did the body shop who I went to.

New glass is just the cost of my insurance excess of £75 as I am claiming for that. The bodywork is too big for chips away so have got a quote from a recommended body shop my neighbour has been using for years. £120.

Just shy of £200 all in. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect Hardtopsuk to stump up. Failing that, pretty sure I can ask them for a refund for the £1500 or whatever it is for the entire top!

Either way is fine by me.
 
#10 ·
Yep you've got a 30 day no quibble guarantee with anything you purchase. If its smashed, then its not fit for purpose.

They'll have to bite the bullet! Id mention about this post and the disgust of the members. Im sure many won't be buying from there after seeing this thread.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Part of me is thinking to just get a full refund as I'm worried about it happening again now either on the other side or the replacement pane. Can't see the point of getting the bodywork sorted while there's potential it might happen again so might be better to just remove it and get a full refund.
 
#14 ·
Hmmm good luck with this...................

As said you need something from an independent source stating faulty glass, as trader will come back with a 'prove it'. He could say anything caused it, over tightening, poorly fitted in first place (unless they ftted it of course) criminal damage or you have seen a different make/model and now your engineering a way to 'reject' the goods, I'm afraid onus is still on you to prove 'not fit for purpose' :eek:ops sorry
 
#15 ·
As the guys have said you do have rights despite what the company are saying, if you are going for a reject/refund sooner is always better than later in these situations.

From what you've said, the glass has gone due to the stress of the top being re-tightened, so in my opinion, with this kind of top, it's more than likely going to happen again, so for that reason alone i would get a refund. If you need a top, get something else.

As for it being a common issue, i think you're the first ever that's posted on this forum about it, so that's hard to believe i think?

Don't muck about though mate, whatever you decide :wink:
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Lil'Trucker! said:
As the guys have said you do have rights despite what the company are saying, if you are going for a reject/refund sooner is always better than later in these situations.

From what you've said, the glass has gone due to the stress of the top being re-tightened, so in my opinion, with this kind of top, it's more than likely going to happen again, so for that reason alone i would get a refund. If you need a top, get something else.

As for it being a common issue, i think you're the first ever that's posted on this forum about it, so that's hard to believe i think?

Don't muck about though mate, whatever you decide :wink:
Click to expand...
Cheers mate - I don't hang about and I hate being pushy with these companies but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in my request of them. My old man had a good point - with the truck being a lease vehicle it's probably better to just do a DIY touch up on it for now and get it all rectified properly in the bodyshop as the lease nears it's end as who knows what will happen between now and then. I like to keep my cars looking as near to showroom condition as possible so it is really frustrating, though.

Meant to be hearing back from HardtopsUK today once the Director is back in the office so hopefully it's good news. Can't blame the staff for doing as they are advised, I guess. Will base my decision on the outcome of that call as it's going to be a massive pain removing and shipping that thing back down south!!
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Quick update on things including the next steps I am taking...

Had a callback from one of the employees from Hard Tops UK just now advising that he has caught up with the director of the business and their position has not changed. I have asked for the director himself to call me and if I do not hear back by the end of the day I will be contacting a solicitor.

I was advised that the glass bears all the appropriate markings for it to be compliant with the law. As I bought the top over a month ago (March) I was advised I'm not entitled to a refund - the top was sat in it's packaging until 3 weeks ago and was signed for as unchecked at time of delivery.

I was advised that it is "hard to believe" that I have a truck that I don't really drive. For those who don't know, I currently have a Volvo V60 for work. I change jobs next month and got the Navara for my new car as the Volvo will stay within my current employers pool. Reason I got the Navara so soon was because the lease offer was amazingly good value and I didn't want to miss out.

I am booking an appointment with a solicitor to examine the small claims route for the £200 in repairs I need to pay out.

I am also setting up a blog to document my experience with Hard Tops UK. As I work in digital media and know a bit about Google; I will be funding some advertising to raise awareness so that when people type in "Hard Tops UK" into Google they will see an "ad" for my blog - hopefully this will help people who are in the market for a top so they are fully aware of the policies.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Another update...

Autoglass just turned up and this is the second one he's had today and he gets these all the time.

Explained to me the other common points of failure with the top. He's also advised that with it being fully lined inside that he will need to cut a small section of it away as the manufacturer has lined over the bolts that hold the window in place! Only way to get at it is to cut through the lining!

Will be on the phone to Autoglass in a bit to see if they would be so kind as to provide a letter of support. I can't see it as they ultimately make money from these things breaking but good to know I'm not alone and that it isn't just me being awkward.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Update....

So the very helpful man from Autoglass just left. He is going to speak to his boss about getting a letter and is ringing me back tomorrow either way about it. He has said that there are an increasing number of Hardtop companies that they now will not deal with due to the issues I myself have experienced.

He also believes he has pinpointed the reason why it has shattered - to do with how the windows are fixed to the hardtop frame itself. I've taken a couple of pictures below to illustrate what he showed me.

The windows themselves simply bolt on to the frame. However, he showed me that very little of the glass actually sits against the rubber seal or the fibreglass frame in any way with the majority of the weight being supported by the 4 metal bolts that pass directly through the glass itself. He did a bit of tinkering to get the window as flush to the rubber seal as possible but it is still possible to move the seal and see daylight through it on either side - not a very snug fit at all. The gap is even larger on the passenger side which is still the original window:

Side that was repaired:

Image


Side with the original glass still in place:

Image


The glass is tightest at the top & bottom with the sides being very "loose". I imagine this results in some kind of tilting action which can place the glass under stress.

E-marked or not, this isn't very good workmanship.
 
#20 ·
It sounds to me line your going to have a good case, keep everything documented...
Best of luck, I love it when the Punic tackle the big boys an win :D
 
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