Window Tint Ripoffs

Ripoff #1: Unbelievably Low Price:

Professional window tinters use a commercial grade, scratch resistant, UV reflective window film, and there are several good brands available on the market today. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of poor, inferior quality product available to tinters from manufacturers at a much cheaper price. Some window tinting companies use the poor quality film to save money. Poor quality film tends to de-laminate and change color. It also tends to scratch very easily and usually doesn't come with any type of warranty against that. The best way to protect yourself against this type of rip-off is ask to see a written copy of the warranty and find out what it covers.

Ripoff #2: Bait and Switch:

Some window tinting companies use price as the bait for its false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price and once you are in their store, you are told the price estimated was only for two windows, not the entire car! You may be then pressured into paying more than you originally thought you'd have to. It's almost as if you were buying a car and found that the car dealer was charging you extra for the tires and the steering wheel.

Professional quality window tinting is inexpensive when you consider all the benefits, but it's not as cheap as some window tinting companies would like you to believe. Protect yourself by getting an estimate in writing.

Ripoff #3: Unsupported Claims: "Our Window Tinting is the Best.":

You will read this in almost every ad. You will hear this from almost every window tinting company. The window tinting company that is right for you is the one that will give you the best value for your money.Protect yourself by requesting to see some of their work. Ask for testimonials from past clients. What their past customers say about them is a far more important than what they say about themselves.

Ripoff #4: "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" Type Tint Shops:

It's not uncommon for this industry to attract tinters that are interested in only applying the cheapest material on your car at the maximum price you'll pay, with a "too good to be true" lifetime guarantee — only to close up shop and leave you stuck when you do have a problem — and the chances are you will have a problem.

The best way to avoid this situation is to visit their place of operation, find out how long they've been in business and what their track record is. Do they look professional and appear like they'll be around in a year or so? If they don't, they probably won't be.