I found two windows with leaky seals this summer, the rear hatch and the
sliding door windows.  So I planned on getting those replaced before the
rainy season set in and stop the rust before it goes any further.  In my
last orders from GoWesty and VanCafe I got German window seals.  I figured
I was all set.  After all, I had the front windshield replaced this
summer(after a softball sized rock was hurtled into by a passing cement
truck) and it only ran $250 or so.  Pop a couple panes out, perhaps a bit
of sanding and primer to slow down any rust that may be starting, and then
pop the panes back in using some fresh, squishy German rubber.  Should be
pretty easy, should be pretty quick, should be pretty inexpensive.  I was
floored at what they told me:

*about $200 per window for labor
*I am liable for replacing the windows if they get broken in the process
*there are no replacement windows in their warehouses
*they could order them from someplace in California
*they would run around $300 each
*crating them would run another $200 or so
*crating does not include shipping costs
*aaaaand, here's the kicker: if the windows get broken in shipment, I'm
liable

Okay, so I try to recompose myself and start thinking "okay, she's just
trying to prepare me for the worst case scenario...what's the probability
of them breaking a pane while replacing the seal...maybe 10-15%?  Not very
likely."  So I asked them: What's the likelihood of a window getting broken
during replacement?:

*about 50-50

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF?????

Some of my prices are off a bit...they were so unexpectedly high that they
really didn't sink in.  I get that side & back windows are probably much
more expensive than front windshields since they seldom get broken and
don't gain the cost reductions afforded front windshields through large
volume production.  But is the breakage rate for replacing seals really
anywhere near 50%??  Or do they have the Three Stooges working for them?
(whoo boy, just showed my age there!)  And I would be liable if they get
broken during shipment??  After paying a pretty steep crating fee??

I am still stunned.  We've had two broken windshields replaced by them with
good service & reasonably priced, so I was kinda figuring I'd be paying oh,
say, 80-150 bucks... maybe more if more than a minor bit of rust is found.
But $400 is the best case scenario and could quite possibly reach $1,000 or
more.

Uhmmmm...I'm fairly new to the Vanagon world, is this typical for window
seal replacements?

--
Brett in Portland, OR
"Albert" '82 VanFox I4 Riviera