I have probably every window a vanagon could use except for a windshield.
If anyone breaks one, I could sell you one a LOT cheaper than the prices
quoted.

All that said, as someone who has rough-housed a few windows into place, I
would say that the chances of breaking a side window are almost nil if in
the hands of someone who has successfully done it before.

Jim

On Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 10:59 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> Was these prices from a glass shop?  Here is what they are really saying:
> We
> install replacement glass on modern current production vehicles. We supply
> the glass and any other consumables. Since we supply the glass it is not
> the
> end of the world if we break or damage it. Just like a mechanic getting a
> bad spark plug. We also direct bill the insurance company. If I can't make
> money on parts you will pay dearly for the labor.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Brett Ne
> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 1:36 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: replacing window glass seals
>
> 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
>