Lots happened since my server went caput and I was so itching to blog. First off, my car got broken into again! Life in Baltimore is not fun when you have to deal with nuisances such as this. This was the fourth or fifth time my car got broken into in a span of 2 years (I lost exact count). You'd think that most thieves will realize that after a while, there won't be anything left in the car to take, at least nothing of real value! I've gotten my ashtray stolen, my car manual, my hubcaps, prescription sunglasses taken (hope the thief goes blind!) and some change. Before I had to shell out $100 each time to get the vent window that was busted replaced. No, I didn't go through my insurance because: 1) it's a minor problem, don't want my premium to skyrocket just because of this 2) I reserve large accidents for insurance claims 3) my deductible is exactly $100 anyway, which is the cost of replacing the glass (sure I can pay the deductible one time and have the ticket reopen if I get broken into again, but seriously, who would bank on the fact that their car will be broken into AGAIN in a matter of weeks after replacing the glass? It's once in a blue moon.) Not willing to shell out the $100 again, I decided to replace the glass myself. I quick sent a request for the vent window (that's the triangular little piece of glass in your rear doors) at JunkYardDog.com, and literally, in a matter of minutes I already had salvage yards send me their price quote. Some places offered to sell me it for just $25! One minor problem with this service is that when you want to buy, you have to completely trust the parts place's word on sending the item and charging your credit card correctly (you usually order over the phone). But I got a used vent window for a 1996 Toyota Corolla for $34 shipped to my door. It was definitely used, had a tint film on it and very dirty. Took some time and chemicals to clean the window, but it was worth it for that price. Vent windows have got to be the easiest window installation, most windows come with the plastic molding and you just pop the replacement in the molding (requires some skill, but once you figure it out, it's quite easy to do with a screwdriver or putty knife to ease the lip of the molding over the glass) and pop the glass and molding back into the door space and you're done. I'm just glad I saved myself $66. I wish I knew about this before getting my windows replaced previously at $100 a pop.
Posted by johnvu at February 22, 2003 12:52 PM