PPF Mistake...

E

Enemies

New member
Here's the story. I e-mailed the owner of a shop a week or two back and told him I found him through the Xpel website and told him I wanted to get Xpel Ultimate put on my car. I just wanted to verify the prices to make sure they were the same as what was on the website, etc. He told me those were the prices. Anyway, I booked the appointment and got the car done.



The owner was out of town so somebody else was there to do the work. Now, I take full blame for not double checking with the installer beforehand but after it was done I asked (hindsight being 20/20) and they said they used Venture, not Xpel Ultimate.



I did a lot of research before I chose Xpel Ultimate and decided it was the one I wanted on my car. Should I be concerned about Venture? Is it still a good product? I'll probably Opti-Coat the whole car anyway so hopefully it's not the end of the world. But to be honest I feel kind of sick to my stomach since I haven't done any research on Venture at all and don't really know anything about it.



Anybody have good news for me? Bad news for me? Can I still Opti-Coat the car? Thanks for whoever can throw their 2 cents in.



Hopefully this is in the right forum. If not, my apologies.
 
No excuse for that, you called and specifically told them you wanted the XPEL Ultimate, and they gave you a quote and booked an appointment based on that information. Hopefully you paid via credit card -- if they don't peel the Venture off and install the product you wanted in the first place, call and dispute the charge.
 
Thanks for your answer. I figured that would be what some (most) of the answers would be but as I said before I really think the fault is mine for not double-checking with the installer first. I don't have the money to pay for it to get done again and I don't feel right asking them to re-do the work. I know Xpel Ultimate is the best. I really researched it out before deciding to get it done which is why I sort of feel sick about what happened. But in the end it's my fault for not verifying that's what would be installed. I mostly just want to make sure that: 1) it's not absolutely horrible and 2) I'm still able to Opti-Coat 2.0 over top of it.



Man, if I could go back in time.
 
I paid cash. And even if I had paid by Credit Card I wouldn't dispute the charge as I think of it more as a misunderstanding rather than somebody trying to screw me. The work is really, really top notch. I examined like every inch of the vehicle and it's almost flawless.



I appreciate all the input. I can't stress it enough though that I accept the blame for what happened. It's a bitter pill and yes, I'm choked up but I'll swallow it. Hopefully others can learn from my mistake.



Anybody able to cover 1) and 2) above?
 
I cannot speak for the quality difference of the two as I haven't compared them side by side. I don't blame you for wanting the Xpel and I would be disappointed also, but if the installation is good then I think the Venture will serve it's purpose. The big difference you should be concerned about is how it wears.



As for Opti-Coating it... Chris@Optimum said it is fine to do so over the films and will often help reduce marring but that doing so over the Xpel film would eliminate it's self healing properties.



I would talk to the owner and explain the situation and your feelings without being insulting. He might be very flexible and offer to do it right or you could ask for a partial discount and live with the current film. He might even explain the differences between them and in what areas each film is superior to the other.
 
Weird, somehow lost my reply. Trying again, hope 2 don't show up.



Nth Degree, thanks for your post. It was really helpful. Going to explain the situation to the owner and see what he says.



My last post essentially just asked if the Venture was to be removed, could it be reused on the same make/model car at a future time or would it essentially be destroyed? Thanks.
 
Enemies said:
Thanks. Will suck it up then. Don't want anybody to be out of money because of me.
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Not your issue. I would have it removed and have it re-done with Xpel. The Xpel film is a lot better than the Venture.
 
I don't feel you should have to pay for the Venture Shield to be removed and have Xpel reinstalled. It was the owners fault he didn't communicate with his installer, not yours.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
No excuse for that, you called and specifically told them you wanted the XPEL Ultimate, and they gave you a quote and booked an appointment based on that information. Hopefully you paid via credit card -- if they don't peel the Venture off and install the product you wanted in the first place, call and dispute the charge.
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Can't help but wonder who makes the film for either of the companies.

When I was working and paying attention to such things, found that there were only 2 or 3 actual producers of the films, 3M being one of them, another who I don't recall here in the states(it may be Avery) and a company out of Europe.

They all sold in bulk to companies, who then did their own branding and marketing.

The industry does not appear to be any larger than it was 15 years ago, so have to question if the same method of getting film to the market place (bulk product, remarketed) as back then.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Can't help but wonder who makes the film for either of the companies.

When I was working and paying attention to such things, found that there were only 2 or 3 actual producers of the films, 3M being one of them, another who I don't recall here in the states(it may be Avery) and a company out of Europe.

They all sold in bulk to companies, who then did their own branding and marketing.

The industry does not appear to be any larger than it was 15 years ago, so have to question if the same method of getting film to the market place (bulk product, remarketed) as back then.

Grumpy
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True....



But, in this case the Xpel Ultimate has the "self healing" top coat, which Venture Shield does not. Having seen the Xpel in person last year at SEMA I must say it was very impressive. :)



Xpel video

XPEL Ultimate Paint Protection Film / Clear Bra Self Healing Demo - YouTube
 
Thanks for the update, like I said, out of touch on some things, haven't been to SEMA or NACE since 08.

And that year, was working our booth at NACE, so didn't make it over to SEMA.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Thanks for the update, like I said, out of touch on some things, haven't been to SEMA or NACE since 08.

And that year, was working our booth at NACE, so didn't make it over to SEMA.

Grumpy
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No prob. I do believe Venture Shield is owned by 3M now but their film is still different then 3M's. Some of the other guys like John who actually install would be far more up to date then I am though. ;)



We actually had a pretty large group of detailers and some Meguiar's reps around the Xpel booth last year while we did the brass wire brush demo and even rubbed it with lacquer thinner....made me change my whole outlook on PPF to be honest.



Any chance you'll be going to SEMA this year?
 
No desire to go. Made it, mostly working booths since 1988, enough for me.

Vegas was also on the rotation for ICA, so was there sometimes twice a year.

Grumpy
 
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