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We'll get to that, but first we went to Auto - Zone which basically built its business off custom tinting and found that they're not even offering the 50% tint. The owner told us, why even bother? Here are his comments.

Nigel Espat, Belize Auto Zone
"During the last days of May and the first few days of June there was a great influx of customers coming to have their tint remove and the ones that were tint heavily and don't have the factory in the back - they were re-tinting with the 20% in the back just leaving the two front door and the top of the windshield clean without any tint because the 50% as many have seen is about the same color of the glass. So most people are saying that it's just not worth the money - just keep it clean as it and save the extra cash."

"A few days ago I believe it was sometime last week the commissioner of Transport had announced on television that they were giving a one month grace period throughout the course of June. Ever since he announced that we notice a reduction in people coming in to "legalize" their tint as such."

Jules Vasquez
"The psychology of people seems to be that "we are holding to dark tint as long as possible".

Nigel Espat, Belize Auto Zone
Correct, that's what's been happening. We notice that over the past week now that they have been holding off to keep the dark tint for as long as possible but then again like I said the risk you run is that come the last days of June because again there is going to be a huge influx of customers - we just might not be able to accommodate everyone throughout those last days."

Jules Vasquez
"Now, are your customers complaining as they are taking off their 5%, 3% tint?"

Nigel Espat, Belize Auto Zone
"So far we haven't found anyone that's been happy about it but what can you do? The law is the law and you have to comply. We found throughout our time being here in Belize City because of the prevalence of break-in in vehicles most people right now are concern if anyone out there with bad intentions goes looking to break into vehicles now it's easier to look into a vehicle and see if your laptop is in there - women sometimes leave their purse when they go into the bank or go shopping. So that's the main concern with people that their vehicles will get broken into."

And while Espat does not bother to carry the 50% tint, we found one business that does. It's a street-side operation on North Front Street where they have the 50% tint, but even they conceded that it's not too popular with vehicle owners:

Jules Vasquez
"So now you have the 50%."

Mario Guzman, Street-Side Tint
"Yes sir, its tested already by the Transport Department with the meter that they have."

Jules Vasquez
"Have you put on the 50% for anyone yet and what is the reaction?"

Mario Guzman, Street-Side Tint
"Yes many people have come around but the thing is that many people complain because this is a hot country and the tint is too clear and the people are asking at least for 20% on the entire vehicle - the four windows. They don't agree with the 4 inches on the windshield. They are asking for at least 6-7 inches."

Jules Vasquez
"Are people still coming here and say "you know what, just put the 20% on the front as well"

Mario Guzman, Street-Side Tint
"Well there are many people that do that and we tell them that we don't want any problem with the Transport Department. Let say if you get a ticket - we don't want you to come back and say that it was these guys that put it on, we don't want that but there are people that buy the tint and take it home."

Glass Technology on Freetown Road say they should be getting in a re-supply 50% tint shortly. Most operations charge anywhere between 100 and 125 dollars to remove and replace tint. It's cheaper at Auto Zone because they don't re-tint the front windows….