Precautions to take when dealing with body shops?

[sugarwood]

I am taking my daily commuter to a body shop for a small repair.
We've seen some horror stories posted here, so I thought I'd get a few basics.

What are some caveats?
Some may be theoretical and extreme, but might be an informative discussion.

What are all the possibilities?

Guy sells your car and claims it was stolen?
Make sure my comprehensive coverage is in effect?

Guy does not do the work?
Or the guy changes the price after he does the work.
Get the quote in writing? Even if not legal, it might make him pause at scamming.

Should I be given some kind of bill of goods for service to be performed?

Guy skips town and sells your car?
Should you take a photo of his ID?

Do you pay for the job after?

[Jeff Higgins]

Jesus Christ, if you are already this worked up about it, you should probably avoid doing this at all costs.

[Alan A]

It’s a daily driver. Or as I would call it an applicance. Like a fridge or a washing machine.
If there’s a problem, you call your insurance company and get another one.
Life’s too short...

[Bill Douglas]

Leave a S&W brochure on top of the dash, a book on medieval torture methods on the seat. I'm sure the guy will be just fine with the car.

[wdfifteen]

The biggest problem I've had is they estimate they'll have the car 3 days and don't finish it for 3 weeks.

[Jim Richards]

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/paint-body-shop-horror-story.79686/

[LakeCleElum]

With my "69 911T ProJect, I'm 10 months into a 6 month deal.....Way over budget. Now on the back burner and he won't even give me a projected date of completion......So far, I've paid 8K up front only to have the doors painted......A lot of sheetmetal work done over the winter; media blasted and now it sits out on the back 40 while he does the jobs for quick cash....

Going tomorrow. I want a final due date OR: I write a contract that sez I pick it up in 2 months and take elsewhere..........

Knowing what I know now, do a signed contract at the get go......

[Evans, Marv]

Yes, a contract is the way to go. You can agree verbally what the work order, work description, work schedule and payment schedule will be. Also stipulate terms for additional work or change orders. After the verbal agreement (make a list if you want), tell them you'll be in to sign before the work begins. Body shops are notorious for making promises that have no basis in fact. The exception is where you take your car in for the quickie, in & out, economy paint job. If it is a small job in your case, it shouldn't be complicated.

[Matt Smith]

Sugarwood- just get the car fixed and step away from the internext.

[wdfifteen]

You are talking about a body shop doing work on a dd, which is a different thing than a restoration shop. Most of the horror stories I have heard (and have one myself) are from restoration shops.

The place that did my truck was very meticulous about keeping records. They would send a bill for progress every two weeks plus photos and a written log of work that was done. But there was a '46 Chevy in the shop at the same time as my truck. I got pictures of his truck with my bill, and progress reports like:
April 10 - metal work grille
April 11 - prime and sand grille
April 30 - sandblast grille

After telling them the paint colors - "The bumpers get painted Argent - it's the same color as Chevy slotted steel wheels." "Oh, we know what Argent is." They painted the bumpers a beautiful shiny black.
They also lost parts (headlight units) and sent some parts home with me that weren't from my truck.

[KFC911]

I've always just taken all my cars in and got 'em fixed (not the 911)....never gave much thought about all that stuff....none actually

[86 ssinit]

Unless your dd is an older or odd car most body shops will gladly do the work with no problems. Like anything else we buy check the reviews. For my dds I’ve been using the same repair and body shops for years. Body shop has also worked on the 911s. Most body shops will finish your dd quickly unless you’ve had a major wreck.

[RANDY P]

1- Go with a reputable high volume body shop, not one located in a back alley or a barn. One that the insurance company knows and preferably nice, expensive cars out front. Insurance Co's will usually lifetime guarantee the repair work with certain shops. Just choose one that looks well-run.

2- inspect the car after it's done, closely. don't accept anything like improperly installed trim. misaligned fenders, or anything that makes the car look repaired. Set those expectations up front when you get the estimate. It had better look like nothing happened. Otherwise, you won't accept it and bodyshop doesn't get paid by insurance co.

[John Rogers]

One word...….Garage Los Ponchos! Before and after, 2 months and $2000!


Well the paint guy did charge him an extra $100 to paint those nearly perfect white circles on both doors!

[Gogar]

Guy finds your paystub and crank-calls your employer impersonating you

Guy uses your home address to break into your home and have sex with your wife

Guy parks your car behind shop and uses as mobile brothel a-la Seinfeld "The Wig Master"

Guy steals your car and drives it to his home where he improperly grills a steak to well-done

Guy uses personal information in your glove box to steal your savings and illegally invest in an extremely high-risk emerging markets ETF



JK good luck!

[stomachmonkey]

If it's a DD and needs basic repair and you want someone you can chase that won't disappear like a fart in the wind use a franchise brand like Cavalier or MAACO.

[herr_oberst]

Guy notices your fan belt is a little loose and fixes it for free.

Guy has a nice looking receptionist who is totally into you and you end up getting married - and her dad is really rich and he likes you too.

Guy has a friend who's looking for the exact make and model of your car who is willing to pay you more than you paid for it, in spite of the body damage.

Guy gives you a loaner that's nicer than what you drive.

In the waiting room of Guys bodyshop, you hear about an intriguing IPO that you decide to act on and it nets you millions.

You save the mayors life in front of Guys shop and he gives you the keys to the city and throws you a parade.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Guy finds your paystub and crank-calls your employer impersonating you

Guy uses your home address to break into your home and have sex with your wife

Guy parks your car behind shop and uses as mobile brothel a-la Seinfeld "The Wig Master"

Guy steals your car and drives it to his home where he improperly grills a steak to well-done

Guy uses personal information in your glove box to steal your savings and illegally invest in an extremely high-risk emerging markets ETF



JK good luck!

Now we're talking !

[vash]

body shops around here remind me more of a dentist's office.

very professional. they have specific bays associated with the bigger insurance companies. last time i went, i pulled under the AAA banner, and PHOOSH! got a bottle of water, nice seat..rental car pulled up and i was off. the return trip was the opposite. pulled up in rental car, they took it..i sat in nice seat..left with a bottle of water ..and my shiny detailed and fixed truck.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Now we're talking !

Except for the part about getting married...