I posted yesterday about the body shop that quoted "Repair core support/ battery tray" and "(weld on new metal and primer)" on the estimate that I signed for $350.00. They did weld new metal into the battery tray, but in no way did anything about the core support. The guy says we had a "misunderstanding" and offered me $100.00 off. He says if I don't pick up the car today (and pay the $250.00) they will start charging storage at $40/day and consider my car abandoned. I just don't know what to do... should I eat it or call a lawyer and is it worth it? I also need to know if I can post their company name so others don't go there... I so appreciate the time of anyone who can give advice!
My advice would be pay the $250 and get your car safely home. Chalk it up to experience. And, yes, post the name of the business. As someone else said, they really should not have taken your business if they couldn't do the work right...
Thanks, I think that's what I'm gonna have to do. Can you refer me to someone in Houston for the core support repair?
Once you get the car back, there is always the Small Claims Court route. But get it back first! -Bob C.
Wendi, Pay the $250 and get your car. There is Absolutely no upside to leaving your car there. I wouldn't give them a dollar in storage fees. Once you have your car in your driveway you're in control. From there you can take whatever action you choose. :TU:
Wendi, Looks like good advice from all of the above. From what I heard from Nick, it sounds like he's been in touch with you regarding our local Houston Buick Club. Steve
Uh, isn't this what credit cards are for? Pay with plastic, dispute the charges, give them a headache instead of them giving you one. -- Steve
They sure must not be trying to get repeat customers with that kind of PR. They also must have some pretty incompetent bodymen that sound like they couldn't fabricate their way out of a wet paper bag. :spank: Really even a high school kid should of been able to make a few pieces and weld them in.
Why don't you show the body shop the pictures of Mike's radiator support repair kit,then offer to buy the kit and see if they will install it for you.It sounds like the shop and yourself were unclear on what you wanted done.If they are willing to help they should work with you on getting it repaired like it should be without you being out a lot more money.Good luck
Not sure of any good body shops anymore the person who did my body work was in Pasadena, But is now long gone. Come out to some of the weekend cruises and ask around I'm sure somebody can steer you in the right direction. Good Luck.
i had a simular problem with an oil pan for my daughters car earlier this past year took it in they quoted $200 fixed never signed anything just said fix it went there and the bill was $450 they said they had to lift the motor and so on and so on we all know the motor has to be lifted waited till they where leaving and offered the 4200 and said i was taking the car guy told me to get a life he showed me my key and said to come back tomarow and pay in full he would not accept the $200 went out to the car with the spare key wife left with the other car and i left with my daughters as they where yelling got out on the road stoped the car got out and said take it or leave it he said he was taking me to court and i left never heard from him again so is the car inside or out and do you have a spare key once you have the car its there problem Greg
I'm in the car bizzzzzz and deal with these kind of a** wipes all day long. Whenever I have a dispute with a smart a** I tell him......."I'M SORRY SIR, LET ME GO TO THE BANK AND I'LL GET THE REST OF (YOUR) MONEY,PLEASE HAVE THE CAR OUT FRONT AND READY TO GO WHEN I GET BACK"!!!!!!! Then I send VITO and BIG TONY back to pick up my car. They usually explain "THEIR" service charge and the "NEW" discount that the a** wipe is now responsible for. Next time I do business with them there's a whole new attitude...... WHO NEEDS SMALL CLAIMS COURT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXACTLY. I hope they accept credit cards! Your card issuer will reverse the charges (sometimes with glee) and it's up to the merchant to take the time and trouble to prove their point...
If they charge you any storage, check with the state police on storage rates. In Louisiana, the Public Service Commision sets the storage rates at $17/day inside or covered and $14/day outside. Plus, the storage facility has to file papers with the state before charges begin. Other states may vary as well as what dept. is in charge of towing/storage. In La., if the shop breaks the storage laws, the state police will go with you to get your car and you don't have to pay anything. Sometimes the shop owner gets arrested also if he refuses to give up the car.
I agree if you are really getting screwed that you should pay with a credit card and dispute charges. It sounds like they are trying to blackmail you into paying them. On the other hand, it could have been an honest misunderstanding, and they did knock off $100, which at least shows some willingness to be fair. So you have to decide if the work they did is worth $250.
Shop Rip Off I my self am an ASE cert. tec Mechanic.NOT A PAINT AND BODY MAN.But through my life I got tired of getting unsatisfactory results from paint shops.When I was 20 yrs. old I worked in A body shop for 5 weeks as a helper,I have also studyed several Manuals on Body and paint.SO TO GET TOTHE POINT. I do all my own work,thats the way I know what im getting.Problems with some of us we just dont have a shop.NOW as a Mechanic I DONT LIKE OTHER MECHANICS OR BODY SHOPS WHO RIP PEOPLE OFF.#1 A TRUE PRO. SHOP CAN OR SHOULD CALL AND TELL YOU THE ACTUAL CHARGE BEFORE DOING THE REPAIRS. AFTER HAVING YOU SIGN THE WRITTEN ESTIMATE THEY CAN BRING IT IN THE SHOP AND FIGURE UP THE JOB AND CALL YOU WITH A FINAL PRICE.#2THEY HAVE TO STAY CLOSE TO THE QUOTED PRICE UNLESS THEY FIND MORE PROBLEMS WHEN THEY DIG IN.BUT THEY SHOULD CALL YOU AND TELL YOU BEFORE DOING ANY EXTRA REPAIRS AND GET YOUR OK.Im sure by now You paid and got your car back.NOW YOU CAN GO THROUGH 1 OF ALL OTHER SUGESTED THREADS ABOVE,YOU MAY GET YOUR MONEY BACK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. OR do what my budy did. He took an old junk van painted it Yellow with a paint brush ,Then he wrote on each side ,fromt hood and back{example}:LIL JOES BODY SHOP RIPED ME OFF: Then he drove it back and fourth down the road in front of the shop blowing the horn. NO BULL im not kidding.Oh yea THE OWNER CHASED HIM DOWN AND OFFERED TO GIVE HIS MONEY BACK IF he would stop. You might want to check if this is legal .LOL
