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Ok, MC Family,
So, story goes...bad snowstorm in 12/08 Christmas dinner changed to 12/26 as none of us could get out of our driveways. Dinner at DD's house, ex/DH makes last minute trip to store, slides into now/DH's car. Only drivers door is damaged, we are just now getting estimate for repair via ex's ins.
So, I take now/DH's car into Body Shop today where I have had 3 good experiences in the last 25 years. I trust them to be fair and do good work. We have a law here in Oregon that says that your insurance Co. cannot dictate where repairs are done. We all have the same ins. co. and I have NO desire to fleece ex/DH, who remains a good friend and can hardly afford a financial hit.
So, I go in today with my Claim # after talking to both ins. agents. I ask the guy for 3 estimates. First for the damage by the ex/DH, next for the cost of repairing the gas tank door which recently fell off and is apparently a problem for this type of gas door, and last - for repairing the broken windshield that was broken when he bought the car from his Mom. We're not looking to "make a killing via the ex/DH's insurance", we'd just like to get it all done at once. We have 3 vehicles, we don't need a rental car, we just want the car fixed where it's broken.
We have a local car repair company that has taken car repairs to Cadillac level, IOW, they milk the Ins. Co. for what they can legally get. I can only assume that the place I took our car to is now competing w/this company.
So - the "estimate" guy gives me an estimate to replace the car door and then he calls and asks about the cost and effect to ins. of replacing the windshield and says he can knock off $50 of the $100 deductible. OK, I'm a little unsettled by that "scam", but then he asks if I need a rental and says that if they have the car for 5-6 days that the rental (I don't need) would cover all extra expenses. Obviously this is adding to the +$1750 to replace ONE frikkin drivers door for the insurance company, which I KNOW they will buy from a wrecking yard and pay almost 0 for already, cause I have done this myself, and may only need to repaint.
What would you do?
Connie
Ethics question-off topic-just for fun
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Ethics question-off topic-just for fun
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Hi Connie,
That's a tough question, because body work is expensive, and the cost will depend on the make, model, and the color code for the vehicle. He's probably billing for a new door, and as you say, he'll use a salvaged door. I think that I would get an estimate from a couple of other shops.
Tex
That's a tough question, because body work is expensive, and the cost will depend on the make, model, and the color code for the vehicle. He's probably billing for a new door, and as you say, he'll use a salvaged door. I think that I would get an estimate from a couple of other shops.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MaggieRedwings
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Morning Connie,
Well I am happy that you were satisfied with them in the past but, this time it seems like they are trying to do a scam per se. I agree with Tex and would go to another 2 body shops and get an estimate. You just might make out a lot better.
Maggie
Well I am happy that you were satisfied with them in the past but, this time it seems like they are trying to do a scam per se. I agree with Tex and would go to another 2 body shops and get an estimate. You just might make out a lot better.
Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
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Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
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Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Thanks Tex & Maggie,
That's what we've decided to do, so this morning I called around and got pretty much the same estimate for the door. It has all electronic windows, locks, mirror, etc. and that's why that one door is the most expensive to replace. Reality is that it isn't damaged beyond being able to actually FIX the dents with bondo and repaint, which I have personally done. I can't imagine that it could possibly take that much time, but apparently they just don't do that anymore - anywhere. So this is why insurance rates are so high and they "total" cars that are perfectly good cars all the time.
2 years ago I was stopped on a hill and the car in front of me rolled back into my van, skewering it with his 20" bike rack that went through my radiator. NO "body" damage except the grill, no engine/transmission damage. They totaled it, so I bought it back, took the payout and bought a newer, used, Previa van. Then I sold my old Previa on Craigslist for what I'd bought it back for. The man who bought it for $345. about 15 minutes after I posted the ad, still emails me regularly to tell me how much he loves it and where it's been. Heck, the tires alone were worth about $250. It cost him less than $400 to buy the grill and radiator from a junk yard and his out of work BIL who owed him $ did the repairs. A win win all around. The old one had low miles, interior was perfect because it is my work van and none of the back seats had ever been used in the van and the carpet was always covered. It was probably worth about 6K. It's just frustrating that we all get penalized by them making it so easy for us to just "let the Ins. Co. take care of it and walk away. It's just not right and makes no sense to me.
Whatever happened to craftsmanship?
That's what we've decided to do, so this morning I called around and got pretty much the same estimate for the door. It has all electronic windows, locks, mirror, etc. and that's why that one door is the most expensive to replace. Reality is that it isn't damaged beyond being able to actually FIX the dents with bondo and repaint, which I have personally done. I can't imagine that it could possibly take that much time, but apparently they just don't do that anymore - anywhere. So this is why insurance rates are so high and they "total" cars that are perfectly good cars all the time.
2 years ago I was stopped on a hill and the car in front of me rolled back into my van, skewering it with his 20" bike rack that went through my radiator. NO "body" damage except the grill, no engine/transmission damage. They totaled it, so I bought it back, took the payout and bought a newer, used, Previa van. Then I sold my old Previa on Craigslist for what I'd bought it back for. The man who bought it for $345. about 15 minutes after I posted the ad, still emails me regularly to tell me how much he loves it and where it's been. Heck, the tires alone were worth about $250. It cost him less than $400 to buy the grill and radiator from a junk yard and his out of work BIL who owed him $ did the repairs. A win win all around. The old one had low miles, interior was perfect because it is my work van and none of the back seats had ever been used in the van and the carpet was always covered. It was probably worth about 6K. It's just frustrating that we all get penalized by them making it so easy for us to just "let the Ins. Co. take care of it and walk away. It's just not right and makes no sense to me.
Whatever happened to craftsmanship?
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Well, that sucks. You're right, of course - it's no wonder insurance rates are unaffordable. Not enough people in this country want to do the type of work that takes not only skill, but hard physical labor, and that's the main reason why our money is leaving the country at unbelievable rates, and it's also the reason why it's cheaper for the insurance companies to just "total" it, than to have to get nickled and dimed to death on repairs, replacement rental fees, etc.
It's one more sad commentary on our "state of the union".
Tex
It's one more sad commentary on our "state of the union".
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Nope definately wouldnt be getting them to do it..seems their trying to get more cash out of you. They will try to scam if they know the insurance is paying for it.
I had my bodywork estimated for a dent done by a woman in a car park but she bolted and i had no evidence, i knew it was her cos she couldnt even park the dam car in the space next to me...god u coulda got a jumbo jet in that space... anyway the bodyshop were going to charge £280 just for a little dent and they knew it was the insurance that was covering it...only thing was my excess was £200 so i thought no way im paying that for a dent.....turned out my neighbours son does body work on the side...so later im gonna get him fix it..and he will do all little dents on the car for 300 quid...not just for one...
Do you have a any local small businesses who may be cheaper? or is this the only company available to you...As tex said id definately phone around and be pretty assertive with what you want done...good luck
I had my bodywork estimated for a dent done by a woman in a car park but she bolted and i had no evidence, i knew it was her cos she couldnt even park the dam car in the space next to me...god u coulda got a jumbo jet in that space... anyway the bodyshop were going to charge £280 just for a little dent and they knew it was the insurance that was covering it...only thing was my excess was £200 so i thought no way im paying that for a dent.....turned out my neighbours son does body work on the side...so later im gonna get him fix it..and he will do all little dents on the car for 300 quid...not just for one...
Do you have a any local small businesses who may be cheaper? or is this the only company available to you...As tex said id definately phone around and be pretty assertive with what you want done...good luck
Angy ;)
Okay, so I now have 3 estimates and more information. Best estimate is still high, $1,385.88.
The reason is that there is a beam in the door that is now bent and that is probably the only reason why there wasn't more damage done to other parts of the car, as this beam did what it was supposed to do. It is a safety issue now, and it's illegal to repair it, the door has to be replaced and then repainted if they can't find one of the same color - which isn't likely.
Anyway, I at least feel better about this now, but I'm still not going to use the first shop, even though they lowered their estimate to $1,445.00 and have done well by me before, they've lost my trust at this point by being greedy - too bad for them.
Connie
The reason is that there is a beam in the door that is now bent and that is probably the only reason why there wasn't more damage done to other parts of the car, as this beam did what it was supposed to do. It is a safety issue now, and it's illegal to repair it, the door has to be replaced and then repainted if they can't find one of the same color - which isn't likely.
Anyway, I at least feel better about this now, but I'm still not going to use the first shop, even though they lowered their estimate to $1,445.00 and have done well by me before, they've lost my trust at this point by being greedy - too bad for them.
Connie
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Good for you ...that will teach them a lesson... 
As tex said the vehicle will have a colour code for its model and year etc....it shouldnt be too difficult for a body shop to spray it the same colour...just a few tint adjustments for fading etc...I would get a door from the breakeryards....or salvage yards...and just get it sprayed...
As tex said the vehicle will have a colour code for its model and year etc....it shouldnt be too difficult for a body shop to spray it the same colour...just a few tint adjustments for fading etc...I would get a door from the breakeryards....or salvage yards...and just get it sprayed...
Angy ;)
Yep, the presence of that beam puts this project in a whole 'nother category. It changes the rules, and pretty much locks in a high cost, because the wrecking yards know what those doors are worth, and they will charge accordingly, (usually half the price of a new one, around here). 
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.