Hit a raccoon, bumper damage, now different color

[KenTron3030]

Originally Posted by cyde01

How about this. Post the name of the body shop on this thread, post a youtube video showing how bad the paint doesn't match, and thus give the shop a lot of bad online publicity. Hopefully the uproar will be so big they will do you right and fix the issue for free.

This will happen after today if things aren't settled, I didn't want to post the shops name quite yet, as they should get a chance to make things right.

Thank you for all your replies, this is helping out

[whaap]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

I've always chosen my own shop, the problem the OP is having is that he chose the wrong shop on his own, not his act of choosing.

That's fine if you know the shop you're choosing. To choose a shop just because they're associated with a dealership is not necessarily wise. Because a body shop is at a dealership or associated with a dealership does not make them a good shop. If he had asked his insurance company for the names of their "preferred" shops and chosen from one of them he would have some support for his problems. As it is, he won't. That's all I'm saying.

I retired after handling automobile insurance claims for 25 years. The insurance industry, probably more than any one else, knows who the good shops are and who the bad shops are. They won't make a bad shop "preferred". They want the least hassle possible and you don't get that with shops that do bad work.

[whaap]

@KenTron3030, if the shop won't satisfy you, perhaps complain to the dealership. I would argue that they recommended the shop and they should support you in getting the repairs done properly. Good luck.

[#87]

Originally Posted by whaap

If your insurance company works with "preferred" shops and you go to one of their preferred shops, your insurance company will go to bat for you if the repairs aren't right. Because that shop wants to remain on the insurance companies preferred list they will bend over backwards to please the insurance company and you. The shop that did the work for you has to reason to "kiss up" to your insurance company and your insurance company will probably stay out of it.

It's too bad you didn't come on this forum and ask a few questions before you got yourself in this position.

Yes, after a couple experiences I just learned to go to the insurance preferred shop. Was glad I did because when I picked up there were plenty of sanding lines and overspray. I pointed them out to the adjuster and they whole panel was repainted and overspray removed the next day. I have no doubt if it wasn't the insurance site with a rep on site I would have been stuck with the poor work. But now it is 99% and I am happy.

[whaap]

Let me pass on something a lot of you might not think of. I worked for 25 years in the insurance claims business and I am very familiar with body shops and how different the quality of their work can be.

Do not go to your dealership body shop. Just because they're a dealership doesn't mean squat when it comes to the quality of their work. If they don't have their own shop and recommend shop "A" that might only be because shop A "kicks back" more to the dealership than any other shop is willing to. For that recommended shop to kick back to the dealership they have to increase their profit margin and that usually means cutting back on the quality of work they do to make a larger profit.

Here's what I recommend if you don't have any knowledge of body shops in your area. A lot of high end dealerships (Ferrari, Rolls Royce, etc.) don't have body shops. That doesn't change the fact they quite often have minor little dings and body repairs that are needed to get the car ready to put on the lot for sale. It's a certain bet that they want the best work they can get on their top end cars. Stop in or call to find out who they have do their occasional body work and go with that shop. Again, that's only if you have no idea where to turn to.

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by whaap

That's fine if you know the shop you're choosing. To choose a shop just because they're associated with a dealership is not necessarily wise. Because a body shop is at a dealership or associated with a dealership does not make them a good shop. If he had asked his insurance company for the names of their "preferred" shops and chosen from one of them he would have some support for his problems. As it is, he won't. That's all I'm saying.

I retired after handling automobile insurance claims for 25 years. The insurance industry, probably more than any one else, knows who the good shops are and who the bad shops are. They won't make a bad shop "preferred". They want the least hassle possible and you don't get that with shops that do bad work.

I knew what you were saying all along, I was just adding that it is OK to pick your own shop that isn't part of the insurance companies cronies. He simply picked a bad place.

I do have a question specifically for you though since you used to work for "them"(insurance co): I've always wondered if the preferred shops that the insurance company picks are in cahoots with each other...by that I mean that the insurance company under the table suggests that they find as little as possible to fix to keep the payout at a minimum.

Yes, big time tinfoil hat question...it certainly is possible and would make sense. Does it happen ever?

[whaap]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

I knew what you were saying all along, I was just adding that it is OK to pick your own shop that isn't part of the insurance companies cronies. He simply picked a bad place.

I do have a question specifically for you though since you used to work for "them"(insurance co): I've always wondered if the preferred shops that the insurance company picks are in cahoots with each other...by that I mean that the insurance company under the table suggests that they find as little as possible to fix to keep the payout at a minimum.

Yes, big time tinfoil hat question...it certainly is possible and would make sense. Does it happen ever?

Loud and clear no. The people handling claims are like anybody else. The last thing you would want at work and the last thing they would want at work are hassles. There are a lot of "one liners" in all types of jobs and the one that applies to handling claims is: "The best file is a closed file". Having continual problems with shoddy or short-cut repairs does not close files. It only drags them out with problems and complaints. It causes aggravation and claims people, just like people doing your job, do what they can to have as little of that as they can. Are there jerks handling claims? Damn right there are some, just like I'm sure you know a few at your job and probably any one reading this knows a few jerks in their line of work.

[Touge Monster]

Insurance adjusters are just like anyone else sometimes they make mistakes and believe me I've seen some bad ones for example I had a customer come into our shop with and awd sienna that was towed by its front wheels....yeah big mistake rear diff was hosed. To get the ball rolling we order a new one insurance adjuster says no and orders a used one as is from a wrecking yard the tech r&rs the rear diff puts in new/used diff. Used diff leaks so the adjuster says to "re-seal" the diff so the tech removes the diff and reseals it. Puts "re-sealed" diff back in ends up being no good meanwhile the customer is in a rental for over a week... Well time for a new adjuster lol new adjuster comes in laughs about the whole thing says to go ahead and put the brand new diff in problem solved. Case in point first adjuster was trying to save money ends up eating the labor to remove the diff 4 times + a re-seal and both a used and new diff.

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by whaap

Loud and clear no. The people handling claims are like anybody else. The last thing you would want at work and the last thing they would want at work are hassles. There are a lot of "one liners" in all types of jobs and the one that applies to handling claims is: "The best file is a closed file". Having continual problems with shoddy or short-cut repairs does not close files. It only drags them out with problems and complaints. It causes aggravation and claims people, just like people doing your job, do what they can to have as little of that as they can. Are there jerks handling claims? Damn right there are some, just like I'm sure you know a few at your job and probably any one reading this knows a few jerks in their line of work.

Good answer, your response is logical.

[MISTERLUCAS]

Do us a favor. Check the rear bumper to see if it is a perfect match. A smart painter will match the color of the rear bumper to paint the front. Get his spray out and see if it matches the back.

Bumpers never match from the beginning. That is something I point out to any customer that comes through my door. Though most of the time when it leaves my shop it has a better match to the body than when it came in, if not just the same.

You don't want them to have to blend. Keeping the original paint(especially on the metal) is better than the cheap crap paint they will paint over it with. Don't let them break that seal.

My shop guarantees the repair. See if they do. I'm sure the owner wouldn't want you going around town showing people a poor paint job. It's not beyond reason and in the long run not that expensive for them.

[KenTron3030]

Quick update
Yesterday my insurance company wasn't able to view my car so I had to wait until today. Around 10am I received a call from the owner of the shop, and he said it was clear the color was wrong and is taking the bumper off to repaint. He said they are going to do what it takes to match the body. I am extremely excited!!!!

MisterLucas, I'm very aware paint on bumpers will look slightly different than the body, but this was clearly a different color.

After everything is complete I'll tell the complete story. I might even mention the shops name for support, as the owner is making me very very happy, and I truly appreciate talking with the owner.

[KenTron3030]

Oh, another thing, the owner said it might be complete by Saturday morning, just in time for the gathering in Orlando!!