Auto Body Shops Are Insane

Coffee Warlord · 09-22-2003, 04:53 PM

Okay. So my car gets tagged awhile back by unknown person at unknown location at unknown time. Annoying physical damage to the rear, nothing major, nothing but ugly.

My folks got me a gift certificate for a detailing for my birthday last year, and I finally get around to using it. While it's there, I have them give me an estimate on the repair.

Now, this is what is wrong with the car. One of the tail light covers needs to be replaced, and there's about an inch long hairline crack in the rear bumper. That's *it*.

Their quote? $900.

Fuck. Them.

Call the dealership, ask for the price of the cover, $167. The bumper I'm fairly certain can be repaired by nothing more than a spot of glue/some sorta composite material, and a swab of touch up paint. Cost? Less than $200. Easily.

Abso-friggen-lutely insane.

HeavyReign · 09-22-2003, 04:58 PM

That is pretty much what the cost to repair my front bumper was after someone turned the wrong way on a one-way street in front of me. Luckily I was stopping at the light so the only damage was a small crack a couple inches long. The repair breakdown was something like $350 to order the bumper and then another $600 for paint and labor.

sterlingice · 09-22-2003, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HeavyReign
That is pretty much what the cost to repair my front bumper was after someone turned the wrong way on a one-way street in front of me. Luckily I was stopping at the light so the only damage was a small crack a couple inches long. The repair breakdown was something like $350 to order the bumper and then another $600 for paint and labor.

No thanks, I don't need the paint and labor, just the bumper

SI

Coffee Warlord · 09-22-2003, 05:21 PM

I concur.

Swaggs · 09-22-2003, 05:33 PM

When I worked as an insurance claims adjuster, I shared your pain on a day to day basis.

Most shops go by a "book" (the one we used was called Mitchell-Maddux) that lists how many hours per repair part and then how many hours of paint and clear coat per repair. I imagine since you live near Chicago, the cost for each, per hour, is around $40 or more. And, if your vehicle is more than a year or two old, they probably estimated to "blend" or do a diluted refinish/clear coat on all adjacent body panels (trunk lid, left and right quarterpanels, I imagine) to the one that was refinished.

Also, if the bumper was plastic and cracked, they may well be obligated to replace it by law, because it is considered "compromised" from a safety standpoint.

Just some thougts...

sabotai · 09-22-2003, 05:33 PM

I'm very happy that I don't give a shit what my car looks like. Saves me a ton of money.

Coffee Warlord · 09-22-2003, 05:44 PM

I think they are obligated to replace that bumper. It would make sense.

Have to comply with those safety standards vs those 5mph crashes. Hoo boy.

cthomer5000 · 09-22-2003, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Have to comply with those safety standards vs those 5mph crashes. Hoo boy.

Well, what if enough damage was done to the bumper that it would now fail to protect you in a 60mph accident?

Would you still not want to replace it?

RendeR · 09-22-2003, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Well, what if enough damage was done to the bumper that it would now fail to protect you in a 60mph accident?

Would you still not want to replace it?

Thre is no such thing as "protection" at 60 mph

The strongest bumper rated I believe is only 30 or 35mph and that comes with a statement that it is tested for head on collision only.

Coffee Warlord · 09-22-2003, 06:24 PM

My car is plastic.

If I get hit from behind, sitting still, at 60 mph, I'm gonna get fucked up. Period. No bumper is going to save me.

If I get hit from behind, sitting still, at 30 mph, my car is going to become pint sized. I'll probably be fine, since it's got a quite sizable rear end. The car will be dead.

No crack in the bumper is going to make a bloody bit of difference in the grande scheme of things.

Philliesfan980 · 09-22-2003, 06:33 PM

You say it costs $900, but don't you have insurance?

At most, it shouldn't cost more than $500 (normally the max deductable) to get it fixed. A few summers ago, while at the Phillies game, a guy riding a motorcycle hit my PARKED car going pretty fast. Like most motorcyclists, they don't carry insurance for their "Ninja Bike", and I'm out $500.

09-22-2003, 05:33 PM	#5
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	When I worked as an insurance claims adjuster, I shared your pain on a day to day basis. Most shops go by a "book" (the one we used was called Mitchell-Maddux) that lists how many hours per repair part and then how many hours of paint and clear coat per repair. I imagine since you live near Chicago, the cost for each, per hour, is around $40 or more. And, if your vehicle is more than a year or two old, they probably estimated to "blend" or do a diluted refinish/clear coat on all adjacent body panels (trunk lid, left and right quarterpanels, I imagine) to the one that was refinished. Also, if the bumper was plastic and cracked, they may well be obligated to replace it by law, because it is considered "compromised" from a safety standpoint. Just some thougts... __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

09-22-2003, 04:58 PM	#2
HeavyReign Fast Break Basketball Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Spokane, WA	That is pretty much what the cost to repair my front bumper was after someone turned the wrong way on a one-way street in front of me. Luckily I was stopping at the light so the only damage was a small crack a couple inches long. The repair breakdown was something like $350 to order the bumper and then another $600 for paint and labor.

09-22-2003, 05:21 PM	#4
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	I concur.

09-22-2003, 05:33 PM	#6
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I'm very happy that I don't give a shit what my car looks like. Saves me a ton of money.

09-22-2003, 05:44 PM	#7
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	I think they are obligated to replace that bumper. It would make sense. Have to comply with those safety standards vs those 5mph crashes. Hoo boy.

09-22-2003, 06:24 PM	#10
Coffee Warlord Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado Springs	My car is plastic. If I get hit from behind, sitting still, at 60 mph, I'm gonna get fucked up. Period. No bumper is going to save me. If I get hit from behind, sitting still, at 30 mph, my car is going to become pint sized. I'll probably be fine, since it's got a quite sizable rear end. The car will be dead. No crack in the bumper is going to make a bloody bit of difference in the grande scheme of things.

09-22-2003, 06:33 PM	#11
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	You say it costs $900, but don't you have insurance? At most, it shouldn't cost more than $500 (normally the max deductable) to get it fixed. A few summers ago, while at the Phillies game, a guy riding a motorcycle hit my PARKED car going pretty fast. Like most motorcyclists, they don't carry insurance for their "Ninja Bike", and I'm out $500.

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