Mechanics/ Auto body guys I have a ? FML

[mookieo2]

So I filed a complaint with DMV. They called the shop and were told that it was repaired to my satisfaction and I will be picking it up. I had said nothing of the sort and haven't even spoken to them since last Saturday when I told them to stop and do not touch the car any further. DMV says I need to pick it up take pictures and bring to my shop for inspection and estimate to repair/ paint whatever is not done correctly. Then they will come out and inspect what I am not happy with. They have told me as well as the insurance company that they have a extremely high success rate. Hopefully I will be one of them. I talked to my body shop and showed him pictures and he said that the quarter panel is small and damage was done to almost half of it that he would definitely change it. I am awaiting an itemized bill from the original body shop and hoping that it says they replaced the quarter panel. So I can easily get my money back and the car repaired properly. 

the saga continues... I should have went with my gut and took the car out of there but time and money was an issue. I learned my lesson.

[mookieo2]

Finally got the car in my possession. Brought it right to my trusted shop. Owner couldn't believe how bad a job. New bumper wasn't put on correctly and is bowing out at mounting points. Weather striping around windows wasn't removed for paint and needs to be replaced. Just a few of the immediate problems besides the poor paint job. The shop on their own changed the labor rate to $87 and adjusted the bill so it is almost what the insurance company paid out. Was supposed to replace my muffler but  repaired it instead. The list goes on. My shop is sure I have a good case just have to wait 6-8 weeks until DMV can get to look at the car. on top of that I found a rim that was originally going to be replaced had a dent in it. There is also a humming sound from the back that starts at around 60 MPH.

[mookieo2]

Finally hopefully some closure. Got to get my inspection by the DMV today. They are making the shop pay me $4600 back from the $7k repair. I'm getting reimbursed for all the parts they were supposed to replace, labor, and all the paint  work that was done. I will have the check in hand in 30 days.  I wonder how many people never follow through and the shops get away with doing this.

[red baron]

Get a lawyer, it's called diminished value.

[mookieo2]

Get a lawyer, it's called diminished value.

I was going to try to sue the person who hit me for it but its a $14k car. I'm going to put 35k on it a year. Its not worth much. I already have 17k on it since I got it back in February. I was trying to get a trade in value post repair from ford but they never wanted to get back to me. My wife's an attorney so I don't have to pay for one but it might not be worth it. I may not even repair the car. If I keep the money I got a $10k commuter.  The most I'm going to repair is to get it repainted by a proper shop.

[NAKID]

Wow, so much for a 6-8 week turn around huh?

[Bladecutter]

I was going to try to sue the person who hit me for it but its a $14k car. I'm going to put 35k on it a year. Its not worth much. I already have 17k on it since I got it back in February. I was trying to get a trade in value post repair from ford but they never wanted to get back to me. My wife's an attorney so I don't have to pay for one but it might not be worth it. I may not even repair the car. If I keep the money I got a $10k commuter.  The most I'm going to repair is to get it repainted by a proper shop.

All you have to do is go to your nearest CarMax, and have them give you a quote for how much the car is worth, and there's your diminished value claim.
Or any other car dealer, for that matter.
You don't need "Ford", who ever you are referring to there.

BC.

[red baron]

My wife's an attorney so I don't have to pay for one .

Oh, you're paying......

[corey]

not sure this has been mentioned, i tried to read everything... i had a similarly new vehicle smashed into by some dumb broad on her cell phone...
one thing I learned in the process is that on ANY vehicle that is involved in an accident that has an insurance payout involved... if said vehicle is under 2 (i think 2) years old, or has under 10,000 miles on the clock, then any parts replaced must be replaced with BRAND NEW, FACTORY ORIGINAL parts, REGARDLESS of where it is repaired. No remans, no refurbs, no aftermarkets, even if you HAD aftermarket on there.

i believe it's a federal mandate, at least that's how my insurance company explained it to me.

regardless, i had the same thing happen... some ass clown shows up with his tow truck first, and i'm like whatever... take it to my dealership... he insists on taking it to "his family's shop," which then proceeds to call me and tell me about how they can "save me my deductible" etc. etc.... AKA, insurance fraud.

immediately told them to tow it to my specified dealership, or i was calling the police.
they got in high gear.

and people wonder why we don't trust small mechanic businesses.

[duc_fan]

I don't trust any of them unless they've earned it with work for people I know and trust... small-time or big dealership, doesn't matter.

There's a reason I do as much of my own work as possible.  The vast majority of the time I do it better than the so-called "professionals".  Several times we've had stuff done "professionally" I ended up fixing it, redoing it, or finishing it correctly at home.  Maybe it's 'cause I'm an engineer in the aviation world where everything has to be fricken 10^-9 reliable...