Posts Tagged ‘estimates’
Auto body repair shop wont pay for accidental damages their worker caused, what should I do?
Auto body repair shop wont pay for damages, what should I do?
I went to get a quote to get some things fixed on my car at an auto repair shop. While there, through a freak accident, a nut flew off a hand hand buffing tool that a worker was using about 10 feet from my car and hit my car leaving a noticeable 1/8" dent, breaking through the paint, and exposing the raw metal underneath.
The Arabic/Middle Eastern owner wants to fix the damage on the quarter panel instead of cashing me out. I received 6 estimates from other shops to fix this, who quoted 0-600 to fix it, most around 0. The shop who did the damage is known for being the cheapest (lowest priced) shop around. They gave me varying answers on the paint warranty, first 2 years, then 1 year. Other shops said the price low-ballers use lower quality paint that won’t last. I don’t trust this shop who did the damage and also worry if the paint won’t match the other part of the car. When I insisted he cash me out for 0, which is far less than any of the other shops quoted he still refused. He tried to tell me its the guys fault who was using the tool that hit my car, because he’s a contractor. I call BS. All his employees were wearing similar uniforms. I told the owner my relationship was with his shop, not one of his employees and he needs to take responsibility for his workers. I told him it would be far cheaper for him to settle than this becoming a legal matter. He tried to blow me off, took my number and said the "contractor" who did the damage would call me. Of course he never did. I didn’t see a business license posted, as I believe required by law.
What should I do? Call the police? Take him to small claims court in Houston TX?
I am moving later this week to Dallas about 4 hours away, so to return to Houston for court would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming.
When I first went there I DIDNT KNOW his reputation. ONLY AFTER doing research on quotes did I learn this. Im looking for help, not worthless criticism. Would YOU want your car "fixed" with paint that won’t hold up only to have another dispute with him in the future?
These condescending comments are unhelpful and wasteful. People dont go here to get criticized. Not everyone has an opinion on where is best to go. Furthermore, when a business is new, there is no one to ask because there isnt much history.
Nothing was signed, no work was performed. I went to get a quote. While there, this accidental damage happened.