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Is there a way to know if all the replacement parts was genuine?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by GTon9, Aug 28, 2014.

  1. GTon9

    GTon9 New Member

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    I am new car owner and Prius Plug In 2014 was my first car. I can't afford to purchase it. So, I choose to lease. Recently I have got myself into a small accident and lucky I was not at fault. The damage was front left and the small plastic part of front left wind shield. The first appraisal was done at the insurance assign dealer and it was $18xx+. Then, I went to the collision repair shop near my work. They said, no way they can repair it for that amount of money. So, called the insurance and get second appraisal and it was $48xx+. I have already to the repair shop. All the replacement part must be OEM.

    My concern was they replacement it with cheap generic part and keep huge some of money in their own pocket.

    So, is there anyway I can find out or know if the part are original?

    Hope someone here can help me out. Thank you!
     

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  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Two thoughts:

    Make it clear you intend to see invoices from a Toyota dealer for parts. (I can think of no way to be sure the dealership does not defraud the body shop)

    The only new part likely to be easily available in the aftermarket is the windshield.
     
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  3. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Apologies to any Toyota employees in advance...
    While original parts are one way to ensure a standard of quality, it's not the only way. Some dealers exercise a virtual monopoly on original parts and charge exorbitant prices for them. Reputable parts dealers and manufacturers exist, and often sell the same item as the dealers, sometimes manufactured in the same plants, for a much more reasonable price.

    Everyone gets along much better with a bit of transparency.
     
    #3 GregP507, Aug 28, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2014
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you're involved in an accident, you can choose any body shop to fix your car. The insurance company cannot dictate where you have to go. It's the job of the adjuster to work with the shop to get to an agreed upon price for the repair.

    That being said, make certain you communicate you want only genuine Toyota parts to fix the car. I don't think any body shop would install inferior parts after you make that request (in writing on the estimate). There would be too much of a liability to cheat you out of a few bucks.

    I had one of my cars repaired recently, the shop put in an OEM used headlight, the insurance company would not pay for a new headlight, but it was OEM and looked new.
     
  5. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    In my experience, substandard auto parts are a relative rarity. In fact, I've found some third-party components superior to the OEM's. No one wants to get sued into the stone age, therefore any reputable supplier of auto parts should be a safe bet. If you've never heard of a supplier, or can't find warranty information on a manufacturer's website, or even a website at all, steer clear.

    It's not fair to label all alternative automotive parts suppliers as knock-offs.
     
  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    This is a lease car, why would you care if the repair part is OEM or aftermarket. This is not your car anyway.
    The insurance pays for the repair, the money does not come from your pocket even the shop gets a bigger bite (profit) of the repair bill.
     
  7. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    Some people just have to find things to worry about.
     
  8. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Passing the buck eventually makes everyone suffer.
     
  9. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    There is why mechanics are good career, I have seem a few living in half million dollar homes.

     
  10. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    In my ideal world, an honest mechanic makes a good living, not a great one.
     
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Are you kidding me? Any skilled trade should be able to make good money, it's a business!
     
  12. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Good money = good living.

    But a great living? Makes you wonder where it came from. My wallet?
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes your wallet, if you are their customer. That's how a good business operates....it should be very profitable. Think of Walmart and Costco.....low prices with many repeat customers.
     
    #13 JC91006, Aug 28, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2014
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wouldn't fret over the source for a plastic trim piece, as long as it looks good. FWIW, depending on your insurance particulars, the repairer can actually be forced to use salvage parts, for heavy suspension components, etc.
     
  15. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Just as an off-topic aside, in the San Francisco Bay Area, there is no such thing as $500,000 house. My late mother-in-law's 60-year-old three bedroom tract home will be going for something like $1.7M when we put it on the market.
     
  16. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    If your insurer is recommending a particular shop, ask if between them they guarantee the repairs as long as you own the car. Or, in your case, they should guarantee that the car is acceptable to the lessor when it is returned at the end of the lease. You should not have to pay for anything connected with this accident at the end of the lease, as you would for dings, wheel damage, etc. Is this your own insurer, (your fault) or that of another party? If it is someone else's insurer, you can threaten to use your own coverage and have them settle with the other company. BTW, I believe it is common for insurers to require body shops to use and refinish used body parts and sometimes aftermarket parts if the specs match OEM parts. Again, the question is are they willing to back it up in writing. My Auto Club policy does.
     
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  17. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    I think the O.P. implied that it was the lessor that required any repairs to be done with OEM parts, as a contractual obligation. If so, all he needs to do it get an affidavit from the body shop that OEM parts were used. They can't expect more than that.
     
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  18. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    I didn't get that from what he wrote, however I put that in my post about satisfying the lessor, since he wouldn't be the recipient of lifetime guaranteed work. The sentence he put about "must be OEM" sounded like the repair shop was insisting on them, thus the higher estimate. Not totally clear on what his story is.........
     
  19. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    You are right in the Bay Area, but come and look in Sacramento. The median home price is $270K.
    So the mechanics in the Bay Area have to make even more money in order to make the mortgage payment.:(
    My brother's home in Redwood City is now worth $3M+, he paid 750K in 97.

     
    #19 bedrock8x, Aug 29, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2014
  20. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    What a boring forum this would be, if no one ever strayed from the topic from time to time.