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Bodyshop fail...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mgb4tim, Jan 22, 2010.

  1. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Had a girl back into my car in a lot. She hit just where the passenger door meets the front fender-sorry, no pictures.

    Created a cease in the trailing edge of the fender. Check out this repair (pic is a big rough, taken with my camera phone, and please don't mind the dirt, there's a huge road construction project-10 years and counting- underway near my house...)

    [​IMG]

    GEICO recommended guaranteed shop did the repair. Told the shop manager it needs redone to straighten the metal. Plus, there's a divot in the filler!!

    I called GEICO and let them know it needs redone, another couple hours of m life, dropping off and picking up, that I'll never get back.

    The shop asked if it was OK to wait a couple weeks until they had some down time, and offered me a car to use, not through the rental agency.
     
  2. thbjr

    thbjr Member

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    Man, I feel your pain. That totally SUCKS! Take pictures, lots of pictures and ask the Gecko claims adjuster if he wants to see the car again. Let Gecko know that you will not accept waiting untill "their" recomended shop has "down time" to get around to fixing their screw up and I would certainly not accept a car that is not through a licensed rental car agency. Way to many potential liability issues there. Remember, this is the same company offering you a car that just did second rate work on your car. When you return the "loaner" and they claim it's not in the condition it was loaned to you in, then what. And besides, them footing the bill for a rental while re-doing the work on your car will tend to put a higher priority on getting your car done right and in a very timely manner.
    Plan B: Keep track of your time. If your budget allows, you can go drop off your car now and rent a "comprable" car today from any car rental agency, even Toyota, and keep it until the car is finished and Gecko will have to re-imburse you for the rental, if you push it, time lost from work also, and then Gecko will have to worry about recouping their money from the repair shop.
    Your the victim here, twice. Take charge and take control of this situation you found yourself in and good luck with the repair the second time around.
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I can't tell much from that picture.

    But from your complaint, I'd say your unhappy with the repair done by the bodyshop.

    If I was in a similar situation I'd be upset. I wouldn't even want the bodyshop that did the repair wrong in the first place, doing it again. You should be able to take it to any bodyshop you wish. Not only should you be reimbursed for a rental, but in the situation as you present it, I'd say it was unacceptable because you don't want to go "a couple of weeks" driving a Non-Hybrid automobile that would conceivably cost you much more in gas.

    Just sounds like a poor bodyshop. I'd do some local research, find the best one in your area, take it to that one immediately and insist on any reimbursement.

    Hopefully Geico won't balk, they should actually want to know if one of there "recommended" bodyshops are doing such a poor job.

    I'm assuming if someone else caused the original damage that Geico is the other persons insurance? Hopefully this isn't a claim on yours.
     
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    What's with the filler anyway? Since this is an insurance job you should get a NEW fender! I wouldn't accept a repair that needs filler, that's what insurance is for, if you need a new part you should get a new part!
     
  5. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    They shop should have been able to massage the metal to bring it back. Obviously, they didn't. Waiting to hear from the GEICO supervising adjuster. We'll see.
     
  6. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    What are you talking about? There are very few insurance policies that require NEW parts if the part that is damaged can be repaired. This is totally a problem with a bad job by a repair shop. Let's not make it more than it is. I don't know what his insurance policy says, but I would be willing to bet a whole lot of money that just because it is "an insurance job" doesn't mean that he gets a new part.

    I would be hesitant to go back to the same shop more than once, but I don't think it is unreasonable to let them try to fix the bad repair. I would be very, very careful not to leave the premises without noting any deficiencies, though. Look it over with a fine toothed comb and don't accept anything but the original look of your car. You are entitled to have it repaired to the condition it was in before the damage. Don't accept less. Stick to your guns, but you will get a whole lot more with honey than with vinegar.
     
  7. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I was nice to the guy, and I'll afford him another opportunity to mend his mistake. It's a Ford dealership body shop.

    Since I let GEICO in on it, I'm thinking they will contact the shop, as well, to make sure it's done correctly. If not, wouldn't that amount to fraud? Not doing what the estimate shows then charging the full estimate?

    I'll give them until the end of the month to set an appointment, or I'll go through GIECO. then I'll ask for 4 hours' wages (at their labor costs), and a fuel cost differential.
     
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Did they perform the repair you authorized? If so, that's not fraud. It's just an unsatisfactory job and you accepted it.

    You might have some leverage with the insurance company but your recourse is probably only the shop's warranty of the repair.

    If the work doesn't match the repair order also consider contacting your local Consumer Affairs office.
     
  9. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    The estimate billed was to remove many pieces, not done, correct the metal, not done. but they charges the same price. So, the work did not match th repair order.

    Like I said, I'll wait until the end of the month to hear from the shop, then I'll contact GEICO, who has been OK at responding to me.
     
  10. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    Sorry for having to be put through this...bad enough you got tapped from the other car now to deal with this...

    I could see what you were talking about in the pic easily.

    Did your insurance MAKE you go to that facility?? Or was that of choice?? I wonder how Toyota would have done?? I can only think better????
    Good Luck on getting it corrected...;)
     
  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    It's your car, your life, your choice. But I don't quite understand why you would have a FORD Dealership Bodyshop handle your Toyota. Plus IMO if the way it was originally handled was so substandard I certainly wouldn't want to go back.

    Do what you want though.

    As far as "new parts" or fix...I was in a very slow speed accident where I merged side by side against another vehicle....in a Nissan Pickup. Many superficial dents along the side of the entire vehicle, looked horrible but not much real damage beyond that. The Insurance paid for, and the Body Shop replaced each dented panel. Which is what I wanted. Seems to me that is how automobiles and Body Shops are operating more and more. The "craftmanship" of massaging metals or adding filler is giving way to the more expensive but consistent replacement of individual panels and bumpers. Again, especially if I wasn't at fault, I'd ask for new parts. You had a "new" car, why should you now have to have filler and or fatigued metal?
     
  12. aapoppa

    aapoppa formerly known as "Popoff"

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    What's so hard to understand? In my area, the body shop at the Ford dealer does the best work. I've used them on several occasions and been totally pleased with the results. He could well be an independent operator that leases the space from the dealer. But it doesn't really matter. The quality of the work is what counts.
     
  13. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    I had my Jaguar sedan repaired at a Pontiac dealership because, at the time, they did the best work. Later on, I had my wife's Lexus repaired at the local Lexus dealer and had to have it redone at an independent body shop. You should go to where you think the best work is done and I think you are doing the right thing in giving them ONE chance to fix their screwup.

    You can ask for gold plated replacement fenders, but your policy, unless it is a very unusual one will probably pay to have the fender repaired IF it can be repaired, but you need to be satisfied.

    You seem to have a pretty good handle on this situation and don't need too much advice, IMO. Hang in there, it is never pleasant to have this happen to an almost new car (or any car, for that matter).

    If you need to start putting the screws to the insurance company, start talking about the diminished value of your brand new, perfectly maintained car. Some courts have held that insureds are entitled to be compensated for that, over and above the cost of repairs. But not all courts agree. It does, sometimes make insurance companies nervous. It is always better to leave your insurance company laughing. It is not always possible, though.
     
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Okay...1st...switch to decaf.

    2ndly, I'm talking to the OP, and (little hint) the NAME OF THE THREAD is "Bodyshop fail..." which indicates to me that for the OP the quality of the work hasn't been good. So obviously if the OP is unhappy with the work PLUS it's a Ford Dealership Bodyshop, why not just go somewhere else? Not talking about "your area" or "your personal experience" ....Yes, it's the quality of the work that counts and judging from the OP's experience the quality hasn't been good....what's hard to understand about that?
     
  15. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I found some photos on the GEICO claim site. The shop got an extra $1100 for doing a bad job. Ended up painting and blending the entire side.

    They got it last Monday before lunch time. Maybe I'll get a call to pick it up today?

    Notice in the pic through the hatch, the dash is light up like Christmas. Wonder if my battery is dead? LOL
     

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  16. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Sorry, I missed this one earlier. I'm new to this area, so I don't have experience with the shops around here. I gave them a second change, we'll see if they did it right when I pick it up. I'll be even more critical this time, too.