Autobody shop owners suspect a customer's damage estimate is fraudulent
12 posts in the last 30 days, all from r/Autobody.
“Wow. You think you got scammed? You must have no idea how much auto body supplies and labor cost. Look that up and think about it. You scammed him.”
“So you’re more worried about the “gap” than the “crack” in the frame. Sorry I don’t understand the logic. I don’t think the gap is an issue but what does this genius know”
“So you’re saying it’s a non issue but it is damage, correct? I’m only asking because I’m not going to drive 5 hours to potentially purchase this vehicle if the salesmen isn’t disclosing it. Even if it’s a non issue”
Several autobody professionals are wary of a customer requesting an amount for vehicle repair, noting the request seemed suspicious. One user suggested the damage could be easily reversed with a plunger.
SOURCES (60)
“Whats wrong with getting an estimate, they’re usually free. [re: Crash - Is this totaled?]”
“I bought it new. I am asking for a 2nd opinion here. Yes, I am sure that there's a freak chance that this particular car was somehow involved in an onsite dealership accident before it had 50 miles on it but I mean...c'mon. I am asking for professional opinions from people who know GT-Rs and have been in this scenario. Just armchair QB. I'm not looking for a guarantee from Reddit - I'm asking professionals what they think. Let's assume what I'm saying is true and I bought”
So the guy not being a body shop wasn’t clue enough for you?
“I would charge like 1500 to fix this the right way and I’m not even a full on collision shop. For a hundred bucks this looks better than it did and that’s all one can ask. I would even just wet sand the edges of where he painted where there’s kind of a blurry overspray line, then go over the whole panel with some polish and it would look better than it does now.”
“Wow. You think you got scammed? You must have no idea how much auto body supplies and labor cost. Look that up and think about it. You scammed him.”
“A hundred bucks for body work would get a rock chip touched up in California. It's definitely backyard work but I don't think you got scammed at all.”
“So you’re more worried about the “gap” than the “crack” in the frame. Sorry I don’t understand the logic. I don’t think the gap is an issue but what does this genius know”
“The way I see it this is a scam because you expected -and were promised- an actual repair. Of course such a repair could never cost that little. But you didn't know that then and I am pretty sure that if you went back in time you would tell the guy to kick rocks. So yes, you got what you paid for but you were also scammed. BTW, even if you've never done any DIY work, I bet you could do a better job than that for much less. At least you would have a paint matched spray can that would'”
“Honestly for a rattle can job I don’t think so but if you think it looks good for the price so it is. Sorry not trying to rag on you at all about this, just advising to be more careful next time.”
You could have got a black rattle can and done that yourself.
It looks like an 150 dollar (then discounted to 100 lol) body service.
“My cousin Bob does body work on the side. He can clean this up for you real nice for $100. But its his last day in town. Take it or leave it, but you're a fool if you dont do it.”
“Common scam? That was a genie gypsy.For 100 it's perfect.If you want a shop quality go and ask for an estimate, the door and that rear pannel.”
“Lmfao, you didn't get scammed... You got exactly what you paid for. Looks like $150 bodywork to me 🤷”
“Yeah that’s probably a total. No way there isn’t A pillar damage from the looks of that door, the sill probably has damage, and then obviously the other and inner quarter and dog leg are mangled.”
“So you’re saying it’s a non issue but it is damage, correct? I’m only asking because I’m not going to drive 5 hours to potentially purchase this vehicle if the salesmen isn’t disclosing it. Even if it’s a non issue”
“not to be pedantic, but a truck of that age could easily be totalled without frame damage.”
“No i am saying auto body shop has better chance of getting more for extra hidden damage work.”
“And in between these 2 situations what’s stopping the shop from making up charges and lying about it? Or is that absolutely impossible to you?”
“I mean it’s the leasing companies car now I just gotta front the bill so i don’t really care about that lol. Just more so curious if any of the quote at least the new one jumps at as odd to you or doesn’t make sense. As well I’m on Canada so that’s why prices might seem a bit odd 30% more lol”
“https://preview.redd.it/ktrmka2bi0qh1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e5f1897a05bc17b8d65fabeff5810af537b6435”
“The original quote had that but they were trying to charge me 40 hours in work. There’s 0 chance that takes 40 hours. Or I can be stupid I don’t know this all too well lol”
As well you can the context in the post from the other thread
“They’ll say frame damage and write it off, Then some auction denizen gets your motor and drivetrain to put into a different one they bought at another auction.”
“And also see why not to DIY. The best and only real advice is to just get multiple estimates. If one of them is ripping you off you’ll know pretty quickly.”
“The check will be fake. Guaranteed. Do not take a check unless you go to the bank and watch it being created.”
“It’s just an extra precaution I take, if I see something misaligned I’ll look in to it a bit deeper to see if there is any other evidence of a hidden accident not on a car report.”
Quite likely. Could be trying to leave a trail of plausible deniability
“Why did you take it there? If someone hit you and said”hey, I’ve got a guy that does these repairs, he’s good shit, trust me!” would you take it there? Or would you be suspicious that the person that is responsible for paying to repair your vehicle is just trying to get it done as cheaply as possible? Because that’s literally what the insurance company did to you.”
“Can anyone help decipher this, please? Doesn't mean a thing to me. Just have a gut feeling I've been ripped off, due to the overall level of service I received. Cheers submitted by /u/TheRealBrodieman [link] [comments]”
“https://preview.redd.it/tfwlbr1dawnh1.jpeg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a32f35be61b6c50bd2d38bd48ad8e02b7b5faac6 Sorry, the pic that was at hand. Yeah. One of his cars was sold at auction (I think $12mil) and during transport they dropped a ramp on the decklid.”
“It depends which state they are in whether they have to disclose it or not. Plus I can guarantee the ones I’ve repaired for shipping damage you would not be able to tell”
“Buddy. I do everything. I've swapped 2 truck frames this year. But I'm sure " your guys" would have pulled those frames🤣🤣🤣 You don't even know what procedure is. Explain to me how you can write estimates and not know this? Why would you ask me where I would cut that quarter? You obviously work in one of those backyard hack shops. And you are 31. You are a child. No experience at all. No estimator should ever have the job without 5 years on the floor. Should be a requirem”
“lol sir I am an estimator that has confidence in my body men. Bottom line this is a baby job that you want to replace the quarter on? For what? Bozo. I know plenty of “technicians” that couldn’t do the repair, it’s not a problem we aren’t all prime time body men. I myself am not. Learn to be humble you ninny boy”
“Your going to use procedure. That's the only way to put a quarter on. Ever. Anything else opens you up to lawsuits. You do this for a living and don't know this? Pull up the procedure pages on this vehicle and walllah. You are I car plat and don't know what procedure is?”
“No no, what I am saying is it could be a proper repair or it could be a butcher repair behind the bumper. You are halfway correct. I see you didn’t answer my questions I asked earlier. Customer is free to do what he wants regardless. OP, I would repair this on my vehicle. There is 0 reason to replace this panel.”
“I am 31 years old but have worked with older persons my whole career. Would you just not have confidence in the repair? I’m curious on the thought process bc this panel is repairable with pull seam seal cavity wax, no? Take the qtr vent off and have more access than most panels, no?”
“Are you suggesting a buyer is bringing a paint meter to a sale and checking every panel?”
“Looks like factory rust protection, if the car was damaged on a structural level they would've written it off.”
“This is very common for an independent shop. It ensures they can manage the entire repair and protect themselves from you at the same time.”
“I was not in an accident. I filed a counter claim. Apparently I have an adjuster to call tomrrow. Just i cant believe soneone just filed a claim, never responded when I asked for her insurance, then bam her insurance mails me a letter saying I owe her x”