Revised question
An independently run auto body repair shop wont pay for accidental damages they caused, what should I do?
I went to get a quote to get some things fixed on my car at an auto repair shop. Before going there, I did not know anything about his reputation. No work was performed and nothing was signed. While there, when showing the manager what I wanted fixed, through a freak accident, a nut flew off a hand buffing tool. This worker was using it about 10 feet away which hit my car leaving a noticeable 1/8" deep dent, breaking through the paint, and exposing the raw metal underneath.
See 4 photos if you want:
http://s844.photobucket.com/albums/ab10/incatradr/CarDents/
The 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. I later learned that the shop that did the damage is 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. Other shops said when you get your car repainted, you can go the cheap way, such as if you want it to look nice enough to resell it, or the more expensive way such as if you plan on keeping it longer term. 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. To suggest that I should simply have him “fix” it is an unwise response because he has proven himself untrustworthy. Furthermore, even if there was a warranty, with the way he operates he might not be around when its time to do warranty repairs. Even if he is, he is not the type of person who acts responsible for his actions. 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 say its only worth of damage. 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? I know its a civil matter, but would they come? Would it scare him into submission? Would the police come in order to force him to produce his ID to me? Take him to small claims court in Houston TX? Post on Craigslist where he advertises to warn others until he settles with me? Go to his shop and refuse to leave until he pays me off? Other options? Filing with the BBB is worthless as all they would do is forward my complaint to him.
Im moving later this week about 4 hours away, so to return to Houston for court would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. How do I get him to make this easy for both of us??
Revised
First 2 answers are terrible.
Racer22: MY insurance company isn’t responsible for this as it was 0% my fault. Besides, my deductible is over 0 so it wouldn’t apply anyway.
HowardL: I WAS the one who offered the 0 number for him to settle to pay me and he refused. All he wants to do is "fix" it and ONLY at his shop. Like I said, I received several quotes that ranged from 0-700, so your suggestion it can be done for less than 0 in a QUALITY manner is wrong.
I need to get some answers from people with better reading comprehension skills please.
If a doctor you meet at a bar stabs or shoots you, then he offers to fix it, should you go for that? It would be insane to accept.
By the same token, you shouldnt have to go to the same repair "doctor" who caused your damage, as there is inherent bias.
Editor’s Comment:
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We have all had to pay for costly vehicle repairs.