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.
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You do not have to allow him or his shop to repair your vehicle, you have the right to have the repairs done at the shop of your choice.
Your only real choice is small claims court. I would file and not only ask for the cost of the repair, but also the cost of replacement transportation (rental car). When he is served with the court papers, he will either decide to pay, or he will fight it. If he tries to defend against the suit, he has no case, and will loose.
In fact, if you have the repairs done at another shop and have the receipt showing what you paid, and a receipt for the rental, you will get a judgment for the total you paid, plus court costs.
why not just let him fix the damage? If he gives you $200 you wont be able to get it fixed for that
You could try just having an attorney write him a letter, less than $50. Most people will get scared and settle up with just this.
call the police and take to court.
Let the guy fix the damage. He knows there was a problem, and he tried to make it right. Sounds like you started blowing this thing out of proportion when you went and got estimates from other places. Go back to him and (politely) ask him if he will repair the damage. Don’t be rude about it or you may end up going to court or paying for the damage yourself. Give him a chance to make it right, don’t just threaten a lawsuit to get more money out of him.
If returning is prohibitively expensive, then have him fix the car. If he was so crappy, why were you even there?
The alternative is small claims court. you will have to travel, and you will win the right to have him fix your car.
You wanted cheap? Well, you got it. Next time go to another shop. Is there anything you signed saying they weren’t responsible? If not, legal action is a recourse. But for the retainer you could have it fixed and just never go back. And I don’t care what anyone says, word of mouth is the greatest advertiser, good OR bad.
Well,I read your story and feel your pain.I’ve worked in auto body repair for many years.As you certainly know,doing undetectable paint work that lasts is pretty difficult and expensive.In your situation,you could have the foreigner fix it and hope for the best.Or torment yourself with legal action.That’s about all that can be done,the cops won’t do anything but take a report.I too would be upset with this guy and want to do something to get back at him,but it won’t fix the paint.Maybe if you can try to let it go and accept what happened then you can go on with more important things in your life.