How would you handle this?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: L. I. NY
How would you handle this?
I'll try to keep it short.
My C5 has been in the body shop since 9/05'
I was in an accident and took it to a reputable shop that has done work for me in the past. They also own 3 Corvettes and one was damaged worse than mine and they did a beautiful job. Anyway, I originally told them that there was no rush but by no means did I mean to keep it for 5 mos. They thought I took it off the road for the winter but I told them that isn't so. I was promised the car to be completed for Nov. 05' then Dec. 05' and now for the first week of Feb. 06'
I just went to the shop this morning on my way to work and it is still under the car cover untouched. The suspension work is completed but the fenders, bumper, hood, still need to be painted and installed in addition to alot of other work that will in no way be completed by next week. I dont want to get irate with them, and they already know that I'm a little upset that it's not moving along as I was told. I am going to go there to let them know that I'm sick of being lied to and would like my car finished.
I dont want to threaten them with legal action or news reporters because they still have to complete the job and I don't want them to cut any corners, but this is getting ridiculous. The nice weather we have been having doesn't help either.
My C5 has been in the body shop since 9/05'
I was in an accident and took it to a reputable shop that has done work for me in the past. They also own 3 Corvettes and one was damaged worse than mine and they did a beautiful job. Anyway, I originally told them that there was no rush but by no means did I mean to keep it for 5 mos. They thought I took it off the road for the winter but I told them that isn't so. I was promised the car to be completed for Nov. 05' then Dec. 05' and now for the first week of Feb. 06'
I just went to the shop this morning on my way to work and it is still under the car cover untouched. The suspension work is completed but the fenders, bumper, hood, still need to be painted and installed in addition to alot of other work that will in no way be completed by next week. I dont want to get irate with them, and they already know that I'm a little upset that it's not moving along as I was told. I am going to go there to let them know that I'm sick of being lied to and would like my car finished.
I dont want to threaten them with legal action or news reporters because they still have to complete the job and I don't want them to cut any corners, but this is getting ridiculous. The nice weather we have been having doesn't help either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Is insurance paying for the repairs? If so, go thru them and have them pressure the body shop to complete the job in a timely manner or not get payed in full. Second suggestion, ask for a rental car that is equivalent to your vette until your car is repaired to your satisfaction.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 1
From: OHIO
You have an unbelievable amount of patience, 5 months, my head would of exploded because I would of been screaming at them. I also would of removed the car sooner if they could not keep a reasonable dead line. Sorry to hear this though, you probably feel trapped because they have your car. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: L. I. NY
I do feel trapped because they have my car and they know the insurancr adjuster well because they have been dealing with the same ins. adjuster for over 15 years. I thought about contacting the insurance Co. to put a little pressure on them but I don't want them to know I went behind there back and then they rush the job and do shotty work. I'd rather be up front with them. The old me would have done something I'd regret, but I am pissed off!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 1
From: henderson nevada
Time to "raise hell." I went through something similiar with my Honda Civic. Sounds like nothing is going to happen unless you make a scene. Sometimes, in life, I have found you need to do this...Forget the "nice guy approach." 
If you don't, your just delaying a big scene later anyway. 
If you don't, your just delaying a big scene later anyway.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Sterling Heights MI
Get the adjuster involved, and the BBS. It's not so much about the length of time, it's the multiple missed quoted finish dates. They can't be trusted, and people should know. That's WAY too long.
An Indiana tuner had my car nearly that long to install a supercharger. They stumbled over everything that didn't go with a cookie cutter design. Don't settle for it. I got $500 back for my trouble because they tun4d the car for $hit. Make some noise with people that count. I found out the shop owner couldn't handle when things didn't go like clockwork. You may have the same type of shop.
An Indiana tuner had my car nearly that long to install a supercharger. They stumbled over everything that didn't go with a cookie cutter design. Don't settle for it. I got $500 back for my trouble because they tun4d the car for $hit. Make some noise with people that count. I found out the shop owner couldn't handle when things didn't go like clockwork. You may have the same type of shop.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
You have a serious problem now... You can't really do much, threats will only put your repair in jeapardy... if you insist on them rushing the job, or anything close to that effect, They will give you what you want, that is a rushed job. I would just stop by every few days to see what going on and that you need to get the car. Your only other choice is getting it out of there and to another shop.. this could be done but I would go through your state insurance commission office first... tell them it is unacceptable, and want the car out ... Five months is a long time..I bet cars have come in after yours and have been worked on and have left...
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
You have a serious problem now... You can't really do much, threats will only put your repair in jeapardy... if you insist on them rushing the job, or anything close to that effect, They will give you what you want, that is a rushed job. I would just stop by every few days to see what going on and that you need to get the car. Your only other choice is getting it out of there and to another shop.. this could be done but I would go through your state insurance commission office first... tell them it is unacceptable, and want the car out ... Five months is a long time..I bet cars have come in after yours and have been worked on and have left...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
You have a serious problem now... You can't really do much, threats will only put your repair in jeapardy... if you insist on them rushing the job, or anything close to that effect, They will give you what you want, that is a rushed job. I would just stop by every few days to see what going on and that you need to get the car. Your only other choice is getting it out of there and to another shop.. this could be done but I would go through your state insurance commission office first... tell them it is unacceptable, and want the car out ... Five months is a long time..I bet cars have come in after yours and have been worked on and have left...
That is way too long... I would have lost it long ago. I would seriously think about getting my car away from that shop and taking it somewhere else. They obviously do not car about you or your car. I would question any work they did do at this point because of that. See if your insurance agent will support you taking the car to a different place for the rest of the repairs needed. He should understand your position. If he doesnt, I would question who he works for you are the repair shop. A good agent will take care of you. If he doesn't find another agent. How much do you pay a month for coverage.......
Sorry to here about your luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
This is RIDICULOUS!!! At this point I would go sit down with them and tell them how 5 to 6 months is pretty outrageous and ask them how much time they needed and if they could give you a firm commitment on completion date. If it's over a month I would leave and contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled. If they agree to say 30 days I would come back in 2 weeks to check on the progress, if there is no progress I'd contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled and taken to a REPUTABLE shop.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
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From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Thats pretty bad nam, ive had trouble with body shops before too. I took my WRX to this one body shop more than 7 times, for things, for as simple as painting a aftermarket grill, to body work that included a full spray full body kit hood morrors and apinted projection headlights. (My buddy wrecked it pretty good)
the first and last time i took my vette to the same shop, I was charged 500 bills to paint the FRC's fuse box cover cowl and radiator cover.
similar paint work on my wrx cost me 200 tops.
Vette tax what? you just got the assumption that if you were fortunate enough to afford to have a vette and another car to drive while its being fixed that they could push your work back because tehy have other cars that tehy assume need to be dont faster, if you give them a deadline that is reasonable that tehy could easily complete the work in that time frams and tehy dont deliver, take it up with the insurance company
the first and last time i took my vette to the same shop, I was charged 500 bills to paint the FRC's fuse box cover cowl and radiator cover.
similar paint work on my wrx cost me 200 tops.
Vette tax what? you just got the assumption that if you were fortunate enough to afford to have a vette and another car to drive while its being fixed that they could push your work back because tehy have other cars that tehy assume need to be dont faster, if you give them a deadline that is reasonable that tehy could easily complete the work in that time frams and tehy dont deliver, take it up with the insurance company
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 1
From: henderson nevada
Originally Posted by pcfred
This is RIDICULOUS!!! At this point I would go sit down with them and tell them how 5 to 6 months is pretty outrageous and ask them how much time they needed and if they could give you a firm commitment on completion date. If it's over a month I would leave and contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled. If they agree to say 30 days I would come back in 2 weeks to check on the progress, if there is no progress I'd contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled and taken to a REPUTABLE shop.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
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From: Far side of the Moon
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
5 months 
I think by being in their shop this long that common cohabitation law makes the car theirs. Might as well just go ahead and take them the title. Maybe if you are nice they will let you visit the car every other weekend, but the visits will probably be supervised.
Seriously, good luck.
I think by being in their shop this long that common cohabitation law makes the car theirs. Might as well just go ahead and take them the title. Maybe if you are nice they will let you visit the car every other weekend, but the visits will probably be supervised.
Seriously, good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by mwagne16
Get the adjuster involved, and the BBS. It's not so much about the length of time, it's the multiple missed quoted finish dates. They can't be trusted, and people should know. That's WAY too long.
An Indiana tuner had my car nearly that long to install a supercharger. They stumbled over everything that didn't go with a cookie cutter design. Don't settle for it. I got $500 back for my trouble because they tun4d the car for $hit. Make some noise with people that count. I found out the shop owner couldn't handle when things didn't go like clockwork. You may have the same type of shop.
An Indiana tuner had my car nearly that long to install a supercharger. They stumbled over everything that didn't go with a cookie cutter design. Don't settle for it. I got $500 back for my trouble because they tun4d the car for $hit. Make some noise with people that count. I found out the shop owner couldn't handle when things didn't go like clockwork. You may have the same type of shop.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 1
From: Md
I'm sorry for your situation. I went through this same thing. I thought I checked out the shop, they only did high end automobiles and the ones at the shop looked great. They said the car would be done in 2-3 weeks, 4 if something went wrong. I paid out of my pocket so no insurance. They ended up having my car for 4 1/2 months. I was so mad I could have done some bad things, but I was more than patient. They took advantage of me. The car was not done well to say the least. I did get them to pay for 4 weeks of rental though. I was going to sue them, but like most people I moved on instead. It still bothers me. I ended up selling the car, and it was my favorite, because every time I looked at it I got pissed! Don't let them cut any corners. Get the job you paid for, do not accept anything less or you will regret it. Get the BBB and the Consumer Affairs in your area involved. They usually light a fire under these people. ONE MORE THING - DO NOT GIVE ONE DOLLAR UNTIL THE CAR IS PERFECT! Money is what this is about and you definitely won't get the job you want if you pay them anything. GOOD LUCK
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Originally Posted by pcfred
This is RIDICULOUS!!! At this point I would go sit down with them and tell them how 5 to 6 months is pretty outrageous and ask them how much time they needed and if they could give you a firm commitment on completion date. If it's over a month I would leave and contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled. If they agree to say 30 days I would come back in 2 weeks to check on the progress, if there is no progress I'd contact the insurance co. and have the car pulled and taken to a REPUTABLE shop.
There is only so much patience that you should be expected to give. Your insurance company works for you (supposedly), not for the body shop so get them to do their job.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I originally told them that there was no rush
I would call the insurance company and demand it be moved to another shop. Tell the insurance company that you feel if the current body shop is pressured to speed things up - that they may retaliate with shoddy work (and the crappy work may be hidden from view - and not easily detected).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
It is possible the insurance company may have already paid them. If that is the case then you need to get the State insurance commisioner involved. You need the name of the insurance agent, the company and the shop where the car is... I dont know if this is your insurance company or, a company for someone who hit you... You need to tell thewm the shop said it would take three weeks , 4 tops, that was five months ago. Dont mention that you said take your time.. I know it is deceptive, but it will only cloud the issue. You take this to the State insurance commission and they will help you.