So about a month ago my 07 TC hit a divider on the highway, it wasnt a bad accident but it did cause damage to basically the entire left side of the car, There were dent(s) on the front quarter, door, rear panel, and rear bumper. About 5 dents total, with scrape damage.

I take my car to Collision Revision to get a quote, the gentlemen brings me inside after take a look, writes it up, and shows it to me. Total Cost $1,479.59. I was surpised at the amount as I expected more, and was going to pay out of pocket as I have a 1,000 deductible anyway.

Fast forward to two days ago and I drop my car off to be repaired, sign the estimate for the 1479.59, and leave. They tell me 4 days for the repair. Well today I get a call from one of the managers, he tells me that the quote was too low, and that for it to be done, its going to be an additional $1,400.

I was upset, I understand they have a business to run, but to let someone sign the estimate and have the car there for two days, then call and say its more money.What do you guys think? Keep in mind there were no parts being replaced here, only paint and labor, so its not like they found a part they need to order. Basically they just want more money for the hours they are putting into it, reasonable?, maybe. I have to call them back today with an answer, just thought id get y'alls input.

 

It doesn't sounds right, i think if you already sign for something they told you, then they must hold that offer and not go up in price.

 

I know there are laws in place that if after I sign the estimate, I cant go in to pick it up after it is finished and they say, oh by the way, you owe us $1,400 more.

In this case they are calling me before they go ahead with the work. But youre right I would thing I would be be able to put up some type of fight.

 

I would understand if they find a damaged beyond repair part where they would need to order it and of course the labor to install it and everything but since that's not the case i wouldn't pay more than what was in the original agreement that you signed!

kinda like when you go into a store and an item is incorrectly priced they have to honor they marked priced! same here!

 

if you have a deductable then isn't it the insurance companies problem now?

 

Im paying out of pocket. I have a $1,000 dedctible, and since its only $400 more then my dectutible, im not going to go through insurance, since idpay for it later in higher premiums anyway.

 

^ His deductible is $1000. If the cost to get it fixed out of pocket is close to or slightly over the deductible it is best to pay out of pocket. Minimize the amount of insurance claims typically means lower renewal rates, discounts, safe driving bonuses, etc.

 

wheres this place? (since your in chicago and im near too)

 

Joliet

 

OP, I wouldn't allow them to do the work.

Think about it they told you the work would be $1400. They call you today and say the price is now doubled to a total of $2800. That is double the original estimate, there is no way anyone estimates that far off.

Now your deductible is $1000. It is not worth the additional $1800. You will not pay $1800 in a higher premium.

My answer...excuse my southern accent but HEELLLZZ NAAAWWZZ.

If they want that send them to your insurance company but I would probably go somewhere else to get the work done....just my $.02

 

Did you decide to leave insurance out of it and pay it all yourself since your deductible was high? cause anymore money the insurance company will cover it.

If it was me.

I would take my car somewhere else and not let them convince me otherwise.

 

No, I unsderstand that up front, it would be cheaper for me to go through insurance. But, when he deductible is 1,000 and the cost of repair is 1400, it make sense for me to pay out of pocket becuase I will end up saving over time becuase it wont be on my record with insurance.

 

The shop can do that. But you have the option to say you don't want the work done.
Have they started on the repairs? I assume they came across the additional damage during tear down. If they have already started working on the damages, you do have a leg to stand on and you can point to the estimate and ask why the amount they wrote no longer can be done for what they wrote. If it is additional damage, not so much.

It is very shady and very unprofessional from the sound of it.
If they haven't started working, get it out of there and take it somewhere else. You will still have to pay for the tear down.
If they have started, tell them to do what is on the estimate and stop. Then take it somewhere else.

 

body shops can be awful about giving your car back after they started doing work to it especially if they are not going to be paid.

I hope they havent done anything to it yet.

 

I wouldn't give a place like that my business. if they can't stick to the original agreement this early on, whos to say they wont try something else?

 

Run Away!

They're clearly either incompetent or dishonest, possibly both. Knowing that, if you go ahead and have them do the work, then you have yourself to blame.

 

I understand that but we're not talking $1400 anymore we're talking $2800. Go through the insurance and save yourself.

 

from a mechanics point of view they can change the price any time they gave u an estimate on what they saw if there was more damage under the panels then there is ur extra 1400, now if they just quoted u a low price thats there fault and they have to eat it but u need to ask what the extra 1400 is for exactly