Originally Posted by 5UPREMEbB

YO! I think it's been a good year since I've been on the boards buy my kuya gave me way too much ammo to sit back on this one.

DISCLAIMER: I have not comeback to ScionLife just to bash on this shop but to help the "inexperienced" tuners avoid making mistakes I made with my Scion. Also to deter those looking for Grade A quality qork on there automobile.

I too have had an ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE experience through iDesigns/ImportImage bodyshop of Walnut, CA. Although a 6-month old 2006.5 xB is nowhere near the cost of a 350z, however my experience has left me xB-less and a very bad taste in my mouth to this day.

*First of all, nobody forced me to take my "sport wagon" to this shop. I had seen a couple cars that were in magazines coming in & out of there (as I hungout with some of the owners friends & associates), ALSO the biggest factor being I was on a budget and wanted to save a few bucks.*
My problems started way back in October 2006 (but that's another story) so we'll fastforward to January 11, 2007 - I had just gotten my car "finished" aesthetically with brand new wheels (1st xB in SoCal with the Sportmax 501 15x8 Black), 2-off Carbon Fiber Kenstyle Lip Kit (the only 2 ever are owned by Kirby & Jay [who I sold mine to]), gutted interior w/ custom bracing, and a G`reddy EVO2 Exhaust. *I'm not bragging about my whip or anything, but it was clearly "tastefully modded"* While heading home from work on the 605 South Freeway I was hit while parked in bumper-to-bumper traffic by some FOB (I'm asian it's OK) who just wasn't paying attention. Accidents happen, hence the term "accident". I contacted Statefarm Insurance to send out a claims adjuster asap to the bodyshop of my choice (you guessed it, iDesigns). They set me up with an appointment for the upcoming Monday (1/14/0.

I drove my car over to the shop on January 12, 2007 to have the damages assessed by Mike and get a quote so I have figures to work with. I received an actual quote from Mike for the work listed below for only $1100 out the door.
*DS+PS Rear Quarter Panels were dented in (PS due to fat b*tch at car meet)
*DS Rear Lip repaired (had multiple cracks from collision)
*DS Rear Bumper damaged from collision - needed repair/replacement
*DS Rear Bumper Light Assembly replacement
*Repair and reshoot entire lip kit
*BSP Color-match all interior plastics (Grey pieces)
*Include: Brand new Sportmax 501 15x8 (Black)
*Include: NRG 330mm suede-wrapped steering wheel
*Include: NRG quick release w/ lock and steering hub
*Include: NRG Evo-Style seats (Pair)
*Include: bBist Black Housing Projector Headlights
*Include: bBist Black L.E.D. Taillights

Now, I know you are probably all thinking "it already sounded to good to be true, you were an idiot for falling for the bait". I TOTALLY AGREE & UNDERSTAND THAT NOW, THANKS! LOL. But, I might be one of few but I tend to trust people I consider friends and assume they'll go by the honor code (apparently not). Sorry rambling... Well I received a call on January 14th explaining that the adjuster wouldn't be able to make it out until Tuesday (1/15/0. I contacted Mike who said it was no problem just have him come from 12pm-4pm. The claims adjuster offered to pay out $900 for the damages (although he was very reluctant due to the aftermarket parts). Mike advised me the quote was adjusted due to "additional work & labor" involved that he didn't calculate in originally, New Quote: $1400 out the door and I would be done in 7 days and ready for 'AutoCraze in Pomona' in a few weeks (This would be my first show ever and I was feeling good about it). Mike advised I pay up-front for the job as he needs to order "special parts", being a NOOB-TUNER I cut a check that day for $1400 to Michael Quinn of iDesigns.

I received the check in 2-days from Statefarm (yes, I'm name dropping because IMHO they are the best insurance company in Southern California; AND I even work for a different insurance company). I dropped my xB off on 1/15/08 at around 6am at the shop and left the keys inside the office (via the mail slot). I stopped by after work to see my car hadn't moved an inch and was already collecting a good amount of car parts on top. I kept stopping by after work for the next 10 days and to my surprise my xB had not been worked on at all. Yet it was now on E and had car parts in it (apparently she was being used as their shop truck). Now it's 1/25/08 and I'm starting to get worried, as my car has clearly not been worked on, however flocks of S13s, Subie's, and Honda's kept pouring in. It was almost ridiculous how many cars needed/wanted work and were guaranteed satisfaction, but my little boxcar sat in the far end of the parking lot just collecting dust. I had asked Mike what was going on with my car as I don't see any change and I only want it back as the inconvenience of sharing one car was getting to my dad and myself. Mike advised that he was still waiting on parts and that I would be ready for the show.

Another week passed with the same end-result, getting bullsh*tted to about ordering parts and etc. I demanded Mike work on my car as a top priority as I already paid him in advance for the work. He assured that the car would be done that night and I could pick it up the next day (1/30/0. Wednesday comes but Mike is nowhere to be found, he conveniently leaves his voicemail full so that you cannot leave a message and he ignored all of my calls. I finally get a call back and he apologizes but states my car would be done the next day and to come by for sure then and it would be ready.

1/31/08 and I head over to the shop, to my surprise my car has still not been touched!!! I almost popped blood vessels I was so upset. I wished to speak with Mike direct, but only one of his workers was there. He told me he would be doing the work on my car and I could pick it up that night. This seamed extremely odd based off the amount of work I paid for, I decided to stick around the shop as the +30mi drive from Pasadena was starting to eat at the wallet. I come back around 8pm and my car is in the front of the shop (apparently drying..?) but it had just been painted. Mike was back at the shop and asked if I could come get my car the next day because it needs to dry so it would be in my best interest to get the car the following day or the paint could chip on my way home. I agreed that it would be best, but provided my concerns on the other parts he was supposed to order. He offered another excuse as to how difficult they are to get and so on - so forth; I decided it be best to pullout of our agreement and salvage whatever money I could. I told Mike that I decided not to get any additional work done but that the paint and bodywork would be enough, but I needed reimbursement for those parts. Mike argued with me for a few minutes explaining that he could get them and blah, blah, blah but knew I wouldn't accept anything but the money at this point. He explained that he was in some "financial difficulties" at the moment and did not have the money at hand. He stated to come by the shop the following day and collect my money as well as the finished car. It was late and a work night so I just left.

2/1/09 and I head back over to the shop to collect my box, she was getting pressure washed by an employee and looking good. When he pulled her out into the sunlight the first thing I said was "WTF HAPPENED TO THE KIT?!?!"; Apparently they decided to just paint over the carbon fiber, leaving me with a plain-jane Kenstyle kit. Mike stated that the kit was unrepairable and that this was the only way to salvage what was left of it. *However, I had already showed the creator Steve/bBist who stated otherwise* I was still too upset to do anything about this as it was clearly irreversible and wanted to wash my hands of the entire experience and walk away. Mike gave me another pathetic excuse as to why he couldn't withdraw the money to refund me but that he would get it for sure by Monday. I felt okay about this since at least I had my car back. When I got in there was bondo-crap everywhere! And overspray all over my windows and the rest of the car. Mike assured me this would be taken care of and I would just need to bring her back in and so they could finish.

2/2/08 and my Pops wakes me up to inform me of "vandalism" done to my ride! I run out and notice where the "bodywork" had been done had already dented back in and the paint cracked - making it look worse than before I brought it into the shop! He also pointed out that the car looked very patchy, the main portion of the car was Black Sand Pearl and the lip kit and quarter panels were another color (a lot closer to Midnight Hawk Pearl - Honda Color). That point on, the car was dubbed 'Patches'. I called Mike to ask about the color when he advised 'this was my fault for not taking care of my car properly... He stated that he's painted many BSP xB's and has always used that same exact paint and everything and that maybe I shouldn't park my car in the sun.' This made no sense to me as my car was washed weekly and waxed/claybarred monthly with only Meguiars and Mothers products (even all brushes, towels, sponges, etc.). I told Mike that I was coming down there that day to show him and he could see for himself, but he stated he wouldn't be at the shop for the weekend and Monday would be best.

The rest of the story is not important, but, I was only returned $140 after physical threats were made, the bodywork was never fixed by his shop (I did take it to a shop in Monrovia called Ferrari Bros who did a complete restoration after I totaled my xB [don't drive drunk kids!]), and I no longer own my Scion xB. I didn't even keep her for an entire year before I got rid of her (actually my Pops eventually bought her off me for $11k with under 20k miles, clean title, 1" TRD lowering springs, Scion 15" Alloys, bB Badges, Window Visors and some other goodies; the car resides in LaGrange, GA where she is believed to be the only "modified xB" in the area).

CONCLUSION: If you happened to read through the very wordy posting above you are already well aware of what harm this shop can cause to you and your car. I would like to apologize to any person who unknowingly brought their vehicle(s) to him after my incident as I decided to sit on this news and not share (like I should have) to the entire automobile community. Feel free to re-post this into any other forum you feel necessary. Also if you would like to personally contact me regarding this you can email me direct at ihearttrees@tmail.com.

PS. Mike if you ever happen to read this and have any feedback feel free to call me, you have my number.

- jT