On 3/13/2015 2:58 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:

All collision shops were told the same 3 things:

- Damage occurred in a Home Depot parking lot
- Home Depot said to submit 2 estimates, they will pay the lower of the two
- The Home Depot Claims Department did not request, and does not have, pictures of the damage

$546 - Honda Dealer
$534 - Honda Dealer (See Note below)
$491 - Chevrolet Dealer
$485 - Local Collision Shop Chain (13 locations)
$479 - Independent Collision Shop
$456 - Independent Collision Shop

Note: The 2nd Honda dealer was the only collision shop to suggest the "paint-less repair" process to fix the damage. When I reminded him that it might be better for me if I was given an estimate for the more expensive old-school repair he said "Ah, get your lunch money first and then explore other options. No problem." He then provided an R&I repair estimate similar to all the rest.

I've just faxed the 2 Honda dealer estimates to Home Depot.


Take the money and then take the car to the shop that you think will do
the best job. You can put $90 in your pocket, but if the final work is
not up to your expectations, it is not a bargain. Do not assume that the
Honda dealer will be the best final finish. They may be an authorized
dealer, but they may or may not have good body men and paint men.

Another option is to do nothing and trade it in. They will knock
something off the trade, but perhaps less than the lowest bid.