On Friday, March 13, 2015 at 5:01:29 PM UTC-4, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
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.
Thanks for the advice (seriously) but this is not my first rodeo. I've been dealing with Ins Co's and collision shops all my life. Deer strikes, accidents that were my fault, accidents that were not. I've even had a car reported "stolen" by a repair shop after they broke the front end suspension and then couldn't find parts to fix it. The "stolen" car found about 2 miles from the shop even though it was undriveable because they had taken the front suspension apart. These guys were good. Although I could never prove that they did it, the grill, bumper, headlights, etc. were all smashed. It looked as if a tow truck had backed into it, doing enough damage for the Ins Co to total the vehicle. Since a tow truck was the only way to move the vehicle from the shop to where it was found, it was a perfect plan on their part.. Wreck the car, tow it off of their property and then report it stolen, all because they could not fix it.
Trust me, no one was actually using a tow truck to steal a 15 year old 1966 Rambler Ambassador - yes, the Lay Down Rambler of Dilbert McClinton lore. ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNZqWX4VNaI
Last year a storm-felled tree totaled my previous Ody. The Ins Co offered me $3300. I told them to try again and less than 24 hours later they came back with a $5200 offer, higher than any book value or on-line price I could find. That money went towards the replacement Ody that was damaged at Home Depot.
Another option is to do nothing and trade it in. They will knock
something off the trade, but perhaps less than the lowest bid.
I just bought this one in July...no plans to trade it in anytime soon.
I may investigate the paint-less repair option or I may do nothing and treat SWMBO to a couple of car payments to ease the pain of the car she bought yesterday.
BTW...here's the damage. This is what $500 worth a damage looks like...it's hard to tell, but there's a slight dent along with the scratches.
http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/q...psrgq1h9dk.jpg