Body Shop Woes

[Rick Modena]

Lots of reasons, really. The guy's that are good at what they do work at the high end shops or own their own shop and employ the people that they know are good. Not enough people getting real experience working at shops and getting first hand knowledge. A lot of people are going to 'schools' and then they get into real shops and things that come in are not text book collisions that they learned on.

Body men need to be able to have an education these day's. The newest frame machines are computer based and laser light operated, if they don't know how to read the English language and know how to operate a computer, how in the hell are they supposed to operate a frame machine like that. The day's of tying shit to the floor with a post and puller are almost gone, unless its a small job that requires a small pull.

Painters, maaan, don't even get me started. If you don't have some chemistry schooling, get your ass out of here. You have to be exact when operating a refinish system, a few units (grams) over or under will fuck up a very expensive pint of paint. The newer color shifting colors, pearls and 3-stage candies are now the norm.
And lets not forget applying this shit the correct way. If you don't have a few $600.00 paint gun that can atomize correctly, the refinish job will not come out right. We are trying to mimic the robotic refinish systems in the factories and in the words of JETfast5.0, "If this shit were easy, women and children would be doing it!".

[Danny46]

You are correct, sir. It's sad what how the industry has suffered, hiring good help is one of the hardest things to do. Most body guys don't know what they are doing half the time, the painters are almost always hooked on something.

Why is that? Are people just not getting into the mechanic business anymore? General work ethic of the populace?

The tech at this place didn't speak english so I couldnt get a feel for how well he knew what he was doing. I also wasnt particularly impressed with the shop, didn't seem well organized.

[Rick Modena]

For what it is worth. Most customers don't know anything about body work and just want to pay no deductible or have a free rental. (or both) Add to it the insurance companies are screwing shops for every little bit they can and you get places who will cut corners how they can. (Not saying it is right but that is how it goes.)

You are correct, sir. It's sad what how the industry has suffered, hiring good help is one of the hardest things to do. Most body guys don't know what they are doing half the time, the painters are almost always hooked on something.

[Labora]

BTW, fuck IC's right up in their ass. And most body shops have nothing but hacks working in the back. It doesn't matter if its a stealership or or box shop. A great job only depends on their ability to hire knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Don;t get me wrong, there are a few places that do decent work, but they are rare...

For what it is worth. Most customers don't know anything about body work and just want to pay no deductible or have a free rental. (or both) Add to it the insurance companies are screwing shops for every little bit they can and you get places who will cut corners how they can. (Not saying it is right but that is how it goes.)

[Rick Modena]

BTW, fuck IC's right up in their ass. And most body shops have nothing but hacks working in the back. It doesn't matter if its a stealership or or box shop. A great job only depends on their ability to hire knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Don;t get me wrong, there are a few places that do decent work, but they are rare.


I'm glad they are finally getting your wife's car back today. Don't take any shit work either, be sure and check all gaps to make sure they align properly, color matches on all adjacent panels that were refinished. Look under the hood and it should look just like it did from the factory. If it doesn't not meet your satisfaction, DO NOT LEAVE THE SHOP! Call the manager and explain your issues and then make sure to call the IC comapny right then and there.

[Danny46]

We have been in touch with the IC, they are aware of our concerns and such.

Supposedly the vehicle is finally done today and needs to be detailed, so well see what happens. Us picking it up is also contingent on the work done being acceptable, gonna be pissed if the work is shoddy.

From the way things have been going they'll probably tell us the water hose is on backorder

[Labora]

It is not uncommon to have a car in the shop for 30 days or more. You get the car to the shop, shop has to wait on the IC to inspect the vehicle, the shop cannot order parts or touch the car until IC comes to inspect. Sometimes they approve it right there and then, other times they have to go back to the office and will contact the shop on when to start repairs, this can take a few days. Meanwhile, tick, tick, tick, this can take days (weekends don't count as work days) from accident to IC approval. And there are going to be parts that were missed, so now a supplement estimate needs to be approved, tick, tick, tick. Now the shop gets the approval and guess what, parts are not available, tick, tick, tick, more day's. Now when the parts get there, one simply does not stop what they are doing (IE other cars) to work on yours, no matter the circumstance, again, tick tick tick.


Like I said, stop talking to the shop, CALL THE IC DIRECTLY AND COMPLAIN TO THEM!

Truth. Call the IC especially if it is a "approved shop". The IC send them business they want to stay in there good graces or that work dries up.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I'm shocked it wasn't totaled if all the air bags went off.

It's a 2014?

[A_A_G]

I'm shocked it wasn't totaled if all the air bags went off.

[Danny46]

Im think the shop maybe legit, just poor communication to you and the wife may be the biggest issue here. Your car could be that one car that everytime you turn around, theres bullshit issue that pops up and they cant rid of the car no matter how bad they want to. Keeping someones car for a long time doesnt do anyone any good and just ties up money making stalls.

Yeah could be true. Their communication certainly does suck though and I really dont like the fact that you basically cant get in touch with anyone that has any decision making ability.

[bcoop]

parts are on backorder now and again. for example, right now gm has 07-13 silverado left bedside assemblies on backorder.

Pro Tip - if you own a 07-13 Silverado, run people off the road with the right side instead of the left.

[Shaggin Wagon]

Im think the shop maybe legit, just poor communication to you and the wife may be the biggest issue here. Your car could be that one car that everytime you turn around, theres bullshit issue that pops up and they cant rid of the car no matter how bad they want to. Keeping someones car for a long time doesnt do anyone any good and just ties up money making stalls.

[jammeejamm]

all that said above and also any time air bags are involved there will be delays. once the car was together and they tried to program the srs module, it may have called for more parts. those parts may have been on backorder.

parts are on backorder now and again. for example, right now gm has 07-13 silverado left bedside assemblies on backorder.

[Danny46]

This is true and why I was asking how much the job is. When we get 12k+ jobs, they can be complicated, multiple supplements, multiple parts and are very timely.

Sorry forgot to answer that, not sure on the exact number but I know it is more than 10K. The airbags went off so that always adds up quick. The front end took a pretty good beating but wasnt terrible, the car she hit fared far worse.

[Shaggin Wagon]

It is not uncommon to have a car in the shop for 30 days or more. You get the car to the shop, shop has to wait on the IC to inspect the vehicle, the shop cannot order parts or touch the car until IC comes to inspect. Sometimes they approve it right there and then, other times they have to go back to the office and will contact the shop on when to start repairs, this can take a few days. Meanwhile, tick, tick, tick, this can take days (weekends don't count as work days) from accident to IC approval. And there are going to be parts that were missed, so now a supplement estimate needs to be approved, tick, tick, tick. Now the shop gets the approval and guess what, parts are not available, tick, tick, tick, more day's. Now when the parts get there, one simply does not stop what they are doing (IE other cars) to work on yours, no matter the circumstance, again, tick tick tick.

This is true and why I was asking how much the job is. When we get 12k+ jobs, they can be complicated, multiple supplements, multiple parts and are very timely.