clmantis21

Well put.

As I stated above, I am not too angry (as I would think I'd be) with the fact that my car was damaged. I understand it was an accident. Accidents happen... Yes, I wish people would be more careful, but what can we do now?

I agree with you and I just wish that....

1) who ever knows what happen, or is responsible... to speak up. I'm no detective, but all the guys (car washer, painter... etc) who were asked if they knew about it or saw this before all had a weird look on their faces. Almost as if they were being interrogated for murder and they don't want to say something stupid to have themselves caught.

2) again about the 1.3 miles. As a member stated above "it is possible for them to rack up 1.3 miles pulling it in and out of the shop"... Again, 1.3 miles is over 6000 feet. Their shop is no where near big enough to do that. Even if they drive it 200 feet each time (which is a lot) to take it in and out of the garage... they would have to pull it in and out more than 30 times for it to rack up to that amount. That is NOT POSSIBLE!!!

Other than that, I am pleased with the fact that the owner made the offer to assist me with the costs. I wont lie, I was hoping she'd cover it 100%, but I guess I'm stuck with taking whatever I can get.

As for my garage and my gf...

My garage is completely empty and there is no doors or boxers (or shelves) on the sides that would cause anything to fall on it. My GF noticed it as we were going to dinner on Sunday night. We were going to take my car and as she was going to open her door, she notices it. I then decided that I wouldn't move the car any further... so we took hers.

I drove back to the shop asking them to read my odometer to prove to them that I drove it home and back and no place else. They dont even have records of the odometer reading from when it entered their shop to when it exit. On the first estimate, there is a spot where it asks to list the mileage... but it was left blank (again their fault for not reading this). They didn't do a complete walk through of my car, nor check the mileage which they should have.

I guess both the shop and I will learn a lesson here. I learned always to check every single inch (even when I am in a hurry) of my car.

They will have learned to not get lazy and to perform every single task... even simple things as checking the mileage and doing a walk through of every vehicle.

Edit: Another thing I forgot to mention...

The shop just relocated to a brand new building. They have big signs that say "Now Open" and they seem to be doing a lot of advertisement. I think that is the main reason she is helping me with this additional repair. I don't think she wants to start off on the wrong foot in her brand new shop. They have been around for many years, but just recently moved from an older shop to this brand new one which is very nice I might add.

Barry Gross

By virtue of the fact that the dealer is willing to cover part of the cost indicates that she accepts a degree of responsibility. At least she is being honest about not having done a walk-through. A threat about the BBB is useless. It may sound intimidating, but most commercial businesses don't sweat that threat. Obviously you should have checked the car before you drove home, but I think most of us would also have been so happy to be taking our car home that we would not have checked either. For future reference, make note of the actual odometer reading and not the trip reading for obvious reasons. If it were me, I think I would hold out, in a very nice, polite manner, for them to cover all expenses. As others have said, though, it may be less hassle and emotional drain if you take their offer.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

It can't be done for $400. Not to mention that you can't do PDR on the aluminum doors.
It will require replacement and repaint.

clmantis21

huh? Nobody said the repair costs $400

and are you suggesting that they are going to have to replace the entire door? They started working on it yesterday morning and they said it would be ready by tomorrow. I think they would have called me by now if that was the case.

Or ... am I misunderstanding you?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

You said they wanted to split it with you at $199. Half of $400 is ~$199.

Yes. You can't repair the aluminum door. If they use body filler, it won't last (because of the expansion and surface) and you can't PDR aluminum.

clmantis21

I didn't say the total cost for repair was $400. I said that the owner was going to charge me half of the repair at cost. Meaning if the repair was say for example $800 ($400 paint/parts, $400 labor) she was only going to charge me half of repair at cost, not half of cost of the repair.

But about the aluminum doors...

tell me more. Should I bring this up to the shop tomorrow when I pick up the car?

Thanks

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Do you not read your onwn posts?

Sheesh.

Aluminum is not a candidate for PDR (because of the stretch and you can't use conventional body filler on it. Well, you can, but it will suck in just a few months.
The proper repair procedure is to re-skin the door.

How much clearer do you need me to state this?

No, as of today, there are no aftermarket supplier for the door skin (which is good because it will suck when it is made by a cheap Taiwanese company), so Mazda will have to supply the skin or you can get a door from a wreck.

If your shop is not doing the above, you are getting ripped off again.

clmantis21

Yes, I do read my post as a matter of fact. Here is the entire paragraph of which you quoted me from previously...

" "Well, we didn't do a walk though like we should and that is our fault but because you didn't call us right away (Friday when I picked up the car) it is partially your fault as well." She then went on to say that she was willing to pay for half of the repair at cost value... meaning I wont be charged for labor. So basically, I was then quoted ~$398.00 of which I would only have to pay for half ($199.00). Now, I understand that $199 is a great price for the amount of damage there is (see pictures below). I understand that normally a repair like this would cost something like $500-700. I went ahead and left the car there this morning so that they can repair the damage. "

Here you can read about how I stated that the repair would be upwards of around $700 (not $400). You stated in your first post "it cant be done for $400"...

I am well aware of that, I think we all are because half the people who have replied have suggested taking the "deal" because it was cheaper than usual.

Now since you mention that the door will probably have to be replaced, this will bring the repair cost even further than $700. Thanks again for the info on that, I will contact the repair shop tomorrow with questions on that.

Oh, they did however say that there would be a lifetime warranty on the repair. I was given a lifetime warranty certificate when the first repair was completed. I will request the same for this second repair and believe me... I will make sure that it looks flawless and that there aren't any new surprises in the vehicle.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Remember that to maintain the validity of the "Lifetime Warranty", you will probably have to present the car at regular intervals for inspection or it will be voided.

I don't see where you are not in agreement that you are going to pay only $200 for the repair. You just quoted yourself saying it again.
They said their cost is $400 and you pay half. I don't care what the "retail" on the repair is - they quoted you $400 and you pay half. That is the cost of the repair. What am I missing?
A new door skin is going to be more than $400. You might get one from a wreck for $200 or $300, but by the time it is stripped, prepped, painted and installed the shop material cost will excede $400.

clmantis21

haha... i think we both are just misunderstanding one another.

All I was saying is that you said that there was no way the damage could be repaired for only $400. I said, you're right.... there isn't any way that is possible because they didn't quote me 400 at first. It was somewhere up around $800. Then minus the labor and other costs that they are not charging me for... we net 400... then half of course you get 200. I thought that you thought that the initial cost was 400... then that you went on to think that 400 is too low and didn't seam right. Why else would you comment on that right?

Anyway, I get what you are saying... and I hope you get what I am saying as well. Again, thanks for the info on the rear door. I'll be sure to let everyone know what turns out after tomorrow.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Right. But labor is free if it is internal. What I'm saying is the actual parts cost for the repair will be more to the shop than $400. If they want to "split cost" with you, then they will take their invoiced outlay and charge you 50%. The $800 quote is what the would have charged to fix the door typically using book rates. That is about right for 4 hours of panel repair and then prep and paint. But you can't repair it, so the real cost to them will be much higher.

Expect the shop to tell you that they can repair the door because they are professionals and such. If they could, the actual "cost" to them for the repair would be closer to $150 since it would just be paint and bondo.

clmantis21

For those of you interested in keeping up with this story... you're never gonna believe this!

Read below:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/body-shop-dented-my-car-part-ii-more-damage-found-82647/