Help! Problems at the Bodyshop

[ctkrider]

As some of you may know, I've been trying to sell my car for a while now and have been trying to fix every minor imperfection on the car (door dings..etc) so that it is ready to sell. I recently took the car to a bodyshop to repaint my front bumper and pull out 2 door dings. Well after a month in the shop, I finally got my car back and I noticed a huge dent/scratch mark on the rear quarter panel and numerous scratches on the rear bumper. I talked to the bodyshop and they are saying that those marks were already there. I know for a fact that the ding and the scratch marks weren't there, otherwise I would of had them fixed. I don't have any pictures of that area of the car prior to dropping off my car. Is there anything I can do? Any helpful feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys,


-Richard

[MSR27]

Hey Richard, long time no talk. Dang you still havent gotten rid of your car? Well I worked in a bodyshop for 2 years and from my experience and knowledge, any damages that occured during the time your car was in the shop, the shop should be responsible for. Recent pictures of your car before it went into the shop can help out as well but right now its pretty much your word against theres. Hopefully the damage on the quarter panels arent bad to the point that you have to replace them orderwise it will cost you a lot of $$$. Hit me up, if youre up in the Bay I can refer you to the old shop I used to work at or if youre in Diego I can refer you to a shop here in Socal. Both shops I recommend to anyone in a heart beat. Yo, if youre in Diego we should go cruising, home everything goes well.

[GTSDOHCVVTLi]

Did they do a befor and after checklist of the vehicle. Most shops do, just like check ups at car rentals.

If not, you can argue in court. They did have your car for long time.

Did you also state the nature of why you were doing the work. If you told them you were getting ALL imperfections fixed so you can sell it, then they should have def. looked into the whole car and point out any other imperfections. Otherwise, it defeats the whole purpose.

[oONoGoAutoOo]

wow that sucks. just prove to them that it wasnt there before. they HAve to take care of it, since it was their fault.

[blkcelica01]

it probably will be nearly impossible to prove the damage wasn't already there...good luck.

[X-EVIL-X]

tell them you know your car as its your baby.
you know when you get one little scratch that day when it happens.
if they say no tell them your going to contact a lawyer because you know they wherent there.
bring in pictures of the car doesnt have to be recent the picture wont show the date on it.

[ctkrider]

My car was at the shop to repaint the front bumper and replace fender lining (covered through insurance), however while it was at the shop I paid them to fix a few door dings and push out a dent in my wheel well, so I know they were working in the area of the new ding and scratches on my rear bumper. Since my car was in the shop originally for an insurance claim, I'm going to ask my adjuster if there is some kind of protection that AAA has against disputes such as this. I know it's a long shot, but I gotta try.

[kimGT]

why not keep the car and take it to a few track days. I know i would

[ctkrider]

Just an update on my situation (in case someone ever gets into a similar situation) I called AAA today and asked my adjuster to send me the photos the field inspector took of my car when he went out to give it an estimate. To my good fortune, he got a shot of the rear quarter panel and the rear bumper, so it looks like things are going to work out after all. :)