I crashed my car at the end of August 2005. The car was towed to an auto body shop. The car has been there up until now (June 2006). The shop has had the car for 9 months (I'm not sure what took so long to fix it). So today I finally get a call that my car is ready to be picked up. The bill was for $4950. Before any work was performed on the car, I asked how much it would be to get it fix and I was told, "Don't worry, we'll take care of you". I never received an estimate. I just got the invoice and was surprised.
2006-06-07 09:26:53 · 13 answers · asked by puppyluv12988 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
That is not legal in any state. All repair facilities MUST have you sign a repair estimate prior to starting work. If you did not sign a repair estimate, they are going to have a hard time holding you to those charges. Also the 9 months is absurd. Be aware, the shop may have a repair estimate with "phone authorizations" on it - meaning they documented that they contacted you by phone for approval (true or not). Without knowing all the facts, I would suggest you raise your concerns to the shop and try to resolve it with them. (The $4,950 may be a fair bill for the amount of repairs. The shop may also agree to some sort of compromise for any wrongdoing on their part), If they are totally uncooperative, consult an attorney.
2006-06-07 09:36:54 · answer #1 · answered by Betty&James 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is NO. If your car is outside of the building, it is not in the control of the Repair Center, there for not covered for damage or theft. When you leave a car at the shop for repairs you must ask for it to be left inside the building for it to be covered. This also has to be agreed on by the shop owner. The problem is there is very limited room in a shop, and also the room that is available is space for making repairs. If the car isn't being worked on while its inside, the space isn't making the shop owner any money. There for the shop owner will most likely want to charge you for the use of the space if you want to keep it inside. Most shop owners are willing to help you out in some way just to retain you as a good customer. But keep in mind that they don't have to. So please try and be understanding when asking them what you should do and if they can help you in some way. Remember: A small gesture of kindness can go along ways in building a good relationship. But this goes both ways. So try and be as kind as you can when you ask. If the shop owner is rude and won't help you out at all. Then you already know this is not a good place to do business with in the future. If you tell three people about your experience and they tell three of their friends it won't take long until the whole area knows about it. And this is what shop owners should fear the most. I hope this helps.
2016-03-26 21:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't repair without your consent to do so. Estimate or no estimate. Without your written permission, hey can't hold you to a thing.I know people who drop of their cars nd say "fix it" and don't care what it costs. You really should have insisted on an estimate, and called to check on it after it had been there a week and you hadn't heard anything. Probably took so long cause they were looking for a totaled out car with some good parts to repair it with and it took a while to find one. You can call a lawyer and tell him you left it there and they were supposed to call you with an estimate b4 they did the work. Tell the lawyer you never received an estimate. You'll more than likely have to pay for it. Obviously this was not an insurance job, or it wouldn't have sat for so long at the shop. Tell the body shop you want an estimate with a list of all parts and the invoices where they were purchased. Inspect your car and ensure all of these parts were replaced. If you were charged for OEM parts, OEM parts should be on your car, not used or Aftermarket parts.You'll find out really quick that some stuff on the estimate was not put on your car.
Still, I say call a lawyer.
2006-06-07 09:38:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
review your copy of the estimate first. make sure you didn't sign on a line that authorizes any repairs. then speak to the shop manager or owner of the situation. regardless of the costs involved, if you did not authorize the repairs, then you are under no obligation to pay anything. it may be possible to have them surrender your car to you immediately with no out-of-pocket payment whatsoever. they will try to get you to agree to pay something or threaten you with a mechanics lein. don't fall for this ploy. if what you say is true and accurate, then your car just got fixed for free. i would consult with the local better business bureau and the bureau of automotive repairs, regardless and make a report. they usually require you to make an effort with the shop for some type of resolution before charges are made, especially if its a reputable shop. and if you already had done so, then your almost done. these bureau's are set up to help assure you don't get ripped off. use them. and above all else, document everything. who you spoke to, the day, the time, what was said. and be clear in your interpretation of what was said. if all else fails, consult an attorney.
2006-06-13 12:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by pete cochino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you sign a repair order?Why did they have it for 9 months??? That is truly unexceptable,me personally,I would have steam coming from my ears for sure.I have worked at car dealerships for over ten years and I have never seen a car take that long to repair and I have seen some cars that were damaged badly.If there is insurance involved I would contact your agent for sure but it doesn't sound like thats the case.By law a repair cannot be done without written of verbal authoration,you may have to get a lawyer involved,and I hope that you were not hurt bad when the accident happened,...good luck
2006-06-07 15:29:17 · answer #5 · answered by bombie1138 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to call the New Hampshire BBB to see if they can help you figure out if what they did is legal.
Here's one section of the law:
"Notwithstanding RSA 358-D:2-7, if a customer does not request that an estimate be provided, a motor vehicle repair facility shall not perform any service or repair work on any motor vehicle for the customer unless such work has been authorized by the customer."
2006-06-07 09:32:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for you to do is:
Go to your local BBB
Seek the advice of a lawyer
Did you sign anything authorizing them to repair your car, if you did was there any indication of cost??
Good Luck
2006-06-07 09:30:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they have to give you an estimate first. Contact a lawyer. Cause they just did all that work free of charge.
2006-06-07 09:31:15 · answer #8 · answered by sxyjjust4u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to authorise any repairs done to your car before a shop can begin work on it,they have to show you an estimate before beginning work and should contact you if there are any additional costs
2006-06-08 22:06:31 · answer #9 · answered by hekler1873 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact an attorney, it sounds like you're headed for small claims court.
2006-06-07 09:30:45 · answer #10 · answered by TKO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋