By Chris Coats

Let's face it, fuel prices are high, food costs are high, your neighbor is loosing their home. Times are not the best. What could be worse? Maybe an auto accident?

Your car has sustained $1500.00 in damage; your insurance company pays you less a deductible. You schedule your vehicle to be repaired at your neighborhood auto body shop. Two days before you take in your vehicle, you get a nasty credit card bill.

The customer is always right, I know sometimes this is hard to stomach, but unfortunately one happy customer might tell one our two potential or current customers, and an unhappy customer will tell twenty people. And there's no worst thing for a business than the bad publicity through word of mouth.

You should start looking by asking around or dropping into local auto body repair shops in your area. Ask to see what kind of work they perform, how long it will take to complete the repairs, how much it will cost you to get the work completed, and the kind of process they use to repair vehicles, and anything else you feel is important to your specific needs.

The shop at that time could work out some concessions with the owner, such as usage of alternative parts, does this 2 year old vehicle really need a $400.00 original equipment manufacturer headlamp assembly, or would I be ok, with a $180.00 used (like kind quality) assembly.

As all states have slightly different insurance laws, pertaining to insured's and claimants, this is just an example. Would I be OK with the usage of a re manufactured bumper cover, used bumper cover, or aftermarket? It would save some money and my vehicle would be repaired and accepted by my lease.

Also, make sure that you approve of the quality of work that the auto body shop produces. You want to get the repair done the right way the first time. It is perfectly acceptable to ask the shop to see examples of the work they have previously done. This will give you the best idea of what to expect.

Even though quality is one of the biggest things you are looking for, you will want to get a good deal. Don't just choose the first shop that you like. Look around at others and compare all aspects of them and then choose the one you feel is right for you and your vehicle.

About the Author:

0 comments