AUTO BODY SHOPS | MyCarlady.com

Las Vegas Collision Auto Body Repair Shop

June 17, 2010 by mycarlady

Las Vegas collision auto body repair shops and auto insurers are on a crash course to insurance auto repair collusion. Many women car buyers, women drivers (and men too) clients of mine (aka: MyCarlady) do not know they can elect to take their car to any Las Vegas Auto Body Shop for repair. Most of my women drivers follow the path of least resistance, not realizing that road may lead to a bad result and no recourse once the paint is on the car and the “new” parts are hiding under the hood. When i doubt ask your insurance agent or MyCarlady. There is no guarantee the dealership body shop is “better” at the body work, and most MECHANICAL items will be sent to the dealership anyway, once the paint and finish is complete.

When the auto insurance company representative tells you to take it to XYZ shop, YOU are being “steered” to that XYZ shop for reasons YOU may not know, especially in Las Vegas, but in most major cities around the country. I think it’s collusion for the auto insurance company to have a financial interest in the very business they are sending you to, without disclosing the fact. While some might believe the marketplace controls this situation, the client paying the premium is often a woman feeling inadequate, frustrated, embarrassed or unknowing in the ways of the automobile repair industry, especially the body shop world.

The pitch the insurance company uses is 1) we will give you $100.00 off your deductible, 2) this company is an approved vendor guarateeing their work or 3) we will process your claim faster if you go to XYZ shop.

The truth is almost all body shows are “approved” vendors who guarantee their work and put their reputation on the line to make the client happy. However, if a particular shop is not listed as an approved vendor ask why, it could be because the INSURANCE COMPANY OWNS a local shop in the area or won’t approve any more providers to keep control of the market pricing.

A great auto body tech is like a great dental hygienist, the talent is in the touch, eye and feel of the experienced hand on the patient. Not all body shops are created equal, so drive in and look at the finished cars waiting to go home. Does the paint match? Are there ripples in the metal? Is there wax dust in the crevices or gas cap area? Ask to see under the hood, do you see where the tape line is? Insurance companies “steer” clients to their own affiliated shops where they exercise cost controls that challenge the results of the finished product. The quality of auto body workmanship here in Las Vegas is often sub-par as the rule, as talented auto body techs are leaving the state for higher paying jobs elsewhere.

The insurance company is supposed to send an appraiser out to see your car within 72 hours (not weekends) if they insist an appraiser is necessary, HOWEVER, most insurance companies will approve a claim after tear-down without a physical appraisal, providing the estimate is within reason to the severity of the crash and the value of the vehicle They sometimes “threaten by implying” that the appraiser and approval could take twice as long if you go somewhere else, but remember your rights and YOU are the customer. They will love your money until you have a claim, but once you have a claim, see what kind of love they show you…

Get two estimates, why sell yourself out for $100.00 bucks, even if it is a hassle to insist the car be towed, the repair facility will usually cover the tow cost and you want to be sure you are getting the BEST for your auto investment. If you get a surly attitude when you mention pulling the car for a second opinion, you KNOW this is not a place deserving of your business. AND TRUST ME, I have pulled cars out of dealerships and body shops much to the chagrin and anger of the shop owner, but to the delight of the client when I knew the final result would be timely and superior.

The turn around on getting the parts and repair is going to be the same regardless of the shop, especially if the parts required are NEW OEM, but if your insurance company has their wayand it’s in the fine print of your auto insurance policy, they can put put grey market or used or after market cheapo replacement pieces on your car and YOU WONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE until… the part fails, fades or doesn’t fit, at which point you have a car worth less at trade-in time. Don’t believe me? Before you take your car anywhere get some referrals from friends (not the insurance co.) or call me; 702-521-7546 I’ll tell you (cant put it in print) who I’d stay away from in Vegas. Remember I’ve been here 20+ years in the car business and I’ve seen it all when it comes to cars, repair shops, body work and used car scams, especially those perpetrated on women!

SO don’t get “STEERED”… the next time a fender bender or crash puts your car in need of some “better than new” auto body work.

SARAH LEE Marks aka: MyCarlady

If you need any other car buying, selling, trading or financing assistance on any new or used vehicle, please do not hesitate to email me at sarahlee@mycarlady.com or give me a call; 702-521-7546 I’m here to help you with any of your automotive needs and advice is free.

Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at CAR DEALS

Women drivers beware of false car repair auto service claims Ten tips to protect you from auto repair ripoffs.

May 11, 2010 by mycarlady

Women drivers beware of false car repair auto service claims here are MyCarlady’s 10 tips to protect you from auto repair ripoffs. Ladies be warned and don’t fall prey to misleading, high pressure tactics and auto repair ripoffs including false car repairs and auto service claims made by dishonest auto mechanics. 85% of women I polled told me, “[they] hate taking their cars in for routine car maintenance because they always
get pitched for additional work, necessary or not,” and who knows the difference? Finding an honest car repair technician is in the MyCarlady’s top Ten list of women driver must-haves including a reliable manicurist, ironing lady, house-cleaning service,
Ob-Gyn and baby/pet sitter. Pool and lawn care services don’t come close to the dread most women drivers experience at the thought of servicing their car, never mind having to buy a new one. (I can help you with that.)

TRUE STORY: Last week my daughter (23) took her car to a popular, national auto and tire car care service center for her seasonal oil change and tire rotation. Immediately the older gentlemen (over 50 in her eyes), told her he was the “manager” and her car (3 years old, 30k miles) needed a new battery. Without telling him this was the same thing they told her the last time she was there (and further review deemed otherwise), she calmly explained her mother was in the car business and she would discuss the battery issue with me, and get back to him later in the day but to do the work she committed to; the oil change and tire rotation (which is the freebie hook this chain promotes). The manager wouldn’t let up. He proceeded to respond; “Mommy’s girl huh?” to which my daughter replied, “Well considering my mother is a car dealer and this is a car issue…”, to which he responded, “I’m the father of 7 children and sooner or later kids have to fly the coop and make decisions on their own.” My daughter was dumb-struck. Her status as a professional in the community gave her the poise I would not have had, as her reaction was far more adult than mine would have been, but nevertheless, his behavior was appalling and disconcerting to say the least. When she again refused to budge on the battery purchase, he huffed, turned on his heel and walked away. She called me. I asked if he volunteered to show her the diagnostic printout, scanner tool or anything justifying his assertion or attempting to prove his claim of a failing battery was anything but fake? He hadn’t offered nor had she asked, already wary of the situation. Needless to say, after paying for the oil change, she took her car to the dealership where the battery read full charge, no replacement necessary. (now before you aask why she returned there after the last visit, well, she’s 23 and didn’t really “think about it would happen AGAIN!” what can I say?)

These practices of dishonest auto repair claims, charges for no service performed and/or no service necessary, continue today. Here are the MyCarlady ten tips to protect yourself from auto repair ripoffs.

1. Demand to see the actual proof of the broken or failing part.
2. Get the entire estimate including diagnosis in writing before approving the work. If they call you after you have left to request authorization for more work, ask to have the paperwork faxed to you for a signature, make sure the costs are noted on the estiomate before signing for more expense.
3. Ask to have all removed/replaced parts kept for you, make sure the parts are listed with serial numbers on the bill just in case a warranty claim is involved. Keep the parts until the warranty claim is paid.
4. Ask if this necessary repair deems the car unsafe to drive, get it in writing.
5. If the car is unsafe to drive, ask if you can have a second opinon see the car while on the rack. (You are taking up their space, so they may prefer to remove the car to the outside or suggest it be towed to another location. Your call, (usually made based on the attitude of the service provider and expense involved. If your are feeling undue pressure to make a decision of considerable expense, take the car and leave, a women’s intuition is her best instinct.)
6. If the car is safe to drive, take it to the brand’s dealership or to a AAA recommended mechanic for a second opinion.
7. After the work is completed and BEFORE you pay; look over the area where the work was done. Tools, rags and plugs have been known to be left behind.
8. Drive the vehicle with the mechanic BEFORE paying, to be sure the problem is resolved to your satisfaction.
9. Get the warranty for parts and labor on the work performed in writing on your dated receipt.
10.Pay by credit card.

Preparedness is a great Plan A, so, ask your friends, family members or MyCarlady for an honest automotive service car repair center and a trustworthy/ reputable body shop referral before it becomes an emergency. An honest car repair guy is worth his weight in gold.