garage owes me some money

[jsk2052]

So after I finished installing my lift I took my jeep to a garage to get it aligned. The head mechanic then informed that the guy who drove my jeep into the garage backed it into the garage door and there was a dent on the top of the liftgate and a scratch on the side of it. So I'm taking it to two different body shops to get estimates tomorrow. I was wondering if you guys had any ideas on how I could get the garage who owes me the money for the damage to write me the check instead of the body shop. I'd like to it fixed but it isn't all that noticeable and the liftgate will probably need to be repainted so I'm thinking it'll be pretty expensive, and I could use a new set of tires haha.
Normally I'd feel kind of bad about taking money from a garage but they're pretty big and have taken plenty of money from me in the past so I feel it's sort of owed to me.

[casm]

I'd like to it fixed but it isn't all that noticeable and the liftgate will probably need to be repainted so I'm thinking it'll be pretty expensive, and I could use a new set of tires haha.

Be honest about it. Tell them that they can either a) repair the damages they caused, or buy you the tyres you want and in return you'll release them from liability for the damages. Chances are they have a source on cheap tyres, so this may be a more attractive option for them.

Normally I'd feel kind of bad about taking money from a garage but they're pretty big and have taken plenty of money from me in the past so I feel it's sort of owed to me.

Bulls***. If you've brought your vehicle in to them for work which they've performed satisfactorily, they don't owe you squat.

[BrettM]

I would get a few printed quotes, take them in and ask for them to cut you a check for the cheapest one. If they say they want to write it to the body shop directly, tell them you'd like to do the work yourself and you'll take a couple hundred less than the cheapest one. It saves them money, they should take it.

[87manche]

unless they've turned it into their insurance company, in which case the check will come from the insurance company and go to the body shop directly.

[learjets]

I've had Insurance companies write me a check directly, the last one was this summer, did repairs myself.

Ask for a Check $$$$ from the quotes

[BrettM]

insurance companies like cheaper deals too. whoever is writing the check simply wants the situation neutralized for the cheapest amount possible.

[jsk2052]

Bulls***. If you've brought your vehicle in to them for work which they've performed satisfactorily, they don't owe you squat.[/QUOTE]

Don't make assumptions no one said anything about performing satisfactory work and its more the products that they sell that are overpriced. I used to work at a shop exactly like this one and we had ridiculous mark-ups like they do. Not to mention I brought my jeep there for a simple alignment and they backed it into their garage door, now I have to take time out of my day to get estimates and then if I get it fixed I will be out of a vehicle for a few days.

[casm]

Don't make assumptions no one said anything about performing satisfactory work and its more the products that they sell that are overpriced.

Bear in mind that you never mentioned whether you had gone to them for service or parts - but either way, you still could've gone somewhere else that was cheaper, right?

I used to work at a shop exactly like this one and we had ridiculous mark-ups like they do.

Okay, some shops do that. It's still the consumer's choice whether a) they want to pay out the nose or b) sniff out a bargain. If you feel that they owe you because you elected to spend your money there over the years, I really don't have a lot of sympathy for your point of view.

Not to mention I brought my jeep there for a simple alignment and they backed it into their garage door, now I have to take time out of my day to get estimates and then if I get it fixed I will be out of a vehicle for a few days.

Sure, they screwed up. But that doesn't mean you're entitled to more than the fair cost of putting it right and maybe some equal compensation for time off of work to deal with it.

I still stand by my original suggestion: they can either fix the damage (in which case it most likely goes through their insurance and their rates go up) or they buy you the tyres you want and everyone's happy. Since it doesn't sound like you're too bothered by the hatch damage, if I were in your shoes I'd approach the manager with the offer to buy the tyres and save his insurance premiums.

[jsk2052]

thanks for the advice....

[Fergie]

Bear in mind that you never mentioned whether you had gone to them for service or parts - but either way, you still could've gone somewhere else that was cheaper, right?



Okay, some shops do that. It's still the consumer's choice whether a) they want to pay out the nose or b) sniff out a bargain. If you feel that they owe you because you elected to spend your money there over the years, I really don't have a lot of sympathy for your point of view.



Sure, they screwed up. But that doesn't mean you're entitled to more than the fair cost of putting it right and maybe some equal compensation for time off of work to deal with it.

I still stand by my original suggestion: they can either fix the damage (in which case it most likely goes through their insurance and their rates go up) or they buy you the tyres you want and everyone's happy. Since it doesn't sound like you're too bothered by the hatch damage, if I were in your shoes I'd approach the manager with the offer to buy the tyres and save his insurance premiums.
Who put the bug up your butt?

[casm]

Who put the bug up your butt?

Just calling it as I see it. The impression I got from the original posts were that he wasn't being entirely forthright in his dealings with the shop regarding the damage. Not that they shouldn't be held accountable for it - they should - but that doesn't mean he has a right to not be honourable about it. I used to see people trying to pull stunts like this in my Grandfather's VW shop years ago, and what was truly amazing was that people never figured out that if you just come in and ask for a reasonable resolution, you'll usually get it. And if he's been as steady a customer there as he indicates, he'll probably get what he wants without having to resort to anything less than above board.

[Fergie]

Just calling it as I see it. The impression I got from the original posts were that he wasn't being entirely forthright in his dealings with the shop regarding the damage. Not that they shouldn't be held accountable for it - they should - but that doesn't mean he has a right to not be honourable about it. I used to see people trying to pull stunts like this in my Grandfather's VW shop years ago, and what was truly amazing was that people never figured out that if you just come in and ask for a reasonable resolution, you'll usually get it. And if he's been as steady a customer there as he indicates, he'll probably get what he wants without having to resort to anything less than above board.
True, but WFW?

[casm]

True, but WFW?

42 :D

[kennzz05]

seems to me if you own the vehicle with no lein you are entitled to have the check issued to you its your decision weather or not to get it fixed

[hadfield4wd]

With no lien they should be required to pay for the "damage" not the repair.

[swbooking]

Do you have a friend at a body shop? Take it to him, get an estimate, have them pay your buddy, and have hime give you the money instead of doing the work...

[jsk2052]

Do you have a friend at a body shop? Take it to him, get an estimate, have them pay your buddy, and have hime give you the money instead of doing the work...

Actually I did think about doing this but I couldnt have him write it up and then not give him the work because I'm friends with him but not that good of friends so yeah good suggestion. I'll find out today what'll happen.