Auto Body Repair In Chicago can be a mysterious and intimidating thing; the good shops fix your car for a fair price, but the poor ones misdiagnose problems and charge too much. Below are some things your auto body repair shop won’t necessarily tell you, but that you should keep in mind when shopping for repairs.
Shops Vary Widely in Quality
Finding the right Auto Body Repair Chicago and forming a relationship with its owner is the first step in getting a quality repair. For every honest shop, there’s an unethical one; don’t hire a repair person working out of the trunk of a car-;choose a shop which has been in business for a long time, and has a long list of satisfied customers.
Deciphering Your Estimate
When you have found the right collision repair shop, getting an estimate is your next step. Insurers and shops use different systems to arrive at an estimate, and it’s tough for a shop owner to give you an accurate estimate which covers the repair expenses and still allows them to make a profit.
Some estimates are simple with just a few lines (repair steps), and some are complex. If you do not understand the steps in an estimate, it will not make any sense-;and many body shops do not take the time to explain it sufficiently. When looking for a repair shop, find one with a staff willing to listen and respond to your questions.
No “Saving the Deductible”
Some not-so-ethical shops will offer to “save your deductible”, which is usually around $500. Essentially, the shop is planning to rip off your insurer by not collecting a deductible; they will really either not do the right work, or charge too much in order to make up for the ‘savings’.
Learn About Parts
Some dishonest shop owners try to boost their bottom line by charging you for new parts when they have actually installed a used part, or they have substituted an aftermarket part without informing you. Some shops even repair your original part and reuse it, but charge you full price.
When you are looking for auto body repairs, you will need to be an advocate for yourself. No matter how honest your repair shop is, you cannot rely on them to act in your best interests. You will need to look out for yourself and be on the alert for misrepresentation and overcharging.
