HELP body shop charging for unauthorized work

3552 Views 23 Replies 20 Participants Last post by PCPete, Jul 19, 2012

car_man602

Discussion Starter · Jul 17, 2012

Car went into body shop for body work and paint with a verbal estimate of $4000 including cost of paint ,car is in 3rd coat of primer and bodyshop wants $65-6800.00 to complete job. When car was dropped off owner of shop was told car was going to be a driver not a show car.They have now done over $5000 of bodywork which is $1000 over original complete estimate. They never call for authorization to go over original estimate and did extra work to make it more of a show car . I budgeted $4000 for this work and do not feel I should have to pay the extra money to get my car completed , has anyone else ran into this type of situation and what did you do?

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JRouche

· #2 · Jul 17, 2012

car_man602 said:
Car went into body shop for body work and paint with a verbal estimate of $4000 including cost of paint ,car is in 3rd coat of primer and bodyshop wants $65-6800.00 to complete job. When car was dropped off owner of shop was told car was going to be a driver not a show car.They have now done over $5000 of bodywork which is $1000 over original complete estimate. They never call for authorization to go over original estimate and did extra work to make it more of a show car . I budgeted $4000 for this work and do not feel I should have to pay the extra money to get my car completed , has anyone else ran into this type of situation and what did you do?

Paper, paper, paper!! Word of mouth doesnt mean ANYTHING. Have a hard time believing a shop would not have wrote up a contract?

I personally wont start ANY project without a contract. It just simplifies the entire process and makes sure everyone involved is on the same page (the contract).

For an example. When I do take my car in for the final body and paint work I will bring MY contract with me. It will outline what work I want done and will talk about the details I want taken care of. And the money will be a part of that paper.

I do it for any contractors work that I engage in. House, car chit, even dental work. LOL

YUP!! Anytime you start to work with someone and there might be a differing of objectives you NEED to spell it out on paper and words. Verbal needs for a project WILL differ when time has elapse or the language was not clear. A properly written up contract will put BOTH parties at ease. JR

63novass

· #3 · Jul 17, 2012

This is topic I get real angry about these days.
A hand shake or spoken word means nothing anymore.
Always get it in INK.
I went threw a two year legal battle. I won because I had it in ink. Had I not, I would have lost the car. Your mark up is nothing compared to the one I fought.

Sounds like one of "them" shops. Pay em and get it the heck out, fast. Even if it means going to a different shop to get it finished.

67nova73

· #4 · Jul 17, 2012

thats why i have them write it down.....to have proof:yes:

as the other members said.." doesnt mean a thing " word of mouth:bored:

642doorhardtop

· #5 · Jul 17, 2012

Wow that sucks! Well as was said before, if a contract was written up and clearly stated the scope of work to be performed, you should be ok.

Either way, maybe you can threaten their business or overpower them (VERBALLY, and not abrasively, just more educated and witty) into submission. They are trying to pull a fast one, but we all know this.

I dont think without a contract much will save you, but would be worth a try to see if you can call BS on them. In automotive repair business, and many others (LIKE ALL) the customer is the boss. The contractor issues the bid, you accept, and he is on THAT budget to complete the job. Any and all excess work and or materials must be pre authorized by the BOSS before that work can be legally and legitimately added to the work invoice. Provided this is all done under contract. Now if you dont have one, I would still march up in that mother and have a few words with a few people over there, and they may just let you 'bully' (so to speak) them into the original invoice. Either way, I would raise some serious hell about that. Dont go overboard, but dont let anybody mess with your ride like that. They are just bullys, and playing a game.

Now you could do this or try to scheme them into accepting a partial payment (original invoice ammount) with promise to pay balance in a week or so if your a smooth talker, but either way stand up for your rights! This is not only BS what they are doing, but a violation of your God given righs, upheld by the constitution to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Whatever you do dont let em have it without a fight!!!!!

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thedez

· #6 · Jul 17, 2012

Last week I had my '67 sedan painted, dark blue. The paint and clear coat, just materials, came to $2,600. (DuPont). The car was completely and properly prepped, and I paid another $1,500 to shoot it, wet sand it, and buff it. The job i received was very good, but not perfect. Reds are more expensive than blues, so in reality, $4k sounds a bit low. I would talk to the owner. Tell him your situation, and ask what kind of payment schedule can be worked out. Is there a skill you have that you could "trade" for his work?

bugguy357

· #7 · Jul 17, 2012

Yup! had that same thing happen they told me we where unaware of the condition of the body till they had the paint off then the price kept going up! I told them I wanted it done for the price he quoted me. I do know that my car being red cost me a ton of money!

Roger Connolly

· #8 · Jul 17, 2012

Body shop blues

Your best bet is to go to your Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Dealers and repairs dept. The can tell you the best way to handel the problem. Is the shop licensed? If not get a cop and go get your car for free. No licensed shop wants to have to deal with a DMV complaint. Good luck

mwb71nova

· #9 · Jul 17, 2012

verbal estimate......All of the body shops around my area will NOT put it in ink until the car is stripped of all paint and panels. I have found that by doing my own bodywork it was a total PITA because you keep finding surprises and every turn.

Did they tell you why the price went up? Like thedez stated, go in to the shop and tell them you only have the $4k and ask what kind of payment schedule can be worked out? They might just say take the car.

novanutcase

· #10 · Jul 17, 2012

mwb71nova said:
verbal estimate......All of the body shops around my area will NOT put it in ink until the car is stripped of all paint and panels. I have found that by doing my own bodywork it was a total PITA because you keep finding surprises and every turn.

Did they tell you why the price went up? Like thedez stated, go in to the shop and tell them you only have the $4k and ask what kind of payment schedule can be worked out? They might just say take the car.

While you are correct in that there are always surprises that pop up it is the shops responsibility to inform the owner that additional work will be needed to get the car where he wants it and the originally quoted price is now not effective in regards to the agreement that was made.

For them to just go ahead and do it without your agreeing to it is ethically wrong. Not sure how the laws work in your state but I would also go to whatever bureau governs over car repair and have them talk to the shop in question. If they say that you verbally agreed to the extra work ask the bureau to have them come up with the signed agreement that shows that you approved the work. As far as I understand it here in Cali, if there isn't a signed agreement to any additional work then the shop loses out on the additional work and you are only liable for the work that was agreed upon. As was mentioned, what may complicate it for you is that you don't actually have an original agreement for the bureau to base it off of. Basically he said she said so they may hand you back whatever paperwork you do have and tell you to take it to small claims court.

John

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TechNova

· #11 · Jul 17, 2012

Both parties are at fault.
Carman, you did not do your research, it is common knowledge not to work off a verbal quote and also that an accurate estimate cannot be given on a resto job. It's hard enough to be accurate on a late model collision job without a teardown. I'm not ripping on you, but have the understanding that you are partially at fault also, it will help with the negotiations.
Now, the task is to minimize the damage and learn from the mistakes of both parties.
I have learned alot dealing with construction contractors, so much in fact, they can't be on my property unless I'm there. Similar for an auto shop, you can't be there all the time but there needs to be alot of communication.

Few (if any) states require a license for a body shop so a cop is not going to get your car for free. The shop will have a mechanics lien.

The shop should have kept you informed constantly throughout the process.
They should have had you sign paperwork stating the financial details.
Your state may have laws about unauthorized work. (in Cal. a shop can't even charge for an extra clip without owner approval).
The first step is to go talk to the shop, have them stop any repairs until you are settled. They likely will anyway if you owe them money.
Work out whatever you can with them and determine if they will continue the work or if the car will go somewhere else once the bill is paid.
It will help you greatly if you make them believe you want them to finish the car. You may not intend to but they needn't know that.
Wherever it ends up, use what you've learned to be better prepared next time.

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Nik_95cobra

· #12 · Jul 17, 2012

Same thing happened to me. Was told $2800 then it came out to $4300. I understood his estimate was just that, an estimate, so I just paid it (He did a butt-load of work on it). Building cars generally costs more than anticipated so it's best to leave room for the unexpected.

frogman68

· #13 · Jul 17, 2012

Did ya get a estimate? Found some good reading

http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge77.htm

chevy2much

· #14 · Jul 18, 2012

frogman68 said:
Did ya get a estimate? Found some good reading

http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge77.htm

Contact the fraud line at the bottom of frogmans link

FST_FWD

· #15 · Jul 18, 2012

One thing that needs to be taken into consideration is if the car is new a quote is a generally simple thing to do. Cars of the age we are messing with on this site have a lot more hidden surprises than an average car. If you expect the shop to take responsibly for hidden cancer which is high on the labor end of things you are playing with the wrong kind of car. You will also be extremely displeased if rust blisters within months of a new repaint.

It's unfortunate you don't have in writing the work to be performed but if I was doing the work and just sanded over a hornets nest in the metal I as a person who is somewhat conscientious would not want to paint (excuse the pun) my shop as a MAACO shop.
Expecting a shop to put on hold a job every time they run into your hornets nest
is not all that realistic either.
$4000.00 of body labor doesn't get you very far in today's world.

asteeler4life

· #16 · Jul 18, 2012

I FEEL MIXED ABOUT THIS :turn:
1. AN ESTIMATE IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS AN ESTIMATE. ONCE TEAR DOWN STARTS, MORE WORK IS USUALLY IN STORE AND THAT'S WHEN EXTRA $$$ COMES IN.

ON THAT NOTE, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, THEY SHOULD'VE STOPPED WORK AND CONTACTED YOU IMMEDIATELY.

2. YOU AS A CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT WRITTEN DOWN, IT PROTECTS BOTH PARTIES.

3. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH YOU'VE GIVEN THEM AT THIS POINT, BUT I'D PULL MY CAR IF THEY'VE AT LEAST FULFILLED THAT AMOUNT OF WORK! :yes:

sshrop

· #17 · Jul 18, 2012 (Edited)

car_man602 said:
Car went into body shop for body work and paint with a verbal estimate of $4000 including cost of paint ,car is in 3rd coat of primer and bodyshop wants $65-6800.00 to complete job. When car was dropped off owner of shop was told car was going to be a driver not a show car.They have now done over $5000 of bodywork which is $1000 over original complete estimate. They never call for authorization to go over original estimate and did extra work to make it more of a show car . I budgeted $4000 for this work and do not feel I should have to pay the extra money to get my car completed , has anyone else ran into this type of situation and what did you do?

I am sorry to hear this. As some have said Shame on you and the body shop for not putting things in writing. However you don't and should not pay the up charges. I would go and pay the 4000 and pull your car fast. Second I would call the shop owner and record your conversation be very calm and pleasant. Simply ask him to say what the original amount you verbally agreed to was! then ask what the normal policy is when it comes to extras. Basically you are letting the owner hang himself with his own words. the recording could have been made at anytime even the day after you dropped the car off so its your only chance of not paying the extras. I am sure some might disagree with my methods but it could save you in the long run. If you need to pursue in court or have the local police help you get your car back u have evidence that he his overcharging you. Make sure the recording is legal to make without informing the other party that its being recorded. Here is Arizona only the party recording the conversation has to know its happening. You should be able to check with your local court or Attorney Generals office.
I am a small business owner and everything I do has a contract attached to it. just let this be a lesson for all that read this.
I hope you get this resolved without going to major lengths or losing your car.

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frogman68

· #18 · Jul 18, 2012

sshrop said:
I am sorry to hear this. As some have said Shame on you and the body shop for not putting things in writing. However you don't and should not pay the up charges. I would go and pay the 4000 and pull your car fast. Second I would call the shop owner and record your conversation be very calm and pleasant. Simply ask him to say what the original amount you verbally agreed to was! then ask what the normal policy is when it comes to extras. Basically you are letting the owner hang himself with his own words. the recording could have been made at anytime even the day after you dropped the car off so its your only chance of not paying the extras. I am sure some might disagree with my methods but it could save you in the long run. If you need to pursue in court or have the local police help you get your car back u have evidence that he his overcharging you. Make sure the recording is legal to make without informing the other party that its being recorded. Here is Arizona only the party recording the conversation has to know its happening. You should be able to check with your local court or Attorney Generals office.
I am a small business owner and everything I do has a contract attached to it. just let this be a lesson for all that read this.
I hope you get this resolved without going to major lengths or losing your car.

In MD all parties must be informed it's being recorded , what was her name Margaret Tripp ? Monica's friend got in trouble for recording some one without there knowledge.

TechNova

· #19 · Jul 18, 2012

frogman68 said:
In MD all parties must be informed it's being recorded , what was her name Margaret Tripp ? Monica's friend got in trouble for recording some one without there knowledge.

Only one party needs to approve in Wis.

luepke75

· #20 · Jul 18, 2012

You should have been notified but old cars cant be held to an exact amount, not to mention "Driver" paint job can be very different to each of us and "more of a show car" paint job says nothing. Its very common for a job to go over a quoted price and Ive seen it go over much more than yours. Again I do think you should have been notified and should have had something on paper. My question for you is if he had called you saying hey its going to be 1k more to prep it what would you have done? Take it home unfinished, or had him slap paint onto an unpreped car? If so then you would have wasted even more money. Do you think he's cheating you? Is he a relieble honest guy? I know many painters that wont give quotes on old cars and refuse to to any paint unless they completly take it down to bare metal and repair ev erything them selves, its their reputation on the line when 3 months later problems come up and your not happy. I would express my frustration with not knowing but if he did the work I would pay, but I also would have been around enough to know how it was progressing every few days.

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