Telling bodyshop you're not happy

[m0ssy]

Just had some work done on my car after it got a massive dent in the bonnet and a crack in the bumper.

Went to pick the car up and the repair looked good but it was going dark when I picked it up so couldn't check it over properly. I've had work done at this bodyshop before and its always been spot on, and at a good price so didn't think twice about it really.

Checked it over the next day (today) and noticed that where the dent has been filled, you can see a ripple in certain lights and evidence of the dent is still there. I'm not 100% happy with this as I'm a perfectionist and its irritating me.

The only thing is I don't wanna go and kick up a fuss as the guys there are sound and have done an ace job in the past/usually do me a good deal and I'm not one for complaining, hate complainers, just want it sorting really.

I know the majority of you will just think go and kick off etc. but I'm just wondering what the best way to go about it would be without them thinking I'm a moaning bast*rd but also not fobbing me off?

Have any of you had work done before that you weren't happy with and how did you go about getting it sorted?

Thanks

 

[AhmedRSi]

Go back and complain... be a man. your in the right

 

[Dave..]

Just approach the mananger/boss in a friendly way, and say that you can still see evidence of the dent there. If you've had work done there before they'd more than likely want to keep you happy

 

[cat171]

Take some pics of it if you can. Deffo go back & get them to look at it & ask them to sort it for you.

 

[Inferno]

A complaint is a complaint, but you don't have to an arse doing it. Just tell them that you're a perfectionist when it comes to your car and that you were really hoping that it wouldn't be noticable. Then ask them where you can go from here to improve the situation. If you're really that worried about it, even go as far as telling them you're sorry to complain, and you realise that for 99% of people it would be no problem, but you just can't live with it. Ask them to help you.

 

[m0ssy]

Day off tommorow so thinking of going up, just not sure how to approach it without sounding arsey?

Wondering if anyone had been in a similar position and what happened with it?

Cheers for the replies and I should man up tbh, but I've never been one for complaining or making a scene.

Edit: Thanks for that Inferno, sounds like good advice

 

[Ads_172]

Complaining about something when you're not naturally comfortable about complaining is always difficult, but you know what you need to do...

Haven't got to be all aggressive, just take some photos (in case it isn't as evident when you get back there in their lighting, etc) and point it out. Say you've always been really pleased with their work but you're not completely happy - they'll value your repeat custom and I'd be surprised if they fob you off.

 

[B7JLS]

Give the bodyshop a quick call first, that's probably a more friendly way of going about it. Then go there at an arranged time

 

[JD]

lad i have had this though recently but think that i am way too late, had work done just before xmas and all the paint on the front bumper is chipping off already same with the wheels etc etc

now i know we had a heavy ish winter with gritters etc, but this does seem ott and what is more, they also did driver's side wing mirror, that is chipped, had the other side resprayed around a year and half ago, if not more, through insurance (massive costs) and there are no chips down the other side

jamie

 

[JD]

oh and the other problem is that he is a mate of a mate, and did it cheaper than most, but guess you really do get what you pay for

jamie

 

[Ali]

Simple...take it back!

 

[fUbAr]

man up

 

[m0ssy]

Cheers Jamie, gonna go back today I think, will let you know how I get on.

Was expecting the man up replies, although not really what I was looking for, wanted to know if anyones been in a similar situation.

 

[JD]

if i had "man'd up" i would have gone back, but i am going to get it re-done somewhere else and have the front covered with perma whatsit lol

tbf to the sprayer, the whole side of the car, inc door shuts are absolutely top notch, just the bumpers which seem to be pish!

jamie

 

[Willliams]

Been in a very similar situation m0ssy.
Body shop i've used a few times over the years, with a very good reputation locally, and one that I know one of the partners and used to knock around in the same circle as their manager. I too am a perfectionist, they know this, and the price quoted has never been an issue as i'm a believer in getting what you pay for. Their work has always been spot on, and they're always in touch with any questions they might have for me whilst carrying out a repair.
However...
Last time I used them I couldn't beleive the mess they made! I had asked for the bumper to be sprayed as I'd caught it on the side of my house doing some anal parking lol. Not a major job, but I decided to go for a complete bumper re-spray.. the 182 was about 2 years old at this time so had collected a couple of stone chips, and not a massive fan of havinging to blend in the paint work half way across the bumper.
When I turned up to collect, something didnt look quite right.. and as I got closer, realised the fogs were in COMPLETELY wrong, also.. there was blue over spray all over both inner arches!
Needless to say they were rather imbarrased by it all, and promptly had the workshop guys back to resolve my issues.
I didnt 'kick-off', just pointed out these items. To be honest, I didnt even have to ask for the work to be done, which I'd imagine will be the case with you too if you have a good relationship with them. All was corrected with out any fuss. I dont like confrontation either, though sometimes one has to stand up and be counted.!
At the end of the day, they know you're fussy... and would have priced the job accordingly I'd imagine. Just pop along and point out the prep. work you're not happy with. Even point out how good the paint work is, and seems a shame that it would need to be redone.

When dealing with slightly sensitive issues with people, I favour whats known as 'the bollock sandwich' lol
Praise, or point out the good work they've done first... then point out you're problem/issue.. (the bollocking) and follow it up with how much you appreciate all the effort they put into the work they do (being carefull not to sound sarcastic), and perhaps it was a bad batch of filler they had which has sunk.? If you get my drift.. lol

Usually works for me! Cant think of it ever not working tbh! Just keep ya cool, and dont loose focus on your objective fella.

Good luck, and keep us all posted eh!

Just noticed how long this is!! LOL.. Sorry for the essay

 

[Gally]

I work in a bodyshop as an assessor and aslong as it's a genuine reason then you shouldn't have any problems. Most will be willing to help in anyway they can to make you happy. Others don't give a s**t after you have paid them the money!

 

[philthy]

Crash it into the reception desk and demand its done right.

 

[Compulsion]

Crash it into the reception desk and demand its done right.

LOL ah dear (Like that one mate lol).

Just go down explain you can still see it is not right as a body shop like others said they want to keep a customer sweet don't they more money for them in the long run.

 

[mx1_champ]

to be honest mate if you have paid for a dent to be sorted you want it sorted . these things happen from time to time and will probs of gone by un noticed untill you spotted it . and am sure they will understand were your comin from as if it was spotted it in the bodyshop they would of got the filler out again and get it sorted and repainted untill it was 100%. id say have a work with the manager he will understand .

 

[jesus]

It wasn't Autolac was it?

 

[rexe]

which bodyshop was it mossy???

I'd just say your not happy with it and can they sort it out, they should have no issues with it.. You willjust get called a fussy c**t when you have gone pmsl.

 

[rich-6]

Go in tell them and they'l sort it, they wont fuss if you approach them in the correct way.

If anything rolls out of our bodyshop that i aint happy with it goes straight back in wether it be flatting marks, runs etc sounds like its missed the final inspection

 

[m0ssy]

Update: Went there yesterday, the guy had a look and said he could have another go but cant guarantee he can get it 100% because of where the dent was, so to cut a long story short I've got a new bonnet and hes spraying it up for free. Not a bad result, I did have to buy the bonnet but thats fair enough I suppose.

It wasn't Autolac was it?

Yeah it was Autolac mate. Had loads done there before and always been spot on, but I wasn't happy with this, should all be ok now though, will keep this updated.

 

[Rojer]

Well i have just had some bits sprayed and he has missed a bit on the mirror so got to get that sorted and also he quoted me £100 right and then when i went to pick it up it was £160 WTF! I had a call a few days before saying that there was too much wax and polish on the bumpers and that he had to spray it again and he knew there was all that on it on day one cause he said to me about it so surely i shouldnt be paying that extra?

 

[JCC]

I work in a bodyshop mate, and take it from me, going in and being friendly and just pointing it out they will be more than happy to sort it out for you. Go in and be a pr*ck about things and you'll get nowhere with them. It could just be a genuine mistake they've not noticed before they've given it back to you.

Edit : To the guy above me, what exactly did you get sprayed for £100?

 

[jesus]

Autolacs stuff can be a bit hit and miss really, I speak from experience. There's a bit of orange peel on my rear bumper and a few other little niggles. Usually they are spot on with their work though and they seem genuine guys so I hope they can sort it all for you.

 

[Shotgunsjay]

should of gone where i mentioned to you about youre wheels,

go back if youre not happy

 

[m0ssy]

^^^ Totally forgot about that place mate.

Might use that in future. Can you PM me the details again so I can save them mate?

Thanks

 

[YA55ER]

Edit : To the guy above me, what exactly did you get sprayed for £100?

he had both bumpers sprayed (wanted the tops colour coded) side strips and mirrors

 

[DebV6]

I'd definitely take it back and tell them you're not happy. You don't need to kick up too much of a fuss or be rude, hopefully they should sort if if you aren't satisfied...if not then make a fuss!

 

[JCC]

he had both bumpers sprayed (wanted the tops colour coded) side strips and mirrors

LOL What did he expect for £100. Cheap bodyshops are not good bodyshops.

 

[Willliams]

LOL What did he expect for £100. Cheap bodyshops are not good bodyshops.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[moggy]

well if you have used them loads of times before, and all was ok, just take it back......

but it really depends on how much you have paid for the job, if it was something like £100 - £150 then i would not expect anything else....
If the dent was that bad, they should have said to you, either buy a new bonnet or we will have to fill it & paint it!

 

[Rojer]

LOL What did he expect for £100. Cheap bodyshops are not good bodyshops.

Lol well i knew the guy well my family did thats why it was cheap for me he was doing me a favour.

 

[pritchard182]

i was in roughly the same situation about my wheels had them referbd and they came back the wrong colour i felt bad going back as i knew the guy and was realy tidy to me but the guy sorted it and as an apolagy gave me money off

 

[JCC]

Lol well i knew the guy well my family did thats why it was cheap for me he was doing me a favour.

Ahh well that's a different story, apologies :approve:

 

[Armani]

Pop down the spray gge,calmly walk through the reception and into the spray area,then with Jack Nicholson's eyes (from the shining "honey i'm home") and grab the sprayer by the throat dragging him towards your car,slam his face down on the bonnet and ask him if he has glaucoma because you don't !!

....
No seriously as long as you aint a d1ck about it most decent places will gladly sort it as they have a reputation to get/keep and word of mouth gets as much buisness as adverts tbh..

 

[Rojer]

Ahh well that's a different story, apologies :approve:

Lol its alright mate no worries i will take the mirrors down tommorow probably and ill question him about the extra i had to pay.