Unhappy with paint repair work - advice needed

[VT_SS_II]

Hi All

Just looking for advise on going about getting some average paint repair work rectified.

I got a quote back in October to have my front/rear bumpers and bonnet resprayed (private job). At the time I asked if the front guards would need to be done as well but was assured this would not be needed. I accepted the quote a few days later but due to timing timing decided to have the work done in beginning of December.
I went with this company because they seemed to have a good reputation, have been around a few decades and have been mentioned on here a few times as doing good work.

I picked up the car today and I'm not happy with the result. Straight of the bat, I think the paint matching could have been a little better. I informed the admin bloke who then called who I assume was the workshop manager. He said that since the quote was only to paint the panels with no blending etc., what I ended up with is what to be expected. I said I was assured by the assessor that the paint matching would be spot on. I was then told that that particular assessor was on sick leave and that the the business would be shutting down for good next week. Since getting home I've found a few more problems (runs in the rear bumper, quite bad orange peel on one side of the bonnet)

At this stage I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask to speak with the manager/owner and see what they say. The thing that worries me is that there might be a bit of a "who cares" attitude since the business is closing down. I'm also going to call my insurance company (Shannons) and see what they have to say. Although this was not an insurance job, I think the poor workmanship may affect the resale value of the car.

If I don't get anywhere with the panel shop, I 'm considering calling my credit card issuer to see if there is anything they can do regards to freezing payment due to non supply of services. I'm only really considering this because it seems the panel shop won't be around in the new year.

If anyone has any other ideas (or has been in a similar situation with poor repair work before) I'd love to here from you.
Thanks.

[bush_basha]

Sorry to hear that mate, nothing worse that someone stuffing up your pride and joy.
You can at least take it back with the runs and orange peel issues but I feel as you said with them closing down it'll be a bit difficult.
Can I ask did you know they were closing down beforehand?

You can speak with your insurance company for rectification work. I had mate get his car back from a panel shop after a verrrrrrry long time and he was very very very unhappy with the result, and he has spoken with his insurance and they have sent an assessor out to inspect and is now waiting on a reply.
However from what I understand the car was in for insurance work originally and he got some extra stuff done. But I'm sure that what insurance is for so it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Others will be able to comment I'm sure

[VT_SS_II]

Can I ask did you know they were closing down beforehand?


No. The first I heard was when discussing the problem with the workshop manager. This company has been around for 60+ years and seems to do a very good trade given the amount of traffic I see at the workshop each morning getting quotes (I walk past on the way to work)

I also was just thinking, no one bothered to do a walk around the car with me to show what was done before handing back the keys. Maybe they know it was a rushed/rough job and just wanted the car gone.....

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

I'd be definitely considering freezing the credit card payment. That should get their attention real quick.

[Micks]

If you have the quote & invoice in writing stating all work was to be done & you paid same. Keep hounding them till it's sorted. After all you walk past there everyday, Good luck with it.

[whitels1ss]

If you have the quote & invoice in writing stating all work was to be done & you paid same. Keep hounding them till it's sorted. After all you walk past there everyday, Good luck with it.

Mick, the OP wrote in his first post that
The business is "closing down for good" next week
Sadly, I think that unless he can get a refund through his credit card he is just plain out of pocket.

To VT_SS_II ... Why did you pay & take possession of the car if you weren't happy with the work they had done?

[mjrandom]

Which panelbeater?

[Micks]

Mick, the OP wrote in his first post that
The business is "closing down for good" next week
Sadly, I think that unless he can get a refund through his credit card he is just plain out of pocket.

To VT_SS_II ... Why did you pay & take possession of the car if you weren't happy with the work they had done?


True Ed..No wonder they done a shit job :doh:

[VT_SS_II]

To VT_SS_II ... Why did you pay & take possession of the car if you weren't happy with the work they had done?

Yes, I should have viewed the car before making payment. The car needed to be bought around to the front of the shop from the back so all the paperwork got sorted while waiting.
As I mentioned earlier, the fact no one walked through the invoice/around the car with me to make sure I was happy seems to indicate they knew it was a sub-standard job and just wanted it out the door.

I spoke with the owner today and he said that if I could bring him 3 quotes for the work to be rectified he would consider what can be done. I should have all the quotes back tomorrow and will go from there. As I sort of expected, a few shops didn't want to touch it since there is no insurance company involved.

[VT_SS_II]

Which panelbeater?

Probably best not to say until everything is sorted. You probably won't have to worry about getting work done there as they won't be around this time next week!

[black_friday]

I spoke with the owner today and he said that if I could bring him 3 quotes for the work to be rectified he would consider what can be done.

I assume from this they may pay to have it rectified elsewhere, since they are closing down? Hopefully it doesnt come to that and your insurance company comes through for you...

[VT_SS_II]

Update: The panelbeater has agreed to refund most of my money so rectification work can be done by one of the 3 places I got quotes from. Money will be paid to repairer of my choice as a 'deposit' for the job. Now just waiting for the money to be received by the place that will do the rectification work.

[C4B]

Update: The panelbeater has agreed to refund most of my money so rectification work can be done by one of the 3 places I got quotes from. Money will be paid to repairer of my choice as a 'deposit' for the job. Now just waiting for the money to be received by the place that will do the rectification work.

I hope I'm completely wrong but this sounds like a delaying tactic.

I'd be chasing the money through my Credit Card provider.

[Micks]

I hope I'm completely wrong but this sounds like a delaying tactic.

I'd be chasing the money through my Credit Card provider.
If that's the case, follow the dude home then camp out on his nature strip with some informative signage giving his neighbors a taste of his form :yup:

[C4B]

If that's the case, follow the dude home then camp out on his nature strip with some informative signage giving his neighbors a taste of his form :yup:

And the dumbest plan of the year goes to............

[Micks]

And the dumbest plan of the year goes to............

It is silly season after all :lol:

[whitels1ss]

It is silly season after all :lol:

I bet you feel right at home then. :stick:

[VFast]

Update: The panelbeater has agreed to refund most of my money so rectification work can be done by one of the 3 places I got quotes from. Money will be paid to repairer of my choice as a 'deposit' for the job. Now just waiting for the money to be received by the place that will do the rectification work.
Sounds promising...
Will you still have to put your hand in your pocket to get it fixed, or will the 'deposit' cover it?

[VT_SS_II]

Good news - The company that will do the rectification work received the money today :woot:


Sounds promising...
Will you still have to put your hand in your pocket to get it fixed, or will the 'deposit' cover it?

I will have to chip in some more as I'm also getting front guards done so I don't have the colour mis-match issue again on the front of the vehicle.

[VFast]

Sounds like a reasonable outcome but disappointing considering you had asked about the blending initially but were told not required.