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Choosing the Right Body Shop
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| Choosing the Right Body Shop |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 21:51:55 |
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Description:
As a vehicle owner,
your chances of needing the services of a collision repair and refinishing
facility are greater than you think. Whether it's from storm damage, rust
and corrosion, acid rain and harsh sunlight, or an automobile accident
outright, the risks are real. It's wise, then, to know how to select a
body shop. Many times when people are involved in an accident they think
"the insurance company will take care of it for me.'' In fact, it is your
responsibility to choose who will do the repairs for you. This is not
a choice that should be taken lightly, as it can involve protecting a
major investment.
I. Preliminaries
Start shopping
for a body shop before you need one; you can make better decisions when
you are not rushed or in a panic.
Ask friends and
associates for their recommendations. Even in this high-tech era, old-fashioned
word-of-mouth reputation is still valuable.
Check with your
local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the facility
in question. Ask about the number of complaints, if any, and determine
how the complaints were resolved.
Always try to
visit the shop before making the decision on who will repair your vehicle.
II. At the Shop
Ask if the shop
customarily handles your vehicle make and model. Ask how long the shop
has been in business.
Look for a neat,
well-organized facility with modern equipment. Many vehicle manufacturers
recommend specific repair procedures and equipment for the repair of
their vehicles. Ensure that the facility you choose is trained in these
procedures and has the proper equipment.
Professionally
run establishments will have a courteous, helpful staff willing to answer
all of your questions.
Look for signs
of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community
service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, customer service
awards.
Many times you
can see the vehicles being repaired by the shop. Are you impressed by
the type of vehicles the company is repairing and the way the vehicles
are being handled?
Also look for
signs that the staff is technically competent, such as trade school
diplomas, certificates of advanced course work training from I-CAR (the
Inter-Industry ASE Conference on Auto Collision Repair, and certifications-a
national standard of technician competence issued by the non-profit
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
All policies, guarantees,
and methods of payment should be posted or explained to your satisfaction.
The backbone of
any shop is the competence of its technicians.
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