ComplaintsforATC Auto Body & Paint LLC

• Initial Complaint

  12/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I came to ************* to do a repair in the frame of the vehicle and they seemed really nice and helpful. This was an out of pocket expense and I had 2 other mechanics inspect the frame and explain that we needed a body shop to repair the tear in the door frame.The previous mechanics mentioned that I needed to have a hole cut where the damage was done, a 1/4 inch plate inserted, and the plate spot welded to the frame. They said this would cost about $1,000. I assumed from their welding expertise that ************* would know what would need to be done in order to do a good job.ATC gave me an estimate for just getting the frame welded, but recommended replacing the whole frame. Of course, that is the best solution, but when you don't have $3K right away, I was willing to take a risk and just have them repair that spot.Instead of inserting a plate, like 2 other mechanics recommended, they simply laid a bead on the spot and painted over it. The area re-broke within 24 hours of their repair.They made me sign and pay for the job before I even saw the finished work. Of course, when I went back to them they said that they never guaranteed anything with the welding job and that they recommended the complete replacement. But they never gave me ANY indication that after $1000, this job would only hold up for 24 hours.They also told me that they would not charge me for paint, but they charged me $60 per hour for three hours to paint about a 3 inch space.They also told me they would replace the rubber strips on the vehicle. They didn't, but they still charged me for this service.I've learned my lessons to never work with them again and hope you don't get ripped off by them as well.Photos of the broken door 24 hours after picking it up from being "repaired."

  Business response

  01/10/2023

  To whom it may concern,

  We firmly disagreed against repairing the door and strongly recommended to have the entire structural backing replaced. The area that needed repair was a highly stressed area and cracked from the original manufacturers welds. We are not a fabrication shop and expressed to her that if it cracked from the manufacturer, then anything we repair on it is just a temporary measure. We explained to her that even if we do place a weld on this door hinge, it will eventually crack again.

  
  It was expressed that it could crack a day or 2 from now, a week, a month etc. but did not guarantee that our welds would last forever yet she still wanted to go through with repairs. On the estimate that she signed it states As per customer request for repairs we cant warranty how long the repair will hold up. Panel needs to be replaced and not repaired. However even though we had her sign, we were still willing to fix it for her if she would have kindly contacted us instead of trying to attack us with fallacies about our service and business as a whole and then demand a refund.  

  
  There is a lot of work that is needed to be done for this type of job. We had to remove the whole door from the vehicle to get access (which in itself required removal of wiring harnesses, bolts and latches etc. and is also written in the estimate.)  Grind the paint back to prep for weld, manipulate the metal so that the weld is even,grind and clean the weld and prep for the paint process.

  
  Also she forgot to upload the estimate we sent stating how much it would be to replace the structural backing (the route we strongly recommended) which actually came out to $3,129.75. We understand that this cost was too great for her, which is why we did our best to accommodate her needs with doing what she asked and keeping her costs down by going with the repair route.

  
  We sent her 2 estimates. One estimate detailing the cost of replacing it the other with cost of repairing it, (which we obviously did not recommend.) We told  her numerous times that we advise against this repair and she insisted on us going through with it which is why we had her sign a document basically stating the parameters of this job and that we would not be offering any refund or warranty for the job due to her decision. She signed off on it.

  
  We decline to issue her a refund due to not only the signed agreement but  the method in which she went about demanding it. We do not appreciate the time it is taking out of our own work to deal with this issue and are very disappointed in the harassment with false allegations she has caused.

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