Detailer burned clearcoat, refuse to fix it, need advice

sloc · 09-17-2010, 01:20 PM

Last week, a car wash/detailing place burned through the clear coat on the roof and trunk of my car while they were trying to remove some scratches. They had promised that they will repaint the area they damaged. They had promised that they will make the arrangements this week 9/13 – 9/17 but have not done so. I called earlier this week and they responded that they haven’t looked into it yet and will let me know. I had the damages checked by a body shop used by the local BMW dealer and it will cost $1500 to repaint. Another non BMW body shop offered $500. This car wash business is ignoring me and trying to get away with not fixing the damage. How can I go about getting them to fix it or pay me for the damages?

ultimate · 09-17-2010, 01:23 PM

pics?

Bavarian E92 · 09-17-2010, 01:25 PM

why are you so worried? Just tell him that if he doesn't fix your car you will get a lawyer and take him to court. If that doesn't work have a lawyer write him a letter. He will comply after that.

sleepyx637 · 09-17-2010, 02:00 PM

Have you talked to a manager?

Trojan4evr · 09-17-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian E92

why are you so worried? Just tell him that if he doesn't fix your car you will get a lawyer and take him to court. If that doesn't work have a lawyer write him a letter. He will comply after that.

Or better yet, have a lawyer write that letter for you and make it as scary and liget as possible. the manager will come back with his tail between legs.

cb1111 · 09-17-2010, 02:38 PM

Why make it difficult? Get an estimate from two bodyshops of your choice and submit them along with a letter telling the detailers to either send you a check or to forward the estimates to their insurance company. Give them a reasonable time to send you a check.

JmanND · 09-17-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian E92

why are you so worried? Just tell him that if he doesn't fix your car you will get a lawyer and take him to court. If that doesn't work have a lawyer write him a letter. He will comply after that.

Scary lawyer letters usually do the trick. But if you actually do need to take the issue to court, small claims court is a much easier/cost efficient process than getting a lawyer. Here in La its for anything <$7500 damages.

Just document all contact with them and keep records.

sloc · 09-17-2010, 06:43 PM

I guess I'll try to send them a letter 1st, then get a lawyers letter, then small claims as last resort. Thx

cb1111 · 09-17-2010, 07:17 PM

Make sure that everything you send is registered.

sfr811 · 09-17-2010, 07:47 PM

cant you go through your insurance? they have tons of lawyers

Curt2000 · 09-17-2010, 07:50 PM

I would call insurance and see what they can do for you...

Ewhacked · 09-17-2010, 08:10 PM

I deal with insurance companies every day...going through them will be your best bet to start with. Tell them that your car has been damaged at a detailing company and you "think" you need to make a comp. claim because they messed up the paint. Explain the how it all happened and how much money it will cost to repair. Then ask your agent what they think should be done. I'd be willing to bet the agent will get it fixed for you....without a claim. This is all conditional on what ins. company you have and that you have a low(lower than collision) comprehensive deductable...normally they are 100 - 250. Insurance companies will do everything they can to make another party besides themselves pay for repairs....unless them paying for it on the front end will gain them more money in the long run through premium increases.

FYI: most people don't realize they can decide not to file a claim and assume responsability and pay for work out of pocket after they have informed the insurance about an incident....so don't be scared to reach out to your agent for help.

jopa489 · 09-17-2010, 08:20 PM

Find a real detailer next time. Either from our Detailing section or Autopia.

sloc · 09-17-2010, 08:29 PM

I didn't have comp on my plan when it happened, so not sure how my insurance can help...

Neutrino45 · 09-17-2010, 08:52 PM

Make sure you post the business name here and put a review on Yelp!

sloc · 09-17-2010, 08:53 PM

Ok heres their info:

Diamond Brite Car Wash LLC

920 W Main St
New Britain, CT 06053
860-225-5389

Dinan_Bimmer · 09-18-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloc

Ok heres their info:

Diamond Brite Car Wash LLC

920 W Main St
New Britain, CT 06053
860-225-5389

have to agree with this post:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=13

Get insurance involved, I had a "problem" with something in Westport Ct the town ignored me until i got ins involved, then miraculously, I had a check for my deductible AND payment in full for the claim in 72 hrs

Chriztofor · 09-18-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1111

Why make it difficult? Get an estimate from two bodyshops of your choice and submit them along with a letter telling the detailers to either send you a check or to forward the estimates to their insurance company. Give them a reasonable time to send you a check.

Then do this http://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html

cb1111 · 09-18-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Then do this http://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html

That will work as well.

Spydeputy · 09-18-2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr811

cant you go through your insurance? they have tons of lawyers

plus 1

dimisa1977 · 09-18-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

I would call insurance and see what they can do for you...

plus 1

John 070 · 09-18-2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Then do this http://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html

Why I think this is the wrong road is you will spend a lot of time, and win. Then there is a very good chance you will never collect. imho it's nice to have your day in court and feel like a winner and in the right, but you do want the $$$, and anything that doesn't lead to that is not worth the effort.

The comp claim advice is the best but you have no comp, which implies you are basically self insured, which also implies you have $$$. I would simply go there in person and speak to whomever's in charge, and ask them how to resolve it. If they blow you off, then it will require real legal action, which isn't going to be worth it because what's at stake is $1500.

The OP is in the right, but the small business deals with this every day and knows it's difficult to hold them accountable.

09-17-2010, 01:20 PM	#1
sloc New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E46 E90 325xi Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Detailer burned clearcoat, refuse to fix it, need advice Last week, a car wash/detailing place burned through the clear coat on the roof and trunk of my car while they were trying to remove some scratches. They had promised that they will repaint the area they damaged. They had promised that they will make the arrangements this week 9/13 – 9/17 but have not done so. I called earlier this week and they responded that they haven’t looked into it yet and will let me know. I had the damages checked by a body shop used by the local BMW dealer and it will cost $1500 to repaint. Another non BMW body shop offered $500. This car wash business is ignoring me and trying to get away with not fixing the damage. How can I go about getting them to fix it or pay me for the damages?
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09-17-2010, 01:23 PM	#2
ultimate Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	pics?
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09-17-2010, 01:25 PM	#3
Bavarian E92 First Lieutenant 9 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335 Montego Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	why are you so worried? Just tell him that if he doesn't fix your car you will get a lawyer and take him to court. If that doesn't work have a lawyer write him a letter. He will comply after that. __________________
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09-17-2010, 02:00 PM	#4
sleepyx637 Captain 19 Rep 952 Posts Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Have you talked to a manager?
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09-17-2010, 02:38 PM	#6
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Why make it difficult? Get an estimate from two bodyshops of your choice and submit them along with a letter telling the detailers to either send you a check or to forward the estimates to their insurance company. Give them a reasonable time to send you a check.
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09-17-2010, 06:43 PM	#8
sloc New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E46 E90 325xi Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I guess I'll try to send them a letter 1st, then get a lawyers letter, then small claims as last resort. Thx Attached Images
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09-17-2010, 07:17 PM	#9
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Make sure that everything you send is registered.
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09-17-2010, 07:47 PM	#10
sfr811 Private First Class 3 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san francisco iTrader: (3)	cant you go through your insurance? they have tons of lawyers __________________ jet black coral red 335i fk silverline x bbs/ch
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09-17-2010, 07:50 PM	#11
Curt2000 Brigadier General 1013 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: '93 Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (25)	I would call insurance and see what they can do for you... __________________ Former Car: '16 SUNBURST GOLD F80 ///M3--6MT/Carbon Cloth (ED Thread) Former Car:'13 SANTORINI BLUE E92///M3--6MT/Speed Cloth/ZCP(ED Thread) INSTAGRAM:@C2KMotorsports
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09-17-2010, 08:10 PM	#12
Ewhacked Private 12 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	I deal with insurance companies every day...going through them will be your best bet to start with. Tell them that your car has been damaged at a detailing company and you "think" you need to make a comp. claim because they messed up the paint. Explain the how it all happened and how much money it will cost to repair. Then ask your agent what they think should be done. I'd be willing to bet the agent will get it fixed for you....without a claim. This is all conditional on what ins. company you have and that you have a low(lower than collision) comprehensive deductable...normally they are 100 - 250. Insurance companies will do everything they can to make another party besides themselves pay for repairs....unless them paying for it on the front end will gain them more money in the long run through premium increases. FYI: most people don't realize they can decide not to file a claim and assume responsability and pay for work out of pocket after they have informed the insurance about an incident....so don't be scared to reach out to your agent for help. __________________
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09-17-2010, 08:20 PM	#13
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Find a real detailer next time. Either from our Detailing section or Autopia. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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09-17-2010, 08:29 PM	#14
sloc New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E46 E90 325xi Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I didn't have comp on my plan when it happened, so not sure how my insurance can help...
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09-17-2010, 08:52 PM	#15
Neutrino45 Major 62 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: XXX Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: milky way iTrader: (2)	Make sure you post the business name here and put a review on Yelp! __________________
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09-17-2010, 08:53 PM	#16
sloc New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E46 E90 325xi Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Ok heres their info: Diamond Brite Car Wash LLC 920 W Main St New Britain, CT 06053 860-225-5389
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