Panel Shops

[max^power]

Hi,

I've been in an accident, took it to a place in Brooklyn called BLUE STAR PANELS.

Has anyone dealt with these people before, it's been there almost 3 weeks, and they just say "oh call back friday, or monday" when i call them. There wasn't that much damage, and i wonder if they're being totally honest with me.

They gave me a lend of a car, at no cost, but the thing is unroadworthy. I fear it will blow up, or get me in trouble with the cops.

Any tips? The place is over an hour away, so i can't just drop in. I'm tempted to take the car elsewhere as i do want the car back this year.

Any help is appreciated.

[pauljh74]

Turn up to drop off the loan car and at the same time meet the tow truck you will have arranged to pick it up. Organise another repairer of course. Can't help you with repairer's reputations. If they haven't been able to give you a date it will be ready after 3 weeks, they won't get it done in the next 3 I reckon.

[max^power]

yeah, thats what my thinking was, if he thought it was ready two fridays ago, how far off is this guy in his estimates of time?

I was going to just appear on friday... don't know if thats a good idea or not.

[SVR73]

Watch out for paint overspray too, don't take your car home without checking for it and get them to remove it by claying or polishing.

[max^power]

Originally Posted by SVR73

Watch out for paint overspray too, don't take your car home without checking for it and get them to remove it by claying or polishing.

i wont get the car back in a hurry, every time i call they say just tell me to call back in a few days - i'm getting quite sick of it.

im going to suprise them soon to inspect the work on my car. I know a place around here that will do the job in much less time.

[LTDHO]

I know Blue star panels, I think the owners name is Frank.

I would never go there for any work at all.

Why did you? If you are in Frankston, ya should've gone to Bob O'dells or AW Panels.

[max^power]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

I know Blue star panels, I think the owners name is Frank.

I would never go there for any work at all.

Why did you? If you are in Frankston, ya should've gone to Bob O'dells or AW Panels.

i would have, but i couldn't drive the thing, and i just wanted it done ASAP - this is where the tow truck dropped me off.

ill call up AW Panels and see what they can do for me if i take it off these guys.

[max^power]

So phoned up today, found out what the heck was taking so long.

The panels are supposedly finished, but i got this story about what was takign so long - dont know how feasable it is.

I was told that the car wouldn't start after they fixed the visible damage, after a bit of stuffing around or 'investigating' they found that the oil was solid, and wasn't being pumped. Now does this happen? They said it was because i didn't change my oil.

Keep in mind the car was sitting for a few weeks. I've never head of this happening before.

[SSBUB]

hmmmm i smell b/s mate!

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Originally Posted by au^ute

I was told that the car wouldn't start after they fixed the visible damage, after a bit of stuffing around or 'investigating' they found that the oil was solid, and wasn't being pumped. Now does this happen? They said it was because i didn't change my oil.

Keep in mind the car was sitting for a few weeks. I've never head of this happening before.

: I smell a rat. Oil doesn't turn solid, thick maybe after a lot uses but not solid. Plus that would stop the car from starting, it would start & make alot of noises that you don't want to hear as your engine runs damaging it self with no oil pressure. Tell them to wake up & stop feeding you the b/s they are trying to get away with.

[max^power]

He said the insurance assesor was there, and almost didn't pay that part of the claim! I'll have to contact RACV again to check if this really happened, they would have records of everything.

[SirHenry]

That sucks when you take you car to what you believe to be good quality honest tradesmen and they give you that b/s the sad part is that you see it more and more everyday now tradies have less and less pride in their work.

A few years ago there is now way a panel shop would let a car go out with blemishes on it that they've created now-a-day the attitude is much along the lines of "F$%k it, its not my problem!" same is prolly true of mechanics and cleaning up after themselves with degreaser.

Just my 2cents worth of whinge for this morning but on the serious side I wonder if we could have a section on the forums where we have a "Recommended Forums Repairer" ie "JMM" etc etc

Cheers
Chris

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by SirHenry

Just my 2cents worth of whinge for this morning but on the serious side I wonder if we could have a section on the forums where we have a "Recommended Forums Repairer" ie "JMM" etc etc

It could be like a freemason society - give a secret handshake and you'll get top work done at competitive prices for all forum members. Well if a few panel shops had forum recommendations due to prior quality service, and were endorsed here as a result, they'll try and keep it up - mention you heard about them on this forum and they'll want to keep their rep up to avoid negative feedback here.

[EBII Fairmont]

I see a lot of dodgy dealers all the time. But for all you melbourne boys, if your willing to travel to east donnie there is a top panel beater. Its called symes on blackburn road just passed king st on the way to templestowe. One of the chicks i work with rear ended some dude, because her brakes failed. If you look at the car, i'm telling you it is probably the best work i've seen. But they charge you a dime for their services. I wanna get them to do my car. But since insurance is screwing me, it looks like i'll be looking for someone cheaper, even though the stack is not my fault.

Bill.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by au^ute

He said the insurance assesor was there, and almost didn't pay that part of the claim! I'll have to contact RACV again to check if this really happened, they would have records of everything.

WTF??

PM me, I can look into it if ya like.

[Gauntster]

Originally Posted by au^ute

He said the insurance assesor was there, and almost didn't pay that part of the claim! I'll have to contact RACV again to check if this really happened, they would have records of everything.

If your not happy with the current situation, don't speak to the panel shop, discuss your concerns with the insurance company that you hold the policy with.
Let the insurance company do the talking! : Thats what your paying them for.
I'm with the other guys as to the oil situ, there taking you for a ride!! : Who knows for what reason.

Question: Who are the RACV and what powers do they hold? Are they like the MTA?
Thanks.

[max^power]

LTDHO: PM Sent

Gauntster: Good point. I will have to call them monday. RACV are my insurance company.

[Gauntster]

No worries matey and good luck!