Comet2404

OK ya'll, I have a serious situation, and I need help deciding what I should do. As most of you know, I was in a car accident September 9th this year. My 2 left tires blew out on the interstate at 85 mph, and I careened into a ditch. The front end is completely screwed up. Anyways, they needed to replace all suspension, bumper, both fenders, front motor mount, and engine cradle as well as a bunch of minor crap. Now, the problem I am facing, is that they've had my car for 48 days today. It is still not ready. I'm not exaggerating either when I say this, but the consultant at the shop has told me on 8 different occasions that my car would be ready on a certain date, and each time he has failed to give me my car. Gives me the excuse that they need more parts or what not.

Anyways, the thing that really pissed me off, is that for a month, my car was sitting in the same spot, not having anything done to it. I finally got pissed off and went down to Montgomery (I go to school at Auburn which is 40 miles away) and took a screw driver and a ratchet thinga-ma-bober and started to work on the car myself!!! Since then they seemed to be gettin back together, but I'm really getting tired of this. I told them I would not release the car from them until I have the car fully checked out by my local Acura dealership. I have to pay them $855 for the 500 deductable and some extra cash I am giving them to pain a scratch on my trunk. I dont think I should have to pay the deductable. They have caused me all kinds of greif, and stress, and have not done their job very well. I am making them pay for my rental car, because insurance only covered it for a month, and after I yelled and screamed at them they picked up my bill from Enterprise. Now, the question I am asking you guys, what do I do with these people.... My car has been painted, but it needs to be re-assembled, and it is waiting on a bearing or something for a knuckle which is causing my car to be slightly out of alignment. Now, I want to tell them to put the car back together (molding, mirrors, etc) and I want to pick up my vehicle and take it to my Acura dealership and have them finish the work because these stupid idiots are obviously incompetant when it comes to fixing my TL. What do you guys think??? I'm really sorry about the long post, but I've just run out of patience and ideas. Thanks guys.

bennyvito

I feel your pain.

I can't understand why the car was not sent to a different auto-body shop....???? Did you not have a choice in where it was rebuilt? When some old lady ran into the back my 1995 Acura Legend LS... my insurance company let me choose where the car was going. They covered my rental, etc... and it was all taken care of in a little over a week. Maybe you should switch insurance companies...

Hope everything goes well... Stay on Bubba Ray's a$$ to get your car fixed! : )

songoku

Sorry to hear that bro.

You can call the insurance company and let them know they're delaying the work. There's gotta be a reason why it take so long. Is any parts back-ordered or are they just delaying the job? You should contact your insurance company & let them know about this situation.

Comet2404

Well, what basically happens is they say they've fixed it, and then they end up finding more **** wrong with it. The insurance company knows, and when I try to call my adjuster, he'll never call me back. I have Farmers insurance. I'm going to get it tomorrow though, I think I've got everything covered. I'll let ya'll know!!!

kcroberge

I have Farmer's Insurance as well, and they're a bunch of incompetents. Last claim I made I ended up doing all the negotiating with the body shop because the adjuster was so obnoxious that the shop manager wouldn't deal with her. I finally had to call her manager and tell him what a jerk she was, and he took over my claim.

I have found that if you want Farmers' to respond to your concerns call the national 800 number, not your local number, and bring them in. Tell them the problems you are having with your adjuster and the local office. They will light a fire under the locals.

Good luck.

Chet03TL-S

Might want to change insurance brokers or possibly companies. I have Allstate and when I got involved with a HIT and RUN they took care of it pretty quick. Car was repaired in 2 wks.

Comet2404

Arg... well, I went back down to Montgomery today, and I could have my car back tomorrow, but I made the call for them to keep it. The right front wheel is back an inch farther than it should be. and the front left is all out of alignment. I need an upper control arm and an inner tie rod or something. The acura dealership in Montgomery is crap too. I called them all out, especially the parts guy. They're bloomin idiots over there, and tomorrow I'm going to call Acura Client Services. Anyhow, I finally have a specialist working to get my car fixed right, and hopefully after he installs those new parts early next week the alignment will be fixed. I finally spoke to my adjuster today, and he's really irritated too at this body shop. Of course he cant really do anything. I am seriously thinking of switching insurance companies... but I dont know. I'm pissed off now, because these stupid idiots here in Alabama. I should have had my car towed back up to Atlanta to get fixed. Grrrrr!!!

hzm82

I know how you feel, I taken my Accord back to the body shop 2 times (each time they held it for a week or more) already after a front end accident because I keep finding problems. They replaced the brake pads on the last visit and now it makes sounds when I brake hard, any of you guys know why? Guess I'll have to take it back for the 3rd time.

Dave DC

Dude, I so know how you feel. I had a similar experience with a local body shop that jerked me around for months. Contact your state Attorney General, Better Business Bureau and local Chamber of Commerce. The more documentation you have, the better. If you can produce dates the shop promised your car back, and the dates you talked to them, that'll help too. It seems like body shops are great or they suck, there doesn't seem to be any in-between.

Also, I've heard lots of bad word-of-mouth over the years about Farmers Insurance. Hang in there . . .

Comet2404

Great... I'm gonna do that now. These bastards... I swear. If they even have the balls to ask me to pay them money, I might just fly into a rage. I'll keep you guys updated! Keep your fingers crossed that I'll get my car back one day!!!

nym31mp

dude after all the body work and shady dealings who knows WTF they did w ur car my advise is when u finally get it back put a 4 Sale sign on it.....just my opinion

Professor

Find an attorney... I believe you have a breach of contract suit.

Also, IMHO, I would try to trade the car ASAP after getting it back. I'm in the same boat, and I never feel comfortable with anyone putting a wrench on my car after it leaves the factory.

My 2003 just got screwed, and I'm doing a dealer search to find a new 2003... if any are left.


Good luck.

ChucksCL-S

Before my TL I had a '98 Jetta VR6 that just died for no reason and would not restart. Had it towed to the dealer and they had it 77 days, yes 77 days and when I got it back I immediately took it to Car Max and vowed never again VW. Still love my TL and my dealer is great!

Comet2404

Breach of Contract... in what way??? And yes, as soon as I get the vehicle back, I'm immediately having my Acura dealer check it and re-check it to make certain everything is ok... and if its not, or if it doesn't drive right..... 03 TL-S or maybe 04 TL for me!!

Comet2404

**** this... I finally get my car back after 63 days today. Its nice... but I had to pay 707.83 to these incompetent, inconsiderate *******s!!!! I'm so furious right now.... I'm just about to drive it up to Atlanta so it can get checked out tomorrow and make sure these idiots did not miss anything. Anyways, I just had to vent, but I really dont want to go into details now. I'm actually scared to drive my car. I've never been scared of driving before!!!! I'll let ya'll know what turns out.

bennyvito

Good to hear you got your car back...

I hope everything turns out okay upon inspection.

THICED

I recently bought a 99 tl and took it into the dealship to have them "inspect" it. which they did to some extent. They sure found problems that made it look like they inspected it, but after taking they car to 2 other non-dealership auto shops, the acura dealership obviously only reported things that they wanted to either fix and make money on, or parts that were missing and wanted you to buy. The other auto shops found major problems, one of them being 4 of the 5 motor mounts busted. moral of the story... the dealership "inspection" is a half-a$$ one.. or at least in this area. i would get it check out by a shop or two also. hope everything turns out ok.