thunder04

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the market for a painted bumper cover for an '09 Escape. I found a group via eBay who sells just that. We've exchanged e-mails and everything seems to be good. I'm about ready to buy, but I'm curious...

The auction is asking $400 shipped. However, they've made the the "Make Me an Offer" option available.

The bumper is not OEM, but is guaranteed good fit and match. The paint is guaranteed to match (if I give them the correct paint code ). They seem to have great reviews, and the paint comes with a lifetime warranty.

I'm not an auto body person and don't know what these things cost. Is $400 a reasonable price? If it is, I'll gladly pay it. If not, what should I offer?

Here's a link to the auction if curious: http://.com/5uzhddx

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

Since AZine seems to hate , here's the full URL:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-...Q5fAccessories

Gfaze

As far as part quality is concerned Keystone is a good company. I don't know about the price but maybe call a few body shops and ask them how much it would be to get the same thing from them.

007Acura

offer $350, it is only about 10% less

the worst that will happen is they won't accept... so you try again a little higher

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

Called two places and they both want to see the vehicle before they'll give me an estimate.

E-mailed another place (shop #3) and they're going to get back to me.

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

The shop I e-mailed just got back to me. $950!

$105 of that is installation labor. So, it'd be roughly $845 if I took it home and installed it myself.

$325 is the cover...the only buy OEM parts.

Hmm. I think I may do what 007Acura suggests and simply offer a little less and see what happens....or maybe just pay the full $404 they're asking.

Gfaze

Either way you'll save quite a bit of money. I'd just do it myself if I were you.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Here in Jacksonville, I've had it done twice for $200. Both times came out excellent.

csmeance

I know for the TL, a painted OEM bumper intstalled can be anywhere from 400 to 900 dollar depending on where you go. The biggest issue here is the price of the unpainted bumper.

OEM is usually around 325 or so for the cover, and then another 100 or so for the paint. From a quick google, aftermarket ones run about 240ish unpainted. I'd offer around 350 and call it a day.

Danil ACE

I thought I would chime in since I've actually purchased a painted bumper from that very same seller. Paint match was great (especially considering the metallic red), and it looks only slightly off when there is unusual lighting. I called shops around for a estimate and I got $400+ to paint a bumper (ripoff).

achenator

I ordered a bumper for my 06 TL from the same seller. Looked really good (anthracite) and the color was a match bit it looked just a bit different at different angles. But so did the factory bumper.

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

Hmm. Thanks for the input guys. Definitely going this route. A local body shop is too expensive for sure. It's not my first time installing a bumper cover either.

I offered the seller $372.96, which comes to $400 even with tax (they charge 7.25% sales tax in CA).

We'll see if they accept!

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

My offer was accepted! No sales tax to boot! I have no idea why eBay kept telling me there would be a CA 7.25% sales tax?! Oh well. Yipee!