 | Richard Smith has been in the Auto Body Industry for 26 years. He is ASE Certified Master Collision Tech, an I-Car Platinum Tech, and an I-Car Instructor. He and His wife own and operate Sharp's Auto Body & Collision Inc. located at 202 North Elm St. in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a father of 5 children, Ex Military E-6 Staff SGT. and is active in his home Church. The one thing he enjoys doing is educating the public about the safety and proper repair of automobiles, no matter if it is a vehicle that has been in a collision, a small dent, or a complete restoration. The shop is always equipped with a skilled professional to handle your auto needs. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2011-07-01 08:19:00
How to choose a body shop
Question: There are so many auto body and collision shops, how do I choose where to go?
Answer: Sitting and really listening to our customers is one of the things we do at our shop, we try to hear their needs and wants and fill them the best we can. Recently, after the devastation in Joplin we got to meet people who had survived this terrible tragedy and as we listened to them they told us stories that really upset us. They were being told by Insurance companies that they “Had to have their vehicle either towed or driven into the shops the insurance companies chose.” We, of course, informed them that their Insurance could not dictate where they had to have their vehicle repaired. That is what is called “steering” and is against the law. However, insurance companies can get an estimate from the Insurance DRP shop. A DRP shop is a shop meets all the standards and regulations of that Insurance Company to do direct repairs for them and it also gives the customer a guarantee the work will meet the expectations of the Insurance Company.
A few things to look for are:
• How long have they been in
business?
• Do they have all the licenses and
certificates (displayed) required by
law to be in business?
• Do they have the proper training
and certifications, let alone
equipment and tools to repair your
vehicle?
• Are they an I-Car or I-Car Gold
shop?
• Are they a member of the Better
Business Bureau? If so, what is
their score?
• Do they have customer feed back
books for you to look through?
• How friendly are they?
• Are they just trying to get your
business, or are they showing you
they care about you and - the
safety of your vehicle?
• Do they do random drug screening
on their employees?
• Do they get the vehicle out when
they said they would?
(HOWEVER THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS ON THIS)
We will cover this in another article titled “Delays in Vehicle Repairs.”
• Do they have security cameras?
(remember you’re going to be
leaving your belongings at their
facility)
• Do they take the time to go over
your estimate & repair with you?
• Is there a emergency Number to
contact the shop ?
• Are they trying to take payment
before the vehicle is even repaired
and inspected by you for your
satisfaction ?
• Did the shop have a nice clean
waiting area for you to wait in
for your estimate? (this will give
you insight on how well they will
take care of your vehicle)
• Do they give you time to ask
questions and take time to answer
them for you?
These are just a few things to consider before deciding the shop you want to repair your vehicle.
