I was recently out of town and arrived home from Houston at 6am on a Wednesday, one of my worst fears was realized when I parked outside at the Denver International Airport. My car was hit by hail and not just ordinary hail, big huge golf ball sized hail. Initially, I didn't notice the damage but after I loaded up my luggage and closed the lid on my trunk I was struck by how much damage the storm really did. Pock marks and dents everywhere along the body, chrome, side panels, hood, everywhere. I took a moment to look around to see if (because of my outstanding luck) I was the only person to be hit with the damage, well I wasn't everywhere I looked I saw what could only be post-apocalyptic damage. I felt especially sorry for the Porshce owner next to me and the BMW owner a few rows over. They had new registration tickets in their back windows, they just bought their cars.
After the initial shock wore off I called my insurance agency, Geico, and filed the claim as instructed on the crinkled up insurance card in my wallet. They asked me to come into their "claim shop" and get an estimate. After arriving at the shop I was told my damages only warrented paintless dent repair and some molding replacement. I was a bit taken back by their diagnoses and shocked because I have heard and read about some horror stories on the net about paintless dent repair (once the dent is popped out the weak spot on the paint wears away) I also read some things about molding repair (you need to replace all of it not a section), and well its hard to trust your insurance agent, lol.
So as is my right in Colorado I headed off to http://www.bodybeautifulcollision.com/ ,
Body Beautiful Collision in Aurora, CO. OMG I was lucky to see these guys first. Often times you can tell if a business truly cares by what their office looks like, my impression of body repair shops are grimy, sweaty, and lack luster. I was so surprised and pleased at the way things were decorated and the attention to detail in their office. Immaculate, comfortable, and stylish! Extremely comfy waiting room, coffee provided via those 1 cup dispensers with Caribou coffee on tap, some snacks, an automated garbage can? I wasn't sure if this was a collision repair shop or a high end lobby at the JW Marriott.
The service was equally pleasing, Janelle and Shelly took very good care of me while I waited for Joe Little the owner to take an initial inspection and walk through of the car. The ladies were extremely efficient and precise and worked with me on the documents they needed and also by arranging for Enterprise rental company to pick me up.
Joe came out and greeted me shaking my hand, I was a bit nervous as the auto industry has a reputation of dishonesty and shoddy work. I was hesitant with Joe but he addressed all my questions that I had regarding working with Geico, how paintless dent repair is not the way to go (thankfully) how molding in fact needed to be repaired throughout the vehicle, how some parts needed to be replaced entirely (the hood)! He also made a personal guarantee to me that when I pick up my vehicle "I will be entirely satisfied or he will continue to work on it". He shook my hand and looked me in the eye, for god sakes when does that happen anymore?
So I left my car with Joe and did not seek out any other alternative quotes or estimates. I wanted to conduct a bit of a social experiment and see exactly if what he had said would in fact be the case, good service, and a great job. In 2011 its hard to believe that anyone does what they say they will.
So I pick my car up on Thursday!! I'm very excited as Shelly called me saying I would be extremely pleased with the job that her people had done. I hope so! I so want to believe that there are still good people who work hard and do a good job!
To be continued on Aug 5th, 2011! Cross your fingers!
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