"Welcome to the best shop in Oklahoma"

[LaCroix08]

"Welcome to the best shop in Oklahoma" Pictures added

So, I have yet to tell all of you, that my car would be going into the shop not only for powdercoating, but because someone at my school backed into it (I wasn't even in the car)

So I guess that's where the story starts.

Wednesday of last week, I dropped it off at Trinity Restorations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the self proclaimed "Best shop in Oklahoma"

They had to replace the rear bumper cover to fix the damage, and they told me that would be done on Friday, at that time, they would take the wheels off, and send them off to be powdercoated.

I live in Muskogee, about an hour away, so there's not much control I have over the situation, also I should tell you, that I keep my car in the garage 100% of the time it's not being driven/at school.

So here's the fun part.

The shop called my father this morning, letting them know that the previous night's thunderstorm had caused a bit of hail damage to my car, because they left it outside. I'm not super familiar with the way body shops work, but I was not at all happy that it was outside to begin with, it never has been before.

Oh, and they hadn't even started on my car, when it was supposed to be finished by friday? So that's pretty great.

So dad calls me out of school, and we have to go to Tulsa to see the damage. I would have to say that it is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. They estimate the damage to be at almost $8000 dollars, and the roof will have to be replaced. Because of this shop, my car is... destroyed, they told me that even when they fix it, it will never be like new again.

My car was my first brand new car, and now it's never going to be the same again? I don't know how I'm supposed to take this all in stride. What should I do? I know you guys are the only people that care, just... make me feel better.

I will post pictures as soon as I settle down.

My speed3 will be going up for sale as soon as it is finished at the shop, it's a gt with 3500 miles. I need to get a good price for it so I can buy a new one.

The roof

The hood

 

[Zeya]

Wait a minute... is the shop paying for the fix out of pocket, or do you have to pay?

 

[numbnuts22715]

Where do you plan on selling it? I dont think anyone that reads this post is going to want to buy it from you.

If that sounded like a dickthing to say, I apologize, but I really was justwondering.
That's pretty bad that that's happening to you. ******* ridiculous.

 

[LaCroix08]

Wait a minute... is the shop paying for the fix out of pocket, or do you have to pay?

I have to pay for it, they're not responsible.

 

[LaCroix08]

Where do you plan on selling it? I dont think anyone that reads this post is going to want to buy it from you.

If that sounded like a dickthing to say, I apologize, but I really was justwondering.
That's pretty bad that that's happening to you. ******* ridiculous.

Yeah, I wouldn't sell it to anyone on the forums, I'm going to try and trade it in. If not I'll sell it here in town, to an independent.
I'm sure most people around here wouldn't care as long as it's fixed, but to me, it's not the same car.

 

[numbnuts22715]

I have to pay for it, they're not responsible.

Thats some ****** up s***.
Are you going to take it to someone else?
That's kind of a crappy thing for a shop to do, they could atleast give you a cheaper rate or something, since it really was their fault. If you had the car at that time, it wouldnt have happened.

 

[Zeya]

I think you have to ask yourself if it is really financially viable to sell the car and buy the exact same car, only a new one. It might be cheaper to do the repair. And if that's the case, might I suggest a custom paint job, since you (I'm assuming) need a new paint job anyway?

 

[redspeed3tk]

i have never heard of hail damage so bad that the roof pannel has to be replaced but i would be calling a dent wizard and having them look at it and since when is it not there fault once they have your keys and u sign the paper its there problem

 

[LaCroix08]

I think you have to ask yourself if it is really financially viable to sell the car and buy the exact same car, only a new one. It might be cheaper to do the repair. And if that's the case, might I suggest a custom paint job, since you (I'm assuming) need a new paint job anyway?

That's not at all a bad idea, but here's how I feel about it
I don't want a custom paint job, I just want my car, and the reason I don't want to keep it is because everything bad that has happened to my car, has been nowhere near my fault.
I bought my car brand new, so that I could keep it that way, brand new. And that would have been dramatically easy if you could just trust people.
My car will never be as good as new again, the body shop can only come so close to the factory welds and whatnot, considering they have to replace the roof. All of the paint will be much softer and more susceptible to further damage. Basically, it's like I have a "refurbished" car.

 

[Antoniogut]

wow, i dunno what id do id be soooo pissed but so heartbroken...you work your ass off for a BRAND NEW car and somethin like this happens...i am angry for you...i am speechless...very very sorry to hear this

 

[Bravnik]

Every shop that has ever had my car overnight has had it locked in the shop. I have never seen one keep a customers car outside. How are they not liable for leaving it out in a hail storm? Did they tell you that they will be leaving it outside or did you not ask?

I just think it sucks that you put your trust in a company to fix your car and they call you to tell you not only had they not begun the work as promised, but they left it outside to get destoryed.

 

[happy and angry]

Don't suppose this was down around Arkansas, was it?

http://www.4029tv.com/weather/15841181/detail.html

 

[Sacrilicious]

yo, get a lawyer and find out what can be done, because something smells rotten here...

 

[meha11]

i really dont want to come off as a dick here and i do feel your pain but there is a reason why society remembers sayings like "life's a b**** then you marry one" and "when you have lemons, make lemonade" "play the cards youve been delt" etc.

Life sometimes really is a b**** and unfair things happen to good people all the time, you just have to get over it and move on, dont let it get you down, there is always someone worse off than yourself.

Sorry about the car but it is just a car. My wife once wrecked her new car (4months old), while it was being fixed she borrowed my new car (3months old) and wrecked it too, I was upset but once its done there is no going back, as long as there is no malice involved you should try to relax. Im not saying dont try to get them to fix it on their dime, just try not to let it bother you.

 

[Sacrilicious]

worst case, your insurance should cover this, right?

 

[fragchild]

I'd file a claim with insurance. They hate paying, and if they can make the shop pay they will. I'd wait to sell it though, it might look better than you think, and it might actually be a better paint job then the thin factory crap we get.

 

[ms3kar]

The damage should be covered by your comprehensive insurance. Just pay the deductible (if you have one) and move on. If you take it too a good shop it will come back looking just like new...

 

[happy and angry]

And don't just ditch the car because it's no longer pristine and perfect. That's a pretty immature approach to ownership of anything. We all know it sucks to have your car screwed up and have it not be your fault, but honestly. That's just running away from the problem, and my sympathy for you and your situation died the minute I heard you were just gonna fix it and sell it because wah wah it's not perfect anymore. That just sounds like an entitled attitude.

 

[Betelgeuse]

The shop not being responsible sounds like BS to me. I'd look further into that if I were you. But I agree with the others that said to get your insurance to cover it if nothing else.

I'd take it to a dealer approved shop since they'll be more familiar with Mazdas and let the insurance pick up the tab. Also since it's the roof and not something more serious like frame or engine damage, I'd keep the car.

 

[LaCroix08]

My insurance is covering it, they're supposedly starting to fix it today?
I have no idea, they said they will have it for at least a month.
Thanks for all your advice guys, I appreciate all of you, and none of you came accross as dicks, so no worries


But okay..
One last question.
Do I keep the car?
If so I need to call them and have my wheels sent off for powdercoating, order my caliper paint, and whatnot.

I love you all