Is this body shop trying to screw me?

[screamingchicken]

So my Celica is sitting at this body shop right now, It's been there for 5 weeks now and they haven't touched it. They called me a few days after I dropped it off, saying it needed a new core support and that I would have to get it, since they couldn't find one. I brought them what I thought was a core support, the bar that runs across the front of the car, right in front of the top of the radiator. They then told me that that wasn't what they needed, that they needed the entire piece of metal that surrounds the radiator. So I had to shell out $275 for a new one. Okay, no big deal. This was 4 weeks ago. I called them, 2 weeks ago, on Friday. I was told that they just got the core support in the day before, and that they would start work ASAP and it would be done within a couple of weeks. Called them back today, and they said it would be a couple more weeks, since they needed to put another car on the frame rack and take care of it before they did my car. What the hell? My car's been there for over a month, and they're doing other people's cars instead of mine? Why? They can't be that slow, last time I was there there were only 2 other cars parked there, neither of which appeared to need frame straightening. Is there something I'm missing?

[Appl3]

if you go to a body shop and there are very lil cars in the shop....i wouldn't suggest to go there...

[evomike]

If they are a drp shopfor insurance companies those cars come first that is what keeps them going, your car is something that is there and takes a back seat to those cars.

[SupraMan1784]

here's what i learned about some body shops...you gotta get on their ass to get work done in a timely fashion yet with good/decent quality work. threaten to show up with a tow truck or a flatbed and say if you dont start the work youll take it to another place. give them a week...if nothing is done take the truck and take your car...simple as that...

[CarbonIS]

Originally Posted by Appl3

if you go to a body shop and there are very lil cars in the shop....i wouldn't suggest to go there...

This makes no sense b/c all body shops get slow on occassion.

Originally Posted by evomike

If they are a drp shopfor insurance companies those cars come first that is what keeps them going, your car is something that is there and takes a back seat to those cars.

^ this.

[2006 KJ]

Originally Posted by evomike

If they are a drp shopfor insurance companies those cars come first that is what keeps them going, your car is something that is there and takes a back seat to those cars.

that's not true.. my father owns a body shop (that i've worked in for the past 9 years) and we're a direct repair shop for 4 insurance companies.. Everyones car (direct repair or not) gets done in the same amount of time... of course larger jobs take longer but are by no means put off to give way for a direct repair. plus like someone said above.. all body shops do get slow from time to time.. especially recently it seems like no one has work (till the deer start running). i'd get your car outta there! do you really feel good giving someone your hard earned money that treats you like that? customer service is a important part of the body shop experience.

[jpalamar]

The shop charged me $300 to remocve my front bumper when my co-worked wrecked it in Feb for an estimate. I gave them the finger and pushed my car out of their garage, then waited for the tow truck to bring it home.

Keep in mind, its 7 screws to take the front bumper off and some clips. I can do it in 5 minutes.

Body shops will screw you. I would of said no thanks when they said they can't order a part. That was a red flag.

[2001teg]

Whats the name of the shop?

[screamingchicken]

Originally Posted by SupraMan1784

here's what i learned about some body shops...you gotta get on their ass to get work done in a timely fashion yet with good/decent quality work. threaten to show up with a tow truck or a flatbed and say if you dont start the work youll take it to another place. give them a week...if nothing is done take the truck and take your car...simple as that...

Yea, that's probably what I'm gonna do. I'll drop by on saturday and see what the situation is.