Do you feel that taking your car to an auto body shop to get your car repaired is intimidating?
Do you fear that the shop will want to take advantage of you?
You are not alone, you or someone you know might have had a bad experience or has been ripped-off in the past (whether they knew it or not). We get it. Unfortunately, the auto repair industry has a somewhat bad reputation for taking advantage of people, not being honest, or fair.
A Few Bad Apples Spoils The Bunch
Like with all industries, some repair shops are good, some are bad, some are honest, some are dishonest, some are professional, some are unprofessional, some are competent, some are incompetent, but most are in between. And we don’t want those bad ones or in between ones, we want the good ones. How can you find them?
Sorting The Good Apples From The Bad Ones
In this post we will discuss how you can identify the bad apples and steer away from them so you can be in control, feel confident, and save money. There are good collision repair shops out there that can be trusted, and we will help you find them. And if you live in the Los Angeles area our hope is that you consider our collision repair shop, West Coast Body and Paint, as one of those good apples too.
First we will discuss what a good shop does not do to its clients.
Auto Body Shop Bad Business Practices
1. Not Fully Informing the Client
A dishonest body shop is a place of lies, mystery, and dishonesty. When the client lacks knowledge of the parts or repairs, the client can be taken advantage of. How? Read on.
2. Selling Unnecessary Parts
When a collision shop sells a client a part that simply is not needed. Or maybe sell them a part that is needed but claiming it is new when that is not the case. This can mean hundreds or even thousands of hard-earned dollars, gone.
3. Selling Unnecessary Services
When a dishonest collision repair shop sells services that are not necessary or says they did a service that was never conducted.
4. Overcharging
Overcharging for a part or repair is a common way that dishonest auto body shops make more than a fair profit.
What can you do so you won’t become the next victim?
Knowledge. Knowledge makes you less vulnerable to auto body shop fraud!
The first step is informing yourself, and by reading this post you are doing just that. This step is the hardest one, gathering all the necessary data will help you make better and informed decisions and will help you save hundreds if not thousands in the short and long run. And that gives us the segway to our next post. On our next post we will highlight how honest shops work with clients, this way when you arrive at one, you will know. We will review what to look for and how to identify good business practices.
If you have any questions or comments please let us know. Did we miss anything? Have you had a bad experience and would like to share?
Like I mentioned before, West Coast Body and Paint is a five-star rated auto collision repair shop in Van Nuys. We don’t claim we are the best, are clients consider us as one of the best auto body shops in Los Angeles. And we are honored to be included with the other top-rated premium auto body shops in the area.
Should I add something else? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. If there is something you want me to write about let me know, I will do my best to write about it. If you ever need any auto body or paint work and you live in the Van Nuys or Los Angeles area call or text me 818.793.7728.
-Jaider, West Coast Body and Paint owner.
“I must say that all the reviews are correct about this shop ,the owner went above and beyond for me 5 stars here.”
-Brett, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to read this page.
As of January 2022 we have some good news and some bad news…
The BAD NEWS is we have moved out of our location and are in search of a new home for the West Coast Body and Paint shop.
The GOOD NEWS is that we have a West Coast Body and Paint mobile paint repair service unit that will come to you! The mobile paint unit provides auto services for minor body and paint repairs.
Our estimates are free. Once we receive your images we will provide you with an initial estimate. The estimate is a ballpark figure, and after we assess your vehicle’s damage in person, we will review the estimate with you. If you agree to the final estimate, we will begin repairing your car. Fill out the form below or contact us through WhatsApp to request an estimate.
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