Insurance repair issues

[ian_uk1975]

Girlfriend's car was recently repaired by a local bodyshop (place I've used in the past and had good experiences with). The repairs were relatively minor and involved some minor rear quarter damage... fill and spray. When we went to collect the car, all looked good and I signed an acceptance form. However, upon washing the car at the weekend and having spent more time with it, with more opportunity to inspect in better lighting, etc, I can see a few issues... masking line, sign of repaint on wheel arch lip (different shade of paint where blending has been done) and the rear quarter is actually a slightly different profile than the rear quarter on the other side... hard/impossible to spot in isolation, but when comparing the shape of the quarter with reference to the tyre on both sides of the car, you can clearly see a difference in the shape of the panel.

So, where do we stand? I signed an acceptance form, but I'm hoping that doesn't mean I've signed away all rights at complaining as I would imagine it's quite common for subtle things to be missed when a non-professional inspects a repair when collecting. Oh, also, the rear indicator doesn't work.

I have an existing relationship with the bodyshop concerned and a good, friendly rapport with the owner. Don't want to destroy that by going in all guns blazing, but you would have thought he would've valued the relationship (in hopes of winning more future repeat business) and carried-out a top-notch 100% perfect repair. Granted, I'm very picky and a perfectionist, but he didn't warn us before accepting the job that he wouldn't be able to get it perfect, so I expect perfection.

Comments and advice appreciated.

[TallPaul]

Just go and speak to them. The fact that you have signed an acceptance note doesnt really mean anything.

[jds32]

Go and talk to him, if he is reasonable he will sort it out as he will loose out in the long run when you stop using him for work.
If you dont get a satisfactory answer from him get in touch with your insurance company sometimes they will send an assessor out to see what the problem is.

[ian_uk1975]

Yea, I'll go with the car and have a chat. To address my complaints though, he would basically have to redo the whole job, so not sure how he'll respond. On one hand, I can't help feel a bit guilty for being picky, but on the other hand, I feel justified in insisting her car is returned with a perfect repair. End of the day, he quoted to win the job and should've quoted on the basis of carrying out a perfect job rather than a 'just about good enough, with a bit of luck' job in hopes I wouldn't notice the imperfections. I'm right... right?

[Anatol]

ian_uk1975 said:

should've quoted on the basis of carrying out a perfect job rather than a 'just about good enough, with a bit of luck' job in hopes I wouldn't notice the imperfections. I'm right... right?

Not about perfect repairs - they don't exist. Perfect, as-new, undetectable - whatever the phrase, it's not applicable to body repairs and aftermarket paint. A paint professional or a knowledgeable enthusiast will be able to detect repairs that are of the best professional quality, because a hand-sprayed repair with refinish materials will never be identical to a robot-sprayed factory coat.

Almost daily when looking at damage, we note to the customer that the panel has been painted before as part of the inspection, and when they answer "Yes, by Bodyshop X - how can you tell?" if you show them the particular telltales that identify the repair, they can see it instantly. Sometimes we have to defuse the "well I should complain...!" reaction - the mere fact that a repair can be discerned is a long way from it being unacceptable quality.

Of course, that's not to say the defects you've spotted are acceptable - and I'm sure the owner will want to look at them with you. But it *is* true that every paintwork repair is inherently aiming for 'good enough', and that a true perfectionist will always be disappointed.

Hope you get to sort it out to everyone's satisfaction :-)