"Welcome to the best shop in Oklahoma"

[LaCroix08]

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.

http://i25.tinypic.com/2lmv1pz.jpg

The roof
http://i27.tinypic.com/1z5rqrr.jpg

The hood
http://i27.tinypic.com/2w3os5z.jpg

[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 shitty that that's happening to you. Fucking 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 shitty that that's happening to you. Fucking 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 fucked up shit.
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 bitch then you marry one" and "when you have lemons, make lemonade" "play the cards youve been delt" etc.

Life sometimes really is a bitch 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. I’m not saying don’t 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 :)

[Rany]

keep it, it's not catastrophic and it's not safety related. it best it might look better, at worst it'll be the same.

[LaCroix08]

Why couldn't it look worse?

[goose8651]

All you have to do is look at it before you pick it up. If it is not up to the standards, then let the shop know. You are making it sound like it is the end of the world. I am in Oklahoma City and I got hail damamge on my truck. i took it to a shop and they fixed it. All is well, I did not worry about it. You are making it a whole lot worse than it is. I am sorry that I am telling you this way, but that is the way it sounds like. You are going to be spending a whole lot more money by purchasing a new vehichle and trading it in, than just fixing the damages. Not sure if your dad is paying for it or you, but that is a little bit to much money for me to spend personally.

[GhostMercury]

DUDE WTF ARE YOU DOING....there is NOOOO way you have to pay for this damage..GET A LAWYER. And call a paintless dent removal place. THEY CAN FIX IT. for this shop to say you need to replace the roof is rediculous. i have never heard of such a thing. get a lawyer and tell those fucks not to touch your car till you do

[mazdathree2.3s]

personally, i don't think it's worth getting rid of the car either. i did way worse damage to my 3 when it was about 4 months old and i got over that whole "car virginity" thing lol. of course i managed to bust my grille in after the repairs anyway so you should feel so lucky it wasn't your fault!(blarf)

[Mocoso]

The shop should cover the deductible - it was on their property and under their responsability - them telling you they wont pay for it because its an act of God is BS... how much is the bad publicity worth to them? If they are unwilling to work with you have your car fixed and then file a report with the better business bureau and TELL THEM you are doing so but AFTER you get your car back.

A lawyer will prob cost you more than the deductible and if you go that route I suggest you take the car elsewhere to get fixed...better bet is to have your dad and yourself talk to the OWNER of the shop and to your INSURANCE company to see if they will waive deductible... was this a shop recommended by your insurance company? if so even more reason for insurance company to work with you..... at a minimum you can ask your insurance company to DROP this shop from their recommended list - that alone should be incentive enough for the shop to cover the expense...

And I would keep it btw... no sense in taking a blood bath to get a "new" one for cosmetic damage which can be fixed....

and I had to do a double take on your post... sure read as follows: "Best little whore house in ...."

[goose8651]

Your Pictures are really not that bad. I own a Toyota Tundra and I have a tonneau cover on it that got damaged by the same store as you. This included my hood, bumper (could not believe it damaged my bumper), and tonneau cover. I had to purchase a brand new one. No big deal. I got it back and everything looks great.
The reason they somewhat have you by the balls with your car and them not paying for it is that somewhere on the contract you signed, or somewhere in the shop they have something that says, " we are not liable for....." I am sure that your hail damage is included somehow in it.

[montrealms3]

Truthfully, I would like to have my car repainted . . . the factory paint is crap . . . So yeah, if I were you I would keep the car after the new paint job . . .

[chacon101]

I would ask the manager or owner why they didn't go back to the shop when they saw that there was a hail storm going on and take precautions to move or cover your vehicle.

If they had your vehicle and it was broken into, they would probably say the same thing...that's it not their responsibility. But, there was a hail storm and this could have been prevented so it's up to them to accept some responsibility. At least the deductible for your insurance. You could even throw in the question about what makes that the best shop in Oklahoma if they can't even admit or handle this situation with finess.

If you can get a dent place to suck them out, do that and keep the rest of the money from the insurance quote. You potentially can make quite a bit of $ out of this actually. The insurance company will give you whatever a garage will quote the cost to be. That doesn't mean you have to accept that job or even get the work done.

So, get a quote on replacing the roof/hood from the DEALER to get the best rate and then get another quote for yourself from the dent puller people. Have the insurance company write you the check for the dealer quote and then put the difference of the dent pull job into mods or buying me a present because I will have put some dough in your pocket. (wrc)

[happy and angry]

Personally, I'd keep it. Mazdaspeed3's need love, even the ones that go in for reconstructive surgery after a violent assault by hail.

[BLAZEONE]

After it gets fixed, how much you want for it? My boy would be happy to take it off your hands for the right price. PM me.

In regards to the incident, sorry to hear that bud. I feel your pain as someone backed into my car the First day I got it HAHA. I could only imagine the homicidal thoughts processed when you saw your ride. Bummer, but in all honesty, this is your ride, so maybe try to stick with it like everyone above is saying, because I can guarantee you will be upside down when selling.

[LaCroix08]

Just an update for you guys.
It's on week 3 now, still haven't seen my car.
They said once again, that they can't fix the roof OR the hood, so they have to be replaced.
My insurance hasn't paid them yet, so they haven't even ordered the parts.
Estimated about 2 weeks longer.
Is there anything I can do at this point?
I'm absolutely miserable without my car.

[bmman93]

your stuck till it gets fixed! your car wil be fine now thats its gettin a roof and a hood and not fixed! its better off getting those new parts! it would of been hell tryin to straighten all that stuff. the jow will be a lot better!

when you pick it up do it in the day light!

and you gota remember that nature is nature you cant stop stuff from happening. and plus that dont look like the hail damage we get here! lol sry but that stuff looks nasty

[RENE063]

I bought my first brand new car in 92. Within two weeks of ownership, HAIL. Man, it sucked, I know how you feel. Work hard and your car gets screwed up and you had nothing to do with it. It got fixed and no it was not perfect. However, after a few years you A) get used to it B) realize no matter how hard you try to keep it brand new, something or someone is going to ruin it for you by dinging it with their car door. Outward appearance gives one a stiffy, but what is under the hood truly gives one the stiffy.

[Super Unique]

I bought my first brand new car in 92. Within two weeks of ownership, HAIL. Man, it sucked, I know how you feel. Work hard and your car gets screwed up and you had nothing to do with it. It got fixed and no it was not perfect. However, after a few years you A) get used to it B) realize no matter how hard you try to keep it brand new, something or someone is going to ruin it for you by dinging it with their car door. Outward appearance gives one a stiffy, but what is under the hood truly gives one the stiffy.

hmm.....

Cars are fun and all, but I never got a stiffy from one. (nana)

[///M Compact]

hmm.....

Cars are fun and all, but I never got a stiffy from one. (nana)


Maybe that's what they mean by "Autoerotica"...

[nazgul350r]

I'll give you 10k since its destroyed. And never be like new. Shut the Fuck up and Grow up. Its a Damn car.

But serious I'll give you 10k for your destroyed, they told me that even when they fix it, it will never be like new again.

[MikeHTally]

worst case, your insurance should cover this, right?
Should be covered. "Comprehensive coverage" in Florida.

[LaCroix08]

Got it back today after 56 days in.