So last friday while sitting at an intersection a truck threw it into reverse and backed into me. The damage, since it was low speed, was very minor. The front bumper where the license plate goes (if NC required a front license plate) got dented and part of the chrome trim got scratched.

The guy wants to pay out of pocket. Today I received two estimates. One was for $306.08 (at Maaco) and the other was for $189.51 ( at a local private audi oriented shop). So what you guys think should I tell the kid $189 or the $300. Karma would be on my side for the $189.51. On the other hand I have had to miss to collect estimates and will also have the inconvenience of arranging transportation to work during the half day while my car gets fixed.

Thoughts?

11/16/2010 5:14:50 PM

Do the right thing.

11/16/2010 5:22:57 PM

more like prayers

11/16/2010 5:23:16 PM

tell him $189 + a cheap rental for a day and be done with it. don't screw him for $117 for no reason.

11/16/2010 5:29:15 PM

Quote :

"The guy wants to pay out of pocket."

don't let folks do this

11/16/2010 5:33:02 PM

^yes just a head ache.

11/16/2010 6:08:37 PM

^^^

11/16/2010 7:53:01 PM

Now the fun part is collecting the money.

11/16/2010 7:54:41 PM

Tell him 400, and if he asks why, quote the more expensive, and tell him that you are saving him in insurance costs, and for you time and trouble. You don't care either way, as it will be covered.

OR, the rental is a good route, too.

[Edited on November 16, 2010 at 10:12 PM. Reason : You got a report, right?]

I had someone pull try to pull one over on me and the cops at the scene of an accident. We waited 2 hours on the money, before it was written up, he got several tickets, and an insurance hit.

[Edited on November 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM. Reason : cop was at the end of shift, and a gym buddy HA]

11/16/2010 10:11:53 PM

was there a police report?

if not, he can just deny the whole thing

and trying to "be nice" will bite you in the ass

[Edited on November 16, 2010 at 10:22 PM. Reason : ]

11/16/2010 10:21:26 PM

Wouldn't the police just do an exchange of information?

11/17/2010 12:00:29 AM

^ Yeah and make note that it had actually happened.

By being a nice guy, he has no record that it was this person that hit him and under what circumstances.

Like somebody said, "Have fun trying to collect that money."

11/17/2010 7:24:26 AM

I think the standard for "friends and family" is to get several estimates, throw out any ridiculously high or ridiculously low numbers, and average the rest out.

For some random fuck I'd take it to the dealer or one of the shops that receives a lot of praise in the multitude of threads asking for body shop recommendations here on TWW. Cash up front to cover the estimate before it goes into the shop + an agreement that they are responsible for any additional expenses that the shop comes up with.

I would not even think about letting Maaco touch either of my cars. I'd only consider them if I was paying for it out of my own pocket and I just wanted to polish a turd before selling it.

In other words...Get some more estimates.

[Edited on November 17, 2010 at 2:09 PM. Reason : l]

11/17/2010 2:07:32 PM

use insurance.

11/17/2010 2:21:29 PM

Quote :

"By being a nice guy, he has no record that it was this person that hit him and under what circumstances. "

Yeah there is proof. I had the guy sign a written statement including time, date, and location that he backed into my car. Plus my girlfriend as witness.

BTW i talked to the dude today and he seems like he is going to pay up.

11/17/2010 6:17:13 PM

wait...so no police report?

i hope for you that he is a straight up kid

seriously, why the fuck did you not call the cops? i learned long ago that even if it is a scratch, ITS THE OTHER GUY'S FAULT. by not going through proper channels (police) you really are taking a huge chance

sure, might not be a big deal, but then again, is there damage? yes? well, then you are worse off than you were before, regardless of how small the damage...why put up with ANY inconvenience?!

11/17/2010 6:49:29 PM

Quote :

" I had the guy sign a written statement including time, date, and location that he backed into my car."

Ah yes, the old "Hand write a document and hope that it holds up in a court" trick.

You do know the kid could always say, "That's not my signature" and then your document would be inadmissible.

11/18/2010 7:33:39 AM

while i agree that "being a nice guy" can bite you in the ass as often as not, in the one case where i was the one at fault, i was very grateful that the person was willing to trust me...the estimate they got for the work was on the high side, but it was worth it (to me) for the time that was saved by not calling the cops and for not having a record of the incident...i gave the guy cash the day after he called me with the estimate and we both went our separate ways

i'd give him the estimate for the higher, to cover anything that might come up to make it more expensive...also a bit extra to cover your inconvenience...the difference isn't exactly gouging the guy

11/18/2010 8:29:37 AM

^

11/18/2010 11:00:33 AM

just make sure that fucker doesn't tell your girlfriend where to put her toothbrushes

11/18/2010 11:43:47 AM

If someone else is paying, don't take it anywhere but the dealership

11/18/2010 11:52:30 PM