Ten Questions For An Auto Body Shop

After being tangled up in an auto accident, one of the first things you’ll take into consideration is getting your vehicle fixed as fast as possible. But taking your vehicle to the first auto body shop you see would be a rash decision. In order to find a reliable and trustworthy auto body shop, take time to do your homework and ask questions so that you will receive high quality auto body repair work for your vehicle.

CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri sees the significance of a good auto body repair every time someone brings a vehicle to them that someone else didn’t do right. That is why they have these tips for you as you pick out where to do your next repair in Arnold, Festus, St. Louis, Imperial, or Oakville, MO.

Here are some questions and things to consider before allowing an auto body repair shop to repair your vehicle:

1.    Find out more about the auto body repair shop. Reading an online review about an auto body repair shop can be a useful resource. You can get a sense of the standard of the auto body repair shop based on customer feedback, ratings, and reviews. You may need to ask the following questions after reading an online review: how frequently will I get text updates about your car’s repair status? Will you be able to look at photos of your car repair in progress?

2.    What type of warranty comes with their auto body repair work? If they offer a warranty, ask how long it lasts and what it'll cover.

3.    Does the auto body repair shop have rental cars on their lot or do they offer loaner vehicles? Being without an automobile is an inconvenience, so you will need to ensure that you have a rental, loaner, or courtesy car while yours is in the auto body shop. Some auto body repair shops have a car rental facility situated in or near their auto body shop. Other auto body repair shops may offer loaner or courtesy cars which you can use while they're fixing your car.

4.    How long will the auto body repair take? There are lots of related factors that will affect how long an auto body repair will take, including the extent of damage to your vehicle, how busy the auto body repair shop is at that specific time, or even holidays during which the auto body shop might be closed.

5.    Is your vehicle covered while it is in the shop? Ask the auto body repair shop if they carry fire and theft insurance. You want to be sure that you will be covered in case your vehicle is damaged, destroyed, stolen, or burglarized while it is in the auto body shop.

6.    Will the paint match the rest of my automobile? More often than not, cars have a paint code on a plate located either in a door jamb, under the hood, or in the trunk. This paint code will give the precise color of the manufacturer’s paint. Make sure the auto body repair shop will be utilizing the same exact color of paint and not a similar color.

7.    How soon can you wash your vehicle after an auto body repair? An auto body repair shop generally gives your car back to you clean. They may have already washed it or waited for the paint to dry so that you can drive your car immediately after the repair. Still, you should know whether it's safe to take your vehicle to a car wash that uses friction brushing or a touch-free car wash with acid presoaks and super concentrated car wash soap soon after a fresh paint job.

8.    Does the auto body repair shop have any certifications? Certifications, like I-CAR and ASE, are a good sign of a reputable auto body repair shop. A certification usually means that the auto body repair shop has the skills and knowledge needed to perform total, safe, and quality repairs.

9.    Will the auto body repair shop put everything in writing? When bringing your vehicle into an auto body repair shop, ask if you can receive a written estimate. You should also ask for an itemized bill after all work is completed. If the written estimate does not match the itemized bill, do not hesitate to ask about any discrepancies.

10.   What is the payment policy? Most reputable auto body repair shops post their policies and payment methods where customers can easily see them. The payment policies may include labor rates, materials, warranty information, guarantees, and acceptable forms of payment. If you do not see payment policy information, ask before the auto body shop begins any auto body repair work on your vehicle.

Bonus Questions:

• Does the auto body repair shop work on your make and model?
• Do they specialize in the type of auto body repair work your motor vehicle needs?
• How do they price out auto body repairs and auto body painting services (i.e. an rate per hour or flat fee)?

Which place to go for auto body repair in Arnold, Festus, St. Louis, Imperial, or Oakville, MO is a vital decision. If you are searching for an auto body shop, consider CARSTAR Arnold. They have the experience you'll need with the customer service you want.

How to Choose the Right Auto Body Shop

As an automobile owner, your chances of requiring the services of a collision repair and refinishing facility are higher than you think. Whether it is from storm damage, rust and corrosion, acid rain and harsh sunlight, or an automobile accident outright, the risks are real. It's wise, then, to know how to pick an auto body shop.

Oftentimes when people are involved in an accident they assume "the insurance company will deal with it for me.'' In fact, it's your duty to decide on who will do the repairs for you. This isn't a choice which should be taken lightly, as it can involve protecting a significant investment. That is why CARSTAR Arnold has put together this list of tips for you as you decide which auto body shop can meet your needs. They have years of experience handling all types of vehicles in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO.

Preliminaries

• Start looking for an auto body shop before you need one; you can make better decisions when you're not rushed or in a panic.
• Ask your friends and acquaintances for their recommendations. Even in this modern era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation continues to be valuable.
• Check with your local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the facility in question. Ask about the number of complaints, if any, and find out how the complaints were resolved.
• Always try to visit the auto body shop before you make the decision on who will fix your vehicle.

At the Shop

• Ask if the auto body shop generally handles your vehicle make and model. Ask how long the auto body shop has been in business.
• Look for a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest specific auto body repair procedures and equipment for the repair of their automobiles. Ensure that the facility you decide on is trained in these procedures and has the proper equipment.
• Professionally run facilities will have a polite, helpful staff ready to answer all your questions.
• Try to find signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, customer service awards.
• Oftentimes you can easily see the vehicles being fixed by the auto body shop. Are you impressed by the type of vehicles the company is fixing and the way the vehicles are being taken care of?
• Also search for indications that the staff is technically competent, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work training from I-CAR.
• All policies, guarantees, and methods of payment should be posted or explained to your satisfaction.

Being alert and attentive when you go to an auto body shop will tell you a lot about what to expect from your auto body repair. If you would like an estimate or have questions relating to auto body repair, please contact CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri.