Hi Folks,

Just got car back from repair shop.

Here is an after shot:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/75327820/IMG_0375.JPG
Edit: Another after pic: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/75327820/IMG_0377.JPG
And here is the car before:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nbpvznp9317filk/YaKxQhsxuA

Now I'll be the first to admit the radiator support doesn't help things considering the before damage.

Refer to before pics and you will see how damaged the bumper was before being repaired.

However would this be acceptable to you without replacing the radiator support or front bumper bar as a finished job?

That is aproxx $1500 of work for re-spraying front bumper, bonnet ( I supplied another one ) and left hand guard ( I supplied another one ). Oh and umm repairing the bumper/support bar.

If your not happy with the work, take it back to who ever repaired it.

I intend on doing so however Was just after another opinion. That is all. :)

I didn't mean to be that blunt sorry. Going by that first pic it doesn't look wright

I'm assuming that finger is pointing to the glass of the light projecting in front of the bumper line. You really need to show the other side of the car to point out the difference.

Is there a noticeable difference when the bonnet is shut?

Compare the two sides. If there is a big difference go back to the repair shop.

The top of the bumper needs to come forward a bit so it sits flush with the glass. (Assuming it is flush on the other side.)

That is crap, go back and demand proper repair or take them to oft

i wouldnt be happy with that work at all, id def be taking it back to whoever done the work

@Perry, Thats all good, didn't get taken the wrong way at all.

@MadMax, On the other side it is flush without any issue.
@Mad MagMagna and tunerequired, Thank you for the advice and input. :)

I have notified the repairer of the work and will be going back tomorrow. When I picked up the car I had to pay so I had wheels to get to work however I'm covered with Credit card insurance.

The repairer has so far only stated:
- I am expecting a $3500 job for $1500.
- It won't sit flush without the radiator support replaced. ( Which is $400 part and $1100 labor when I asked how much )

Further insult to injury tho as it gets worse. About 60 air pockets/bubbles, crows feet in clear coat, parts which aren't painted, bog used when told they would plastic wield plus much more. Anyways thank you for the input and will post back with how I go.

Edit:
I'm trying also to be upfront in every way I can and give due respect for amount paid as well as show before and after pictures.

Ok, so you paid $1500 for the job to be done, looking at the pics of the damage, I am sure that most parts could have been replaced with used parts. $1100 to replace a Rad support, BULLSHIT, the Magna ones are one of the easiest to replace.

So you paid $1500, so what? There should still be some basic quality of work there. I do have people from a mechanical point of view come in here often wanting a cheap "patch Up" and I refuse for these exact reasons, I do not do patch ups and will not risk my reputation on such. If they want cheap work they can go to a back yard jockey and have their car fixed on some filthy concrete slab in the back yard, will not happen here

In respect to your situation, if the shop was willing to do a "cheap" job and from what I can see in the pics for a non insurance job was not what I would consider as a cheap job in any way, then they should have advised you exactly what to expect. The damage was not all that bad to begin with and any half decent shop should have been able to get this back on the road for not much more that the price you paid. Lets face it, used parts retail Headlight $150, Bonnet $200, Guard $100, bar was repaired so does not come into the cost.......and some panels may bave been able to be purchased in the right colour as your colour is not exactly rare

Thats a terrible repair. If he doesnt fix his obvious mistakes free of charge (plus the reo bar at an acceptable cost to you), dob him in as per mals advice

Thats a terrible repair. If he doesnt fix his obvious mistakes free of charge (plus the reo bar at an acceptable cost to you), dob him in as per mals advice

looking at the repairs, looks like it wasent repaired properly and you should report them if the refuse to fix it

basically the business didint deliver what the customer asked for

If this was an insurance job, then $1500 is on the low side for the cost to repair this but even so there is no way is that a $3500 job.
All they had to do was replace a bumper, light, guard, rad support bar and a bonnet plus spray it all. I would expect around $2200-2500 for an insurance job but that's the maximum it would cost. New parts would've cost around $1000 which leaves $1500 for spray painting & labour. Replacing those parts would be at best 4hrs labour @ $100/hour (normal rate) then that leaves $1100 for spray painting.
The old man recently hit a roo, I got insurance quotes for respraying a silver metalic bonnet around $400-500. So that leaves $600 for a guard & bumper (reasonable price I suppose).

For a cash type job, $1500 is good price. Not THAT cheap because I've had damage similar to that repaired for almost half that price (excluding part prices).

The spray painting is a concern. That being said - all automotive spray painting has orange peel. That is normal. However it should not look out of place from the rest of the car. Crows feet in the clear coat is a sign of bad workmanship.

Go back and demand they do a proper job. Otherwise be prepared to get consumer affairs involved.

It's a simple situation. The trade practices act (Competition and Consumer Act) applies here. It is a matter of "goods not received as described". You and the panel beater had formed a contractal agreement (verbal) where they would repair the car to its prior condition as per factory. From what I gather, he made no mention that he cannot restore the car to how it was prior to the accident? If he had made a promise, a contract, to repair the car to how it looked prior then he needs to deliver what he promised. Otherwise, he is in breach of contract.

Reading the posts the OP was aware was not to be "repaired to factory condition" but $3500 would be realistic for a panel beater to quote for an insurance job, why do you think so many cars get written off these days with minor damage???

Either way, $1500 for that work is not that bad if the work was done properly, Aiden, you paid less BUT you did not go to a registered panel beating business, Ross was not a full time buisiness as such this you really paid back yard prices.

To OP, if he refuses to rectify go straight to CCCT (consumer tribunal) they have jurisdiction over motor vehicle repairs. Costs about $50 for application. Basically its just simplified version of court, fill out the claim for the amount you paid, state why you think you are entitled to get your money back. Attach photos & possibly get another LICENSED panel beater to give written notice stating how repairs are not up to industry standard. Its not a waste of time as tribunal has power to make binding decisions based on which you can get bank garnishee (when you can take money out of his account), fees you will pay are all recoverable. Best of all tribunal prohibits legal costs recovery unless due to very rare circumstances, so even if he gets representation (which he wont) no claim can be made against you. I have done this few times already, its not that hard at all.

well mal points out he didnt go to a actual business. if he just got a backyard repair i dont think CCCT would be able to do much

in cases of backyard repair gone wrong fair trading, ccct whatever im pretty sure would just refer him to the local court as a civil matter

but if OP went to a backyard place than its pretty much on him for going that way for his repair

well mal points out he didnt go to a actual business. if he just got a backyard repair i dont think CCCT would be able to do much

I think Mal was actually stating that MagnaP.I went to a backyard operator, and thus it's unfair for him to compare what he paid with what the OP paid.

I think Mal was actually stating that MagnaP.I went to a backyard operator, and thus it's unfair for him to compare what he paid with what the OP paid.

ahh i misread

Hi folks,

On IPad at the moment so bit hard to reply to everyone however just had a breif read of the replies..

I bought the bonnet, headlight and side guard for $400.
I paid the licensed non-backyard smasher repairer who advertises life-time guarantee on paint work $1500.

So ohe only cost to the panel beater is prep materials and paint and labour. On recit it is charged as 12.63@ 90ph.

It was agreed that the work wouldn't be up to factory standard however there was no mention it would look shit. Which it does to be frank. I can understand a few mm out here and there, maybe a slight bend mark and so forth.

I do not understand the shit paint work. It is crap as if they have only gone to 800grit sand paper. I expect 2000 as a min and when doing it myself I go to 3000. Then to have nuts missing, broken headlight mount (which I know wasn't broken when I got it and handed it in plus it wasn't mentioned by the smash repairer on handing it in while they inspected my parts) and the bloody dodging lining up.

Realistically when you look at the before and after pictures you will see the headlight hasn't moved a pubic hair.

I will try and do some photos of the dodgy paint work either tommorow or on the weekend. I am a photographer by hobby and rest assured it will stand out like a sore thumb. Even if you were blind you can feel it with your hands.

Also; I got to get the major service done this weekend as well as help a mate move so couldn't of come at a worse time. Will do my best to keep this updated with what unfolds.

Stay tuned :P :)

if you used a licensed panel beater with a business address and paid them any sum of money than the work has to be up to a certain standard.

take it back and be polite, say the work quality is shotty and request it be repaired properly, if he says anything except for yeah mate than not so politly tell him that your willing to go thru consumer affairs to get the work repaired properly......if this doesnt make him agree to do it WITHOUT EXTRA COST than walk out get 3 qoutes from other licensed business's , take photos with dates and grab the receipt and walk into your consumer affairs office and lodge a complaint

some people may say price vs overheads but unless he told you the work would be dodgey as hell for the 1500 price ( dodgey as shit and not up to repair standards are 2 differant things)

also from this point on any contact you have with him keep notes and get everything in writing

and call ACA never know you might get ya 90seconds :D

Well folks, quick update. Quite pissed of but feel as if I'm damned now anyways.

Was totally buggered from moving on the weekend and scuffed the drivers side of the bumper. Grr!!

That being said the issues just keep pouring in.. Found bits of under bumper missing, over spray on headlights only seen when at night with lights on, over spray on front girl. Then the SRS light comes on and of when it feels like it at no apparent time, cold or hot, bump or no bump. :S

Just not sure how to tackle this being the scuff is there, I have a feeling I could get the old thing of oh but you did that damage. Was contemplating getting the scuff marks fixed but meh for what point. I'm wondering if it's really worth all the headache. Pictures tomorrow. Promise. :)

things like the over spray and bits missing will surely put that at rest. You also have pictures of what it looked like when it was done, clearly showing the guy who lined it up has his head on crooked

Mate, who cares if you scratched it,

You say that you supplied the replacement parts and paid $1500 for that crap work, my 380 had much more work including painting new panels, fixing a bent rail etc etc for around $2000 so $1500 for that work is just stupid. This panel beater needs to be taken to the cleaners and I really hope you do act on this and get something done to fix your car