Body Shop over charging?

AZBMW335i · 07-10-2009, 01:23 AM

I hit a curb with my car and it got towed to a dealership owned body shop.

Long story short, some components needed to be replaced including the bumper. My insurance is covering the cost for everything that needs to be replaced but more specific, my front bumper to be replaced and painted. I ended up spending an extra 400ish out of pocket and ordered a US Spec M-Tech front bumper from Longtran (reflectors are filled in).

The front bumper arrived to my body shop and I get an email from them stating that it is rough and will need to be re-prepped and primed and they are charging me $130 dollars out of my pocket to do this.

Now my question is - if they ordered a stock OEM bumper, would they need to do prep work before they paint regardless? They are already charging my insurance company the money to paint so that's not the issue. They are charging me to prep the one Longtran sent me.

I just want to know if they are nickel and diming me. This is a $15,000 dollar job ($10,000 of it being labor). I will gladly pay it if they are in the right.

Pics the body shop took:

AZBMW335i · 07-10-2009, 12:07 PM

input?

roadkillrob · 07-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Any bumper they get will need prep work - maybe less than that one, but at least some as they get scratched in packing and shipping etc and are never perfect. Typically they would have to do a little work on any bumper filling sanding and priming before paint.

doubled24 · 07-10-2009, 01:18 PM

IMO getting paid to do paint should include prep work... What are they trying to charge you anyway? If its less than a few hours of labor i wouldn't bother trying to fight when them over it, but if they are trying to make you pay 500 or a thousand dollars to prep the bumper i'd be steamed.

Three3OH · 07-10-2009, 01:47 PM

I find it hard to believe that a body shop, charging $10K in labor and another $5K in parts, can't find it in their hearts to absorb the $130 additional labor to prep the bumper. (in this economy?) I also live in AZ and would like to know which body shop you have taken it to so I can avoid ever going there in the future. I'd dispute the charge simply based on principle. (by the way, this is my very first post on E90.com)

AZBMW335i · 07-10-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubled24

IMO getting paid to do paint should include prep work... What are they trying to charge you anyway? If its less than a few hours of labor i wouldn't bother trying to fight when them over it, but if they are trying to make you pay 500 or a thousand dollars to prep the bumper i'd be steamed.

They are charging my insurance company $861 dollars to paint my sideskirts and front bumper.

They are trying to charge me an additional $130 dollars for them to prep the front bumper.

07-10-2009, 01:23 AM	#1
AZBMW335i New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Body Shop over charging? I hit a curb with my car and it got towed to a dealership owned body shop. Long story short, some components needed to be replaced including the bumper. My insurance is covering the cost for everything that needs to be replaced but more specific, my front bumper to be replaced and painted. I ended up spending an extra 400ish out of pocket and ordered a US Spec M-Tech front bumper from Longtran (reflectors are filled in). The front bumper arrived to my body shop and I get an email from them stating that it is rough and will need to be re-prepped and primed and they are charging me $130 dollars out of my pocket to do this. Now my question is - if they ordered a stock OEM bumper, would they need to do prep work before they paint regardless? They are already charging my insurance company the money to paint so that's not the issue. They are charging me to prep the one Longtran sent me. I just want to know if they are nickel and diming me. This is a $15,000 dollar job ($10,000 of it being labor). I will gladly pay it if they are in the right. Pics the body shop took:
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07-10-2009, 12:07 PM	#2
AZBMW335i New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	input?
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07-10-2009, 01:14 PM	#3
roadkillrob Major General 863 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Any bumper they get will need prep work - maybe less than that one, but at least some as they get scratched in packing and shipping etc and are never perfect. Typically they would have to do a little work on any bumper filling sanding and priming before paint. __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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07-10-2009, 01:18 PM	#4
doubled24 Private First Class 15 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 07 e92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	IMO getting paid to do paint should include prep work... What are they trying to charge you anyway? If its less than a few hours of labor i wouldn't bother trying to fight when them over it, but if they are trying to make you pay 500 or a thousand dollars to prep the bumper i'd be steamed.
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07-10-2009, 01:47 PM	#5
Three3OH Enlisted Member 2 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Sedan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 2003 Acura NSX [0.00]	I find it hard to believe that a body shop, charging $10K in labor and another $5K in parts, can't find it in their hearts to absorb the $130 additional labor to prep the bumper. (in this economy?) I also live in AZ and would like to know which body shop you have taken it to so I can avoid ever going there in the future. I'd dispute the charge simply based on principle. (by the way, this is my very first post on E90.com)
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