I took my car to get some repair work, body work and paint work on my front bumper, hood and right headlight and any unforeseen damage that was caused by a car accident that I was involved in. The manager told me that if there were any hidden additional repairs after removing the front bumper cover that the my insurance company should be aware of that they would contact the insurance claims adjuster to inform them because of additional cost. I also had the entire car painted and it was suppose to be the same color (metallic smoke gray).
When I came to pick it up, I saw that the job was done so sloppy. Paint all over my tires, all of the chrome trimming around the windows and doors were scratch with sanding marks, the entire paint finish surface had a orange peel look and the finished was dull and it was a metallic blue. The right front headlight was installed incorrectly and you could see the impact marks on the front bumper cover that were there because of the accident. And there was a half inch gap between the right front headlight that should not have been there.
I spoke with the manager and he said that to bring the car back in a week and he would repair and paint the bumper. At that time I did not notice that the headlight installation was incomplete among other things, which will be listed in this report. I took the car home and right away I noticed other problems, when I turned on my right turn signal my dash instrument lights would flash with the turn signal lights, and when I turned my headlights my right turn signal would not work, my right turn signal arrow light would come on and stay on and my right turn signal would not function.
My under the hood decals had not been installed and my fiberglass insulation cover at the underside of the hood had been damaged, my windshield wiper sprayer connection had been broken. The next day I when back to inform Maaco of the repair oversight. So after a week had passed I took it back as agreed and they kept my car for a week without offering me any rental car compensation for the incontinence. When I picked my car up a second time it was a different color they said that they had made the repairs to the light and that they would have to talk to the insurance company about the decals and under the hood insulation replacement,
They had my car for a week, the front bumper still had a gap between the right head light and the bumper that should not have been there and they said that they had secured the loose headlight baluster on the right side and fixed the problem and that they would get back with me when they heard from the insurance company about the decals and under the hood insulation. I called them back a week later because my headlight and turn signal was giving me the same problem, I had not heard from them, and they said that the insurance company approve the decal and insulation and that they would order another headlight because of the damage caused by the installer.
So, I took my car back the following week on a Wednesday as agreed, they kept it for three days, I called them to see if the car was ready on the third day and they informed that there body man had jury duty and would not be in that week {Oh boy} so I told them that I would pick my car up and for them to let me know when his jury duty service was over so that I could bring my car in so that they could complete the work. I called Maaco the following Tuesday and they told to bring my car in the following day. They fixed my windshield washer connection, install the insulation and put another headlight light in, but the gap was still between the bumper and right headlight and the headlight and turn signal was still giving me problems.
I called Maaco and informed them that I was still having a problem with my headlight and turn signal, I told them that I unplug the headlight connection because I was afraid that it was going to short circuit my dash lights and cause a bigger problem.
The manager told me to bring the car in and he would have a shop look at it. I took my car there that day and we rode over to the shop together {the manager and I}. I explain to the mechanic what was going on with the headlight and turn signal, he said that it sounds like there was a short or loose ground somewhere and that the problem was not the headlight, most likely pre-existing and I said that this problem did not exist until the accident and that I felt confident that it was not pre-existing. So the manager of Maaco said the my insurance company is willing to pay for repairs if it was not a pre-existing problem. The manager said that he would call a Acura dealership to set up the car for a diagnostic check for this problem and if it was pre-existing that I would have to pay for the testing, I agreed and the appointment was made.
So I took my 2000 Acura TL to Acura Carl and where the appointment was setup for the diagnostic testing the following Monday, February 6. I explained to the service person Mr. John Pitera, the same person that the Maaco employee spoke with when setting up the appointment for the testing. They did the diagnostic testing and informed me that the problem was with the after market headlight and after market light socket causing improper voltage in the turn signal wiring. So the service manger said that they would contact Maaco to inform them that the problems in the electrical system was due to the headlight and socket installation, after market parts.
He called Maaco and informed them and they ask to speak to me concerning the matter. I spoke with the managers assistant and told her that I would like the diagnostic fees, $120.00 to be paid and she said that I would have to speak to the manager concerning this matter. The manager came to the phone and ask me what did I want him to do and I said that I would like for Maaco to honor there agreement and pay Acura Carland for the diagnostic and he said that they were not going to do it, I said why not, you made the appointment, you sent me out here and we made a agreement according to the insurance company that if this was related to the accident that you or the insurance company would pay for the testing.
He told me that since I was a business man that I should understand that sometimes you have to take a lose, and I said why should I take the lose because of your repair work. We went back and forth for about five minutes. Then he said bring the car in and that they would take the light out and send the after market light back for an exchange, and I said will you provide me with a rental car for my inconvenience he said no and that I could drive my car until the light came in.
I told him that I would not drive my car around while missing a entire headlight assembly. While we were speaking back and forth the service representative was listening to the hole conversation and he, the service manager, ask if he could speak with the manager of Maaco so I gave him the phone.
The service person explain to Maaco manager that he had spoken to his assistant and in there conversation she told him that Maaco or the insurance company would pay for the diagnostic if it was not a pre-existing problem. He informed them that he has already fax Maaco the information that they requested and wanted to know what to do at this point. So, he put me back on the phone to speak to Jay who is the manager at Maaco and the I told the manager that he needs to call the insurance company and let me know what is going on and who will be paying for this. So, he said the he would call me back and let me know.
I hung up the phone and call my insurance company myself and explain to the claims person what was going on and the problem that I was having and they said {my insurance carrier} Maaco was responsible for the repair since they mailed the check to them and that they did not have any phone call records where Maaco had called them concerning any electrical problems that I was having.
My insurance company ask to speak the service manager Mr. John Pitera and he explain everything to the claims person and they said that they would call him back in thirty minutes. They called back and said that they would pay for the repairs and diagnostic, then bill Maaco for the repairs. {Thank God for my insurance company Liberty Mutual the best there is}.
But the story is not over yet. Acura gave me a courtesy car to drive while the repairs were being made. My car was ready within a week and when I was called to pick my car up. The Acura service person informed me that upon removal of the front bumper (the front bumper had to be removed to replace the right front headlight) all the repairs were not done to my vehicle and that I should get a re-inspection. So I informed my insurance carrier what the Acura service person related to me about the un-repaired damage and they scheduled me for a re-inspection.
After the re-inspection of my vehicle it was told to me that there was an additional $1600.00 worth of un-repaired damage to my car that was overlooked by Maaco paint, body and repair. The insurance company was notified, they set me up with a rental car and the repairs were completed within a week and they did a great job. I am truly thankful for Acura Carland in Duluth Georgia, Friendship Auto Body repair in Stone Mountain Georgia and my wonderful insurance carrier Liberty Mutual.
Maaco was a nightmare and I would not recommend them to my worst enemy.
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