The More You Know!

The fifth thing you want to keep in mind is something that not everyone thinks of in the heat of the moment. Even though you probably have a lot on your mind at the moment, make sure that the auto body shop is giving you a contract before they begin work. This contract should include the repairs they intend to do to your vehicle and the price for everything. This is to protect both you and the shop. You certainly would not want to come back in a few days with a bill that's hundreds of dollars more then you authorized.

The sixth thing that you should do, before paying for completed work, is to inspect your vehicle. Make sure that the work you are being billed for was actually done and done right. If there are flaws that need fixed, do not shy away from saying something about it. There is never a reason to pay for a poor job. The seventh thing to keep in mind is that you must keep all records of your accident. Keep receipts for the auto body repairs that were done to your car. This will help you later down the road when you want to sell your car.

When you follow these simple steps and keep them in mind before heading to the auto body repair shop you will be in good shape. You will know what to expect, you will know your rights, and most importantly, you will not be ripped off.

Getting Your Quotes

Body damage to a car is never a pretty sight. Luckily, today it's much easier to get them fixed without much of a hassle. Some of the best ways to get good quotes for repairing body damage to a car are:

Asking friends for references: Your friends can prove to be the best source of information for finding out the best places for fixing car body damage. They would have either dealt with it themselves or would know someone who has. And if they already know a local body shop that does it, then it will make your job even easier.

Call local auto body shops: Before you take your vehicle to any local body shop, getting quotes from several other body shops should be your primary step. Getting a quote beforehand will keep you from paying more than necessary for repairs. Also, make sure that you make a detailed list of the problems that your car faces because that will help the auto mechanic to find the problem quicker and rectify it accordingly. Don't forget to include the vehicle make, engine size and model year of your car at the top of the symptom list.

Moreover, you can also provide a detailed list of your car's symptoms online and get a quote, thus saving you a lot of your precious time at the local body shop. Since you already have the information about the cost of repairs from such workshop, any fraud or excessive charges can be avoided from unscrupulous body shop owners.

Get multiple quotes: Get multiple auto repair quotes from several body shops. Ask friends and neighbors if they are aware of some reliable body shop dealers who will do a great job. Since quotes will differ from one shop to another, it is always feasible to look around for better deals. It's your car and naturally you will want the best for your vehicle.

Is Expensive Auto Repair Really Worth It?

But could a customer perceive the difference between a $2000 and $1000 bumper job? No chance. If I could quantify the difference, it might be (an undetectable) 5%.

I'm not advocating that you choose the lowest bid every time (there are some bad shops out there), but as a former shop owner, I can tell you with confidence that it's seldom worthwhile to choose the highest bid.

You're going to want to choose the most affordable bid from a shop with a good reputation.

Here's how to find that "just right" auto body shop:

1. Get at least 4 bids.
2. Toss the high bid.
3. Do some research on the remaining 3 bids.
4. Check online reviews: Google, Yahoo, Yelp, etc.
5. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
6. Inspect the shop...is it clean and orderly?
7. What about the customer service? Do they answer the phone? Are they polite? Do they answer your questions? Does the manager/estimator create a good, knowledgeable impression?
8. Do they guarantee their work? You will want at least a 3 year guarantee from defects like peeling and discoloration.
9. Usually, the shop will have completed cars waiting for pick up. Inspect the work. Would you pay for that work?

After you've done your investigating, circle the auto body shops you felt comfortable with trusting your car. Trust your gut instinct! Then choose the one with the lowest bid. You'll get a repair that you will be very happy with yet spend hundreds if not thousands less.

World Class Auto Body Repair Shops

1) Notice the appearance of the auto center-the outer appearance of the auto body shop can tell you a lot about their business. Is it clean and well-lit? Does the equipment look modern? You can tell you will get the best repairs with the most up-to-date equipment.

2) If possible take a tour-If they will let you, walk around the body shop and talk to the staff members. You can ask them about their experience, how many years they have been working in this field, and you can get a feel from the mechanics if they seem competent and knowledgeable about repairs.

3) Look for special awards-While you are on your tour, try to notice any special awards or plaques on the walls or in offices. This is a good sign that they are well qualified and have undergone the necessary training to properly maintain your vehicle. The awards show that they really do know what they are doing.

4) Find out their policy-ask them what their policy is in case you don't like their work. Ask them how long the repairs will take, if they will fix it at no charge or will there be additional fees? What is the warranty and how long is it good for?

5) Inspect the vehicle after its been repaired-once your vehicle has been repaired, notice if anything doesn't look right and notify the auto body shop. Even if you don't notice anything until you are home, notify the shop as soon as possible.

Auto Repair Shops Focus on Women

Courtesy of Daniel Dullum:

"More and more, auto repair garages are seeing the advantages of marketing to the female consumer.

Cruise the Internet, and a site for a garage like Auto Repair & Fuel Systems in West Fargo, N.D., will pop up, exclaiming, "Women love our professional service!"

They're not alone in that marketing approach. In Wilmington, Del., Christian Porter fixed his friends' cars as a hobby while he worked full time at MBNA as a project manager in the technology department. While working on the cars of his friends and acquaintances, women confided that they were uncomfortable going to "professional" garages.

"You hear this enough, and you recognize an opportunity," Porter told the The News Journal of Wilmington and New Castle.


When MBNA announced volunteer severance packages to trim its staff, Porter took the buyout, seized the opportunity and opened his own garage that would cater to women – Everest AutoWorks & Auto Spa – in July 2009. While Porter doesn't turn away male customers, he estimates that 80 percent of his business comes from women.

Douglas Lee, an official with AAA Mid-Atlantic, said Porter's strategy is smart because "despite the stereotypes, it's women who most often decide where a car gets serviced."

Porter's plans included car repair workshops for women, something already being done at shops like Ponder's Auto Repair in Johnson City, Tenn., where owner Brian Ponder presents his "Women on Wheels Seminar," and at Accurate Auto in Hillsboro, Ore.


Rick Kersey, owner of Accurate Auto, explained to the Hillsboro Argus newspaper that he wanted to "empower" female drivers, especially for encountering roadside emergencies, when finding a reputable mechanic can be a challenge.

"Our main goal is to help educate women in the local community about repairs on their cars and get them more prepared for that unexpected breakdown or emergency," said Kersey, who began his Women's Car Care Clinics in April 2010.

Keeping Your Shop Honest

Okay, so the above two things are things to watch out for if you haven't picked an auto collision repair shop. What, you say your vehicle is already at a repair shop that the insurance company referred you to? Don't panic, here are some things that you can do that will help you keep the shop honest:

1. Ask the shop manager to provide you with a copy of all the invoices for parts they had to purchase to fix your car, and then compare the parts list with the cost listed on the insurance company estimate.

2. Ask the shop for a written repair guarantee.

3. Ask the shop if they are a direct repair facility for more than one insurance company (just asking this will make them think twice about cutting a corner at your expense). If they are, ask them for the list.

4. Bluntly ask if they have used new Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts (OEM), used OEM parts, or aftermarket parts.

5. Ask the shop to explain "betterment" to you, just because you are curious. This is just to show them that you are reading up on the repair process.

Yonkers NY, White Plains, Westchester, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe, Valhalla, New Rochelle NY, Rye, Purchase NY, Elmsford, Fleetwood NY, Hartsdale, Eastchester NY, Dobbs Ferry, Bronxville NY, Ardsley, Thornwood NY, Bronx NY, Auto Body Repair, Body Shop, Auto Body Paint Shop Westchester County NY

Repairing Your Headlights

How do we repair or restore the headlights on our cars? According to the New York Police Traffic Division's Traffic Safety Team:

Clean the headlights or have them professionally restored and repaired (our department uses the MDWholesale headlight restoration kit on all our police cruisers and department vehicles for maximum light output and safety. Dirty headlights can and will decrease visibility by as much as 90%.)

Up until now the only solutions were to either replace the cloudy lenses with expensive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts at your local dealer (headlights can easily cost over $300 each) or to just take the risk and drive with the bad headlights. Now there is an alternative, headlight restoration. You can restore these cloudy headlights to like new condition and be safe again. Restored headlights look new and have the same light output and safety of new headlights for a fraction of the cost. There is a patented headlight restoration system manufactured by MDWholesale which has been determined very effective in increasing night time safety by numerous government agencies and police departments throughout the nation. Please see below link for more information on this headlight restoration system.

So it is a proven fact that worn and cloudy headlights will have a great effect on night time driving and safety. Therefore, headlight restoration is a economic and very effective alternative to headlight replacement.

Save Money on Auto Repair!

Getting an auto repaired is nothing less than a headache. With costly replacement and repair of the auto parts, one tends to search a cheaper alternative as a part of an affordable auto repair and replacement service that provides quality repair job at competitive price.

Most of the auto repair firms advertise for repairing and replacing auto vehicle at very less rates, nevertheless they do this through employing the unskilled workers and making use of inferior quality parts. Usually, the specialized shops including the old car replacement and transmission repair shops, provide, cheaper auto replacement and repairs in comparison to the general repair shops.

It is inspiring that you talk about the exact and correct nature of the repair job and spend some time with the auto mechanic prior really starting on the replacement or repair. Many of the modern auto vehicles have the computerized monitoring system that assists the mechanics in identifying the problems simply and easily. The auto repair guides and manuals tell you all the details of every repair job as well as the normal time involved in each repair. These guides and manuals can be purchased from the auto parts shops accessible in your neighborhood.

Can You Repair Your Bumper?

You can say you have had a bad day if you get rear ended, in a car accident, or if you accidently run or bump into something. However the day you take it to get repaired could be an even worse day. Most times people are discouraged by taking their vehicle to be repaired not only due to the high costs involved, but the fact that they may be out of a vehicle for days or weeks. Finding an honest mechanic can be a challenge as well.

Things to consider: Every 17 seconds a reported rear end collision occurs, and every 8.5 seconds an unreported rear end collision occurs. The most frequent accident on the road is the rear end collision, at almost 29.7%, and 75% of these accidents occur at less than 10 mph. Something else to consider is that 36% of all minor auto body damage is to the front or rear bumper.

More than a third!

One in three people with auto body damage have plastic bumper damage.

So if you unfortunately find yourself in a situation where your bumper needs repair know that you are not alone.

There are some practical solutions for you so, read on about what can be done.

Some mechanics or auto body shops will tell you that your bumper will need to be completely replaced. Well that will involve an average of two days to repair depending on how busy the shop is at that time. Also it will cost you at a minimum 500 dollars and up from there. This is an option for you, however it is not the only or most cost effective option you have.

The fact is that bumpers have changed as does everything else in time. They used to be made of sheet metal, now the metal bumper is covered by a plastic fascia in hopes that minor abrasions might pop out more easily. However the plastic can bend, break or rip.

Choosing the Right Repair Shop

Choosing a collision repair centre is not an easy decision to make and one most people hope to avoid. When you or a family member need to decide on the repair centre best suited to your needs, perhaps these tips would be helpful.

Remember, a vehicle that is unsafe due to an accident should not be driven.

It is very common to see differences in auto repair estimates from one centre to another. Ensure that the lower repair estimate covers all the required work.

Ask if the auto repair centre works well with insurance companies to ensure your vehicle is repaired and back on the road as quickly as possible.

Save yourself time and make sure upfront that the shop can do all the necessary work including collision related mechanical and frame repairs and custom painting for complete restoration.

Check the body shop to see if it is clean and has good lighting.

Licenses, and training certifications should be posted. Signs of training indicate that the facility is keeping up with changing technology.

Your vehicle is an investment in your lifestyle. The vehicle collision centre you choose to repair your car should be professionally interested in returning your investment to you in a restored condition that preserves its value and keeps you on the road safely.

Collision Repair Center Etiquette

Vehicle collision is an everyday, worldwide occurrence. When automobile accidents happen, most people are not prepared for the initial impact, nor for the subsequent impact on their daily life and the inconvenience that usually follows.

For most people the second largest investment you will make is the purchase of a vehicle. The aftermath of an auto accident is a very stressful time. Getting back on the road after an experience of shattering glass, crunching steel and squealing brakes can be an overwhelming task to take on in an already busy day.

Collision repair centres are found in every town or city. Repair centres offer a diverse range of services from the actual repair of your vehicle (to manufacturers’ standards) to the management of the claims paperwork for insurance, arranging the use of a loaner car, and perhaps transportation to and from the repair centre. Some repair centres offer 24-hour accident assistance and towing, and nationwide warranties.

The Critical Repairs You Need

Vehicles are prone to accidents that can happen anytime, either while moving on the road or even when the vehicle stands in a sedentary state. Accidents happens everyday and there's really no way to completely avoid them. Sometimes simply parking your car at the mall or trying to back into a space at the office can result in an accident.

Either minor or severe accidents always cause damages to exterior body of the vehicle, from simple scratches to more structural damage, anything can be happen to a auto body which ultimately results in an ugly looking and unsafe vehicle. Strong Fleetwood frontal collisions not only damage the integrity of the vehicle body but also they affect performance of the vehicle. There is always a possibility that as a result of an accident the vehicle will develop some mechanical problems later such as wheel alignment problems, noisy wheel bearings, etc. Well, the only way to get your car back on its shape is by getting a reliable shop to do the collision damage repair for you.

To fix any structural damage is the first step in the whole process of collision body repair. This not only ensures that the vehicle is as strong as it was before the accident occurred but it also helps the vehicle to get back to its original beauty. Fleetwood Auto body repair technicians are responsible for removing dents in vehicles, straightening bent car parts and replacing parts that are beyond repair. They also refinish car bodies and sometimes replace glass components. It is important to find a collision repair facility with well qualified and trained technicians who can repair your vehicle and restore it to its original shape and make it looking new.

The proper repair of collision damage is critical to the safety and performance of your vehicle. Poorly performed collision repairs can diminish your vehicle’s resale value, and safety performance can be compromised in subsequent collisions. Do a little research before deciding which is the right auto body shop Fleetwood is for you and your car. Make sure you are not only getting a good deal but also a great quality work.

Choosing Your Repair Shop

Say your Mazda car experienced a collision and your Mazda body kits were damaged, what is the remedy that comes to your mind? To look for a collision repair shop, right? But the question is: How do you choose the right Fleetwood collision repair center?

With over 35,000 auto body repair shops all over the United States, choosing the repair shop can make a car owner dizzy.

The Vice President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), Steve Cox, agreed that an insurance company may make some recommendations on the right repair shop but he asserted that the ultimate responsibility in selecting a trustworthy and quality-oriented repair shop is in the hands of the drivers themselves. According to him, choosing the right one is a must in order to achieve the desired results.

With the aim of helping the consumers to better manage the collision repair experience, the CBBB and the National Auto Body Council (NABC) have teamed up. Together, they give tips on how to save money on a replacement rental car and on how to arrange any arguments between the shop and the car owner.

The CBBB and the NABC recommend opting for a trustworthy collision repair shop. According to them, a car owner must check out the shop's qualifications. This can be done through asking about advanced technician training from a national organization. It is also a must to look for a shop committed to customer satisfaction.

According to them, everything must be in a black and white form. This means the transaction must be in written form. The car owner must get a written repair and price estimate of the work to be performed. Before the job begins, explanation of why specific recommendations are necessary to fix the collision damage is also important. They further said warranty is another must.

Meanwhile, when buying a brand new car, it will come with an auto insurance policy. Those small prints in that written policy can make a big difference if you need to have Fleetwood collision repairs made to your car. This is especially important if parts need to be substituted.

Ettiquette for Collision Repair

Crash!! How can you be prepared for a vehicle accident? Perhaps your reaction time was just a little too slow, or the weather conditions really did mean slow down. Well, now what?

Fleetwood Vehicle collision is an everyday, worldwide occurrence. When automobile accidents happen, most people are not prepared for the initial impact, nor for the subsequent impact on their daily life and the inconvenience that usually follows. For most people the second largest investment you will make is the purchase of a vehicle. The aftermath of an auto accident is a very stressful time. Getting back on the road after an experience of shattering glass, crunching steel and squealing brakes can be an overwhelming task to take on in an already busy day.

Fleetwood Collision repair centres are found in every town or city. Repair centres offer a diverse range of services from the actual repair of your vehicle (to manufacturers’ standards) to the management of the claims paperwork for insurance, arranging the use of a loaner car, and perhaps transportation to and from the repair centre. Some repair centres offer 24-hour accident assistance and towing, and nationwide warranties.

Choosing a collision repair centre is not an easy decision to make and one most people hope to avoid. When you or a family member need to decide on the repair centre best suited to your needs, perhaps these tips would be helpful. Remember, a vehicle that is unsafe due to an accident should not be driven. It is very common to see differences in auto repair estimates from one centre to another. Ensure that the lower repair estimate covers all the required work.

Ask if the centre works well with insurance companies to ensure your vehicle is repaired and back on the road as quickly as possible. Save yourself time and make sure upfront that the shop can do all the necessary work including collision related mechanical and frame repairs and custom painting for complete restoration. Check the body shop to see if it is clean and has good lighting. Licenses, and training certifications should be posted. Signs of training indicate that the facility is keeping up with changing technology.

Your vehicle is an investment in your lifestyle. The Fleetwood vehicle collision centre you choose to repair your car should be professionally interested in returning your investment to you in a restored condition that preserves its value and keeps you on the road safely.

Saving Money on Auto Body Repair

We all know that nothing comes free in life. However most of us have learned that we can find great deals and still get a great outcome with those great deals. As our economy keeps getting worse we are looking for ways to save money. There are many drivers on the road today that need auto body repairs on their vehicles. However due to that saving money deal most are putting the repairs to the side. This is not a good choice since that will usually lead to more money out of pocket in the long run. Also many people do not know about auto body repairs only replacements. Find out how you can save money with a few auto body repairs New York!

Many people today believe that auto body replacements is the only way to repairs auto body damages or some may feel that only auto body replacement will produce quality results for auto body damages. However replacements are not the only way or the best way to go with auto body repairs. Many auto body replacements New York cost a lot of money and take a lot of time. You will be charged not only for the parts which are expensive, but for the labor per hour it takes them to finish, and any other materials they are using to complete the job. This racks up a very large bill for you to pay. So the alternative to this is getting auto body repairs, this can save you a great deal of time and money.

Auto body repairs New York are performed with the existing vehicles parts or panels. Therefore that is already a big chuck of change saved out of your pocket. Auto reconditioning specialists are very knowledgeable and know what techniques are best for repairing your vehicle. Since they are professionally trained and do not have to wait for any parts to come in they can also complete the work in less time. The actually repair process is generally less time spent than replacement. Less time means less money you pay. Believe it or not auto body repairs can come out looking just as good as replacements. Think of it this way, anyone can buy a new computer, but it takes a skilled and qualified person to be able to make an old computer better than new.

Tips for That Auto Body Repair

Below are some helpful tips you can follow to get you started with your auto body repair New York and get your car to look its best.

1.First you need to find whether your insurance policy covers your vehicle damages and if they do, then to what extent does it cover.

2.Once this is done, you need to know the expense you will have to incur from your pocket for the repairs based on the extent of insurance coverage.

3.The next step is to find a highly trained and well qualified technician who offers quality repairs, competitive rates, and an extraordinary service. It is also important that your auto body specialist New York handles your insurance claims in a superior and professional manner ensuring quick and efficient work.

4.Additionally, if multiple repairs are required, make sure the auto body shop New York offers all the services your vehicle needs and ensures high quality work. Also make sure you get a quote before you get any work started on your vehicle. This will ensure that you do not get any surprise bills.

5.Once you have received an estimate for the work, you can schedule a time to have your vehicle repaired.

There are a lot of things that one needs to look into while planning on having the vehicle repaired. It is important to take your vehicle to the right place because simply taking your car to anyone or trying to do the repairs yourself is not an ideal option. Therefore, make sure you give your vehicle the required maintenance and take care of it to ensure a longer life.

Make Your Car Look New Again

A car could be a priceless possession for many and any kind of dent or damage to the auto body can take away its overall look. If you have neglected your vehicle care or have been recently involved in an accident, your car needs attention and you may have to get the auto body repaired through auto reconditioning specialists New York.

A lot of breakthroughs have been happening in the auto body collision repair field, one of the most popular being paintless dent repair. This quick technique involves removing all the minor dents without having to repaint the damaged portion. This is widely used to repair minor body creases, hail damage, minor bumper indentations and door dings. However, if there is paint damage on the vehicle, then this technique may not be suitable.

Today you can quickly have your car repaired of its dents, broken glass, peeled off paint or any other damage caused due to collision. It is important to find a collision repair facility New York with well qualified and trained technicians who can repair your vehicle and restore it to its original shape and make it looking new.

There may be times when you may not know what to do when repairs are required for your vehicle as a result of which the auto body repair New York may get neglected and even put off for a long time resulting in more damages leading to more expenses out of your pocket.