When taking your car to a body shop...

[69Charger_440]

do you ask for some type of documentation?  Say for example, that they have the car and will be doing some work on it?  The reason I ask is because I want to take my Charger to a shop in the near future, and I am paranoid at the thought of leaving it there without some proof that this guy has my car.  I don't want to offend the guy, but I have heard too many horror stories on here and elsewhere about cars missing from shops.  Any words of wisdom?

Fernando

[plum500]

I would expect they should open up some sort of work order with all the details and sign-off/agreement from both parties...

[Rack]

do you ask for some type of documentation?  Say for example, that they have the car and will be doing some work on it?  The reason I ask is because I want to take my Charger to a shop in the near future, and I am paranoid at the thought of leaving it there without some proof that this guy has my car.  I don't want to offend the guy, but I have heard too many horror stories on here and elsewhere about cars missing from shops.  Any words of wisdom?

Fernando

Where are you planning on taking it? I've been hearing a lot of good things about that shop behind (or right by) Dr. Ikes (the one right of I35). They do restorations there (probably the only place in town). The owner is related to a cop that works in the auto theft division (although I can't remember either of their names).

I'm gonna go by that place later and see how much they'd charge to blast my car. I'll let you know the name of the place when you bring the seats over later.

- Bobby

[OttawaCharger]

Personally, I'd take lots of pictures just before dropping it off and take a friend with you when you drop it off so that you have a witness.
Before going to the shop, I'd make sure that they have lots of good recommendations so you can still sleep at night.
I've read somewhere that it is best to have a body shop itemize the repairs on your work order and give a deadline for each item.  Then pay them as they complete each item.  It helps keep the body shop motivated   

[Brock Samson]

TAKE  A TON of PHOTOS.
& after having two paint jobs done, (an expensive one and a cheap one) the best thing i would suggest is to mask everything off your self   
unless,.. your going rotesseri media blasting route... then the painter wont want you near your car. 
I have no idea though as to your budget or accesability to the car...

[dodge freak]

Make sure they write the VIN # on the paper work order , if you have doubts about the place find another shop. Is it in a good part of town or a bad part. Would you walk the street at night by the shop ? Might not matter but then again, and the police matters there too, are they available for small crimes or are they too busy solving rapes, murders, car jackings , etc.

[Highbanked Hauler]

To protect the shop they should have you sign a repair order (standard procedure) so if you don't pay they have proof that you authorized the repairs and they get paid.

[bull]

Taking it to a place that's reputable would be a good start. Just take pictures of the car when it gets there if you're worried. But if I was worried about the place I wouldn't take it there.

[Rack]

do you ask for some type of documentation?  Say for example, that they have the car and will be doing some work on it?  The reason I ask is because I want to take my Charger to a shop in the near future, and I am paranoid at the thought of leaving it there without some proof that this guy has my car.  I don't want to offend the guy, but I have heard too many horror stories on here and elsewhere about cars missing from shops.  Any words of wisdom?

Fernando

Where are you planning on taking it? I've been hearing a lot of good things about that shop behind (or right by) Dr. Ikes (the one right of I35). They do restorations there (probably the only place in town). The owner is related to a cop that works in the auto theft division (although I can't remember either of their names).

I'm gonna go by that place later and see how much they'd charge to blast my car. I'll let you know the name of the place when you bring the seats over later.

- Bobby

I went by that shop earlier. The guy has a lot of old cars out there. A couple of them are already fixed up real nice.

However, I wouldn't recommend taking your car there if it's only something "Small" being done to it.

I had heard he was the only guy in town that does media blasting but I was misinformed. Looks like I'll be blasting my car myself. If you need any media blasting done, Fernando, just let me know and I'll loan you my blaster (gonna purchase one in a couple of weeks).

[hotrod98]

The most important thing is to have your car insured properly. With the high cost of garage keeper's liability insurance these days, very few shops have insurance to cover your car. If you've done your homework, then you should already know the reputation of the shop. I would talk to a few of their prior customers and if possible go look at their cars. My customers know my reputation and they know that they can trust me. I always inspect the car in detail and try to write an accurate estimate based on that inspection. However, there are times when upon disassembly I find additional damage. At that time, I stop, call the customer and we decide on what additional costs will be involved and I re-write the estimate before proceeding. If the customer doesn't want to go any further, I give them a total cost of the work performed up to that point and they can take their car. I always get a deposit before starting work. At the point that I've used up that amount, I request the next payment. If the customer is out of money, the work stops and the storage fees begin. I won't set a car outside in the weather once work has begun unless it looks like the customer is not going to be able to afford to go further. I try to pre-qualify my customers before taking on a job. Most of my customers are contractors, doctors, etc who seldom have problems paying their bills.
Just do your homework, make sure you have all of the cash needed before starting the project and you shouldn't have any problems.

[69Charger_440]

Thanks, guys, you all pointed out some stuff I hadn't really thought about, and I will take a lot of photo's before I take my car there.   

Bobby, I'll be taking the seats over this evening.  Talk to you later.

Fernando   

[BigBlockSam]

wow! very professional. i usually discuss it over a butch of whiskey, then give them my car and money and then get screwed. 

[4402tuff4u]

Makesure the estimate has the VIN number, detail description of all the work that will be done to it, take the fender tag with you, take many photo's, including radiator support/trunk number and place a call to your insurance agency and tell them who (name and address) has your car, what they will be doing to it and when you think you'll get it back. If you are having the "whole" car painted and the dashboard is coming off, take it with you and have it painted at the end. I had to keep calling Hagerty to let them know that the body work was taking longer than expected. Also makesure the car is insured under the body shop's insurance in case of fire or theft.