Question about car paint scratches

whusurdadi · Jun 30, 2009

On my way to a meeting this morning I scratched this guy's Scion Tc - it's one of those cute little "toyotas" that's supposed to be hipper for the younger crowd.
Turns out he's this 25 year old punk.
So I gave him my business card since I was in a rush and told him to call me with the info and I'd pay up.
He calls me with a $488 bill!
His bumper had scratches on it to begin with, and I only made 2, approximately 2mm, scratches (from the screws holding my front license plate) - no way close to even $50 - I told him to grab a small jar of touch up paint for $2 from the dealer and keep the change.
I can always pretend I have no clue what he's talking about - "What? I did that? I was in bed all morning!"...
I'm just pissed that he's trying to pull a fast one on me...
Any advice?

chobochobo · Jun 30, 2009

I guess you could say that you need to go through your insurance and you need him to provide itemized bill from a registered garage.

Slopho · Jun 30, 2009

Originally Posted by chobochobo

I guess you could say that you need to go through your insurance and you need him to provide itemized bill from a registered garage.

Not for a $488 bill. That's probably right under his deductable. You could have him meet you at a body shop/paint place that you're a little more comfortable with for an estimate to have the work done, but don't go through insurance on this...just pay the bill.

With regard to pretending not to know who he is, how did he get your card then?

EL72 · Jun 30, 2009

Originally Posted by Slopho

Not for a $488 bill. That's probably right under his deductable. You could have him meet you at a body shop/paint place that you're a little more comfortable with for an estimate to have the work done, but don't go through insurance on this...just pay the bill.

With regard to pretending not to know who he is, how did he get your card then?

+ 1

If he's painting the whole bumper, $488 is not out of line. That said, those are the kinds of scratches you don't really repair since that's what bumpers are for imo but in this case, you're sort of stuck. Just go with him to a place you know and tell him you'll pay for it. Don't go through insurance for this.

whusurdadi · Jun 30, 2009

Originally Posted by Slopho

Not for a $488 bill. That's probably right under his deductable. You could have him meet you at a body shop/paint place that you're a little more comfortable with for an estimate to have the work done, but don't go through insurance on this...just pay the bill. With regard to pretending not to know who he is, how did he get your card then?
I'd never go through insurance...it's 2 small scratches...just a real piss off... hundreds of people have my business card...

...I should've given him someone else's card

and he'd be pretty confused...

Originally Posted by EL72

If he's painting the whole bumper, $488 is not out of line. That said, those are the kinds of scratches you don't really repair since that's what bumpers are for imo but in this case, you're sort of stuck. Just go with him to a place you know and tell him you'll pay for it. Don't go through insurance for this.
since he had scratches there from before - am I out of line making him split the cost?

turboman808 · Jun 30, 2009

You can try blowing him off and hope he doesn't come hunt you down. If it was me at 25 I would have come after you with a bat and set your car on fire.

That does seem high though. $300 seems more reasonable.

Cavalier · Jun 30, 2009

You never approved his spending of $488. If he went ahead and fixed it, tough luck.

Assuming he didn't fix it, I would be uncertain how to act on the basis that the bumper already had scratches, etc.

I think paying him $500 is pretty b.s.

SkinnyGoomba · Jun 30, 2009

Sounds about right, just tell him you would like to have it quoted at a shop of your choice if you think its high.

I would pay it out, I believe in Karma.....and he could probably being you to small claims.

justinpba · Jun 30, 2009

My wife's an insurance claims adjuster and tells me about these things all the time. People are always shocked at the cost of bodywork. Assuming the scratches wouldn't buff out, most any shop will remove and repaint the entire bumper. At about 75-100$/hr plus materials and tax, 488 is actually pretty cheap. Somebody scratched our bumper about a year ago (more scratched than you described though), the estimate I got was just over a grand.

whusurdadi · Jun 30, 2009

he just showed me the estimate - yeah, they were quoting him for removing the bumper, repainting the entire bumper and reattaching it...
I told him I'll paypal him $100, to forget the tiny scratch and buy his GF a present...
he told me he'll get back to me in a few days...

Slopho · Jun 30, 2009

Originally Posted by whusurdadi

he just showed me the estimate - yeah, they were quoting him for removing the bumper, repainting the entire bumper and reattaching it...
I told him I'll paypal him $100, to forget the tiny scratch and buy his GF a present...
he told me he'll get back to me in a few days...

If you get out of this paying only $100 then your next task should be to take on the MLBPA.

Agnacious · Jun 30, 2009

Sounds like he got a quote for just below a common deductible, making it more attractive for you then reporting it. My guess is he has no intention of having the work done, just pocketing the money. I would a)get another quote from a shop of your choosing for just the scratches, and b) tell him you will be paying the shop directly upon completion of work and presentation of the bill. When he finds out you are not just going to give him 500, he will jump at the 100 (which I think is overly generous).

SkinnyGoomba · Jun 30, 2009

I dont understand something, who cares if he pockets the money? You're paying for damages, whether or not he uses it to repair those damages or decides its worth living with the damages isnt for you to decide.

Slopho · Jun 30, 2009

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

I dont understand something, who cares if he pockets the money? You're paying for damages, whether or not he uses it to repair those damages or decides its worth living with the damages isnt for you to decide.

I guess the common thinking behind it is that if this guy is coming after the OP for doing something wrong then the 25 y.o. punk should correct the wrong that was done.

How did the OP get caught, did you just ding him at a red light or something?

SkinnyGoomba · Jun 30, 2009

Slopho, is that the typical SF mentality to blame the victim that you're applying to this?

Question about car paint scratches

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