And yet again... Options

[mitchntx]

This new truck must be a magnet.

The driver's rear door was nailed by an opening door from a car next to me in the parking lot. Damn!

In the other guy's defense, he left a note with a contact number and the wind was gusting like crazy and he claims the wind caught the door when he opened his.

[Rob Hood]

At least you got a note...I didn't when I got side-swiped in a parking lot. Hopefully you can work something out.

[SSTAT]

lucky, probably the only guy in the whole lot decent enough to leave a number. Well I guess not THAT lucky...

[mitchntx]

After further inspection, it scuffed and tore the side accent stripe and the dent is on the roll/contour of the door, with a nice crease.

PDR might get 95% of the dent, but obviously not the decal.

To make it 100%, the estimate was a tick over $400.

The guy who left the note was kind of shocked at the cost, as was I. But, he agreed to pay for it.

I was torn between doing the PDR and living with the scuffed stripe and getting it back to 100%.

If ...

- the truck wasn't just a month old
- it wasn't on the side I see every day
- paying for it myself

... I'd do the PDR. It's a truck, after all and gonna get dinged and nicked up over time.

Is asking for it to be restored to 100% over the top? What would you folks do in my position?

[v7guy]

I have to say that I would probably want it fixed, the paint isn't even faded yet. But that's just me. Hell, it would probably bug me enough that I'd pay out of my pocket to get it fixed.

[trackbird]

I don't know. If it's going to be a tow rig and lead that life, I'd probably PDR it. My concern is having paint work done on a new car (or any car that's going to be around awhile). I've had clear coat on new paint that was peeling after about 5 years from the time the new paint was applied. I'd rather live with a scuff then a door that's peeling or a different color.

I still wouldn't be real happy about it.

[Rob Hood]

Since the guy is willing to pay for it, let him. At least he's willing to. Very stand-up on his part, which is somewhat of a rarity these days. It's not the best situation for either, but $400 is probably way under both parties' deductible and as long as the insurance companies don't know anything, nobody's rate will go up.

A reputable body shop will (A) do it right the first time, (2), fix it if it isn't right, and ©, listen to a complaint from the BBB/chamber of commerce/paint company supplier.

[rmackintosh]

....well.....it IS a F.O.R.D.....

.....maybe it is Karma..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)














just kidding....I would be pissed.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[CrashTestDummy]

Since the guy offered to pay, I'd probably have him cover the PDR and torn trim piece, but probably pay the rest to 100% myself. Don't want to scare off that kind of behavoir, you know. :-)

[mitchntx]

Gene, I really thought about that.

But I keep going back to "Why?" All I did was park between the lines in a remote area of the lot.

The flip side is, will he think twice about doing the right thing next time?

You know, if the guy was on the fence, he would have left a note, but not secured it well under the wiper blade. He could calm his conscience by proclaiming it was a higher power at work that blew his door into mine and the same higher power that blew away the note.

No, I think he has a higher level of integrity than that.

Kevin, you nailed it 100% ... replacement clear has a tendency to lift after a few years. I have a Bronco to prove it.

We meet tomorrow and he is bringing me a check. If we were to meet right now, I'd probably ask for 1/2 the estimate, do the PDR and take my wonderful wife out to a nice dinner.

[Stang Killer]

If it was my car, then he would be paying for it.
If it was my beater/truck I wouldnt care AS much, but since its new then im not sure.

[mitchntx]

I got his check today for the full amount and we bank at the same bank ...

I was in a meeting and he left it in an envelope with a note.

I think I will cash the check, do the PDR and see.

If the PDR is acceptable, then I'll call him back and tell him I owe HIM some cash. If it still looks too bad, then I'll have it repaired for sure and make up the difference between the estimate, less the PDR attempt.

[johns68]

You are a man of rare integrity in this day and age, Mitch. As is the gentleman who dinged your door.

If the PDR job looks good, but the vinyl tape stripe being scuffed/torn is the issue, most paint shops sub out the vinyl stripes to an independent, who might be able to replace the vinyl stripe on that door very economically. $30 to $40 bucks would be my guess, based on what it cost to do our entire truck. Of course, manufacturers play games with making patterns and colors available to independents for the first few years ...

[johns68]

Oh, BTW: I was at a Honda dealer tonight, looking at trading my wife's Tahoe in, and was hit with a question that "might" make a difference to you. They asked if it had had any paint or body work over $300, and it seemed to make a difference to them. Since a parking lot incident caved in the driver's door, causing a new door skin and paint I had to answer "yes". Maybe a slightly imperfect PDR job might be worth being able to smile and and say "nope" some day.

Of course, they still only offered me half the KBB trade-in value, so dealership used car managers mainly don't play by the rules, anyway. I hate being lowballed!

[trackbird]

Mitch,

That sounds like a perfect solution and exactly what I think makes sense. You are a true gentleman sir and I salute you.

Of course, they still only offered me half the KBB trade-in value, so dealership used car managers mainly don't play by the rules, anyway. I hate being lowballed!

Tell him you'll take his offer and you'll give him (insert 50% of selling price for new car here) for his car..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I sold cars for a living many years ago (at several dealers and 14 total name plates). (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)