Can you save my deductible

In the collision industry we are faced with cost of business going up and our profit going down the drain. And yet on a daily basis someone will ask the question we hate "can you save my deductible". The simple answer and the one I  always give is "no it is against the law and I don't know you well enough to want to share a jail cell with you". It used to be customers would shrug it off and leave there vehicles to be repaired because they knew if they took it to a shop where they would save their deductible the would lose quality because the shop has to do something to save that deductible and not lose money by repairing the car. It might be as simple as repairing a part that was supposed to be replaced and it seems fine but its not. But here lately this has changed customers seem to not care about quality as much as they do their money. It seems the more I give the answer no we can not save your deductible the customer leaves and I do not see or hear from them again. Until recently I had a hard time with this until I was in the situation of my wife being in an accident and here we are looking for $500.00 dollars for our deductible. So  I got to looking at alternatives. There are companies that will finance your insurance deductibles for automobile claims.  Most charge a high interest rate or want your title as collateral and there are some shops that will work with you on payment plans. You as the customer need to make arrangements prior to dropping you car off with the shop of your choice. Our shop has starting financing deductibles to help our customers. This is something we try to set up and agree to the terms prior to starting the work. It is a win situation for our business and our customers needs. The customer gets a quality repair a lifetime warranty and a payment plan so they are not hit with high deductible in a already unbalanced budget. Let's face it our vehicles are one of the biggest investments we make. We  should not sacrifice poor workmanship to save a dollar find a way to have both quality and affordability.

Where do I go for and estimate after an accident

We have many people when they find out we are in the collision industry ask where should I go for an estimate because the insurance company needs it to start the claim process. Well my answer most of times is find a shop that is convenient and trustworthy and let them write it for you. Make sure they go over it with you so you have an idea what is being done and what you are paying for. You don't have to use the particular shop for repairs but at least you will have an idea on what is going to cost to get your vehicle repaired. If you work like most people this can be difficult. That is one of the reasons we have started a mobile estimating service here in our area. Our estimators will come to the customer and write the estimate leave a copy an go over it in detail with them. We have even started a pick up and delivery service for vehicles being repaired by our facility. There are some drawbacks to this because most times the vehicles need to come apart to write a complete estimate but then the customer is out of a vehicle. In those cases we try to explain this to the customer that they need to pick a shop for repairs and take there vehicle and leave it for the estimate and repairs. This brings to light our next problem. You get the car to the shop they have it torn down for the estimate now they are waiting on parts and the insurance company. Hence waiting this is never good when the customer is without there vehicle. This is when the shop should be thinking outside of the box. There is always something they can be doing to speed up the process. They can do and alignment if the vehicle is hit in the wheel or suspension. They can check on parts find out where and how long it will take to get them. They can disassemble panels that are going to be repaired. Do something so that when they do get the OK from the insurance or the customer they are a step ahead and not two steps behind. The time it takes to repair a vehicle lies mostly in the shops hand. They have the control to due the repair in a timely manner and correct.
Remember It is your vehicle and your insurance. You have the right to know what is being repaired and to choose who is going to repair it. Its kind of like doctors you don't want a foot doctor during surgery on you heart. Choose wisely make sure they offer a warranty and have a reputation of standing behind that Warranty.

Faded Headlights

Headlights in vehicles become faded by heat from the bulbs and everyday driving. Some can be restored by sanding and polishing with kits you can pick up from different stores. The process is simple first you want to wet sand them with a fine sandpaper like 1200 grit or 1500 after that you  use a rubbing compound or polish to remove the scratches left from the sand paper. This is typically done with a mini polisher or buffer with foam or wool pad but be careful if you hold it in place for to long you can melt the plastic lens or damage the glass lens depending on the vehicle. I personally recommend removing the headlights before doing any of this but that adds a problem in itself because now you have to find something or someone to hold them while you are sanding and buffing. If you are going to work on them while they are still attached to the vehicle use some tape around painted edges so you do not damage the paint or textured pieces around the headlight..
If this sounds to complicated and you are in the Columbus Ga area stop by Ray's Collision Center of Columbus we will be happy to help out.