Governing body of Smash Reoairs in NSW?

[MrEL]

Hi all
Just after some advice here.
Is there a governing body of smash repairs in NSW?
We had some work done to my wifes AU3 5.0 Ghia when it got backed into. Whilst it was at the panel shop anyway we decided to get some little things fixed that were annoying us.
It was a combined insurance job with us paying extra to have the other work done at the same time.
We paid $1650 to have a brand new genuine bootlid painted (we supplied the bootlid still in Ford packaging) and fitted , the panel shop supplied a new genuine front bar and painted it and for the grille surround to be painted.
The front bar lip was rubbed back and repainted at the same time.
The repairer also supplied the Ghia boot badge and Series 3 badge.
Not a rip off by any means but we paid enough to not get a backyard bodgy job. We wanted it done properly and were happy to pay.
The car was in the paint booth and the paint mixed and matched as part of the insurance work. The rear bar and skirt was supplied and painted as part of the insurance work.
Was initially happy with the job until yesterday when I was doing some work on it and realised that they haven't painted the lips and bars separately!
They have fitted the skirts to the bars and then painted the lot together , so when the skirt moves which the factory ones tend to do , we are left with a nice big line of unpainted , raw plastic between the skirt and bar.





Obviously not real happy.
Yep its only an AU but it the missus's pride and joy. That's why we also at the same time dropped another $1500 (parts only , I did all the labour) into it replacing every single suspension bush and moving component front and rear and nearly another $1000 on it a few weeks ago for a new set of Nitto Invos.

Basically Im giving the shop the chance to sort it out so I wont name them here YET but I would like to know if there is any body that I can use in my fight with them?
Cheers

[xisled]

Got back to the insurance company as it was part of the insurance claim. If it hasn't been done properly and insurance comspny agree they will make the repair shop fix it.

ACCC would be governing body for repair shop.

But you may also be able to use the insurance ombudsman if the insurance company don't come to the party.

[FairmontGS]

Just take the car back and get them to do it properly. No need to go all heavy on them just yet. Tell your insurer the job isn't up to scratch.

It will get sorted.

[LTDHO]

Jumping the gun a little it aren't ya?

Just take it back and ask that they rectify it. Simples

[MrEL]

Its already been back for other issues already.
They are not the greatest to deal with.
It will be a fight so want to be prepared.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Jumping the gun a little it aren't ya?

Just take it back and ask that they rectify it. Simples

But this isn't an accident like a paint imperfection which may have been missed, it's deliberate corner cutting.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by MrEL

Its already been back for other issues already.
They are not the greatest to deal with.
It will be a fight so want to be prepared.

It's not your fight - ring your insurer, tell 'em you're not happy, drive it to the insurer's assessment depot for inspection and then let them deal with the smash shop. If you have a reputable insurer then it'll be sorted no fuss.

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

It's not your fight - ring your insurer, tell 'em you're not happy, drive it to the insurer's assessment depot for inspection and then let them deal with the smash shop. If you have a reputable insurer then it'll be sorted no fuss.

Will give them a ring this arvo.
Where the problem lies is the rear bar was done through insurance.
Thats no good as well so they can look after that one. But the front bar which the pictures are of we paid for ourselves.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by MrEL

Will give them a ring this arvo.
Where the problem lies is the rear bar was done through insurance.
Thats no good as well so they can look after that one. But the front bar which the pictures are of we paid for ourselves.

Shouldn't matter too much - it was all done because you were there getting damage repaired.

Don't contact the insurer unless the repairer has formally communicated their refusal to rectify the work. You need that first so as you're able to complete the handball successfully.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Shouldn't matter too much - it was all done because you were there getting damage repaired.

Don't contact the insurer unless the repairer has formally communicated their refusal to rectify the work. You need that first so as you're able to complete the handball successfully.

I would suggest always contacting the insurance company first. The reason for this is repairers usually have kpi's with insurance companies and need to meet a certain standard.

If a repairer has to many complaints the insurance company may drop them from the list of repairers.

Each insurance company has people who deal with this everyday and know how to handle the repairers.

[FairmontGS]

I've worked in insurance for 30 years:

"Hi, I'm not happy with the work my repairer has done on the claim."
"OK Sir. What did they say when you asked them to rectify the job?"
"I haven't called them."
"Thanks Sir. And the reason you called me was .....?"

click.

[MrEL]

Have had email exchanges with the smash repairs.
I did it via email so its all in writing and cant be argued.
They reckon its standard practice to paint the bars like that and thats how Ford did them from the factory. They also reckon for us to see the non painted edge we have smacked into something and knocked the lips loose.
All they are prepared to do is prop the lips back up so the line isnt seen.
Not good enough.
Time to try the insurance company.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by MrEL

They reckon its standard practice to paint the bars like that and thats how Ford did them from the factory. They also reckon for us to see the non painted edge we have smacked into something and knocked the lips loose.

Did you tell him that his shop is a repair joint not a Ford assembly factory?

Time to name him...

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

But this isn't an accident like a paint imperfection which may have been missed, it's deliberate corner cutting.

It's the method they see as being the correct way to repair (which OP learned)

Are theses parts painted on car or separately by Ford?