Dealer or Bodyshop?

[AznGA]

Just curious. We all know dealers rape you on all sorts of charges. Is it really worth more money to take your car to your dealer for bodywork?

[VanishingImage]

not unless the car is under warrenty,otherwise Id take it to a trusted body shop.

[GTLUVA]

After getting rear ended last summer I needed to go to a bodyshop to get a new rear bumper on. I decided to go to the local gm dealer bodyshop. I got into a argument with the bodyshop manager because I waited over 6 weeks for a new rear bumper I basically told him I was sick of waiting I was going to take my business else where. Then I had my twin post mirrors sitting their at the same time to be painted and they did a crummy job on them for me because I think they hated me at the momment. Went back to the same bodyshop in January to get a sct hood put on. They painted it for free for me went back in February got a sct spoiler they painted it for free and great service this time around less than 3 weeks for the hood and spoiler. They even repainted my twin post mirror for me for free because I had complaints about the paint job. Then in July went back their they helped me with my custom xxl grill. Then went back again and they painted my calipers purple for met. Then kept on going back and they installed my NR gagues for me now which dealership would install those aftermarket gauges for you not too many but I have been back their 9 times and now believe it or not they are my car pimping headquarters they will help me on any mods I need to my car expect my sub and amp I have to go to Circuit City but yep they are cool as hell now. But I guess you have to build a realationship somewhere:lol: But the funny thing is I didn't even order my new car at this dealership and I get my car maintence and warranty work done at the dealership where I bought my car I just use this dealership for their bodyshop:lol:

[VanishingImage]

not all dealerships are the same as far as in customer service but body shops are places that you can build a relationship,which I have with the place that painted my body kit, plus its more personal and it can become a more friendship therefore you get charged less. Not all body shops are that way but thats why you ask around,asks friends,co-workers,etc.....

[RJ213]

i work at a dealership and wouldnt take it to one to work on my car

[AznGA]

Originally posted by RJ213
i work at a dealership and wouldnt take it to one to work on my car
Why not?

[RJ213]

theyre usually too rushed and dont get it done right, not just at the one i work at but others ive seen too. a lot of times the color doesnt exactly match or theres dirt in the paint, you can see the body work through the paint.... too overpriced unless its an insurance job. alot of what vanishingimage said is true too, bodyshops will take the time to talk to u a bit get to know u. go there a few times build a good relationship with the guy youll get treated right.

[GTLUVA]

Well I get all of my aftermarket goodies installed at the local gm bodyshop. They installed my N & R White Face Gauges for me installed my XXL custom grille mesh for me installed all my interior pieces for me in my car they installed my bulbs for me they installed my aluminum racing pedals, LED Sprectra stick they did a good job painted my calipers purple for me. I got free paint when I got my new sct hood and spoiler installed I see a couple of spots which I'm not too happy about but what can you say all bodyshops aren't going to be perfect. I trust the gm bodyshop I went their once with over $500 worth of toys to install and they installed them for me and gave me back all of my original car parts:) I was just in the bodyshop three weeks ago to my get my sct chin spoiler installed and they helped me mount it and everything.

[3 DeeJay]

I will never take another back to a dealer.. After I got rear ended in my 99 GT and they took way to long to fix and never replaced the quarter panel that was bent... will never do again..

[AznGA]

I guess all the mechanics at dealers try to do bodywork.

[GTLUVA]

When I got rearended in my grand am last summer I ordered a new rear bumper and the gm boyshop made me wait close to 8 weeks for the damn thing. While I was waiting two months I got sick of waiting so I got into a huge arugument with the bodyshop manager about waiting so long. Went back in January bought a sct hood through the same dealer they offered me free paint on my hood I let them keep my old hood for free because I couldn't take it back home with me because I still live at home and my parents didn't have any room at their place to keep it but now the bodyshop manager is cool as hell so I guess it just took some getting to know and I can have my way now.:P

[GTLUVA]

Heres a pic of my car just by looking at you couldn't figure out that my mirrors were the twin post mirrors painted my sct hood has been on my car since January that was painted, my sct spoiler was put on in February and painted thats a new rear bumper on my car had it painted and installed last October. The bodyshop didn't paint my chin spoiler it already came painted Galaxy Silver thanks to the Guru2 on grandamgt.com boards but the dealer installed those XXL Custom Mesh grilles you see also they mounted the chin spoiler for me. I don't think the gm bodyshops do that bad of work but maybe I just haven't had the bad experience yet:)

[GTLUVA]

I got some pretty good damn paint on my hood for free:P

[AznGA]

I decided to take my car to a trusted local bodyshop and I got my car back. I got a new GM SCT hood and a new sideskirt that was damaged. I also got some dents taken care of. They really did nice work. I pointed them a couple spots and they said they would be happy to fix it.