Im paying the other driver out of pocket for damage i did. Is Dealer estimate always higher than a bodyshops?

Question

I bumped into a car and will be paying out of pocket for the minor damage. The other driver has only got 1 estimate from dealer bodyshop. It seems like the dealer would be the most expenisve. Are independent bodyshops usually cheaper? Should I insist he get another estimate before paying what seems to be a very high estimate from the dealer?

Answer 1

Yup the dealerships ALWAYS charge more than the regular bodyshops.

Answer 2

I would get at least 3 estimates. That, in my experience, has been the norm for any claims submitted to my insurance. Did you file a police report or are you both taking care of it on your own. What people usually do is get a bunch of estimates, and submit the three highest. Then take it to the lowest and pocket the extra cash. Now if it is a new car then I might consider the fact the person wants the dealer to work on it because it is new.

Answer 3

You should insist on 2 or 3 estimates to make sure he's not trying to rip you off.

Answer 4

Yes, you should always insist on a second opinion.  How can you be sure he didn't already do this and is just presenting you with the highest estimate.

In general though I would say the dealer is not the most expensive.  Mainly because a dealership can afford to subsidize the body shop's income from other sources, like new car sales and the repair shop. They don't have to make a huge profit to stay open.  They offer the body shop as a service to their customers, they don't have the same incentive to earn a profit as the independent shops.

On the other hand an independent body shop has to make a profit and stay competitive at the same time in order to survive.  They have to hire and retain the best people and keep the best equipment. That takes a lot of money.

Personally I would never use a dealership owned body shop.  The independents do much better work.

Answer 5

Dealers are nearly always the highest price for any service work.  

You can suggest (rather than insist) that the injured party get other estimates, but remember that you are the one inconveniencing him to begin with.   Don't get upset if he tells you to shut up and pay.  

The alternative is to let the insurance handle it, which I assume is what you're trying to avoid.

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Answer 6

Dealer services are usually double what regular shops charge. Reason for this is they use factory parts to repair. A good autobody shop, depending on damages, could just repair without replacing anything. That is why Bondo was invented.  2nd, why pay out of pocket? was it his choice or yours?

Answer 7

yep.

they charge more and do the worst work.

dealerships pay their workers the least.

What you should do is pay him back for his expenses not the amount of the estimate.

when he gives you a receipt for work done you pay that.

if he refuses offer to pay half now and the other half on completion of the work.

Answer 8

The only way to find out is call. Most places charge about the same though. Hope every one was ok in the accident though.