Rochester Collision

Seven Things You MUST Know Before Choosing A Rochester Collision Shop

by Jim Vinette

I’ve worked in and around Rochester Collision shops for nearly twenty-five years, and the number one thing I hear over and over from customers coming from other shops is, “I wish I had known that before I took my car there.” Usually, they’re talking about some pitfall or problem they encountered that could have been avoided if they had only known exactly what to look for, and what questions to ask of the repair facility.

So, with that in mind, I decided to sit down and write out the most important things you need to know BEFORE you decide who is going to perform collision service on your car or truck. After all, we’re talking about a lot of money here. You want to be certain the shop working on that expensive vehicle of yours not only knows what they are doing, but cares enough to do it right the first time.

IMPORTANT: Remember this… as the customer, it’s your right to have your vehicle repaired at any body shop you like. In fact, since it is your car, you’re the one who has the ultimate responsibility to choose the shop that provides the highest quality repair and the best service. Don’t be bullied by your insurance company into choosing the repair facility THEY tell you to!

Here’s exactly what you should ask about when your car needs collision work:

1. How Much Experience Does The Shop Have?

Experience… yes, the question you THINK should be number one IS number one. The question you want to start with is, “How long have you been in business?” Don’t stop there, however, because it’s not always the number of years the SHOP has been around, but how much experience the technicians have that’s really important.

So ask. Ask how many years experience the technicians have, especially the one(s) who will be working on your vehicle. I have nothing against trainees – hey, we all have to learn sometime, right? But the technician with final responsibility for the quality of your repair should have at least three years experience, and five, ten, or even more is better if you can get it.

It’s not just about how much they know, although that’s important, it’s about how HAPPY the technicians are at the shop you’re considering. Think about this… would you rather have your vehicle body work done at a shop that loses and replaces people like Donald Trump replaces apprentices, or where the tech’s are happy and satisfied with the pay and working conditions?

Yeah, me too! So ask not only how much experience the techs have, but how long they have been at that particular repair facility. If the manager can’t or won’t say, move on to your next choice.

2. Is There A Warranty On The Shop’s Repair Work?

Here’s an absolutely brilliant question, and I can’t believe how many folks forget to ask it! It seems simple enough, really. Don’t you want to know if the shop stands behind the work they do? I do, and you should, too.

With that in mind, a simple question to ask is, “How long are your repairs warranted for?” Any reputable Rochester body shop will warrant the quality of their work for at LEAST 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Personally, I will warrant the quality of my shop’s repairs for as long as you own your vehicle. I just feel that strongly about how good a job my techs do.

I realize not every collision shop can stand behind their work quite THAT far, but you get the idea, and from now on, you’ll think to ask.

3. Do They Have A Knowledge of ALL Insurance Companies?

Since the vast majority of collision repairs are paid for by insurance companies, it makes sense to do business with a shop that has a close working relationship will ALL of the major insurance carriers.

Don’t worry about whether a shop is a DRP (Direct Repair Facility) or not… that’s overrated. The key here is that the shop, and especially the shop MANAGER has close ties to the checkwriters and decision makers in each insurance company. Since starting in this business, I’ve made it my goal to become friends with as many insurance representatives as possible.

Believe me, when it comes to getting that “little bit extra” for a customer, that relationship can make all the difference.

4. Does the shop choose and use “Genuine” Paint and Material?

You have the right to know if the repair facility uses parts that are genuinely made by the same company that built your car. If fit, finish, and quality are important to you (and they should be!) then you definitley want the shop to use genuine parts and materials.

5. Will the shop help you obtain alternate transportation?

Hey, let’s be honest here, OK? Rental cars are expensive, and they are not always covered by your insurance company. Most are, but once in a while, you’re going to be responsible for paying for it.

If you find yourself faced with collision repair, and no car to drive, you want a body shop manager who will bend over backwards to try to get you alternate transportation, or at least make it available to you for a reasonable cost.

Here at Valley Cadillac-HUMMER, I’ve gone so far as to invite Enterprise Rental Car into our facility. That’s right, there’s an Enterprise representative – and several vehicles – available right here, all the time. Now that’s convenient.

6. Is the repair facility equipped with up-to-date, top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art equipment?

Look, you definitely don’t want to take your car, truck, or SUV to the shop that’s using yesterday’s paint booth or frame straightener. As a professional body shop manager, I make sure my shop is equipped with the very latest technology, to insure top-quality workmanship. The facility you choose should do the same.

Here at Valley, not only do we work with the latest equipment. we work on the highest end vehicles day-in and day-out. That doesn’t mean we only work on Cadillacs and HUMMERS, but because we are experienced fixing the very best, doesn’t it make sense that we can also handle the other makes? You better believe it, and it makes us highly qualified to handle your Rochester collision repair, no matter what make your vehicle is. (By the way, we’re also experienced at keeping finicky customers very happy!)

7. Does the body shop manager really care?

This one is perhaps the most important, and the most difficult to judge. I wont insult your intelligence and tell you I’ve NEVER had an unhappy customer. What I will tell you is this… unhappy customers are extremely rare here, and when I have one, I won’t sleep until they ARE happy.

If you would like to speak to one or two of my previous customers before you trust me with your car, that’s fine. Just ask me, and I’ll provide referrals.

There you have it. Hopefully, this brief report has helped you, and made you a more savvy shopper when it comes to choosing a Rochester collision repair facility. I’d like it to be
Valley Cadillac-HUMMER, but even if it’s not I wish you all the best with your collision work.

Jim Vinette
Body Shop Manager
Valley Cadillac-HUMMER
3100 Winton Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585-295-7950