More frustrating because this guy's behavior (his inability to park correctly) was a definite precursor to what happened. There's no question in my mind that this was 100% preventable.
I'll do the "shock and awe" with the initial estimate, then segue into the lower one. Again, if I can net $550 to cover my costs I would be happy. I have no desire to punish him, rip him off, or be a jerk. Dan > On Oct 11, 2016, at 12:52 PM, Donald Snook <d...@snooklawllc.com> wrote: > > Very frustrating. But, at least the guy is honest. Even if he has to turn > it over to the insurance, you don't have to have them repair it. You can > take the check and find the part yourself. I'm very surprised the paint > work isn't more expensive! > > I was at an estate sale recently and somebody (I'm assuming an old person in > a big car) backed into my car and busted the turn signal and left a quarter > size dent on the fender near the light. No note. People can be a holes. > So, I am glad this guy stepped up. > > Don Snook > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dan Penoff [mailto:d...@penoff.com] > Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 6:05 PM > To: Mercedes List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > Subject: [MBZ] Bonehead > > I park in a parking garage at my office. The space I park in is one of two > that are sandwiched between two block walls. There is room for two vehicles > to fit in the area without having to squeeze out of the door. I normally > park well to the right against a wall so the person in the other space has > plenty of room. This is usually another employee I work with, or if they’re > late, some guy with a big red Dodge pickup truck, who swings wide because he > won’t back up and straighten out to pull into the space. > > So today as I’m pulling out of my garage I hear a big “pop” sound and realize > I forgot to clear a plastic container with a set of old H4 bulbs in it. > Realizing that the metal part of the bulb might have damaged my right front > tire, when I pulled into my parking space this morning I moved towards the > middle of the space, evenly spacing my car between the yellow lines, with a > good 8”-12” on each side of the car between the car and the painted lines. > That way if I had to change a tire should it have been damaged and leaked > down during the day I can get to that side of the car. > > Wife had doctor’s appointment I was attending, so about 9:40 I go down to get > in the car. There’s a note stuffed in the gap between my doors: > > "Sorry, but I scrapped (sic) against your car this morning. It doesn’t look > bad, but please let me know what to do and I’ll work things out with you.” > (phone number) > > Arrgh. > > Left rear quarter is scuffed and left rear taillight is cracked. When I got > it out in the sun I could see a dimple in the middle of the panel. The > trailing edge of the fender where the tail light opening starts has the paint > rubbed down to the primer. I took plenty of pictures of my car, its’ > position and the big red truck, which was clearly swung way over into my > space when it pulled in and had black paint on the bumper where it had rubbed > against my car. > > So I called the guy and he was pretty contrite. He said if it was below his > deductible he would just give me the money, otherwise I could file a claim > with his insurer. I told him to put it in writing in an email, which he did, > even admitting fault and including his insurance contact information and > policy number. (Nice!) > > So I went to the local ding and dent place, a chain called “Carsmetics”, for > a quick estimate. > > Around $475 for the paint work. LKQ has no left rear taillights for my car, > so the only other choice they have is to go with new from MBUSA. > > +$1100.00!!! > > I had them write up an estimate with and without the tail light. I’m > thinking if his deductible is $500 I’ll ask him for $550 and I’ll source the > tail light assembly (easily found on eBay for $60-$80.) > > But only after I give him the $1700.00 estimate. > > Dan > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
