Mike& Rose
Lake & Horse country,Blackstone Valley MA
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Joined: 02/12/2007
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While visiting our local RV Show this past weekend I stopped at a booth for a RV repair company. They do inspections, repairs and fix items on board. They also do body work, but charge $100 to give you an estimate. If you have them do the repair, they deduct the $100 for the total bill. Is this normal practice for RV shops?
See you on the road!
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Luke Porter
Not on the road :(
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Joined: 10/03/2000
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I have been to 3 differnt dealers/RV repair places. None charged for a estimate.
Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.
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Ka Ron
Kelowna
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Joined: 12/31/2009
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Not up here in the great white north
Join Us For A Trip Down The RV Highway
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CKNSLS
Northern Utah
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Joined: 07/20/2006
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This is starting to happen in some body shops in California. I don't understand it. I know that it does tie up an employee for a few minutes. But with computers and software programs it's easier and quicker than ever to provide an accurate estimate.
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Greyghost
On The Road To Somewhere
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Joined: 10/12/2001
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I used these folks in 2005 and there was no charge for the estimate. They got the job and did an outstanding job on our MH.
Bump & Grind Auto Body
(603) 642-8405
12 New Boston Rd, Kingston, NH 03848
Pat & Roger Fisher
2004 Mountain Aire 3501
2007 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD,
Jewel and Clifford Bouvier Des Flandres
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camperpaul
Wherever I park my travel trailer
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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It is because a lot of the insurance companies want three estimates.
Paul
Extra Class Ham Radio operator - K9ERG (since 1956)
Retired Electronics Engineer and Antenna Designer
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
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luvglass
Milwaukee
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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We have had a number of repairs needed over the years, some with multiple estimates and we have never been asked to pay for the estimate. I would be outathere!
Fred Wishnie
2006 Carriage Cameo 35KS3, 2006 Ford F350 diesel dually, fulltimer
See our blog at http://www.mytripjournal.com/wanderingwishnies
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Randu
South Central Michigan
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Joined: 01/26/2005
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I ran into the same thing from 2 different dealerships in mid Michigan back in 2008. Tire damage that involved lower panel, plastic wheel skirt and paint to match. My selling dealer in Grand Rapids didn't charge for the estimate but it was over $5000. A dealer in Mason, Mi and one in Chelsea, Mi both wanted the $100.00 estimate fee. E-mailed a place in Bremen, IN that specializes in repair and paint of RV's and estimate based on e-mailed photos was just under $2000.00. I was very glad I had got estimates and it was well worth a 100 mile tow for the high quality work that was preformed. Randu
2004 GMC 2500HD 8.1 Big Block gas
2008 Mobile Suites 36TK3
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I'm betting they don't do MUCH body work 
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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westernrvparkowner
montana
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Joined: 11/29/2008
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Most Insurance companies have moved away from needing estimates and you can just take your vehicle to a repair facility that is authorized in their system. Also, any needed estimates are now done by their own claim adjusters. Getting estimates at repair facilities are becoming a thing of the past when insurance is paying. When insurance doesn't pay, I would venture to guess that 9 out of ten estimates do not result in the shop making a repair. Estimates cost a shop money, they have to pay their employees whether or not it results in a repair. If they didn't charge for that estimate, they would just have to pass those costs on to those who actually chose to use the facility for their repairs. That increases the costs for the real customers. A charge for an estimate, where that charge is applied to the bill should I use that shop is fine with me.
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