I had damage caused buy a faulty tire. Michelin required 2 estimates. The ones I got were free. Michelin would have probably paid. They stood up to the damage.
Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.
westernrvparkowner wrote: 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.
X 2 and well said, I might add.
Sorry if this post seems long, I lacked the time to make it shorter.
almost quote from S.L. Clemens
Don & Linda
1st RV UL EMS 4s Dome
2nd RV 21' AMF Scamper TT PV D300 Dodge
3rd RV National Seabreeze 133LX w/Demco Dolly
4th RV Jayco 2450 5TH PV Ford F-250 SD
A very common thing...and this is why
employee tied up with the estimate, documentation costs with each estimate
and so many that want estimates are just wanting documentation to use to get a settlement check in their pockets...and they have NO intention of doing any of the repairs
westernrvparkowner wrote: 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.
sc3283 wrote: A very common thing...and this is why
employee tied up with the estimate, documentation costs with each estimate
and so many that want estimates are just wanting documentation to use to get a settlement check in their pockets...and they have NO intention of doing any of the repairs
X2....We got hail damage last spring and as soon as we pulled in for an estimate he told us it was going to be 50.00, be cause he knew the damage exceeded the value and he knew it wasn't going to be fixed.
Fred & Jodie, dogs, Zoey & Mika
RIP Bella
2010 F150 5.4, 3.55, 4x4, Equli-z-er Hitch
2007 Forest River Salem 27RB LE
and
2009 Nomad 3980
westernrvparkowner wrote: 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.
For the shop that was large enough to be giving one quote a day that never turned into a job and that was closed two weeks out of the year the $100 quote fee would add $25,000 to the shops annual bottom line.
That would cover the cost of a $10 an hour office person or buy a lot of paint.
I was "surprised" this week when looking at my ticket from Taco John's. Their Crunchy Chicken is still $3.69 as it has been for a long time BUT now they charge $.29 for the "free" ranch dipping sauce. Cheese dip option is now $.75 extra.
By businesses covering real cost associated with any action/service they can keep the base prices a bit lower.
I agree on the fee. I do estimates all the time. My verbal guestimates are free. If you want a written estimate, you pay. The fee is deducted from the actual job, when approved. Most dont mind paying the $40.00 + fee when all they are going to do is take the insurance check and use it for something else. We had a customer that did just that. The insurance co called and asked if the work was completed. I told them I never got approval or saw any $$ to special order needed parts. Well, the dumb customer spent the $$ and never took into consideration the bank still held the note. He had to come up with the $$ real quick then. Had to borrow it from relatives.
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