Paul D Hnr
map-marker Palm Desert, California

Beware, Danger, Red Flag, Scam Artists

After getting into an accident in my car, I needed to find an auto body repair shop to fix the damages. After reading several Google reviews, I decided on Ben Clymer's The Body Shop because it was relatively close to home and seemed to have a good reputation. Little did I know the brevity of the scam I was in for. Here's the rub: 1. I took my car into the shop and they said no worries they can fix it. 2. I signed a simple statement saying essentially that I could be liable to pay them up to $1,500 should they need to dismantle the car to document any damage. During the whole time my car was there, ZERO dismantling was performed. 3. I reiterated to Ben Clymer's The Body Shop several times that I did not want my car to be totaled. They said in their opinion that it was not a total loss. The car was totally drivable and mechanically sound. 4. After being at Ben Clymer's The Body Shop for a week, I went to pick up my car and take it to the Volkswagen Dealership for another opinion. I was told that I could not take my car and leave until my insurance company paid an administration fee. 5. No where in the contract I signed was there ANY mention of an administration fee. 6. I called the police to negotiate the release of my vehicle. Then Ben Clymer's The Body Shop presented the police officer with a bill. On that bill was a $50 administration fee, a handling fee, and a $700.00 parking fee for 7 days. I was advised I could not take my car until the bill was paid. 7. I received a call several hours later that my insurance company paid the $750 ransom and I could now go and pick up my property. What's disappointing about these auto body shops is that they figure they're going to make money on you regardless of whether they actually do the repairs of not. And they apparently get away with this scam because these insurance shops are well staffed, spit-shined, and present very well. I wonder how well they'd do if they had to deal directly with the consumer? I'd be willing to bet their facilities wouldn't look squeaky clean and spit polished like a hospital.
View full review
Loss:
$750
Reason of review:
Problem with delivery

Preferred solution: How bout you not hold peoples property hostage for someone elses bill?

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