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Old 07-18-2002, 10:26 AM   #1
crodge2k
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Somerville, MA
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02 WRX Wagon
Need a body shop Black

Question Two body shop questions... one specific, one general.

I am kind of a new guy on the forum (I started reading about a week before the Exeter gathering -- sadly I missed the raffle, but I did get up there to see some of y'alls machines). I am probably not as polite as Spot (because I didn't post to say hello), but hopefully less annoying than Subaru_ImprezaPower because I actually took the time to do a search for the info I need before posting this question (and I'll try to remain true to my subject).

So this branch fell on my WRX wagon about a month ago and did about $1000 worth of damage (at least that is according to the insurance company). Sadly, the pieces clipped not just the roof (with a bit of a dent and some damage to the rack), but also the hood (just scratches), and dented even the passenger side rear door. I was not there at the time (my girlfriend had the car), but I immediately noticed the damage when I arrived home and filed a police report.

To make a long story short... I need a body shop I have two questions:


1 (Specific): I have been asking folks at the office, and have looked on (too new to be really helpful yet) Angie's List. The two main places I am considering are Hanson and Tilton, in Arlington, or DeLeo's over in Cambridgeport. Does anyone have experience with either?

What I know so far --

Hanson and Tilton: Cityside Subaru sends most of their work there (they are right across the street), and then sends their overflow to Arlington Center Auto Body (or something like that). The review I read said "Probably not the cheapest, because they do really good work." One coworker on the office bulletin board could not rave about them enough... but he could be related to the owner for all I know.

DeLeo's: Another coworker said he loved them and has used them for years and year, and about 7 times or so. The Angie's List review basically gave them a thumbs up... again they are somewhat expensive but their work rated an A.


2 (General): Amazingly, I have never needed real body work on the 4 cars I have owned so far in my life; maybe this is because I have stronger feelings for the WRX than for any other car I have owned. I did once take by girlfriend's 91 Legacy in for a quote, but the car died before the work needed doing. Anyway, the general question: How do you recognize a good body shop?


The WRX is at Cityside today for a CEL, so I thought I might check out Hanson and Tilton, but don't really know what I am looking for.

Any feedback on either topic MUCH appreciated. Feel free to PM me if you want to give negative feedback but don't want it associated with your name for some reason.

Sorry to be so long winded... better to be specific I guess. Words don't take up that much bandwidth, do they?

Crodge (yeah, people really use that as my nickname)


p.s. Oh, and if you ever go to East Arlington, look up after you park... we called the Arlington tree department (as did the police) but as of a week ago or so they had not yet bothered to remove the remaining dead limbs... a good stiff breeze will do it, probably onto someone's car.
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Old 07-18-2002, 12:01 PM   #2
spot
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i have no idea how to spot a bad body shop. the 2 that i have used, i had spoken with the manager/supervisor/owner (cant remember what his title was, just that he was in charge. ) and they took the time to explain what was going to be done to fix the car and gave me good time estimates. the shops were clean and the staff were all busy on other vehicles. other people that had used the shops were happy with the work.
the only advise i can offer is:
do you trust/believe the people recommending the shop?
visit the shops personally.
ask your insurance company if they've had any problems dealing with them.
i imagine dents and scratches would be no big deal to a good body shop. easy fix.
you going to try and get the repair costs from the town?
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Old 07-18-2002, 12:06 PM   #3
Jack
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Check out Dick's Auto Body. Ask for a tour and explanation of how they do the work and have them write up an estimate.
(617) 625-9171
99 Elmwood St, Somerville, MA 02144

I toured with the BMW club years ago and was extremely impressed. They will definately be more expensive than the insurance estimate, but check out what they're fixing. Once you do that, do the same for the other shops.


Another one that's a bit out of your way is Foreign Motors West body shop in Ashland. They're the only ones around authorized to do Rolls Royce repairs. They will work within your insurance numbers. I've had an Acura done there twice and was happy with them.

jack
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Old 07-18-2002, 12:08 PM   #4
crodge2k
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Somerville, MA
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02 WRX Wagon
Need a body shop Black

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Quote:
Originally posted by spot

you going to try and get the repair costs from the town?
Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I had been holding off on depositing the check from the insurance company figuring that I'd rather get the town to cover the full cost than pay a deductible myself. But repeated calls to the Arlington Bureaucracy (and numerous messages left for the "relevant" tree guy) got me nowhere. The insurance folks said they'd go after the town for the money, and I expect they'll have a bit more clout, and if they get back more than the amount of their check I am supposed to get the difference.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Crodge
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Old 07-18-2002, 12:27 PM   #5
Darshu
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I've had work done at DeLeo's and was satisfied with the quality of the work and the price. I'd go there again.
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Old 07-18-2002, 01:07 PM   #6
jblaine
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jack ffr1846
Check out Dick's Auto Body. Ask for a tour and explanation of how they do the work and have them write up an estimate.
(617) 625-9171
99 Elmwood St, Somerville, MA 02144
Dick, frankly, can eat one as far as I'm concerned. I was looking to have a lip painted 8 months ago and they said they would get back to me not one time, not two times, not three times, but FOUR SEPARATE TIMES and never did. Just lie to me and say, "We're too busy to take on any new work, sorry." if your shop is too hoity-toity to paint a cosmetic piece for a Subaru. Don't be a Dick about it.

Dick's Auto Body gets the :monkey:
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Old 07-18-2002, 02:25 PM   #7
paultg
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Jeff,
Tell us how you really feel.

Yeah, some places just aren't interested in any work but insurance work. I would suggest calling your local BMW/Mercedes/Porsche dealer, and have some fun.

"My [insert $80K - $100K] car was scratched by a playboy model on my hood (don't ask why). I'd like to know where you have all your cars repaired, and who you recommend."

Paul G.
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