Body Work Questions

I've got a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan that I just want to get rid of.
It's a fine car but it was my wife's car and we're now divorced so I
want to be rid of it. However it has some damage to the drivers side
sliding passenger door and some to the rear panel on the same side.

The door and the rear panel are pretty badly damaged, each panel is
"crinkled" and creased in about a 2ft x 2ft area (total damage area
2ft x 4ft) My ex managed to scrape it against a concrete pillar AND
managed to not pay the insurance bill.

I've had quotes on it for as much as $3500 and as little as $800. I
want a repair job that will let me sell it at a normal used car price.
There is no sturctural or alignment damage.

What questions should I ask to figure out what kind of job I'm
getting?

Kelly Blue Book price for private sale $13k, ammount offered by a
dealership to buy is as-is $9k.

Thanks in advance!
-James

P.S. What's with these guys who approach me in grocery store parking
lots saying, "I'll fix all that right in your driveway for $1000!" ?

The parking lot guys are a JOKE!

I have a shop in North Central/North East, PA and would be glad to look at
it for you and am an old time metal man.

Meaning, I repair metal well and don't resort to gallons of plastic filler!

The price variations are due in large part to some shops wanting to replace
the parts, and others wanting to straighten and refinish.

An $800.00 estimate sounds like a bait and lure price, to get you in the
shop. Then add on more shop hours and materials, no estimate is written in
stone. Read the fine print about when a job is started!

I hope this helps?

Refinish King
AABCO Auto Service & Collision Repair


"James Sutherland" > wrote in message
om...
> I've got a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan that I just want to get rid of.
> It's a fine car but it was my wife's car and we're now divorced so I
> want to be rid of it. However it has some damage to the drivers side
> sliding passenger door and some to the rear panel on the same side.
>
> The door and the rear panel are pretty badly damaged, each panel is
> "crinkled" and creased in about a 2ft x 2ft area (total damage area
> 2ft x 4ft) My ex managed to scrape it against a concrete pillar AND
> managed to not pay the insurance bill.
>
> I've had quotes on it for as much as $3500 and as little as $800. I
> want a repair job that will let me sell it at a normal used car price.
> There is no sturctural or alignment damage.
>
> What questions should I ask to figure out what kind of job I'm
> getting?
>
> Kelly Blue Book price for private sale $13k, ammount offered by a
> dealership to buy is as-is $9k.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> -James
>
> P.S. What's with these guys who approach me in grocery store parking
> lots saying, "I'll fix all that right in your driveway for $1000!" ?

The parking lot guys are a JOKE!

I have a shop in North Central/North East, PA and would be glad to look at
it for you and am an old time metal man.

Meaning, I repair metal well and don't resort to gallons of plastic filler!

The price variations are due in large part to some shops wanting to replace
the parts, and others wanting to straighten and refinish.

An $800.00 estimate sounds like a bait and lure price, to get you in the
shop. Then add on more shop hours and materials, no estimate is written in
stone. Read the fine print about when a job is started!

I hope this helps?

Refinish King
AABCO Auto Service & Collision Repair


"James Sutherland" > wrote in message
om...
> I've got a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan that I just want to get rid of.
> It's a fine car but it was my wife's car and we're now divorced so I
> want to be rid of it. However it has some damage to the drivers side
> sliding passenger door and some to the rear panel on the same side.
>
> The door and the rear panel are pretty badly damaged, each panel is
> "crinkled" and creased in about a 2ft x 2ft area (total damage area
> 2ft x 4ft) My ex managed to scrape it against a concrete pillar AND
> managed to not pay the insurance bill.
>
> I've had quotes on it for as much as $3500 and as little as $800. I
> want a repair job that will let me sell it at a normal used car price.
> There is no sturctural or alignment damage.
>
> What questions should I ask to figure out what kind of job I'm
> getting?
>
> Kelly Blue Book price for private sale $13k, ammount offered by a
> dealership to buy is as-is $9k.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> -James
>
> P.S. What's with these guys who approach me in grocery store parking
> lots saying, "I'll fix all that right in your driveway for $1000!" ?