10-24-2017, 02:58 PM | #1 |
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Bumper bender
Someone rear ended me the other day. AAA sent me to one of their “direct repair network” shops. To my inexperienced eye it looks like the only damage was the bracket which holds the bumper to the frame. The adjuster said we may need to replace your bumper. I said that the aftermarket bumpers are cheap and would rather leave it as is.
Can’t you just remove the bumper, heat and bend the bracket and put the bumper back on? I know most shops don’t want to work on our old trucks but This seems like easy money.
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72 White Cheyenne, The Ghost |
10-24-2017, 07:31 PM | #2 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Agree, damage looks minimal, and that's a nice bumper. The bumper appears to be twisted down a little on the driver's side. I'm not sure repairing the bracket will take the twist out.
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10-24-2017, 10:28 PM | #3 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Just wondering since you say its easy money, if insurance wasn't involved what would you be willing to pay out of pocket to fix said damage?
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10-25-2017, 12:21 AM | #4 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Bumper straightener, bottom right in the picture...
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Robert |
10-25-2017, 12:31 AM | #5 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Hold on here boys, that is very minor and there should be plenty of adjustment room in the bolt holes to loosen up those bolts and rotate the bumper till it's good and tighten the bolts back up.
I am thinking you can do this, easy peasy. Brian
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10-25-2017, 11:39 AM | #6 | |
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Re: Bumper bender
Quote:
The shop said the job would be $1200. I looked at the list of things and it's pretty involved including removing the trim pieces, brake lights, paint and side panel. The young man who helped me was half the age of my truck and knows nothing about them. I am thinking that all these items came from some computer program and used a newer truck profile. For example, there is two hours labor to repair the bumper cover which doesn't even exist. For fun, I attached it although it might be too small to read. Anyway, I told "do not total my truck". The last thing I want is for AAA to just give me $1200 and keep my truck, which of course I have much more $$$ invested in it. Thanks for your replies, I'll keep you posted. Rob
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72 White Cheyenne, The Ghost Last edited by el_fantasma; 10-25-2017 at 12:13 PM. |
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10-25-2017, 03:20 PM | #7 |
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Re: Bumper bender
That may be the worst estimate I have ever seen for a pickup of that age. Is there body damage to the box side that isn't shown in the picture?
Why do they want to R/I parts that don't exist on that truck? Some people... |
10-25-2017, 05:01 PM | #8 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Sure there’s some body damage but not from the accident. I’m thinking their computer estimating program only goes back 20 years so they just used something like a 1998 truck. I heard the estimator ask a coworker “how do I enter this VIN”? In a few days, some guy is going to be looking at that list and scratching his head. . .
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72 White Cheyenne, The Ghost |
10-26-2017, 12:47 PM | #9 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Does AAA require you to use their body shop? If you have a shop that you trust, see what they would charge. And if you haven't, discuss with your AAA agent, ask what they'll cover if you take it to the shop of your choice.
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10-27-2017, 04:08 PM | #10 |
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Re: Bumper bender
That’s great advice but I already left it there. I expect a call next with them giving me some BS about why they haven’t started and or can’t do the work. Then I’ll go pick it up and drive in down to Rodz in San Carlos and show him the quote. He’s about 3 months out but there’s no rush.
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72 White Cheyenne, The Ghost |
10-27-2017, 06:31 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Bumper bender
Quote:
You go where you feel comfortable, period. It may take a few days longer because they have to send an estimator out where at their "direct" shops the shop writes an estimate and can start the repairs that day. That is about the only difference. If the shop finds more things wrong they still pay, it works the same at any quality shop. We use to be direct with about 7 different insurance companies, it's now down to 3. We dropped a the 4 because they have us too many headaches. We now repair just about as many cars from them without the headaches because we make the rules now. Brian
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1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings" |
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10-30-2017, 02:25 PM | #12 |
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Re: Bumper bender
Thought I would close out this thread, Ghost is home, good as new. The adjuster said that they removed the bumper, bent the bracket and put the bumper back on. Final Bill was $918 - no paint or parts added, just labor. I guess everyone is happy, truck is fixed, final bill lower than the estimate and body shop made some money. I suppose this goes on all the time. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions.
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