Bodyshop fail...

Man, I feel your pain. That totally SUCKS! Take pictures, lots of pictures and ask the Gecko claims adjuster if he wants to see the car again. Let Gecko know that you will not accept waiting untill "their" recomended shop has "down time" to get around to fixing their screw up and I would certainly not accept a car that is not through a licensed rental car agency. Way to many potential liability issues there. Remember, this is the same company offering you a car that just did second rate work on your car. When you return the "loaner" and they claim it's not in the condition it was loaned to you in, then what. And besides, them footing the bill for a rental while re-doing the work on your car will tend to put a higher priority on getting your car done right and in a very timely manner.
Plan B: Keep track of your time. If your budget allows, you can go drop off your car now and rent a "comprable" car today from any car rental agency, even Toyota, and keep it until the car is finished and Gecko will have to re-imburse you for the rental, if you push it, time lost from work also, and then Gecko will have to worry about recouping their money from the repair shop.
Your the victim here, twice. Take charge and take control of this situation you found yourself in and good luck with the repair the second time around.

 

I can't tell much from that picture.

But from your complaint, I'd say your unhappy with the repair done by the bodyshop.

If I was in a similar situation I'd be upset. I wouldn't even want the bodyshop that did the repair wrong in the first place, doing it again. You should be able to take it to any bodyshop you wish. Not only should you be reimbursed for a rental, but in the situation as you present it, I'd say it was unacceptable because you don't want to go "a couple of weeks" driving a Non-Hybrid automobile that would conceivably cost you much more in gas.

Just sounds like a poor bodyshop. I'd do some local research, find the best one in your area, take it to that one immediately and insist on any reimbursement.

Hopefully Geico won't balk, they should actually want to know if one of there "recommended" bodyshops are doing such a poor job.

I'm assuming if someone else caused the original damage that Geico is the other persons insurance? Hopefully this isn't a claim on yours.

 

What's with the filler anyway? Since this is an insurance job you should get a NEW fender! I wouldn't accept a repair that needs filler, that's what insurance is for, if you need a new part you should get a new part!

 

What are you talking about? There are very few insurance policies that require NEW parts if the part that is damaged can be repaired. This is totally a problem with a bad job by a repair shop. Let's not make it more than it is. I don't know what his insurance policy says, but I would be willing to bet a whole lot of money that just because it is "an insurance job" doesn't mean that he gets a new part.

I would be hesitant to go back to the same shop more than once, but I don't think it is unreasonable to let them try to fix the bad repair. I would be very, very careful not to leave the premises without noting any deficiencies, though. Look it over with a fine toothed comb and don't accept anything but the original look of your car. You are entitled to have it repaired to the condition it was in before the damage. Don't accept less. Stick to your guns, but you will get a whole lot more with honey than with vinegar.

 

Did they perform the repair you authorized? If so, that's not fraud. It's just an unsatisfactory job and you accepted it.

You might have some leverage with the insurance company but your recourse is probably only the shop's warranty of the repair.

If the work doesn't match the repair order also consider contacting your local Consumer Affairs office.

 

Sorry for having to be put through this...bad enough you got tapped from the other car now to deal with this...

I could see what you were talking about in the pic easily.

Did your insurance MAKE you go to that facility?? Or was that of choice?? I wonder how Toyota would have done?? I can only think better????
Good Luck on getting it corrected...

 

It's your car, your life, your choice. But I don't quite understand why you would have a FORD Dealership Bodyshop handle your Toyota. Plus IMO if the way it was originally handled was so substandard I certainly wouldn't want to go back.

Do what you want though.

As far as "new parts" or fix...I was in a very slow speed accident where I merged side by side against another vehicle....in a Nissan Pickup. Many superficial dents along the side of the entire vehicle, looked horrible but not much real damage beyond that. The Insurance paid for, and the Body Shop replaced each dented panel. Which is what I wanted. Seems to me that is how automobiles and Body Shops are operating more and more. The "craftmanship" of massaging metals or adding filler is giving way to the more expensive but consistent replacement of individual panels and bumpers. Again, especially if I wasn't at fault, I'd ask for new parts. You had a "new" car, why should you now have to have filler and or fatigued metal?

 

What's so hard to understand? In my area, the body shop at the Ford dealer does the best work. I've used them on several occasions and been totally pleased with the results. He could well be an independent operator that leases the space from the dealer. But it doesn't really matter. The quality of the work is what counts.

 

I had my Jaguar sedan repaired at a Pontiac dealership because, at the time, they did the best work. Later on, I had my wife's Lexus repaired at the local Lexus dealer and had to have it redone at an independent body shop. You should go to where you think the best work is done and I think you are doing the right thing in giving them ONE chance to fix their screwup.

You can ask for gold plated replacement fenders, but your policy, unless it is a very unusual one will probably pay to have the fender repaired IF it can be repaired, but you need to be satisfied.

You seem to have a pretty good handle on this situation and don't need too much advice, IMO. Hang in there, it is never pleasant to have this happen to an almost new car (or any car, for that matter).

If you need to start putting the screws to the insurance company, start talking about the diminished value of your brand new, perfectly maintained car. Some courts have held that insureds are entitled to be compensated for that, over and above the cost of repairs. But not all courts agree. It does, sometimes make insurance companies nervous. It is always better to leave your insurance company laughing. It is not always possible, though.

 

Okay...1st...switch to decaf.

2ndly, I'm talking to the OP, and (little hint) the NAME OF THE THREAD is "Bodyshop fail..." which indicates to me that for the OP the quality of the work hasn't been good. So obviously if the OP is unhappy with the work PLUS it's a Ford Dealership Bodyshop, why not just go somewhere else? Not talking about "your area" or "your personal experience" ....Yes, it's the quality of the work that counts and judging from the OP's experience the quality hasn't been good....what's hard to understand about that?