Hello John. I’m sorry you feel we are unethical. That could not be further from the truth. We operate with the highest integrity and doing the right thing for our clients.
We are not a corporation; we are a locally owned independent franchise. However, some things we don’t have control over because Maaco corporate as the Franchisor provides to all Franchisees. The online estimate tool is one of those and a source of great frustration for me because of the issue you experienced. There is no way an online tool can know the full extent of what’s needed for a vehicle. The paint job estimate is a rough idea of cost (and is stated as that) but it can’t know if any repair is needed to the surface to accept the new paint. The online estimate includes the basic sanding/prep. Your vehicle has significant surface damage that would require extra prep work or the paint would not look good or adhere properly. As well, there are some parts on your car that need to be taken off and replaced.
I’m sorry you perceived this as bait and switch. That is not what we do nor will we ever do to our clients.
I understand that the online estimate is a ballpark estimate. After emailing with Shannon, I told her I would be there today for the real estimate. I pull up, ask for Shannon, and some guy comes out walks up to the car, asks about dings, I told him all I wanted was the paint job.
He said “you want me to pull the bandage off?”
I asked what, and he said $6/7k.
I asked him what again, and he said “we need to sand the car”
So $4/5k upgrade in price for sanding?
I guess all y’all do is just wipe off the dirt and paint, eh?
And as long as it took you to read this, that’s how fast the “estimate” took!
Really professional!
SCAMMER!