Am I Screwed?

[fantolay]

So I went to get my car detailed. The typical place I would go to, car wash that also does interior services, was booked for the next two weeks and I wanted it done sooner.

I tried a nearby auto place and went inside, asked if they do detailing. Guy behind the counter says sure. I ask him how much, he says he will have to see my car. Says $150 + tax. I'm like okay. So we go inside an I make the appointment, and he photocopies my registration and has me date and sign some folder type deal that looks like standard fare.

So I come back today for my appointment and notice some red flags about the place. First off, when I come in there is a different guy behind the counter and when I say I'm here for my detailing appointment he looks at me like an alien. Then the guy I met with comes out and says hi and takes care of it. But I get the feeling this place doesn't do detailing really. From outside, it is a collision repair shop. They do reallignments, front end stuff, etc. Nowhere do they advertise any sort of cleaning.

I feel like one of two things will happen. I will either come back for it later today (he said he will call when it is ready) and the cost will be like $150 + $200 labor and I will be fucked because I signed something, or I just signed my car away. Who knows, maybe they bring it into their shop and swap out all of the good parts.

That said, the guy was nice enough, the place seems to have a decent amount of business going through it, and inside I spotted a really really nice car on one of the lifts so obviously someone trusts them.

Am I overthinking? Or am I right to have doubts about goodwill.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Why the hell would you get your car detailed from a collision repair shop?

There are tons of car wash places that do detailing and they specialize in it.

 

[corwin]

Why the hell do they need a copy of your registration? I've had mine detailed many times and never had anyone ask for my registration...sounds fishy to me.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Wow. /facepalm

Too stupid to find another true detail shop and check for recommendations online?

 

[Ketchup]

Fantolay, it is way too soon to tell. Settle down. In the future, I think a better post would be "where should I get my car detailed?" rather than panicking after they have your car.

 

[Sixguns]

Why pay to have this done? Just do it yourself on a Saturday. That way its free!

 

[dud]

With all the "flags" going off in your mind ... you have to ask? If you are looking for someone to make yourself feel better about your decision ... you'll probably in the wrong place.

 

[SandEagle]

he's going to run it though the $5 carwash, shopvac the interior, and charge you $150. sucker.

i normally go to ziebart. they have 89, 99 dollar int/ext detailing once in awhile. also ask a car dealership for detailing services. they typically contract out, but can tell you where to go for a good detailing

 

[Aharami]

i dont get why they needed a copy of your registration?! sounds very fishy. dont take your car there

 

[fantolay]

yeah. well my friend is paying for it, he is the one who spilt shit

 

[ConwayJim]

I agree, I don't know why they need registration for cleaning a car; seems a little odd.

 

[Ketchup]

yeah. well my friend is paying for it, he is the one who spilt shit

This attitude disturbs me.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Make appt over phone, bring in, give keys, come back in a few hours, give cash, done.

not sure why they needed registration???

 

[Schfifty Five]

Get your car back ASAP.

 

[Schfifty Five]

yeah. well my friend is paying for it, he is the one who spilt shit

Motion to ban fantolay for being an idiot.

 

[slayer202]

It will be fine. You still should have taken it somewhere else though

 

[Squisher]

People that paint cars certainly know about buffing out finishes.

 

[mugs]

I feel like one of two things will happen. I will either come back for it later today (he said he will call when it is ready) and the cost will be like $150 + $200 labor and I will be fucked because I signed something, or I just signed my car away. Who knows, maybe they bring it into their shop and swap out all of the good parts.

You're way too paranoid. You just paid $150 to have a guy take your car to a carwash for you. Sure, you blew $150 on nothing, but they're not going to dismantle your car and send it to China.

yeah. well my friend is paying for it, he is the one who spilt shit

Probably could have cleaned it yourself (or made him do it) for very little money.

 

[fantolay]

You're way too paranoid. You just paid $150 to have a guy take your car to a carwash for you. Sure, you blew $150 on nothing, but they're not going to dismantle your car and send it to China.




Probably could have cleaned it yourself (or made him do it) for very little money.

Well this guy did say he would treat the leather, which is something that sounded good to my ears. And to the person who said that my attitude disturbs them:
I drove to pick up a drunk ass friend who some other friends called me about because there was no way they could get him home and people were motioning to send him to the hospital and he puked all over my back seat. I'm not cleaning it myself. I'll have my friend pay $150 for some guy to clean this, I just don't want the smell to sink into my car indefinitely.

 

[FoBoT]

Am I overthinking?

probably

(yea, it goes like this, here it goes) paranoia, they destroy ya
(here's to paranoia) paranoia, they destroy ya
(hey hey, here it goes) paranoia, they destroy ya
(and it goes like this)

paranoia, they destroy ya

 

[SunnyD]

Motion to ban fantolay for being an idiot.

Nah, this thread has potential. Need him around for the lulz.

 

[RPD]

Which is why it's a good idea to actually read a document BEFORE signing it.

 

[manimal]

So I come back today for my appointment and notice some red flags about the place. First off, when I come in there is a different guy behind the counter and when I say I'm here for my detailing appointment he looks at me like an alien. Then the guy I met with comes out and says hi and takes care of it.

OMG So your saying that someone else at the counter the next time you come in is a red flag?


You realize most mechanics have zero personality or sometimes the ability to speak so the second guy you talked to was probably one of the idiots you normally dont let talk to customers.

To translate the rest for you the "Nice" guy was probably the owner or management taking ANY work that comes in the door even if they dont offer detail as a service.

The VIN is also on your registration so they probably used that to capture your cars info when they enter it in their computer. The tech was too lazy to go out and get it off the car. Most shops will capture your vin so they know what parts to order. They will probably to a free inspection on the car for you.




Sure they may sub it out to someone else for 100 and keep 50 but thats on you and your haste and stupidity.

 

[busydude]

This thread needs constant updates from the OP.

 

[irishScott]

Well this guy did say he would treat the leather, which is something that sounded good to my ears. And to the person who said that my attitude disturbs them:
I drove to pick up a drunk ass friend who some other friends called me about because there was no way they could get him home and people were motioning to send him to the hospital and he puked all over my back seat. I'm not cleaning it myself. I'll have my friend pay $150 for some guy to clean this, I just don't want the smell to sink into my car indefinitely.

You don't want the smell to sink in, so you let vomit marinate your leather seats overnight. Got it. I'd have just nutted up and cleaned it myself, made the friend feel like shit later. You might have some permanent stains already as it is.