Looking for autobody shop... is being a BBB member worthwhile or worthless?

[Phokus]

So somebody rear-ended me and i got a check to do the repairs. I'm looking for a good autobody shop to fix my car but don't know who is reputable or not. Are BBB certified businesses generally better than not or does it even matter at all? Thanks

 

[dullard]

The BBB is a cheap form of advertising. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you have a substantial problem with the company, the BBB will demand that the company rights the wrongs. If not? They don't get their cheap advertising. That's it. That is all the BBB can do. The punishment isn't much at all.

With no real punishment, there is little incentive to be a better store than one without the BBB. However, if a company has been a BBB member for many years, you at least know that the past complaints have been resolved. For that reason, if everything else is equal, you might want to consider a BBB buisness over one that isn't BBB (or that has recently been kicked out of the BBB).

 

[mav451]

Well, anyone who acutally prints out a dated estimate > someone who just tells you something in person. I went to two places - one in a shady area, off the main road. The one on the main road had a huge BBB plaque inside, and was very personable. The key is that he went and priced out every little thing that they would do - parts, labor, etc.

Anyone who won't give a detailed written estimate is shady though - that goes w/o saying.

 

[Phokus]

OK thanks guys