My New Car got dinged by Jerk in Parking Lot - Updated

[Sluggo]

Every car that is visible in your pictures is parked like shit, are you really shocked that your car was damaged by such careless fucks? Shop somewhere else.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It is hard to tell the damage from the PIXes provided. If just a scuff then sometimes it can be buffed out. If really scratched, then either a blend (ie, partial paint) or a full repaint of the door is required. Correctly repainting the whole door with a clear coat will cost a bunch ($1000 dont be surprised).

Warning that if this is a new car, then either get the job done right (ie, cant tell it was painted on) or just leave the scuff as a scuff wont look nearly as bad as a poorly repainted door that in a year shows different than the rest of the car.

Here's another pic. The reflection is horrible but basically, I'm just taking a pic of the rear door panel. It just finished raining, so all the other crap is just road dirt/dust.

 

[Eli]

Did you threaten to report them for hit and run if they drove away?

I wonder if that's what it would actually be?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Did you threaten to report them for hit and run if they drove away?

I wonder if that's what it would actually be?

No. I didn't think the dollar amount of damage required the need to call the police nor did I think about. I have the security guard as witness.

What I should have done thought, looking back, is video'd the whole conversation with the couple and me opening their door to show that the scratches lined-up and his door could reach mine.

 

[punjabiplaya]

+1 for if it's through all the paint and down to the metal, it's going to easily be near $1000

Did you threaten to report them for hit and run if they drove away?

I wonder if that's what it would actually be?

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Smoove910]

park like an asshole, this is what you get. Lesson learnt?

Next time, park where there's noone around and walk a little longer to the store. Sounds logical to me.

 

[coldmeat]

Isn't there some kind of law against parking spaces that small? Those are ridiculous.

 

[sisq0kidd]

Umm, people. His car is the one on the right.

 

[yhelothar]

It'd probably cost you a grand at a body shop. Although if you don't mind a DIY, it's not too difficult/expensive to fix.

Your average ding removal kit from the auto store is made for small dings like this. Then get a touchup paint kit with primer and clear. Fill in the scratch and sand it down with 1000 grit, 1500, 2000. Then buff it out with a rubbing compound.
It shouldn't cost more than $100 and about 2 hours of DIY.

I'd still probably try to get their insurance to pay for pro body shop job. But if all else fails... I'd recommend the above.

 

[Doppel]

Anyway, sucks to get hit like that. I bought a new car two months back and when I cleaned it two weeks later I found somebody had run a shopping cart into the front of it. Unreal, because that never happens to me, but there it was 500 miles on the odo. I've taken to parking further away from people now, it's a good habit as our other car has various scratches too because basically people don't give a sh*t about others and couldn't care less if they hit their car.

 

[DirthNader]

Say what you will about Florida, but the amount of retirees here gives us freaking huge parking spaces.

 

[*kjm]

Isn't there some kind of law against parking spaces that small? Those are ridiculous.

Think thats bad go to Hawaii

 

[fleshconsumed]

Anyway, sucks to get hit like that. I bought a new car two months back and when I cleaned it two weeks later I found somebody had run a shopping cart into the front of it. Unreal, because that never happens to me, but there it was 500 miles on the odo. I've taken to parking further away from people now, it's a good habit as our other car has various scratches too because basically people don't give a sh*t about others and couldn't care less if they hit their car.

Problem is, if you park away there are usually no shopping cart corals and people are too lazy to return their carts to the corals, so it actually increases you chances of getting dinged by a shopping cart.

You just can't win.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Ugh, parking lots with spaces that are too small piss me off. And I have a tiny car.

Also again.. whats with blocking out people's license plate numbers? You see hundreds a day. It's not privileged information.

As for small claims.. totally not worth it, unless you just want to make a point or have a lot of time on your hands.

I think this is part of why I just don't care about my cars cosmetically. I would like to, but it's an exercise in futility. It would drive me insane if I tried. A car is a tool. It's going to get dented, dinged, used, abused, eaten in, and most of all.. driven.

Edit: Though I'm certainly not saying that I wouldn't be pissed if some jackass dinged my door like that.

You drive a Toyota, don't you?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Man, I can't tell a damned thing looking at those pics you posted...which car is yours? I can't even see a ding.

I had some dings in my Maxima and the dealer used one of those ding repair places, cost me $100 and they took out 3-4 dings on the right side of my car. This was years ago though and I have a few more dings now...don't really give a crap though. That's the nice thing about driving an 8 year old car that's paid for. Now my Ducati on the other hand, I'd kill if someone screwed with it.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

It is his fault no matter how you parked. You have the upper hand. :thumbsup:

 

[MotF Bane]

It's just this one shopping place. Between Trader Joe's, Starbucks and a Microcenter. The place is a parking zoo. I guess to be able to have enough parking spots for the place, They made them so narrow that no one can fit a car in one.

Oh, I know that place. I've never seen people parking over the lines like that, but you're right, the spaces are way too narrow, and it's a madhouse in there. I try my damnedest to get into a far corner or wall space, and with a shiny new Volvo like yours, fuck it, I'd go elsewhere.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Say what you will about Florida, but the amount of retirees here gives us freaking huge parking spaces.

Yet people still park right on the line. Florida is by far the worst state in the US.

 

[Kroze]

Yet people still park right on the line. Florida is by far the worst state in the US.

You obviously haven't visit New Jersey.

 

[Kntx]

Sucks you got a door ding on your new car. But, door dings are a fact of life. Not something that I think you can demand someone to pay for.

 

[Eli]

Sucks you got a door ding on your new car. But, door dings are a fact of life. Not something that I think you can demand someone to pay for.

I agree with the fact of life part, but you most certainly can make someone pay for it if you have evidence they did it.

It's no different from a fender bender in that regard.

 

[amdhunter]

Should have called the Police. I've called them for a scratch a penny-wide. I told them my Jetta had special paint from Lamborghini (lol, they believed it) and they never questioned it and wrote up a report. I've made the lady that hit me wait 1 hour for the Police to arrive. She wasn't happy.

A scratch like that could be prepped and blended in rather easily - no need to paint the whole door. I'd guess $150 or so to fix it.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Should have called the Police. I've called them for a scratch a penny-wide. I told them my Jetta had special paint from Lamborghini (lol, they believed it) and they never questioned it and wrote up a report. I've made the lady that hit me wait 1 hour for the Police to arrive. She wasn't happy.

A scratch like that could be prepped and blended in rather easily - no need to paint the whole door. I'd guess $150 or so to fix it.

$150 would MAYBE cover the cost (to the bodyshop) for the materials. There's some straightening that'll need to be done too, you can see the distortion in the reflection.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Tried to use some Meguiar's ScratchX and it buffed it out a little but the scratch is thru the clearcoat at least.

Filed the claim and with a witness(security guard) it looks like I may be covered. I called Trader Joe's to see if they have any outdoor surveillance camera's but they said no. Microcenter supposedly does have camera's outside but no one is answering the phone.

Took it to an appraiser. They didn't think it was too bad. They will write it up as a repair, requiring sanding/repainting the scratch area with a coat of clearcoat over the whole door.

But the guy thinks a paintless dent removal place should be able to pull the dent out, wet sand the area and then buff it completely out since he doesn't think it went thru to the paint, just the clearcoat.

Should get the appraisal later today. I will also be filing a police report. Jerk has the same auto insurance company, not sure if that makes things easier.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Yet people still park right on the line. Florida is by far the worst state in the US.

Whats wrong with Florida??

Really though Im curious, I just moved here.