I recently closed my garage on my new 2016 Cadillac. I wanted to have the damage (minor paint transfer from the garage door and a few minor scratches on the trunk lid and rubber bumper) repaired. I did not want to use insurance because I felt the damage would be less than the deductible. So I proceed to obtain quotes. My first stop was Colture Cadillac in Phoenix. Colture provided two quotes. The first was a quote assuming they could repair the trunk lid without needing to disassemble the entire trunk lid, but would need to remove the rubber bumper and repaint that part. The quote was ~$700.00. The second quote was to completely disassemble the trunk lid and rubber bumper and repaint both parts. The quote was ~$1,100.00. I then went to Gerber Paint and Body on 90th Street. Their quote was to simply disassemble the trunk lid and rubber bumper and repaint both; no attempt to repair without a complete disassembly. The quote was ~$1,200.00.
I was browsing the internet and came across A Cheap Body Shop. The narrative on the website seemed genuine and made sense. So I schedule an appointment and went to their shop. I was greeted by Steve the owner. He took one look at the damage and said, "It really doesn't look to bad." He then said let me go in a grab some rubbing compound and see what that will do. Within minutes he had removed the paint transfer and scratches. The trunk lid and bumper looked like nothing had ever happened. This process took less time than it took receive the two previously noted quotes. By the way, this cost me nothing and Steve 39 cents for the rubbing compound and a few minutes of his time
Here is my honest opinion. It is rare that you find people who are more interested in their reputation and customer service than money. Steve could have provided a quote and who knows what that would have been, maybe the same, maybe less. However, based on my experience, I have absolutely no doubt it would have been a fraction of Colture or Gerber. That folks is a shame. Both Colture and Gerber had the same opportunity to do the right thing. So their inaction speaks volumes. I would have been more than happy to pay for their time and wasn't looking for a free ride.
I cannot say enough about the integrity I experienced with A Cheap Body Shop and Steve. This experience means they have a customer for life. I will be more than happy to send anyone I know to Steve because my experience demonstrates an honest business and business owner.
As far as Gerber and Colture. Supreme disappointment doesn't come close to describing how I feel about those two companies.