QuestionI think I got scammed last night. A guy at a parking lot claimed to work for an auto collision repair shop. He said he had his boss's equipment and could repair my dings, scratches and cracked bumper. If anyone out there knows how I could fix this, please let me know.
Bumper issue:
I have a 97 Honda Accord. At one point, I ruined my bumper and just bought a plain bumper that had not been painted. It was just black; how it came originally. I never got it painted because it never really looked that bad. Anyway, eventually I ruined it again and cracked the side near the headlights. Last night, this man in the parking lot offered to fix it. What he did was, he put this putty type of material which he said was self sanding and it would fill in the crack. I also saw him put some sort of white tape to bond the crack together. He did not smoothen it out or sand it as he said it was "self-sanding." He then took some primer and spray painted over it to match my eggplant colored car. This morning, I checked it and some of the parts that he put the putty on was cracking. I touched it and the putty had not dried yet. I paid him $240. I know I got scammed, but can someone tell me what I need to do to fix it?
Door Dings/Dents:
He also put this white paste which to me look like plaster on my door dings and minor dents. He claimed that this was some heating material that heats up the metal and pops it back to its original form. He said I was not to remove this stuff for two days because that's how long it would take to have the dents pop back out. How true is this?
Please help!!!!!!
AnswerHi Caroline. You were scammed. Happens often. Never pay anyone for anything outside of an actual location facility with a written contract. Oh well. From this point on, you need to go to a good bodyshop and get repaired if you want to have repaired correctly. You can make an insurance claim or pay out of pocket. i cant see the damage so i can not help with pricing.
As for the dings. 2 days for putty to dry gives the scammer 2 more days to work the neighborhood before he gets busted. Not one thing this person said to you is true. Do not try and figure it out anymore Caroline. Its done. The technique he claimed to you is so bizarre I don't know where to begin other than call the police if you see him again.
When you go to the bodyshop, they may be able to remove the putty without damaging the car any further. Good news is that the putty is not drying. Therefore, they should be able to remove. As for the dings; ask the bodyshop about paintless dent removal. It works often and a good shop will know about it.
Sorry for your painful experience. Sick world at times. Stay safe and you will gets good wisdom from your local family and friend referred bodyshop.
David
