Not bike related: Bodyshop costs on a van

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

At the weekend I hired a van to use for pitbike racing. When returning it, I accidentally scraped the left flank of the van on a low wall. The damage was about 20cm by 30cm and resulted in a shallow dent in the sliding door and scrapes all across the area.

As a result I've been charged £660 to repair this damage (which I have to say is not insignificant, but neither was it massive).

To me this sounds excessive. The van was a Blue LDV and the paint finish wasn't fantastic anyway, but I know this is irrelevant as they can demand it is taken to factory standard, but I'm fairly sure that it wouldn't cost that much to fix a car with comparable damage, let alone a van with a simpler finish.

Anyone on here work in a bodyshop? Does this sound right, or excessive? It is also interesting that the hire deposit is £750 which is only £100 more than what they charged me. Has anyone on here had a similar problem with a hired vehicle? How did it turn out?
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

With a hire vehicle you aren't just paying for the damage you are also paying for the loss of hire as the vehicle cannot be used while being repaired.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

Offer to hire that same vehicle for 3 days, and you will organise repair.

Then pay for it to be done yourself?
____________________
covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

If I were being asked to fork out that amount, I'd want to see some evidence that it's actually been repaired.

Have you offered to have it done yourself?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

duhawkz · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Karma :

in the past I paid £180 to have a side panel and a nose cone of a bike repaired and painted, that was with me taking them off and refitting them.

The missus paid £100 to have a small scratch and a small dent the size of maybe a 50p piece sorted out on her car.

both of those were about 5 years ago.

Do you have picture of the damage, there are one or two sprayers on here who might be able to say if their taking the piss.
____________________
"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

When you take a rental vehicle back with damage, the trick is to keep the blokes attention when he's walking around the vehicle checking it out...esp when you get to the damaged bit. Try talking about your wifes nipples....or a drug bust, anything to stop him looking at that dent. They have to have you there and the damage has to be found, before signing the vehicle back over. I got out of a very expensive Luton repair once like this after pulling over and ramming it into a over-hanging branch Very Happy

£660 could be about right....but it's not very easy to say without seeing the damage.

Was the door still sliding OK?
____________________
Space Is Deep

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Find breaker on internet

Buy door in same colour

??????

Win
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

BTW...I wouldn't be surprised if the rental place and the body shop work together. ie; "you give me an exagerated estimate and we'll share the profit" Rolling Eyes

The entire country is on the make nowadays Mad

____________________
Space Is Deep

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Hang on, doesn't the van hire come with insurance?
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

Sload · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Aug 2011 Karma :

Similar situation recently on a long hire vehicle, quite a nasty ding in one of the sills, Got it sorted for £150, near as good as new.
____________________
Honda Varadero >> Triumph Speed Four >> Honda CBR1100xx

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Why couldn't G have taken you? The tight git, moving north has clearly rubbed off on him! Wink

____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

duhawkz · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

£750 was the deposit and the excess. G wasn't in the area for the Sunday and I thought I was staying so I hired a van for the entire weekend.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.