neighbor extorting money from my parents over minor collision?

[radios4rabbits]

Hey everyone. So the neighbors who live next door to my parents moved out last fall and started renting out the place to several people. One of them always parks his car outside on the street between the two houses. Anyways a few days ago my mom was coming home and was distracted by kids playing on the street and bumped into his parked car. The damage to her car was minor and his car was dented.

At first he asked for $1000 for the repair but my mom wanted to see a bill and would pay him that amount back. He tells her that he "knows someone" at a repairshop and when he showed up on sunday he gave her an estimate of around $2000. Also it appears as if more damage was done to the car after he came back.

It all seems very shady. I'm not entirely sure what I should do. I was thinking of taking a picture of the bill and speaking with the manager at the shop. Any advice?

[AcidBomber]

Hey everyone. So the neighbors who live next door to my parents moved out last fall and started renting out the place to several people. One of them always parks his car outside on the street between the two houses. Anyways a few days ago my mom was coming home and was distracted by kids playing on the street and bumped into his parked car. The damage to her car was minor and his car was dented.

At first he asked for $1000 for the repair but my mom wanted to see a bill and would pay him that amount back. He tells her that he "knows someone" at a repairshop and when he showed up on sunday he gave her an estimate of around $2000. Also it appears as if more damage was done to the car after he came back.

It all seems very shady. I'm not entirely sure what I should do. I was thinking of taking a picture of the bill and speaking with the manager at the shop. Any advice?

Well, your mom was at fault. Should have took pictures of vehicles involved immediately.

Best thing you can do now is to ask for the repair quote on paper, and pay the shop directly. Ask for a receipt as well, DO NOT pay cash.
That way you ensure your neighbour is not scamming you and pocketing the money.

And of course, draft up a liability release form to sign.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

And of course, draft up a liability release form to sign.Any idea where "a liability release form" can be obtained?

[bubble.tea]

Any idea where "a liability release form" can be obtained?

www.lmgtfy.com?

[radios4rabbits]

Well, your mom was at fault. Should have took pictures of vehicles involved immediately.

Best thing you can do now is to ask for the repair quote on paper, and pay the shop directly. Ask for a receipt as well, DO NOT pay cash.
That way you ensure your neighbour is not scamming you and pocketing the money.

And of course, draft up a liability release form to sign.

Too late for some of that as I believe he went for the repair today and will be bringing the bill to them tonight. My parents agreed to pay but I can't help feel that he and his friend are taking advantage of the situation.

[JohnB]

Why doesnt the other guy and your Mom just use insurance? I wouldn't want your Mom to bang into my car then she turns into a body shop estimator claims adjustor and can magically predict the cost of repair.

Tell your Mom to watch out so she doesnt driver over more things due to negligence, she was lucky it was a car she banged into and not a baby carriage or someone else walking by. She should also compensate the other guy for his wasted time to get his car repaired, and rental while its at the shop. And be good for some extra money in event the first work is not satisfactorily done and needs to be adjusted.

Anyway some dents are REALLLLLLLLY expensive, someone had a dented door on a VW GTI, repair was over 7,000USD, and it didnt look that bad at all, just dented and slightly pushed in.

[Voltex]

Why doesnt the other guy and your Mom just use insurance? I wouldn't want your Mom to bang into my car then she turns into a body shop estimator claims adjustor and can magically predict the cost of repair.

Tell your Mom to watch out so she doesnt driver over more things due to negligence, she was lucky it was a car she banged into and not a baby carriage or someone else walking by. She should also compensate the other guy for his wasted time to get his car repaired, and rental while its at the shop. And be good for some extra money in event the first work is not satisfactorily done and needs to be adjusted.

Anyway some dents are REALLLLLLLLY expensive, someone had a dented door on a VW GTI, repair was over 7,000USD, and it didnt look that bad at all, just dented and slightly pushed in.

Lol how the hell can a door be $7000?

[spf1971]

Too late for some of that as I believe he went for the repair today and will be bringing the bill to them tonight. My parents agreed to pay but I can't help feel that he and his friend are taking advantage of the situation.

If your parents actually feel that the neighbour is trying to fleece them, go through insurance.

[spike1128]

Report it to the police if you think its extortion. Also call the city to tow their car at night to get revenge. Report to insurance as well.

[gizmo8]

Lol how the hell can a door be $7000?

1+ how the hell can a door cost that much,even if it had side curtain airbags it didnt go off so max would have been $1500 and thats with a new airbag in the door...my buddy Passat got hit in the side door and the side door airbag went off...with a new door and airbag VW charged $2100...... no damn way it would cost $7000 for a dented door......

[al3x89]

so he "knows someone" at a repair shop but wants that much?

usually when you "know someone" you get a deal, not charged up the ***** .

[TrevorK]

I wonder if I'm the only one who notices:
- OP's mother is at fault
- OP's mother agreed to pay for the repairs

Which makes this seem far from extortion. The thought that the neighbour would damage their own car further to make a larger claim at a bodyshop is absurd.


Just because the OP's parents agreed to it and the OP doesn't like it does not make it extortion.

[JohnB]

Lol how the hell can a door be $7000?

Dude it was on VW Vortex and I recall the thread. I just keep that in mind when people try to estimated.

One door, and a crease going to the bumper. Looks very minor like some idiot says I will pull it out with a plunger for free or something. Then go to a body shop and its way more.

So granted this was just not a door swap but the rear most panel and body work adds up. Even if people think its minor, nice cars cost more to fix.

You can check the thread on the VW Vortex, but it was a while ago. If I can find it I will start a thread called estimate the repair damage, then the actual paid at a professional body shop with pictures...

[fallengod]

You do know now day a simple dented bumper can cost over $1k replace and paint the new bumper..... if the collision damage any of the plastic support then those need to be replaced too.

The other person can just rape your parents insurance if they really want to, since they will get a rental and save the hassle of dealing with the repair work if it go wrong....

[Tornado F2]

You do know now day a simple dented bumper can cost over $1k replace and paint the new bumper..... if the collision damage any of the plastic support then those need to be replaced too.


It's about time somebody sued the auto manufacturers over this. A bumper should be capable of taking minor bumps without requiring expensive repairs. No wonder auto insurance is so insanely and unfairly expensive, even for those of us with clean records. Simple bumpers could go a long way toward remedying that.

Why can we no longer get bumpers like this? Not even as an option? Considering the potential insurance savings, it might be worth paying a bit more even though the bumpers are more basic.

http://www.midcomustang.com/1988-89mazda323.jpg

[vaportech]

Seems pretty steep.

My BMW rear bumper costs around 1g to repaint + 3 day rental plus a little bit of undisclosed detailing worked into the numbers.

It requires a special paint and the body shop does work for Ferrari and Maserati, they also know it's being funded by an insurance company.

Your mom is definitely being taken to the cleaners.

[spf1971]

It's about time somebody sued the auto manufacturers over this. A bumper should be capable of taking minor bumps without requiring expensive repairs. No wonder auto insurance is so insanely and unfairly expensive, even for those of us with clean records. Simple bumpers could go a long way toward remedying that.

Why can we no longer get bumpers like this? Not even as an option? Considering the potential insurance savings, it might be worth paying a bit more even though the bumpers are more basic.

http://www.midcomustang.com/1988-89mazda323.jpg

Because they are ugly and no one wants cars that look like that anymore. Car manufacturers will make what people want, it's simple marketing.

[starboy869]

If you feel unjust by this tell them we're going through insurance.

I would fatten the bill for my troubles.

[Ballroomblitz]

I would just pay the bill, your mother caused damage and not going through insurance is the way to go. A smart thing may have been to request three quotes so no shenanigans could take place, however at this juncture pay up and be done with it.

[Dina_E]

lol at your guys telling him to go through insurance. If you think this is extortion wait till insurance jacks his mons rates up.

[skwigglyline]

Everyone is basing their opinion solely on your description. A small dent to you might not really be a small dent after all.. who knows.

Anyway, what kind of car did she hit?

[Shaner]

It doesn't take much to get up to $2,000 in damages. Even if the bill isn't $2,000 they can ask for any amount of money they want. Your mom can either agree to pay it, or refuse to pay it and deal with a possible insurance hike. For $2,000, I think I'd take the possible insurance hike. This is far from extortion though.

[nagasadow]

Any witenesses? If the other party is complaining about it and changing the amount just say screw it and dont pay a cent.

[spike1128]

To say, OP parents' are being taken for a ride.

Questions,

1) How is it that parents not take photos of the damage.
2) How is it that person is able to say he take to friend's garage, then OP parents not ask for him to take it to a few shops that's more public like a dealer / large garages for quotes so the guy can't scam.

If the guy I hit look like a scammer or the house look like some sorta rooming house, I would so be careful.

[1DarkChaos]

dude just take a picture of the accident and go to a collision center then claim insurance if needed
why would you give in to a scam

[starboy869]

If someone hit me wanted to pay out of pocket I wouldn't waste my time in getting three quotes. The price is the price. Don't like it? insurance claim and possible hta charge.

I would charge ontop of the quote for the hassle of dealing with it $50/hr with a 3 hour min. Ie. Getting a quote, dropping off, and pickup. Time is money and I wouldn't let the other person off the hook.

Last time I checked it was my car and I want it fixed at my shop and not yours.

First time you balk I'll be on the phone and say too effin bad you had your chance.

[EP32k2]

Scam or not, it was OP's mom's fault to begin with. The other party has a right to get their vehicle repaired to their satisfaction. Don't like it? Go through insurance.

[fallengod]

If you parent have more then 1 collision that at fault on record in the last 5 years .....just look the other way and pay up....$2k out the pocket is better then paying $5k a a year for the next 3 years for insurance.

[UrbanPoet]

Its most likely not a scam.
Everyone thinks they are being scammed when they are involved in an at fault collision and 'agree to pay up'... but they later don't because they realize that cars are expensive to fix... Even minor body damage.

Anyways OP. Just go through insurance.