Makai

I had my car painted at Maaco back in February, and want to send them a letter regarding issues that I have with the paint job.

Please tell me what you would change or improve. I have a 2 year warranty on the paint job. I want the whole entire car repainted w/ clearcoat without paying any extra.
Thanx Marie

The letter:

As I look the car over when I wash and dry it, I'm noticing hairline/spider cracks, chips, runs, brush marks and black paint on the gold ground effects. (they obviously didn't remove them first?) Also dings that were never fixed the first time. It's a black car, and there were some dings that were missed. Although very minor, with the new paint job, they stick out like a sore thumb. If I'm bringing my car in for a paint job, and NOT buying the cheapest paint service there is. I would expect a pretty close to perfect paint job. I also requested lots of clear coat on it (at least 2 coats). But when I look at the slip, there's nothing indicating that they applied any. I want the entire car repainted with the clearcoat that I requested initially!

I'm a senior member of a car related website/message board which currently has over 16,800 members (and growing). Members wanting to have their cars painted often ask each other who they'd recommend. I would hate to give negative feedback for Maaco. If all this could be resolved, I'd give a glowing recommendation on the message board.
Go to this link: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/index.php
go to search and type in Maaco, you'll see what I mean.
Thanx for your time,
Marie

What do ya's think? What would you change? Should I leave that last part out?

redbird_400

Well you have to understand they only give the painter 30 minutes to paint your car. This is why its so cheap. The paint is cheap also. Hey even the guys paycheck that painted your car is cheap, thats why they dont really care what it looks like. Just as long as it looks good from 100ft.

redbird_400

Oh yeah the prepers have 30 minutes too. Thats the rule around there, 30 minutes and then send it down the line. He might not of seen all then dings in his time span. This is all true my Dad use to work for them. He quit cause he was tired of hearing customer complaints. They will sand your door handles and windsheild!

iroc22

Yeah my buddy got his 69 Chevelle painted by them. He just wanted a cheap paint job, but man he's taken the car back like 3 times to get it right. I would never ever take my car to Maaco for paint. Ever heard the saying 'you get what you pay for'? well with Maaco that's just it. What do you expect from a $300 paint job? My friend expected perfection and that's why he kept going back. Im surprised Maaco didnt refuse to paint his car each time because the stuff he was complaining about was to me expected from a 'Maaco job'. My dad builds street rods and restores muscle cars as a hobby so I know how paint jobs should come out. Maaco does a good job for what you're paying them. Do yourself a favor and take your car to a real painter next time, and spend the $1000+ for a decent paintjob. If you're low on cash, don't bother even painting your car. Wait til you do have the cash and take it to a real paintshop.

Makai

Of course this is after the fact. I spent 650.00. i just noticed looking at my reciept they charged me 300.00 for paint, 100.00 for body supplies, and 250.00 for parts? What the hell are they meaning by parts and body supplies?

Thanx for the input but I really want to know, the best way to write this letter and be productive about it.

Thanx

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

Forget the letter......

I would take the car back there and speak with them in person.....

Makai

I see your point, but I was thinking of taking this to the corporate end first.

ChevyCarnage

letters work wonders but you have to demand more and ask less questions. DEMAND that they fix their bad work. I did this when Super Lube scratched my paint and valve covers and the guy phoned me as soon as he got the letter. The next day I went down there (Im Italian and happened to be wearing a mobster black suit so that might have helped ) and they had no problems at all paying for it to be fixed. You have to be aggressive with them and let them know that you're serious. I like the touch about the negative feedback though

Makai

Ok great! thanx for the tip! How does a female get the mobster look goin? How bout a biker look? Now that look I have! I'll just expose the 17 tattoos that I have, wear some chains, and hope for the best! Too bad I don't have my 883 anymore, I could go rolling into the parking lot with a trail of 1%ers behind me, and intimidate the **** out of them. lolol j/k

I guess I better rewrite the letter then, if anyone wants to give me their version of what they would write, I'd love it!

Thanx, Marie

Makai

Ok, it's been modifyied. Is this better. I'm not to familiar with writing to companies demanding better service.
I have 1 concern, If they repaint the entire car, Do ya think they'd mess with it in any way?

It's come along way, and still has a few quirks that need fixing, I'd hate to have something major go wrong at the hands of some spiteful ******* having to rework my car.

igotslicksNchix

thats so true BTW, at 6'3 220 lbs in a black on black suit, people get scarred, the mobster look, can't beat it. i was on my way to a family gathering, had to stop at the locally owned parts store (who give me the wrong part, EVERY TIME) and spoke with the manager, after having no luck with the regular joe schmoe's at the counter. all you have to do is tell them what happened, and not ask, but DEMAND the money back, the right part, the proper service, etc. BUT, you are doing the right thing using thirdgen.org for backup, ALWAYS back it up with a large group that would listen to you. if you talk in person, pop some italian chest hair out, wear gold and play with your hands when you talk. lmao. hey it worked for me, it's really just intimidation, without being an *******. be nice, but be firm. speak in a normal voice, don't let temper get a hold of you (been there). good luck, and i think i might go to maaco, the one here does good work, and they don't have that 30 minute rule. it's a little more expensive, but for 700 my friend goit his truck painted, and it looks about right for 700 bucks. not perfect, but pretty damn good

iroc22

I'm not really clear what the parts are, but body supplies are usually sand paper, bondo etc that sort of thing. I would try and clear that up with them real soon....

Stick with the letter. Letters that are professionally finished always seem to work real well.