Before the sun rose on National Ice Cream Day (July 20th), some jerk-face drove around Minneapolis and used hefty soccer ball-sized rocks to smash the front windshields of black Honda Civics. Mine was not spared... Not only did the glass look like a drunk frat boy had cannonballed into it, but also (I believe) the weapon of mass destruction (rock) rolled off the window and scratched and dented the hood on its way down to the ground. Needless to say, the damage on my car left it inoperable, and if I ever find who did this, that person will receive a Timberland roundhouse kick or Rising Dragon Uppercut (http://bit.ly/1rQJCSl) to the face by yours truly.
Several hours later, I called the Minneapolis Police (who did nothing) and my insurance agent. My insurance agent and I met up a couple days later, and one of the first questions she asked was, "Have you ever gotten body work on your car? If so, where?" The first business that populated in my mind was LaMettry's, since I used them about a year ago when some crappy person scratched my car backing out in my apartment's parking lot. #donthavethebestluck4real Within a couple hours, my Civic was toed to LaMettry's Richfield-Bloomington location.
My ride sat in the shop for eight days, and during that time, several communication breakdowns occurred:
-One day, I had two different people call me within a four-hour period telling me the same news.
-When I called each day and asked when my car would be finished, a representative would tell me a different date and time.
-There was never a mention of the deductible that I had to pay.
-One time, I was transferred to five different people to answer one question. The person that ended up answering my question happened to be the first person that transferred me. #ridiculous
Not to mention, when I arrived in the lobby and approached the receptionists, today, one of them made eye contact with me, then quickly looked away and decided to call someone on the phone to discuss a personal issue. Rude. Thankfully, the other receptionist was kind enough to help me.
So you're probably thinking, how is this a four-star review?
After the receptionist fetched another staff member, he showed me out to my car. And when I saw my car, it seemed like all of the minor annoyances fled my mind. The work on my ride was Heath-Ledger's-acting-in-The-Dark-Knight immaculate:
-My spanking new window didn't have a speck of dust on it and beautifully glimmered in the sun. I wanted to hug it so bad! But, it's too wide and that's just weird.
-Regarding the bodywork, the staff removed ALL of the dents and scratches from my hood.
-The new paint blended very well into the rest of my car.
-I also learned that all damage exceeding $5000 (ouch) receive a complimentary shampooing. I appreciated that.
***
Despite the frustrating communication breakdown and rude receptionist, I still trust LaMettry's. It's kind of like focusing on the irritating characteristics of your girlfriend, but forgetting that she makes a mean fried rice and watches football with you.
I hope that 1) there isn't a next time and 2) if there is, they can improve their communication by being more transparent about the status of my car. All in all, I recommend that you get any auto glass or body work done at LaMettry's. read more