**BEWARE OF MY CAR COLLISION CENTER'S $350-PER-DAY STORAGE FEES.**…read more
Our work van was rear-ended, and we brought it to My Car Collision Center at 307 Western Ave in Glendale for repairs on September 26. On October 5, Aspire Insurance, which insured the driver who hit us, notified us that the van was a total loss. Continuing repairs would have meant additional costs out of our pocket, so we called to arrange pickup.
That is when we were told they were charging **$350 PER DAY in storage fees because they would not be doing the repairs.** Yet during that same conversation, they said repairs had already started, parts had been ordered, and some work had been completed.
I directly asked why they were charging storage fees if they were working on the van. Their answer was that they only charge those fees when they do not perform the repairs.
**Their own explanations contradict each other, and that is unacceptable.** If work had already started, why were we charged storage for every day, including the time they supposedly spent working on it?
Here is the bill they provided:
- **Storage, September 26-October 7:** 12 days at $350/day -- **$4,200**
- **Parts purchased for repairs:** **$1,802.28**
- **Handling fee:** **$350**
- **2023 Mercedes Sprinter rental:** 12 days at $85/day -- **$1,020**
- **TOTAL: $7,372.28**
**The storage charge alone was $4,200 for 12 days. In my opinion, that is outrageous.**
They told us they would not release our van until they were paid, while daily storage fees continued accumulating. Waiting for insurance to resolve this could take weeks. We felt pressured to pay just to recover our own vehicle and stop the charges.
I was angry enough to call them thieves and use profanity during the conversation. I acknowledge that. But my frustration does not change the bill or resolve their contradictory explanations.
They charged for parts and handling while also charging storage for every day. **Why wasn't any time spent performing repairs excluded from storage charges, given what they told us about their policy?** That deserves a clear, written answer.
**UPDATE: AFTER WE PAID THE $7,372.28 BILL, THEY STILL REFUSED TO RELEASE OUR VAN.**
The shop had provided a rental van, which our crew needed for two additional days to complete an out-of-area project. We explained that we would return it on Friday and offered to pay for both additional days. **They still refused to release our van.**
First, we were told we had to pay to get our vehicle back. We paid, and they still would not release it because the rental had not been returned, despite our offer to pay for the additional time. This left us feeling that even paying their bill was not enough to get our own vehicle back.
**Before leaving a vehicle here, insist on written terms covering storage rates, when charges begin, whether they apply during repairs, total-loss charges, rental-return requirements, and every condition for releasing your vehicle. Do not rely on verbal assurances.**
Based on the excessive fees, conflicting explanations, and refusal to release our van after payment, I have lost all confidence in this business. I would never bring another vehicle here or recommend them to anyone.
**GO ELSEWHERE. Save yourself the frustration and take your business to another shop.**