I had to wait awhile to post this because I was very upset about my treatment at Wimberley Collision and Automitive. I had an unavoidable collision with a 10-point buck on 2325 in Wimberley.
I called in my accident to my insurance company and was told that Wimberley Collision was a preferred (by the insurance company) repair shop and that repairs performed by such a shop would be guaranteed for as long as I owned the car (turns out that the work is guaranteed by the shop not the insurance company and that all shops guarantee the work). The police said the car was driveable so I drove it a very short distance to my mechanic's shop and was told not to drive it further. I arranged to have the vehicle towed by Wimberley Collision to its shop. $105 for 1 mile.
The collision happened Thursday about 8:20 a.m., the vehicle arrived at Wimberley Collision about 10:30 a.m. and I immediately began receiving messages from Robert. I returned the calls and he inserted himself into the rental car arrangements without being asked. That afternoon I went by the shop to discuss the possibility of having some minor body work done since the vehicle was in the shop anyway. I spoke with Ryan and during the course of the conversation he stated that it looked like the damage from the deer was "about $3,000." The adjuster/estimator from the insurance company went by the shop on Friday afternoon and his estimate was $5,900 +. Ryan called and left a message regarding the insurance estimate and the estimate for the other work at around 4:30 p.m.; I received this message later that evening, well after business hours.
The difference between Ryan's "about $3,000" and the actual damage was a red flag to me. Then I realized that when I had been at the shop they did not appear to have any business - it was the cleanest and quietest shop I had ever seen. I checked the reviews and started asking around - I did not like what I heard. I spoke with my adjuster and he said I could use any shop I wanted to use. I called Wimberley Collision shortly after 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, the next business day and told them to take no further action. I located a shop I thought was a better fit for my vehicle which is a well-maintained, low mileage late model Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, with a Hemi.
I made arrangements to have my vehicle towed Tuesday morning. I called Wimberley Collision to advise them that I was moving the vehicle. I spoke with Robert and he demanded to know why. I told him I was not comfortable with his shop. He said he had a bill. I asked how much, he said he did not know he would have to itemize it and call me back. I then received a call almost immediately from the tow company I was using stating that Robert from Wimberley
Collision had called and demanded payment in excess of $600 to release the vehicle.
I made arrangements to meet the tow truck at Wimberley Collision. I went in and talked to Robert about the bill - $105 for the tow, $100 for storage fees, $98 for two hours labor (which would have had to occurred on a day that I was also charged for storage), and $300 for parts restocking fees. I did not have an issue with the tow or the labor, and I can understand the storage. However, the parts restocking fee was not justified.
I pointed out that I never authorized him to do any repairs, which he acknowledged. Then he said that MY HUSBAND HAD AUTHORIZED
THE REPAIRS (watch out ladies - your car is not your own)!!! My husband said he was introduced to Robert by our mechanic on Friday morning before the estimate was even in and, by the way, he said Robert told him "it looks like about $4,000 worth of damage." At any rate it was not my husband's decision to make.
I asked Robert where these parts were and he said some were there and some had already been sent back. I asked to see the parts that were at the shop and he refused.
I paid the bill in order to obtain the release of my vehicle. Note that the bill was
10% of the actual damage estimate.
My impression is that this place is desperate for business and will do anything for a buck. I am very glad that I did not allow them to work on my vehicle. read more
