For many consumers, there’s a belief that if you’ve seen one auto body shop, really you’ve seen them all. They all do the same things in the same way. But that’s not actually the case, and a substandard shop can not only do a bad job, they can put you and your family at risk. Here’s the ACS difference.
If you’d like to speak to an Auto Collision Specialists representative for a free estimate call them at (410) 833-5697 or click here to contact them online.
Inspection
A Sub-Standard Shop: At a substandard body shop, your car gets a visual inspection, in the form of walking around the car and looking at the damage. They might make a few notes about dents to bang out if they’re really on the ball.
ACS: Our I-CAR and ASE certified auto body technicians go through the car part by part, taking careful note of the damage. They also examine the car for subtle signs of damage that might hint at larger problems; a trunk that doesn’t close properly hints at a warped unibody, for example. We’ll use advanced diagnostic tools to check your car’s balance, the condition of the vehicle overall, and check for other issues.
Parts
A Sub-Standard Shop: Whatever fits, whether it’s an original equipment manufacturer part, something from the scrap heap out back, or a part from a Chinese supply who turns up on the internet that will fit if you hit it hard enough. Not that you’ll ever be told.
ACS: We use only OEM parts for your vehicle, as OEM parts are the only way to ensure that your vehicle is restored to its proper operating function before the collision. That’s how we became Baltimore’s first Mercedes-Benz certified collision center.
Estimate
A Sub-Standard Shop: You’ll get the estimate you want to hear, regardless of whether it’s accurate. The parts on the list may not match the parts on the estimate, and good luck getting a guess on the labor costs.
ACS: You’ll get an estimate that reflects reality, and you’ll be told immediately when that estimate changes. And if you ask about anything, whether it’s parts or labor, we’ll give you a clear and specific answer.
Tools
Glasurit 90 Line Automotive Paint System
A Sub-Standard Shop: If you’re looking to cut the budget, this is generally where shops skimp the most. Don’t be surprised if cars are treated with the one-two punch of a welding torch and a hammer, and never see another tool while in the shop.
ACS: Whether our staff needs a tube bender or a plasma cutter, they have access to the latest tools, the most advanced computer diagnostics available, and the systems necessary to implement and test repairs.
Get it fixed the right way.
Results
A Sub-Standard Shop: Your car may roll off the lift looking like an OK repair job, or it may actually look like new; some shops are very good at “lipstick-on-a-pig” repairs. But auto body repair isn’t about how good the car looks.
ACS: When you take your car back, you are receiving, as much as possible, the vehicle restored to the condition it was in before your collision. That doesn’t mean no dents and a coat of paint, it means that the safety systems work properly, the unibody can accept the same amount of force, and that your car has no lingering issues that may return to make it dangerous.
If you’d like to speak to an Auto Collision Specialists representative for a free estimate call them at (410) 833-5697 or click here to contact them online.
In short, when you take your vehicle to ACS, we make sure to give you a car that’s safe for you and your family. And to us, that’s the most important difference.
