Avoid automotivetouchup.com, bad paint, bad service!

[Jimmy101]

I bought a can of spray paint from automotivetouchup.com,
I provided them the color code for vivid blue pearl B520P. The paint
I got didn't have any pearl effect and was way to dark! I contacted them,
then had to send them a paint sample, and clear coated.
So, I sent them a paint sample, then returned the paint and all, and couldn't get my money back. All they did is try to blame me and my painting.
I would avoid these outfit, they don't mix paint well and they don't
stand behind their products. Sadly I am out $30, plus return shipping...
I used paypal, and they would not help in a chargeback...

I hope no one here gets ripped off.

[koolkevin1107]

next time use paintscratch.com I have been using their products for years. First on my 92 honda civic hatch (tahitian green pearl, worst color to color match but it was right on the dot!!), my moms 98 toyota camry (antique sage, another hard color 2 match but it was soo perfect!) and now my vivid blue pearl honda fit sport. I bought a can of spray paint and a clear coat from em. Its soo perfect u can't even tell i sprayed my type-r grill w/ a rattlecan! Their touch up paint pens are first off easy 2 use, affordable, and super high quality. best company ever!

[Jimmy101]

Thanks for the tip.
I'm going to place an order for some vivid blue pearl.

[Automotivetouchup]

I understand that Jimmy was not happy about his paint match from Automotivetouchup.com. While being unhappy and expressing it freely can be fun, being dishonest and commiting libel is mean. We stod behind our policy and refunded Mr. Jimmy101's order less 8 dollars for Fedex shipping and less 20% restock fee. Mr Jimmy101 ate 11.99 dollars. The 30 dollars statement was either a lie or confusion on his part.

I also understand that 11.99 is still a lot of money, especially for an unhappy customer. I also challenge you to see exactly how flexible any refund on any custom mixed paint is. Last time I checked Automotivetouchup.com was the only one to offer a moneyback policy on custom mixed paint.

To be a little more specific about Jimmy101's case for his order. The paint needed to be clearcoated. The sample was a perfect match to the standard OEM spec. Without clearcoat the paint is dull and being dull hides the pearl effect. Mr. Jimmy101 did not order clearcoat from us, and the sample he sent back was completely flat. The pearl will still show without clearcoat, but the pearl looks more like a colored spec or dirt imbedded into the basecoat. The basecoat paint we use is OEM certified too, the same exact paint that dealerships and collision centers use to refinish your car after a collision.

If that isn't enough, all paint is slightly off. Honda doesn't always have a true color to their standard, neither does any manufacturer. From year to year the color tends to drift. Some paint companies refer it as an alternate shade, some call it a variance. Either way it is usually slight and not easily detected on a blend which is why when you wreck your fender the bodyman wants to repaint a hood or door. We think we have the best service, the highest quality paint, and the most affordable package for the customer.

[Jimmy101]

We don't need your lies here.
The paint sample I sent to you was clear coated!
I even sent it over night dhl express tracking: 8965386636
I spend more money in return shipping then the cost of the paint, its not
like I'm trying to get a free can of paint!

Also there are plenty of places online that
will stand behind their paint and refund if the paint is defective & the
color doesn't match. Example:
Paintworldinc.com:
"Custom-matched paint (it is custom-made for your car and cannot be returned unless it is determined that the color does not match)"

My color did not match! Plain and simple. Not a good way to do business.

The End.

[Automotivetouchup]

Originally Posted by Jimmy101

We don't need your lies here.
"Custom-matched paint (it is custom-made for your car and cannot be returned unless it is determined that the color does not match)"

My point exactly. They still will not accept any refund when the paint matches the OEM color. What happens when the match looks like the OEM sample? How does this protect the consumer in anyway?

How does one define the accuracy of the match? They do not describe what a bad match is, nor any of the causes of a bad match. I have taken customers away from all my competitors via phone orders where these guys did not honor their return; this manufacturer specifically. Do you think their return policy is so forgiving that they will give you 100% refund especially if the sample matched the OEM? What does their policy state? Do they have one? I didn't see one from the home page.

I wonder what paintscratch says exactly?
This is a sample taken from their returns page.

Refunds You cannot return the custom made paint. Once you order the paint, you will not be able to cancel the order. We will not refund your money for the custom made paint because...

• You decided not to use the paint.
• Found it cheaper elsewhere.
• Found it was covered by your warranty.
• Decided to sell or trade the vehicle.
• You were unhappy with the repair work. i.e. It did not come out the way you thought it should.
• You did not like the paint.
• You have decided to have someone else do the work.
• You have changed your mind or for ANY OTHER REASON.
• All paint sales are final. Once you have placed an order, it cannot be cancelled for ANY reason. Our paint techs often work seven days a week and can begin working on your order immediately. Even if it's 3AM on Sunday morning, don't assume our techs are not working! Any cancellation of orders is subject to a $10.00 fee.

In addition, there are no refunds for mis-matched paint even if we sent you the wrong paint. We will resend the correct paint at no charge. We often begin working on your order as soon as we receive it. Each order is custom made and cannot be simply put back on the shelf to sell to the next customer. With thousands and thousands of automotive colors, we probably won't have a customer for your paint on a timely basis.

What you can Return
Most of our other products can be returned as long as they are unused. We will refund your money less the original shipping and handling charge. Please make sure you follow all applicable USPS and UPS hazardous material shipping regulations. Please email us in advance with any products you plan to return. Remember, we do not give refunds on custom made paint portion of your order so do not return the paint to us. Even if you have not used the paint.

Order Refusals
If you refuse a paint shipment from us because you have decided you did not want the paint, you will not be given a refund. There are no exceptions to this.

Final Thoughts
Mixing touch up paint is a very demanding process and each order takes considerable time and effort. We don't just pull paint pre-mixed off the shelf. Each order must be custom made by a trained technician. Yes, we occasionally make color matching mistakes and we will do our best to rectify the situation. We will take the necessary steps to ensure the paint we send you matches our factory color chips.

It is a good thing that these guys let you know upfront what the deal is.

Expresspaint does accept a return less shipping less a 25% fee which is also quite reasonable I might add. However you will need a RA and also there is no waranty against a bad color match period. I am unsure if they will give you a RA number on a bad match.

Therefore ExpressPaint does not offer any warranty, written or implied, on color matches.

With respect to Jimmy101, did Automotivetouchup.com handle this case appropriately? By accepting a return when the paint was a dead on match to the OEM chip?

Was Jimmy101 fair when he told this community that he was ripped of 30 dollars plus return shipping?
His order cost: 27.95. We returned 15.96; 8 of which was for FedEx shipping. Return shipping back to us will cost money. The 20% on the restock was 3.99 dollars. The restock fee is also a BS charge considering all cans are custom made, and any can returned later gets destroyed. However that 3.99 doesn't cover even half of the material cost and none of the labor to make the custom can itself.

It is ok to be angry with a match and freely expressing it, but does being dishonest about your return resolve anything?

[Jimmy101]

More lies!
You are a very dishonest person.
What goes around comes around.
As it says in the book of Galatians,
you will reap what you sow!

[Automotivetouchup]

Originally Posted by Jimmy101

More lies!
You are a very dishonest person.
What goes around comes around.
As it says in the book of Galatians,
you will reap what you sow!

And how exactly did I lie? I am being honest. I have no reason to lie here. I think I was very clear and accurate when quoting both Jimmy101, paintscratch, and expresspaint, while bringing light to the fact that paintworldinc is too vague to accurately hold accountable to.
FitFreak is a thiving community that I respect. I am only here because I was invited to post here, and since libel was commited against Automotivetouchup.com I am only trying to bring attention to this matter. Posting an image of your order online would only invade your privacy, but if Jimmy101 personally asks us to, I would be more than happy to share his personal order as well as a copy of his paypal return. However, to prove my point I do not think this is quite necessary.


To sum up my message:
1. Jimmy101 did not get screwed out of 30 dollars plus return shipping, he was honored a return.
2. Automotivetouchup.com does have a reasonable return policy in comparison to its competition.

[FaceYogurt]

Please no personal attacks. I think both sides have voiced their thoughts. This thread is due to be closed. Please do not carry on this dispute in any new threads.

[fits_all]

...what a shame
dont know of whose part though

[nsx280ps]

Im glad that a company rep came up to clarify the issue, although I do not know what truly went on nor will I ever find out, but the rep was very specific on the amt returned and the issue at hand while Jimmy 101 did not specifically responded to the refund issue, I as a customer would not expect company to refund shipping...

Anyway, the way I see it is no matter how good the paint is touch up is never going to look like the perfect coat on your car, I got the OEM touch up and am not satisfied with the results either...

[Jimmy101]

I did not respond as I did not want to drag out any further.
He has already shown us how he treats his customers and how he does business.
I am happy with that!

[jbrisson]

Originally Posted by koolkevin1107

next time use paintscratch.com I have been using their products for years. First on my 92 honda civic hatch (tahitian green pearl, worst color to color match but it was right on the dot!!), my moms 98 toyota camry (antique sage, another hard color 2 match but it was soo perfect!) and now my vivid blue pearl honda fit sport. I bought a can of spray paint and a clear coat from em. Its soo perfect u can't even tell i sprayed my type-r grill w/ a rattlecan! Their touch up paint pens are first off easy 2 use, affordable, and super high quality. best company ever!

Agreed. Paintscratch.com does paint matching very, very well, especially with pearls. And customer service is top-notch. That's a big thing for me.

[Jimmy101]

I agreed. I just got my first can of paint from paintscratch.
The color matches perfectly and the you can clearly see
its a pearl paint job. I would definitely buy from them again!