Sorry to hear about your wheels - that is so bad that someone did that to your Fit. Hope you get it back as good as new and I would still have the wheel locks because they might buy you some time.

Cat

 

I was at Saint Nicholas and Dekalb a few blocks off Knickerbocker. Stayed 10 years and yes, all those happened on one same car.

 

Sorry to hear that man, happened to a buddy of mine a couple years ago.... Unfortunately wheel locks only keep kids from steeling wheels. Professional thieves don't care. You can go to any snap-on or matco truck and buy a "Master Wheel Lock Removal Set" for about 200$

 

Correct, but vehicle/property protection is a game of playing the odds. No matter what, you aren't going to stop the professionals if they really want something so there's no use worrying too much about them. aim for the non-Pros, the Kids, the individual who is looking for a quick turn-around. These are going to be the highest percentage of thieves. Knowing what you are protecting is also part of the game. In this case those who want OEM Honda wheels. Again, these are not likely the pros but the amateur thieves and the wheel locks are designed to slow down the removal rate of the wheels which will increase the likelihood that they will be caught.

Again, locks are a deterrent. Kind of like "the club" was in the 90's.

~SB

 

Believe it or not, some people still use that archaic but effective piece of equipment.



Okay, I called the dealership yesterday about my car. They tell me they have the parts in stock (including the wheel locks) but the ETA will be tomorrow. I’m not quite sure what takes so long to put on 2 wheels...

When I voiced my concern to the body shop, they explained to me there is a substantial amount of diagnostics that have to be run. On the plus side, he tells me that since he is open later than the car rental company; I could leave the rental by him when I pick up my car.

Then there’s the deductible… arg! I guess I’ll be living off instant noodles for awhile.

 

great thanks...I'll keep it in mind.

 

WARNING!! Another long rant!! This one is LARGE.

I did not receive a call from the dealership but my insurance. They asked me if I received my car yet since it was ready. I told them I did not. She called the body shop and got back to me. The body shop had NOT received the wheels. They say the shipment was delayed until Friday due to the weather WTF!!

The body shop seems to subcontract out to another company for the body work at a completely different facility. After the body work was completed, my car was shipped back to plaza Hondas body shop where it is now sitting there on DONUTS.

I called the body shop to find out what is going on and would you believe the guy I usually speak to had to conveniently leave early. I got this guy named Bruce who claims to be the supervisor there. He stonewalled me throughout the entire conversation.

He explains to me that the check my insurance made out was to me and Honda, not to them. He says I have to mail the check out to Honda and have them mail it back endorsed to them, and only once they receive the endorsed check will I be able to pick up my car. Another WTF!!! I asked him why the hell wasn’t I told this loooong ago. The last guy never mentioned anything like this. Bruce explained to me the other has no idea whether you are financing or leasing. Since I am financing, this is the law in NY...

Bruce offered to mail out the check overnight via FEDEX on my behalf. I said fine, but was not happy. I called up HONDA to ask about this. The confirmed this is the process. They explained to me I have two options get my car as soon as possible.


Option 1 - "Direction of PAY" FORM

• This is a standard form the body shop should have
• I sign the form as a release for my car

(I still have to get the check endorsed for them)

Option 2 -Overnight

• Bruce sends check via FedEx to Honda for endorsement
• Honda holds check until proof of repairs is faxed
• Honda can overnight if Bruce gives them a carrier/shipping account.

I could probably do both for good measure. When i called the body shop again to review these options, they played dumb with me. Bruce doesn't exist, I called the wrong number, I'm in the wrong department, I'm calling a cell and cant be transfered...

Bottom line, the car wont be ready until Friday and i still have their rental. Overnighting wont happen until tomorrow morning. Is this normal? Have you gone through this crap?

 

Dealing with insurance and shops can be a problem if you rely on them contacting each other for you.

Take initiative and handle all the dealings yourself as much as you can.

And if they say the weather caused a problem, I'd give the benefit of the doubt for a day. Lots of places got rocked pretty hard.

 

Will the body shop take a credit card? Then maybe you can get the car now and deposit the check if Honda endorses it and sends it to you.

 

That is not a bad idea. however, my card doesn't have enough for that amount.

 

agreed. I wouldn't have minded taking care of this myself had i known this from the beginning. I would have been annoyed, but i would have done it. What i don't understand is, what benefit is it to them to tell me last minute.

 

I got my car back Friday. What a relief! They mailed out the check and said they got it Friday so i can pick up car. This is definelt ysomething i do not want to go through again. I swear, if this NY law is real - it is the most moronic law ever instituted...

 

I assume the law is to protect the lender from somebody wrecking a car, getting the check from the insurance company and not repairing the car. That would leave the lender without any viable collateral. So it makes sense to me... but then I used to be a banker.

 

That is correct. However, it is very inconvenient for the remaining parties. i.e vehicle owner and mechanic/body shop. Should this be your car and it was financed, you may have to suffer considerable delays getting it back waiting for this process complete. This is assuming the car has been serviced for an extended period of time already, exceeding a week if not longer.