You must first be logged in to post a new topic.
If you are not registered, please click "Create Account".
| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Has this ever happened to you?
...or someone you know?
I was picking my son up from his babysitter. As I was pulling away from the corner, a car coming towards me and the driver waves his hand at me to roll down my window.
He said he could fix my car for cheap.
little back story:
I got into 2 car accidents within 2 months of each other.. the first, left me with a new front bumper but for SOME reason the paint started to peel off the corners about a year later... So I had these AWFUL black spots on my bumper where it was peeling
the second, left me with a big dent and 2 bullet sized holes in the back, with a ton of scratches.
suffice to say, I am a little embarrassed with how my car looked, and would LIKE to get it fixed but not at the moment.
The guy followed me to my friends apt and assessed the car, and offered to fix all of it for 200.
Sure enough, an hour & 15 minutes later... they fixed the dent, sanded the peeling paint, primed and painted my bumpers
they dont look PERFECT... you can tell it was fixed (and that it's not a NEW bumper) if you look up close, but my car is fixed.
my husband thinks Im crazy for letting them attempt it for fear I might have gotten scammed.. but the way they explained it was, they work for auto body shops and this is just a quick way to make extra $ and do something nice for someone (saving them money)
am i crazy?
ETA: They did all of the work in front of me and explained what they were doing, as they were doing it... It was on 164th street in flushing, in the middle of the afternoon, which is a busy intersection so there were tons of people around. I would never have had them follow me home.
I'm realizing I took a huge risk b/c you never know... but luckily it worked out for the best. I don't know, I sensed a good intentions from 'michael' and 'teddy' when they approached and they could tell I was a little freaked out about it. We actually had a nice conversation while they were working on my car.
They had a chair in their trunk for me to sit on... and even gave me their # incase I needed any other work done.
I would never had done this if it wasn;t such a highly populated area and there wasn't always someone walking past us every minute
Message edited 4/30/2008 10:15:50 AM.
|
Posted 4/30/08 9:22 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
I probably would've said "thanks, but no thanks"... but in the end you didn't get scammed, so no harm no foul... 
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:26 AM |
| |
|
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
I'd never let a strange man follow me ANYWHERE, especially not to my home or my friend's home. I'd certainly not get out of the car for him then.
Sorry, hate to be a downer, but I think you took a huge risk letting him follow you and getting out of the car.
I am glad you didn't get scammed, though. It sounds like you're happy with the work.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:43 AM |
| |
|
hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
I dont see anything wrong with someone trying make a little bit of extra cash...especially with the way the economy is going.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:44 AM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Kara
I'd never let a strange man follow me ANYWHERE, especially not to my home or my friend's home. I'd certainly not get out of the car for him then.
Sorry, hate to be a downer, but I think you took a huge risk letting him follow you and getting out of the car.
I am glad you didn't get scammed, though. It sounds like you're happy with the work.
I have to agree. Gald it turned out ok. I just hope it's all as it seems.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:47 AM |
| |
|
mka06
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 1079 total posts
Name:
Melis
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
no, hasn't ever happened to me.
i too would have said no, thanks... would have been too worried; BUT, I am glad it worked out for you.
That being said -- I don't think it's odd for ppl in that line of work to try and make money on the side. I've heard of people in other businesses doing that (ppl who install flooring for one). That's not the sketchy part to me... it's how they approached you that I think is!
Anyway -- again -- glad it all worked out!
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:52 AM |
| |
|
GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Almost every day when i drive home from work - someone offers to fix the dents in my car.
I have never said yes. I have heard of scams where copies of the keys are made but i doubt they are really going to be trolling for a 94 escort LOL I just don't feel comfortable dealing with people like that.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:54 AM |
| |
|
MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Kara
I'd never let a strange man follow me ANYWHERE, especially not to my home or my friend's home. I'd certainly not get out of the car for him then.
Sorry, hate to be a downer, but I think you took a huge risk letting him follow you and getting out of the car.
I am glad you didn't get scammed, though. It sounds like you're happy with the work.
I have to agree with this.
1st thing that came to mind was "STRANGER DANGER, STRANGER DANGER". But I'm paranoid that way. I watch way too much news and Date Line episodes.
Glad it worked out for you.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:58 AM |
| |
|
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Kara
I'd never let a strange man follow me ANYWHERE, especially not to my home or my friend's home. I'd certainly not get out of the car for him then.
Sorry, hate to be a downer, but I think you took a huge risk letting him follow you and getting out of the car.
I am glad you didn't get scammed, though. It sounds like you're happy with the work.
I had my girlfriend meet me in front of her apartment building, and it is a very busy city street in the middle of the afternoon, otherwise, I would have driven away.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:58 AM |
| |
|
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Tilde
Almost every day when i drive home from work - someone offers to fix the dents in my car.
I have never said yes. I have heard of scams where copies of the keys are made but i doubt they are really going to be trolling for a 94 escort LOL I just don't feel comfortable dealing with people like that.
They never even touched my keys. They did the work right there on the street in front of me (which was explained to me when he 'offered')
why would they need to, if they were fixing my bumper?
|
| Posted 4/30/08 9:59 AM |
| |
|
TheWhiteRabbit
Thru the rabbit hole!
Member since 7/06 4412 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
It used to happen when I lived in Brooklyn. I'd see them all the time. It always made me crack up seeing this team of guys fixing dents in a parking lot 
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:00 AM |
| |
|
Laura1
Fun in the Snow!
Member since 11/06 4512 total posts
Name:
Laura
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Glad it seems to be ok, but I would never have done it. The whole scenario just seems a little off. DH would kill me and my dad, who used to own a body shop would have seriously killed me!
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:00 AM |
| |
|
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by Kara
I'd never let a strange man follow me ANYWHERE, especially not to my home or my friend's home. I'd certainly not get out of the car for him then.
Sorry, hate to be a downer, but I think you took a huge risk letting him follow you and getting out of the car.
I am glad you didn't get scammed, though. It sounds like you're happy with the work.
I have to agree. Gald it turned out ok. I just hope it's all as it seems.
had they told me i would have to leave my car with them, I would have said no thanks... but they said they'll do the work right in front of me and explained everything they were doing, while they were doing it.
I'm not afraid of strangers... I'm cautious, but I always like to believe that most people are good. These guys turned out to be really nice and friendly. but I understand it could have turned out horribly wrong.
Trust me, if it was nighttime, in a different area, and if they made some weird requests, I would have said no.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:02 AM |
| |
|
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by KittyTheStray
It used to happen when I lived in Brooklyn. I'd see them all the time. It always made me crack up seeing this team of guys fixing dents in a parking lot
I guess it happens more often in queens and brooklyn. A few of my aunts walked passed as they were working on my car and said 'oh people always approach me in the parking lot...'
it's not unheard of... I remember someone offered to fix my dad's car years ago this way... which is why i considered it.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:04 AM |
| |
|
HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
your a lot braver then me. Iwould have thought it was a scam. Glad it worked out well for you though.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:16 AM |
| |
|
HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by HeatherRose
your a lot braver then me. Iwould have thought it was a scam. Glad it worked out well for you though.
I do think I'm a little too trusting... but I just trusted my instincts... turned out for the best, but I do admit I'm a little naive.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 10:19 AM |
| |
|
lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
I've never heard of such a thing.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:22 PM |
| |
|
MrsMerlot
Unconditional Love
Member since 4/06 6005 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by KittyTheStray
It used to happen when I lived in Brooklyn. I'd see them all the time. It always made me crack up seeing this team of guys fixing dents in a parking lot
Always in BK, and they're called gypsies...literally, gypsies.
Message edited 4/30/2008 12:25:40 PM.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:24 PM |
| |
|
hunnybunnyxoxo
this is what it's all about
Member since 11/07 3321 total posts
Name:
Lisa
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
eek! that was risky! he could have scammed you or much worse God forbid!!
The situation never happened to me but i can be naive sometimes or just simply find the good in people. I wouldnt be surprised if i did something like that too.
i am glad it worked out though!
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:28 PM |
| |
|
lvdolphins
My Loves!
Member since 5/05 46292 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by HeatherRose
your a lot braver then me. Iwould have thought it was a scam. Glad it worked out well for you though.
Same here. Then sometimes I'm afraid I'm overly cautious...I just don't think I would have done it.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:30 PM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Can't say that it has, but I don't live in the city. It sounds like this is more common in the burrows than here in the burbs.
I guess b/c I'm not familiar with things like this, I would say no, I wouldn't have gone along with it. But I would say if your gut was down with it, then go for it.
I'm glad you got your bumper fixed and for a good deal.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:32 PM |
| |
|
evenedan
Need a little sunshine
Member since 9/05 3843 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
This same thing happened to me (also in Flushing) when I was younger (my first car was a piece of crap), this guy followed me for blocks and blocks honking his horn and waving his hands like a maniac to try to get my attention. He finally pulled up next to me at a stoplight and offered to fix a dent I had. I told him to get lost. Interesting to hear it actually worked out for you though.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:33 PM |
| |
|
Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
It happened to my dad, up in Westchester and it worked out fine. It has never happened to me, but I know that it happens since my dad's incident and other stories I have heard. If it does, I will make sure I am in a heavily populated area and I take plate numbers, etc..ya never know. The real criminals could get wind of this and figure its an easy way to get women to stop for ya.
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:50 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
has never happened to me. sounds a bit shady though, but I'm glad it worked out for you
|
| Posted 4/30/08 12:51 PM |
| |
|
GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by carolinep24
Posted by Tilde
Almost every day when i drive home from work - someone offers to fix the dents in my car.
I have never said yes. I have heard of scams where copies of the keys are made but i doubt they are really going to be trolling for a 94 escort LOL I just don't feel comfortable dealing with people like that.
They never even touched my keys. They did the work right there on the street in front of me (which was explained to me when he 'offered')
why would they need to, if they were fixing my bumper?
I figured if you left it at a shop that sometimes you leave the keys . . . lol who knows i never take care of that stuff.
Glad it worked out for you! I am too much of a scaredy cat but i bet i am missing out bc of it!
|
| Posted 4/30/08 1:05 PM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
