Pal has a near new Suzuki. In bright red. It collected a scratch on the tailgate. About 12 inches long. Probably vandalism.
The dealer said 300 quid to sort it, so I offered to have a go at buffing it out. Didn't look to have gone through the paint - but the dealer said it had. Pal decided not to bother.
Then asked the dealer about a cheaper repair. They offered one for 80 quid. Which was a mess.
So with it now looking far worse than the scratch did, had to go for the
300 quid one. Took a week. Came back the wrong colour (I didn't see this one)
Back in to be done by a different paint shop. This time the paint matched and my pal happy.
Saw the repair today for the first time. Another pal present. He says 'why is there paint on the number plate, and why are there marks at the side of it?'
Examination showed what looked like deep chips in the original paint which had been painted over. Three of them. Biggest about the size of a 5p.
The paint finish in the numberplate recess looked straight out of the gun
- not the glassy smooth like the rest of it. With a couple of fish eyes too.
So back into the main dealer for attempt number four. They're also going to upgrade the sound system and fit reversing sensors, so watch this space for more tales of woe. ;-)