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Valet damaged my front bumper... suggestions on how to fix?
I had to use valet which I don't normally like to do and when I got the car back late last night it was dark out so I didn't really see this until this morning.
At this point, they don't want to fix it for me since I left the property without noticing... so i'm on my own here.
I'm attaching some pictures and was curious if you guys have any suggestions on the easiest way for me to fix this?
Before you clean it or try to buff it out, I would at least call or go by the place to show them what they did. They have insurance and may step up.
It looks like possible paint transfer so it may buff out. You could take it to a detailer for their opinion.
I did already take it back and they just argued with me saying the damage was there when I dropped the car off.
I'm extremely careful with my car and back into every single spot JUST because I like the look of the front bumper when I walk back to the car... I would've noticed this the second it happened, not to mention i'm the only driver of the car so I would've felt something like that if it happened when I was behind the wheel.
I debated with him for a couple minutes but they told me there's nothing they can do since I left the property and if I want to call their supervisor tomorrow I can.
I plan to call him but based on my experience today I don't expect them to be very helpful. Fingers crossed...
..I plan to call him but based on my experience today I don't expect them to be very helpful. Fingers crossed...
Go back and look for the possibility that some of your paint was left behind. Take a picture of it. If you find any or not and they refuse don't argue, just file a small claims. They'll fold.
Go back and look for the possibility that some of your paint was left behind. Take a picture of it. If you find any or not and they refuse don't argue, just file a small claims. They'll fold.
Yeah I asked to see where the car was parked and they refused. I'm hoping the supervisor is more understanding tomorrow.
fawk that is so lame!
so it's essentially the whole front lip?I'm sorry for this man........I wouldn't be shocked if they go sand off the spot where the lame-o valet parked if there was a scuff of white paint......how lame! the right side seems more visible yeah? when looking at the car from the front.......seems the scratches on the drivers side are minimal.......but still!
I really hope you can get this worked out to your liking
Go back to the scene of the crime and let them know you are trying to resolve this without legal intervention, but your next step is filing a police report and you will do it from their premises. If they think that's absurd let them know your insurance requires this (even if you don't plan on using it). Get the details of who owns the valet company as you intend to sue.
Apart from that this is pretty minor I'd take a clay bar and/or some 1000-2000 grit sandpaper and try to clean as much as possible. Assuming polar white I might tape and rattle-can spray the bottom face.
It is an insurance claim. Give it to your insurance company and get it fixed correctly. Let your insurance company pursue the valet parking if they want to.
It is an insurance claim. Give it to your insurance company and get it fixed correctly. Let your insurance company pursue the valet parking if they want to.
That's what I'm thinking.. Never had a MB before is this something the dealer would fix or should I take it to an independent shop?
Hit a concrete curb. Beyond that obvious large area, most of the rest of what your photos show was probably already there. We all have those scrapes on the underside as it is mostly unavoidable with parking curb bumpers. The dude that did this heard it. I would jerk them around as much as you can. Nobody else drives my car, including valets for this very reason and I live in a big city where valet stands are everywhere. I never use valet.
now that you have photos, try to use meguiars scratch x remover. you might be surprised how much you can remove from it. the amount of time, not to mention the hassle you have to go through with insurance and all. not worth it i reckon. just take it as a lesson learned. besides, itll take a fraction of your time to diy it than trying to prove where and how it happened.
Sadly this stuff can happen when the dealership handles your car for service too... And it can be just as much of a nightmare
You have never done any kind of scratch repair for bodywork, do not attempt any type of repair, like the person above said just pay the deductible if you're willing to and have your insurance company deal with this, and if they find the valet is responsible they will reimburse you the deductible, but it will show up on the Carfax now
That's what I'm thinking.. Never had a MB before is this something the dealer would fix or should I take it to an independent shop?
It depends on the quality of work of dealers in your area. I did have an indie shop that did great work but the owner sold it and retired, so I have used my dealer's shop which is very good and gives a lifetime warranty on their paint and body work. I suggest you should do some research.
This is one of the may reasons I've installed a Blackvue 650 in my wagon, not that I valet often, but given the costs of repairs and potential insurance implications video proof of any incident seems like it would be helpful in resolving. Good luck with the valet...
Regret your car was damaged by a dipXXXX valet. Lots of good feedback here. I hope when the dust settles you "keep us in the loop".................
Used valet parking recently at a 5-star hotel on our Pacific coast. Had a sharp UC Santa Cruz lad answer a few questions......................ended overtipping his collegiate soul (I was so relieved). My first MB. I feel guilty driving it. Beautiful car.
That's what I'm thinking.. Never had a MB before is this something the dealer would fix or should I take it to an independent shop?
Really sorry this happened to you.
I would personally not file an insurance claim. A good independent body shop can easily effect an excellent repair for a sum that would be close to the deductible, and no claim to appear on the CarFax so no diminished value.
Worth looking into and estimates are usually free. Make sure you tell them you are paying out of pocket.
That sucks. This is why I hate valet and other people driving my car.
I had similar damage with my car (previous owner damage), actually worse. I got it repaired by a collision shop for $300. They had to sand, prime, and re-paint.
Anyway, I feel your pain and I hope these guys own up to their costly mistake.
Watch the valet pull in and then back-up slightly.
You won't get sound, but they'll back-up slightly after ramming the bumper into the curb.
If the valet even thinks about looking at the front of the car when they walk away, you'll know.
If the vid is damning, you won't get to see it. It'll have an issue that makes it unplayable. So weird they'll say. Good luck.
I had the same thing happen to my car - albeit the sratches were barely noticeable - over the weekend at the car wash. I left it for a hand wax and came back to find it parked nose into a spot. The scratches were superficial and on the underside, but I know that I didn't do it. They occurred that day when the attendant wasn't paying enough attention.
For what it's worth, Merc shouldn't have hung the front bumper so damn low on the Sport-pkg E's.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; 07-27-2015 at 03:56 PM.
If the vid is damning, you won't get to see it. It'll have an issue that makes it unplayable. So weird they'll say.
For what it's worth, Merc shouldn't have hung the front bumper so damn low on the Sport-pkg E's.
Watch the valet pull in and then back-up slightly.
You won't get sound, but they'll back-up slightly after ramming the bumper into the curb.
If the valet even thinks about looking at the front of the car when they walk away, you'll know.
If the vid is damning, you won't get to see it. It'll have an issue that makes it unplayable. So weird they'll say. Good luck.
I had the same thing happen to my car - albeit te sratches were barely noticeable - over the weekend at the car wash. I left it for a hand wax and came back to find it parked nose into a spot. The scratches were superficial and on the underside, but I know that I didn't do it. They occurred that day when the attendant wasn't paying enough attention.
For what it's worth, Merc shouldn't have hung the front bumper so damn low on the Sport-pkg E's.
Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. The most annoying part is that I go out of my way to set the suspension on "comfort" AND "lift" before giving my car to a valet. Sigh.
Take the car back to the valet and have them park it again. Doubt they will document your damage. When they return it BAM - you all damaged my car - it wasn't like this before you valeted it (both are true statements).
Take the car back to the valet and have them park it again. Doubt they will document your damage. When they return it BAM - you all damaged my car - it wasn't like this before you valeted it (both are true statements).
Good idea... although at this point they do seem to be willing to work with me. I got a call from the manager inviting me down tomorrow to watch the video and show him the damage, but i'm out of town til Friday...
He asked that I send him pictures and he's going to watch the video tomorrow and call me back. It's looking like I may not get screwed after all... but we'll see!
07-26-2015, 12:57 PM
