Wrecked Car Tampered With

[FettsBabe]

hi everyone. Its been awhile since I've been here, but I just dropped by to show some love and ask a quick question.

I am on the Title as the owner to a Mustang Convertible. Its really my sons car, but he has to graduate and get his Eagle Scout before it is his completely.

Anyway, on Friday his stepdad backed into the car. Instead of calling me to let me know, they hide it from me, and start fixing it. They never called me, but started knocking out the dents, etc. I still have yet to hear from his Mother. I told my stepson that he needed to have his stepdad call me. Which he did. he was very frustrated that I found out, but didn't get mean, but you could just tell in his voice.

On Monday, my hubby noticed the dent and said something to his son. He then said his stepdad was going to fix it and also fix his back bumper as well. I asked him why he didn't say anything and they didn't want conflict with our family.

Now, I am confused. I feel deceived by him, his Mother and his Stepfather.

2. They want his stepdad to fix it so there insurance doesn't go up. He paints cars.

3. I am pissed that they started doing stuff to the car without even telling me.

Would you let them fix it?
Would you file it on insurance?
Would you get an estimate and let them pay the estimate price?

How would you react?

 

[amdhunter]

What year Mustang? Anything newer and I'd report the damage. If it's an older model, I'd just let him fix it for free.

Also, is it just a fenderbender? Or was it hit hard enough to reach the frame?

 

[FettsBabe]

2002, but it is a GT Clone with lots of extras and upgrades.

My problem is, I don't trust the twit now. he should have just been a man and called me instead of being a wuss and trying to hide it.

 

[coldmeat]

Your son's stepdad hit his car, so you told your stepson to have his stepdad call you. Then your husband saw the dent and told his son who said his stepdad was going to fix it.

I think I'm more confused.

 

[FettsBabe]

I don't know the original damange, my stepson said his mom had pics, but after I asked for them today, now she says she doesn't.

I don't believe that.

 

[FettsBabe]

No, chain of events.

Friday - stepdad hit my stepsons car that is titled to me only and on my insurance.

They knocked out dents, did not tell me.

Monday - My stepsons actual dad, my hubby, noticed the dent.

Stepson said they decided to hide it, him specifically because he didn't want their insurance to go up. they agreed and never told me. i told him to have his stepdad call me today after i found out. we talked and he was very frustrated that he knew that i knew. his mother never called.

stepson said there were before and after pics. now mother says there aren't.

i don't beleive her.

what do do?

 

[Adul]

is it that big of a deal? Be thing is to just want the truth out of them.

 

[amdhunter]

How bad is the dent, and how good of a job does the stepdad do on cars? Have you ever seen his work?

 

[FettsBabe]

if i backed into your car, and just fixed it while you were gone, u wouldn't get mad? What about liability? disclosure of wrecks? what if i did a half way job of fixing it?

yes, it pisses me off. It is complete deceit with laws being broke.

when they take a car that i own and just take it to a bodyshop and do it themselves without even telling me? yeah, i am pissed.

 

[FettsBabe]

yes, i let him paint his former mustang, but there were runs in the paint in some areas.

i just don't trust someone that would do that.

 

[FettsBabe]

then i heard about how he deserved the car since he painted it when the car got totaled. that was an argument for awhile.

we don't get along and if there was a run in the paint and i asked that it be fixed i would have to deal with crap to get it done it was ever done.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: FettsBabe
yes, i let him paint his former mustang, but there were runs in the paint in some areas.

i just don't trust someone that would do that.

Ah, screw that. A run in the paint would freaking kill me. Report it and take it to an insurance-backed shop that will give you a lifetime warranty on the paintwork.

 

[mugs]

:laugh: I wouldn't say he "tampered with" the car when he was fixing it...

Is the guy capable of fixing it? If not, what's the harm in letting him fix it? They probably didn't tell you about it because they figured you'd react the way you're reacting now...

Edit: I see you aren't confident in his work. So tell him that and offer him the other two options - pay up or deal with insurance.

 

[FettsBabe]

yeah, the runs were noticed because we do car shows. my hubby has won best in show mustang, etc. we do them almost every weekend.

i mean the runs before weren't bad and the ghost flames were nice, but there were flaws.

MUGS - I would not have reacted this way had they told me. Do you realize they took my property and attempted to fix it without telling me? I am responsible for that car and it is getting ready to get traded in. I would look stupid if someone noticed an imperfection that was there that I didn't know about and said it had never been wrecked there. had they come to me, i would have worked with them. Now i don't give a crap.

 

[FettsBabe]

tamper definition

2. To tinker with rashly or foolishly: Don't tamper with my feelings.
3. To engage in improper or secret dealings, as in an effort to influence:

they influenced my stepson by trying to bribe him. telling them their insurance would go up, they would fix something else on the car that bugs him, etc.

the stepdad was very aggitated that i found out.

 

[FettsBabe]

Also, the fender would have probably been replaced for a new one if insurance handled it. $125 plus labor, now they just want to fix the one.

i don't know. i just don't like being lied to.

 

[Viper GTS]

Given that:

1) The car isn't worth a whole lot (I own a 2002 GT, & as much as I love the car it's worth maybe $9K) and
2) In the end the potentially problematic repair job won't be yours anyway

I say let them fix it.

Then I would have a talk with the kid about how he will handle things in the future.

Viper GTS

 

[FettsBabe]

Hi viper!!!!

But really its not him. He's 17 and his parents fight. The Mother and Stepfather influenced his decision by telling him it would raise their insurance and bribing him with additional work. basically a guilt trip and he didn't want his mom and dad to argue. heck, had they just called I would have not fussed at all. heck the stepdad even told me, i left it up to him.

They owe us for back medical bills to the tune of $300, they can pay to fix this but not pay us?

 

[amicold]

Originally posted by: coldmeat
Your son's stepdad hit his car, so you told your stepson to have his stepdad call you. Then your husband saw the dent and told his son who said his stepdad was going to fix it.

I think I'm more confused.

My initial thought as well.

 

[suse920]

The kid was in a difficult situation He doesnt want to start a fight between the two families, soi find it hard to be that upset with him. I feel like you have every right to be angry with the stepfather, he should'nt have tried to hide damage to your car from you. I think that it would make sense to sit the kid down and explain that this is legally your car, and that you dont want any half assed repairs done to it.

 

[FettsBabe]

Yes! I agree. I am not upset with him, but he got mad! He's 17 and believed what he was told. After he calmed down, I talked to him some more, as I refuse to argue with him when hes upset, etc. Sometimes it may be a day or two before we talk about something.

Anyway, the stepdad is on my poop list. My stepson thinks hes the best painter ever. I saw the runs myself, but my stepson said that happens to everyone. Most companies fix those problems.

I love my stepson and this is not his fault.

When I spoke to the stepdad he said he would be pissed to, so he knew he was wrong. His Mother was even in on it. Grrrr. She hasn't even called to apologize and neither did the stepdad when I was on the phone with him. he was just irritated that I knew.


Ug, What to do??

 

[bctbct]

When you give a kid a car like that to drive you have to expect something could go wrong. Be happy he hasnt gotten 5 tickets and driven through someones yard.

I also think that maybe you are making a bigger deal out of this because of other problems you have with the step/ex/whatever he is.

 

[FettsBabe]

ah,, here it goes. His bestfriend pulled the wheel and ran into the county commissioners yard right after he got his license. They tried to hide that too.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: FettsBabe
2. They want his stepdad to fix it so there insurance doesn't go up. He paints cars.

3. I am pissed that they started doing stuff to the car without even telling me.

i dont see any issue with them fixing the car, as long as they can fix it competently. I would get it in writing tho, that if you are NOT happy with the repair work, you can have it redone by a professional shop, and that he will pay for the cost of the repair.

i would be more concerned about the deceipt issue. Seems you have some big trust issues at hand.

 

[bctbct]

When my son got his first car it was a beater because I expected things like that to happen(I did those stupid things in my youth)

Its his car, you are on the title, let him take the lumps and hopefully he will learn from his mistakes.