9
Rant: A customer wanted me to mask old crash damage before they sold their car
Last week, a guy brought in his sedan for a quick cleanup before listing it online. He pointed out some filler work from a past fender bender and straight up asked me to repaint over it without mentioning the repair. I know a lot of shops might just nod and take the cash, thinking it's no big deal since the car runs fine. But I had to say no. Hiding that kind of history feels wrong to me because the next owner deserves to know what they're buying. It's not just about making a sale; it's about being honest and keeping people safe on the road. I lost that job, and maybe some word-of-mouth, but I sleep better knowing I didn't help trick someone. In our trade, trust is everything, and cutting corners like that hurts all of us in the long run.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
bettyhunt1mo ago
But what if the damage was small and the car is safe? In my experience, sellers often just want a smooth sale without unnecessary worry.
4
allen.alice1mo ago
That's the kind of integrity that keeps a trade honest. Cutting corners might earn a quick buck, but it ruins trust for everyone. Who wants to buy a car with secrets, right?
0
rosew371mo ago
Totally agree about trust being ruined. I read a story last week about a used car where the seller didn't mention a replaced fender. The buyer found out later and it turned into a huge argument over other possible hidden problems. That "smooth sale" just cost the seller a lot of bad word of mouth.
1