Schaefer Autobody Centers Expands To Seven Locations In The St. Louis Metro Area

Schaefer Autobody Centers opened its seventh location in Hazelwood, MO.  It is located at 9091 Dunn Road just behind Spirit Toyota. 

Schaefer Autobody Centers originally opened in 1985 at their current location in Webster Groves.  Locations opened since then include Crestwood, Ellisville, Fenton, O’Fallon, MO, Creve Coeur and now Hazelwood.  Business growth has been the result of their focus on excellent customer service and good relationships with most major insurance companies. 

Schaefer Autobody Centers specializes in complete auto collision repair.  Additional services include dent repair, auto glass windshield replacement, auto towing and bumper repair.   Additional information can be found on the web site:  www.schaeferautobody.com.

Statistics show that a person will need the services of a body shop only once in every seven (7) years.  When an accident happens regardless if it is a minor fender bender or a major wreck it is important to choose a trustworthy shop.  It is just as important to get yourself into the hands of the right auto collision repair shop as it is to check out a contractor's credentials when you need home repair.

Choose a Trustworthy Collision Repair Shop. Check out the shop’s qualifications by asking about advanced technician training from a national organization such as the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) or National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.   Most body shops will employ technicians with these qualifications.  Trustworthy shops will also require their technicians to attend ongoing training to stay up to date on their certifications.  Ask friends and relatives for recommendations on shops that have performed quality work for them in the past.  Inquire with your insurance agent about shops.  Most local insurance agents know the quality shops in your area and will give you recommendations based on experience from their customers who have needed prior repairs.

Look for a Commitment of Customer Satisfaction.  Ask if the shop is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and verify their information with the BBB to see if they maintain a good reputation.  Inquire about how they plan to communicate with both you and the insurance company during the repair process.  A shop dedicated to Customer Satisfaction will keep you updated throughout the repair process to avoid any surprises in the number of days your vehicle will be in the shop.   The collision repair shop should also work with your insurance adjuster on your behalf if there are any additional damages found after the initial inspection of your vehicle.

Rental Car Arrangements:  Most reputable body shops will help you with arranging a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop.

Don’t shop by price alone. The lowest estimate could indicate that the shop’s estimator has improperly assessed the vehicle’s damage or that the shop specializes in “quickie” repair jobs and poor quality. If you get a quote that is significantly different from another shop, ask the estimator to explain why the quote is so different before you make a decision about where to have the car repaired.

Ask to see a copy of their warranty.   Shops that are committed to quality repairs will back up their repairs with a guarantee of workmanship including paint, structural, metal, and plastic repairs.  Many of the best collision repair shops will guarantee their work for as long as you own your car.

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) once again called on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate possible violations of the Magnuson-Moss Act by automotive manufacturers. "Tying warranties to the use of new, authorized replacement parts is illegal under the Magnuson-Moss Act," said Michael E. Wilson, ARA's chief executive officer, adding that "automakers' unfounded disparagement" of recycled original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts also is a potential violation of the Lanham Act.

Late last year, for example, Chrysler released a position statement implying that recycled parts may have invisible defects due to environmental and human error factors and stated that, “Chrysler Group LLC does not approve of or recognize structural repair procedures where Authentic Mopar Parts are not used for Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram vehicles,” suggesting that consumers’ warranties would be in doubt if parts other than Authentic Mopar Parts were used. Similar statements have been released by American Honda, Toyota Motor Sales, and Hyundai Motor America.

the Chairman for additional action since the FTC’s December 2010 consumer alert, “Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance, and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?,” was helpful, but it did not specifically consider the issue of recycled OEM parts. "These potential violations of federal law that harm consumers, especially those least likely to be able to afford expensive replacement parts, need to be completely examined," said Wilson.

Over the past several months, ARA has reached out to the appropriate federal agencies highlighting activity that could be a violation of the Magnuson Moss Act and has yet to receive a satisfactory response from the federal government.

Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association (“ARA”) represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of “green” automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents the interests of more than 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and 14 other countries.

To learn more, visit ARA’s home page at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.