Stuff happens and body damage sucks on new car especially when you do it yourself... my post isn't going to help with your feelings. I tend to go into practical and solution mode when things happen and that's what my post is about.
To my eye, that's door skin damage only... as laid out correctly on the bill. B pillar would not move for that kind of superficial scrape.
The thing about airbag sensors and airbag R&R ... my bullsh*t detector went off.... I'd avoid that place like the plague. "European" in the name. You can tell these guys are digging into Mercedes Benz and BMW owner pockets who are used to spending thousands on regular repairs of those thirsty cars, you just know it. Say "thanks anyway" and move on.
Socially engineer the situation bit: One way of filtering bullsh*t out of these quotes is to lean in close and say, hey, you know this accident was own fault, it's a single vehicle claim but I don't want my insurance to pay for it if my rates are going to go up, so I would be paying out of my own pocket. I want to spend to make the car right again and look good.. and I don't have a lot of cash to spend after making the payments on the car in the first place. Can you help make this happen keeping any excess off the bill? If I wrote a cheque instead of using credit card, would that help? What if I brought in the coffee and donuts for the guys doing the work that day? You'll be my body shop for life if you do me well on this one.
Now here is maybe the shocking thing: I would actually bring the donuts. Things start happening.. they may pass on wholesale rates for parts to you, they may waive or disappear "shop fees" from the bill, the worker may do a better effort because they meet the owner and appreciate you appreciating them.
I paid $1000 to have paint protection film applied to the front facing surfaces of my S. After looking at the job, and hearing about being the first Tesla in, and extra care and special touches they paid attention to the job and seeing the extra custom pieces of film they cut in addition to the kit, etc..... I paid the bill and asked to see who did it. I knew (from the App) my car was in the bay for most of that day. I was ushered into the shop and said thanks to the woman who did it and handed her a $50 bill as tip, and said "nice job!" loud enough that her boss and coworkers noticed. Although, I had been warned "she's totally deaf" ... so I signed the words for thank you and awesome and she got the message. After dropping her jaw, her face turned into an ear to ear grin and she signed back thanks. I could tell it made an impression that will stick for her and that shop .. maybe everyone else gets a little bit better job done for it.. who knows?
If the quoted place does great work, tell them some other Tesla owners are watching closely on this forum and there could be referrals coming of it. Do this before they begin work.
Also, before work begins, get actual real references for similar work at that shop (not just Yelp) and call them and ask to see their cars with "before" pictures as well. Online reviews are so easily tainted.
Thanks for the advice! This is very helpful!!
