Recommendation for Auto Body Shops (Florida)

[Lawsteve]

Got my car back from Gene Perez this AM. They did a great job, as usual, and did so in record speed, as has not been usual. Hopefully none of you will ever need to use their services, but they did a fantastic job on the repair and on matching my MC red paint.

Now am in Sarasota for my meetings. Drove from downtown Sarasota to Venice for a dinner engagement tonight ---- no sign of Larry. Because of the late pickup from the body shop, left Tampa without a full charge. I've got 115 miles of range for the weekend and return to Tampa on Sunday. Am actually thinking of visiting Mote Marine on Saturday afternoon. Always wanted to visit there, and can use the HPWC installed there. Otherwise I'll have to track down Larry or Nigel and drink some wine while I steal their power.

 

[NigelM]

Mod Notes:

Some posts went here - Sarasota-FL-Charging-Stations

Some posts went here - Florida-Tesla-Owners-Chit-Chat

 

[ClearwaterBchSteve]

Got my car back from Gene Perez this AM. They did a great job, as usual, and did so in record speed, as has not been usual. Hopefully none of you will ever need to use their services, but they did a fantastic job on the repair and on matching my MC red paint.

Now am in Sarasota for my meetings. Drove from downtown Sarasota to Venice for a dinner engagement tonight ---- no sign of Larry. Because of the late pickup from the body shop, left Tampa without a full charge. I've got 115 miles of range for the weekend and return to Tampa on Sunday. Am actually thinking of visiting Mote Marine on Saturday afternoon. Always wanted to visit there, and can use the HPWC installed there. Otherwise I'll have to track down Larry or Nigel and drink some wine while I steal their power.

Hi Steve. Last month, I backed my Model S into my over crowded garage and scraped the right rear quarter panel on the back side of the wheel well right at the seam between the quarter panel and bumper. Per Kim @ Tesla's recommendation, I contacted Gene Perez and took my car over there for an estimate. The damage is largely cosmetic and I really don't plan on making an insurance claim (I'll save that in case there is severe damage). They told me they likely could repair the spot without needing to replace the quarter panel and might not need to replace the bumper. I mentioned I didn't want to use insurance and I really think that scared them off - I never heard back even after trying to contact them again. This gave me a bit of a bad taste thinking they only want to do business if they can overcharge the insurance company - this does not help any of us on our rates.

It sounds like you've had good experience with them. I'm curious about the extent of your damage and how much the repair cost. Did you pay directly or make a claim?

Thanks for any insight you can give me, Steve.

By the way, Larry C does exist. My wife and I spent last Saturday evening with he and his lovely wife Mary Ellen I've charged up at his home many times - I owe him some charges.

 

[Lawsteve]

Good morning Steve. My damage sounds more extensive than yours. I sent you a PM with more details. I don't think Gene Perez is ignoring you based upon the value of the repair. My guess is that they are extremely busy, and something has slipped through the system regarding calling you about whether you want to proceed with a repair.

if you haven't received a written estimate from them, call them again. Also, do not leave a voicemail, just go to the operator and ask her to track down the person you dealt with. They aren't the best re initial sales and customer contact (and as noted above have a reputation for being really slow), but the quality of their work is excellent. Good luck, and have a great Thanksgiving.

 

[Lawsteve]

Update re Gene Perez. I took my car back to the detailer to have the Opticoat replaced on the areas where they did the body work. What was supposed to be a 1/2 day job is now into day 2. Apparently the wet sanding job on the paint (both the repair area and surrounding areas) was horrendous, and my detailer is having a hell of a time getting out the swirl marks. They used some type of glaze finish to cover the swirls, thus they were not originally visible. Once my detailer stripped the car to apply the Opticoat, the disaster was revealed. Hopefully I'll get the car back today, and I'll update re the results.

 

[TampaLiam]

Ah! No fun!
Gene Perez lost their Tesla body shop certification/association, from what I hear...

 

[Seven7]

Ah! No fun!
Gene Perez lost their Tesla body shop certification/association, from what I hear...

I think your right, Tesla sent my car to Dayas in Orlando when it would have been alot easier to send it to Gene Perez in Tampa...

 

[ClearwaterBchSteve]

I still have minor rear fender damage to be repaired. Gene Perez blew me off since I didn't want to do an insurance claim and I was ready to re-try them after Lawsteve's success story, but it sounds like things have changed. Orlando is going to be very inconvenient... Any recommendations for something closer to Clearwater?

 

[Lawsteve]

Ah! No fun!
Gene Perez lost their Tesla body shop certification/association, from what I hear...

That's bad news, as I was hoping to use their Tesla relationship as a bargaining chip to get them to pay for the re- polish I had done. My detailer said he actually had to do some wet sanding to get out the wet sanding scratches and swirl marks that Gene Perez had covered with glaze. I ended up paying an additional $450 for the remedial work. Car looks fantastic now, but I am not too happy with Gene Perez.

 

[ShadowyRealm]

I've used Superior Auto Body in Pinellas Park for insurance and non insurance work. The owner Ron Vallario handles a lot of high end cars, and has certified aluminum techs. Reasonable time frames, excellent work and fanatical devotion to his product. Just don't expect deep discounts. Worth every penny.

 

[Larry Chanin]

I've used Superior Auto Body in Pinellas Park for insurance and non insurance work. The owner Ron Vallario handles a lot of high end cars, and has certified aluminum techs. Reasonable time frames, excellent work and fanatical devotion to his product. Just don't expect deep discounts. Worth every penny.

Welcome to the forums and thanks for the recommendation.

I you are interested in joining our Florida Tesla club, please click on the link in my signature.

Larry

 

[Xeni]

I understand Tesla is now using "Dayas" in Orlando, anybody know anything about them?

Daya's Custom Auto, Collision Repair, Autobody Specialists, Orlando Florida

Dont use Dayas!

I had a bad experience with Daya's. Just because ONE of their people, some "AB" guy flew to California and got some piece of paper, they think they can over charge all Tesla customers.

They have no skill and don't think outside the box at all. They just quote you the price to replace the entire part !!
And they can be rude if you ask them to hurry with the quote !

They quoted me $5,000 for something other body-shops have quoted me $150 - $500 !!!

Then I got another small ugly scratch on my bumper. (I think my reverse warning signals are not working - have to get that checked later) I'm sure Daya would love to charge $10,000 to replace the entire bumper!

But all the body shops I've worked with say it is fixable for $500

I will post before and after pictures later.


THINK about it.. Why the HEC would I waste $10,000 for a job others are doing for $900 ???

With that money I COULD JUST UPGRADE TO THE NEXT TESLA !!!!!

 

[ShadowyRealm]

Since this thread is still alive 2 years later, I want to reiterate my recommendation of Superior Auto Body in Pinellas Park. They did about $4500 worth of work on my hood, nosecone and headlight lens and it came out perfect.
The owner, Ron Vallario, is ex-special forces and doesn't take [stuff] from anybody - including the Tesla parts department. Highly disciplined shop with friendly, professional service. He does a lot of high-end cars, but put just as much care into my wife's Honda.
Note that the word "discount" is nowhere in their literature.

 

[NigelM]

Dimmitt Collision Center in Clearwater did an outstanding job on my Roadster. Saw several Model Ss while I was there and a Model X.

Can highly recommend the service and friendliness also.

 

[kvietor]

Dimmitt Collision Center in Clearwater did an outstanding job on my Roadster. Saw several Model Ss while I was there and a Model X.

Can highly recommend the service and friendliness also.

Hi Nigel, what did you have done on your roadster? I might have to get the front end of my S repainted soon. Lots of tiny chips from crap being thrown up from other cars. 54,000 miles, starting to show her age.

 

[NigelM]

Hi Nigel, what did you have done on your roadster? I might have to get the front end of my S repainted soon. Lots of tiny chips from crap being thrown up from other cars. 54,000 miles, starting to show her age.

New nose/bumper, low speed meet-up with a tow hitch left a hole there; the new nose came raw from Tesla and Dimmitt the repairs for me.