The Issue with Cheap Panel and Paint
If you’re looking for cheap panel beaters Auckland, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Choosing a cheap panel beater – or anyone who works on your vehicle – strictly based on price is not a good idea. On the other hand, looking for a reputable panel beater Auckland who will take the best care of your vehicle involves more than just price.
There are very clear reasons why looking for a cheap panel beater will end up costing you more. These are the things we believe you should look for when trying to find a panel beater:
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Using genuine parts for your vehicle
Any time you bring your car to a panel beater, one of the first questions you should ask is whether they use genuine parts. Unfortunately, a lot of panel beaters in Auckland use non-genuine parts or aftermarket parts.
This means that when you bring in your BMW, for example, the panel beater might replace certain components with non-BMW parts. Thus, the panel beater is either trying to offer you a lower price without explaining to you the importance of why you should only use BMW parts in a BMW for some components. Even worse, they may charge you the same price as a BMW part but use a non-genuine part.
Using non-genuine parts may affect the performance of your vehicle. This will depend on a few things, such as the part in question, the age of your vehicle, what repairs or replacements your vehicle may need. In addition, having non-genuine parts will very likely affect the price you’re able to fetch if you go and try to sell that vehicle second-hand, either to a car dealer or in a private sale.
On the other hand, genuine parts help keep the value of your vehicle higher than if you use non-genuine parts. They’re sometimes included in a manufacturer’s warranty. And if there is ever a part recall by the manufacturer, there’s a greater chance that the manufacturer will cover your repair work.
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Using good quality paint
Similar to the difference between genuine and non-genuine parts, there is a big difference between using good quality paints and poor quality paints. Not only are poor quality paints bad for you and bad for the environment because of the toxins they emit. But they’re also not long-lasting. Poor quality paint will chip, peel, or fade.
Good quality paints last longer and are easier to apply, therefore taking less time to use. (And fewer labour hours to pay for, in some cases). Good quality paints also look much better when your vehicle is freshly painted. As well as down the track once your vehicle has been exposed to weather and the elements for some time.
Don’t be afraid to ask a panel beater what paints they use. Urethane paint is the most durable type of paint for cars, as it is chip-resistant, and will outlast most acrylic paints. We don’t expect you to know much about automotive paints necessarily. But if a panel beater in Auckland mentions they use PPG, SCA or Septone, that’s a great start. Feel free to give us a call at Mt Roskill Collision Centre, and we can give you some great advice on car paint and paint touch-ups.
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Knowing the difference between repairing and replacing
If a panel beater offers you costs that are too good to be true, they are probably trying to scrimp or take shortcuts. Cheap panel beaters Auckland do this by simply repairing a panel or part when it requires replacement. They’re not trying to save you money. They’re actually trying to charge you more.
By repairing something as an interim measure when something really needs to be replaced, they look good when they cost up the job. But what happens a few months down the road? That part stops work, falls off, gets chipped paint … or worse, doesn’t protect you if you have another accident. You’re back in to see them for more repairs and more unnecessary costs that you wouldn’t have if they just did things properly the first time.
At Mt Roskill Collision Centre, we’ll tell you honestly whether a part needs replacing or not. We won’t try to sell you something you don’t need, but we also won’t try to repair something that isn’t going to last or keep you safe.
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Average customer service vs great customer service
A panel beater who is trying to be the cheapest will have to keep their costs down. They’re doing this either by using cheap parts, equipment, technology or labour. Wherever it is they’re trying to cut corners, you’ll most likely feel the effects.
Chances are a panel beater trying to keep costs down and have staff that don’t spend the time explaining what your vehicle needs. Or worse, they may be taking shortcuts in the workshop or trying to rush jobs to spend less time on them.
A cheap panel beater may not have up-to-date diagnostic tools or technology, so they won’t be able to give you as much detailed information as a panel beater who invests in their equipment.
The easiest way to determine whether a panel beater is cutting corners in the area of customer service is simply by asking a few questions. Find out if they take the time to explain things carefully and thoroughly in a manner that you understand. And listen to your gut. If you feel like you’re being rushed through, chances are you, and your vehicle won’t get the attention needed.
The Mt Roskill Collision Centre promise
Our goal is to have everyone on New Zealand roads driving safely. We offer a lifetime guarantee on our car repairs from our panel beating and collision repair service centre in Mt Roskill, Auckland. If you are looking for skilled and experienced panel beaters, get in touch with us today.
