Scheduled an appointment to get an estimate for repair. I had to take time off work to schedule an appointment that was convenient for *them*. Drive the 30 minutes from work in the middle of the day. When I arrived, the gentlemen asked me if I was going to have the car repaired there. I was truthful and said that at the request of the other party, this repair would not being through insurance, and I was actually getting 3 estimates, and his shop was the third one on the list, and that I'd pick the shop based on various factors. The gentlemen then refused to give me an written estimate. He goes into some song and dance about mystical ""hidden damage"" and how the bill could end up being much higher than the written quote, and for that reason they won't give me a written estimate unless I commit to having the car repaired there so they ""take it apart"" to give me an written estimate. What a total crock. We're weren't talking about a lot of damage here folks. The car was side-swiped in a parking lot and had a shallow dent on the door and fender and some scratches on the paint. Reading between the lines, it's very clear this shop operates on they notion that working with insurance companies allows them to maximize the amount they can charge for a repair. They clearly do not want private-party business. Given the minor damage to my car, his song and dance about the mythical hidden damages was completely laughable. This is the first time I have ever been refused an estimate at any auto shop, especially for the stupid reason he gave me. I was able to work with 3 other body shops in the area, and each of them gave me a written estimate, no questions asked. Each estimate had the standard ""this is an estimate only - other repair and fees may be required"" clause. That's completely common practice in the business, Apparently, Haddock must have thought I looked stupid and could be coerced into giving them my business.
The net of my experience with Haddock was I had to take 90 minutes out of my work day, waste $10 in gas to drive there and back, simply to be told they would not even give me an estimate unless I committed then and there that they did the repairs. If that's how they operate, they should have said that on the phone when I made the appointment instead of making me come down there in person to tell me that. Thanks a ton Haddocks FOR COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY WASTING MY TIME!!!! You obviously feel your time is more important than your customers and that your customers are complete idiots. Sorry, but I don't do business with companies that think their customers should feel privileged just for walking in your door.
Needless to say I will not be returning.
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