Complaint Review: Maaco autobody - Scherrillville Indiana

I found this site today, and thought I would add my Maaco experience. You truly get what you pay for. My Maaco service ended up with a total of $2,400.

I was in pursuit of building a Batmobile from a Pontiac firebird. Ive included photos with this report. The work was done in 2008 when Maaco had set prices for services and gave their paint jobs fancy names like "presidential" and "ambassador". Anyway, I purchased a used firebird with a great body, little to no body work was required. I then went about having a sign company make the batman decal logo, so whomever I were to select to paint the car would have an easy go at it. First I checked an autobody place that does FANTASTIC insurance work for me (Riverdale Autobody). They quoted a paint job would be $7000+ for what I wanted. They explained why the cost would be so much, labor, paint ect. I know they do quality work. I asked if they recommended anyone for less, they said maaco, and "you get what you pay for".

Now keep in mind, Im not looking for a autoshow car, just a home made kick a*s batmobile for parades and ridding around and being stupid two or three times a year. I looked into maaco, the price seemed right. I next went total low end...yep....Earl Schieb...when they were in buisness. Talked to the sales rep, quoted me a set price for their top paint job...but the facility was dirty and one of the employees cars were outside, the paint job looked like Rustoleum two tone... I did consider it for a moment.

Then, Maaco. I read reviews online that were both positive and negative. Even an auto magazine recommended Maaco as long as YOU DO THE PREP WORK. Well, I went in, got a quote on the most expensive paint job which included two coats of paint, two clear coat, wet buffing ect ect. And they would paint my emblems on and fix hairline cracks in rear bumper and paint and change out a new hood on it. All in all $2400.

Maaco asked me several times are you sure??? Black with yellow bat symbols (the car was red before). HELL YEAH!

They promised the car in one week...then two...then three... they NEVER call to update you. Then it was done. Let me tell you, upon first sight, it was as perfect as I had imagined. It looks like the F..ing batmobile. But as you get closer you realize you get what you pay for. Overspray, underspray, bubbles, paint chipping off, the car was dirty like they sanded a railroad tie on it and in it. PLEASE NOTE: Maaco promised to paint the car with primer first. Nope, they paint directly on your car. They literally just tape it up and paint. They may wash it first but Im not sure they even do that. How do I know, the paint was comming off day one. The car went back twice in the first month, they asked if I was driving it in a sand storm. Keep in mind I live in illinois/indiana and it was March....Moreover....It's the F...ing batmobile. Hello? Who would drive it every day?
 
They offer a three year warranty, and then after that it is pro rated. I drive the car maybe five times a year and garage it the rest. If this were a daily driver the paint would have all chipped off by now. The day I got it home i noticed all the underpainting in the door wells and wheel wells. I paid extra for that! It went back, they painted it again, but still not great. You can still see in some areas of the door frame it is red. And please do not EVER take it through a car wash, there is no way this would hold up to anything other than hand wash/wax.

Anyway, with very careful care, hand washing and waxing, garaging and rarely driving the car, the paint job has lasted. And yes it is COVERED while being stored in a heated/ac garage.

If you are young or old, please heed my words. You get what you pay for from Maaco. Would I do it again....No.