Fair resolution?

I think a fair resolution would be for the shop to ship it back to the manufacturer for repair and repaint, on the shops dime, with a likely 6+ month turnaround. That sucks for you to go 6 months without the shell, but them owning up to their mistake is "fair". The inconvenience to you sucks, but what else could/should they do about that to make you happy? My unprofessional opinion would say ask them to cut you a check for the amount it would take them to do that, sign a waiver of all liability, and you ditch your warranty and have a local body shop fix it.

 

I'm really not worried about the structural warranty. It's the paint warranty that I want to keep intact, which would also be impacted. Thx for all the feedback.

 

How does the manufacturer handle paint repairs under their warranty? Do they ship it back to their shop as well like they're suggesting with this or work with a local shop?

 

They repair in-house.

 

In that case, if the manufacturer paints and warranties that paint, its gotta go back through them; which sucks, but is the "right" way. And if the shop foots that bill, its "fair". The shop doesn't necessarily have an obligation to make you happy at the end of the day, just to fix their mistake. If I were in your position, I'd be unhappy no matter the outcome, because it means you go without a shell for some amount of time, and there's no compensation for that. My best advice is to just be as reasonable as you can with them, and very professionally take an opportunity to speak with the shop manager about the inconvenience it may cause you. Say for example you work out of your truck and need the shell for tool security, renting another vehicle in the time being could be costly. Maybe they can get their hands on another shell for the time being, even if its mismatched colors.

 

Or even a boat repair shop, fiberglass is fiberglass and they're usually most experienced with it.

 

Well, I know this sucks for you OP and unfortunately all your options have some degree of consequences. This damage appears to be pretty minimal so I personally would have them pay to have it fixed locally and move on.

I know that this technically voids your warranty, but do you really think you will ever ship this thing back to the manufacturer for a paint issue? Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

 

Well, the shop called today and said they could ship it to Ohio tomorrow. They also said it would likely take a month to fix. It was quite a different tone than when I first chatted with them. I called the manufacturer to verify the month- long turnaround, and they could not confirm any turnaround time. We'll just have to see.
I was told that this is costing the shop $1,000. Yikes. Unfortunate mistake.
As for the paint warranty, I wish I had such a warranty on my previous shell, whose paint was completely flaked off after 10 years, so I'm glad to have that intact.

 

Once its professionally sanded and painted locally you wont have a problem with the paint. Pretty sure they will warranty their work as well. That crack is minor just let the local guy hook you up and you’ll be smiling inside of two weeks.

 

fiberglass is easy to repair. take it to a boat shop. they are good with fiberglass.

 

This is your win I think, no cost to you (which there should never be)..minimal time without (not ideal but better than 6 mos)..and all done by the manufacturer so no compromise on existing warranty or on the work. Do it up!

 

Shop for a new shell at the shell store,...drop the damaged one off at the window guy, tell the window guy,..
"It's your lucky day you just bought a shell for your soon new to be Tacoma". Tell him to make the check-out to, ACME Shell Company.

 

I ended up having the manufacturer fix it. Took two months from when I dropped it off; just picked it up today. It looks perfect. Cost the shell dealership $1,000 to fix (shipping from CA to OH plus the repair). I made the right decision.

 

They damaged it they bought it.
I wouldn't want a repaint nor a delay at your expense.

 

This is just silly. If someone dings your car door, they don't owe you a new car. If someone throws a ball through your house window, they don't owe you a new house. Talk is cheap on a forum. Reality is very different.

 

You clearly are new to tacoma world. Anything happens to your truck, you are entitled to a brand new one or you threaten to call your lawyer.

How does your cap look?

 

Very good point.
The cap looks really good. Pics attached. The only bummer was not having it two weeks ago during archery bear season. I had to haul one out in the back seat (if in the open bed, it would have been covered in road dust from the mountain roads).

 

The damaging repair shop surely had business insurance .So the grand was a write off as a business expense

 

Six month wait with no cap ? If your car is in the shop for 6 months you get a loaner. You don't live without a window in your house for 6 months either.
If you don't want to use a cap for six months you paid to use, go for it.
In legal terms it's called compensation.
Why ask on a forum what a fair resolution would be then if you already know your answer ??????????

 

LOL. Clearly you haven’t read the posts. I started the thread two months ago, got feedback, and made a decision. It took two months.