Just got back from Carmax.
They told me that they would NOT pay for the repairs done anywhere else besides their body shop. I told them I was completely AGAINST using their body shop given the slipshod job they already did. The service mgr then asked me what I would propose. I proposed the compromise I had originally thought of, meaning having the job done by Stuttgart International, and going 50-50 with the repair costs, and having Carmax provide a loaner for me. They said NO on the loaner, but they did ask me to go to them (Stuttgart international) and get a detailed estimate of what their repairs would entail and cost, and then we would take it from there. At least they are willing to consider a compromise at this point. I will be taking my car to SI on Monday, because they are closed today and for the weekend.
Fingers crossed!!!

 

Well, this has been a busy busy week. I took the car to Stuttgart International, and had them give me an estimate for the repairs to the damaged ( botched ) paint job. Their estimate came out to $4300!!!! The estimate was quite detailed, and explained all that needed to be done, but I was just about floored when I saw that amount. Needless to say, Carmax denied even considering covering that amount, or anything a tall towards SI. I took the car to another well-reputed body shop, also specializing in high end luxury automobiles. Their estimate came out to about $3000. Better, but still steep nonetheless. Carmax said they would contribute $1000 towards the paint job at Autosalon ( the second body shop I received an estimate from). I let Carmax know that I did not think it was fairto have me dish out $2000 for repairs to a mistake that was, in effect, caused by THEM.

Then, like a BLESSING FROM ABOVE, they took me by surprise.....they offered to take the car back, and give me a FULL REFUND for it. I told them I would "think about it", got online, found another 2006 997 C2S cab, TRIPLE BLACK, in EXCELLENT condition, with HALF the mileage that the gray one had, for about $1000 more than what I had paid for the gray one. After a test drive and a PPI, I sealed the deal. I returned the Gray 997 to Carmax on Thursday, and picked up my black 997 today. All in all, after this whole ordeal, I can say that I am VERY satisfied with the final outcome. I'll be taking pics this weekend to sho off my new ride. Here's a link to the pics of the car on their website:

http://www.ecarlist.com/cgi-bin/show...6676&d_id=1043

 

I can tell you about a paint/body shop in Atlanta that can do any paint work and you will never know it has been repainted. I see plenty of Ferraris, Porsches and others from FL there to be fixed. They also do all the work for the local Ferrari store, Maserati dealer, Rolls Royce, Bentley and Porsche dealers and more....I have had some non-accident paint work done there on Mercedes and I assure you it will be correct and you will not see two tone metallic colors. I know it's about $1000 for a hood paint job and fenders would add to that, but hey, that is cheaper than trading in order to get it right. Also, this body shop will not leave rough edges where they tape it. I have never seen a rough edge on cars they did, including mine. I wasn;t going to list the name, but it is Magnum Collision. It's not cheap, but neither are these cars and you want them right. They are the ONLY shop here I will use regardless of who is paying.

 

Sorry I posted the long post; I didn't notice that you returned the car. Great looking replacement. Black is easy to match too! Glad Carmax did the right thing for you and took it back. My next suggestion was going to be an attorney....

 

If Carmax wants to deal in high end cars and get that profit from said cars then they have to move their mindset into they type of customer who buys these cars. They should use this as an opportunity to establish a relationship with SI for future work. When one vendor sees another vendor step up for a client that is seen as a sign of integrity and in the end word of mouth goes a long way.

 

Awesome resolution to the tale! And BTW I've never thought carmax had good prices on anything.

 

a happy ending indeed...