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| | | Auto painting prices vary a great deal depending on the quality of the job, the type of car and the amount of additional bodywork. | | |
| Typical costs: | - MAACO is a national low-cost chain that can often paint a car for between $250-$400.
- Middle of the road auto body shops often will quote prices between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on the amount of work.
- Custom body shops can charge $4,000 to $8,000 if it involves removing many parts, changing the color of the car, detailing the engine, rebuilding mechanical parts, chrome plating, etc.
- Tip: Be sure to ask about a shop's warranty. Bad paint jobs are notorious for lasting less than three years. Warranties can run five years. A place like MAACO might offer a six month warranty against peeling.
Additional costs: | - There are many possible upgrades. Even at a discount shop such as MAACO, some customers will choose to upgrade the paint to a higher-quality one. Customers may also choose additional layers of paint (more than two) or a layer of clear coat.
- When cars are repainted, sometimes they need body repairs beforehand. Small repair jobs (dents, etc.) can run $200-$500.
Discounts: | - Some body or auto painting shops will offer a discount of a few hundred dollars if the customer sands the car and removes or masks parts that aren't going to be painted. This reduces the preparation work (and labor costs) for the shop.
- Be sure to shop around and compare quotes. Prices and quality can vary even within the same chain, such as MAACO.
- Tip: Many customers recommended visiting and reviewing a body shop. Ask to look for a recently painted car and see if it was well done. Larger businesses may have a record at the Better Business Bureau. There should be a work area where the bodywork is done, and a paint booth. If it's not in use, you can ask to inspect the paint booth to see whether it is relatively clean and dust-free.
Shopping for auto painting: | - Use a local listings site such as Yahoo Local to search for "auto painting","auto body shop," or "Maaco" to get 3-4 quotes from auto body shops in your area.
- Larger businesses may have a record at the Better Business Bureau.
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Article updated November 2006 |
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Recent Posts |
| Posted by: TEDDY R. OSBORN in west point, KY. | Purchased: May, 2008 |
| Car Make: 1998 | Car Model: malibu ls |
| Painter: melliac green |
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| Amount: $2,200.00 |
Expensive!!
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| Posted by: a user in Troy, MI. | Purchased: July, 2008 |
| Car Make: Chrysler | Car Model: 2008 Chrysler 300 |
| Had glossy black, had it changed to flat black. Wanted it "murdered out" so EVERYTHING was painted Flat Black. My 22's, the grill, all logos, and every inch of the car. Looks great but was very expensive. |
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| Amount: $700.00 |
painting from red to silver
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| Posted by: kamama in woodbridge, VA. | Purchased: September, 2008 |
| Car Make: toyota | Car Model: camery |
| Painter: retards |
on the website they say they charge only 200-400 but when you go to maaco they will charge it almost 700 for exterior paint. the advertisements they have it not true.
maaco at Dumfries, va 22026
sucks and they will rub you |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
MAACO Low Cost?
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| Posted by: MustangSally in Dayton, OH. | Purchased: 2008 |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: Mustang |
| Painter: MAACO |
| I call MAACO for an estimate to paint my 1966 Mustang, the car is already primed and ready for paint, no other work would be needed, I did request for the estimate to include the door jams and only wanted it painted gray, no special color. Their estimate was $1500.00 and more charges could occur, So I would not consider MAACO to be a low cost chain. |
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| Posted by: A car painter in CT in New Milford, CT. | Purchased: 2008 |
| I will not paint a car for less than 5K. It's not worth my effort for less.Everyone wants a cheep paint job and then picks out any flaw, dirt spot, in the paint.These are the same people who spend a small fortune on tires and rims and stereo systems just to brag how much they spent.YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! |
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| Amount: $1,200.00 |
MAACO SUCKS
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| Posted by: A user in Texas in Decatur, TX. | Purchased: 2008 |
| Paid 1200 dollars for a paint job on my truck that was already primed... I paid for paint on the truck NOT THE TIRES AND WINDOWS. Also, the paint started peeling in about 8 months. DONT USE MAACO's!!! |
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| Amount: $800.00 |
paint job
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| Posted by: omy in new bedford, MA. | Purchased: July, 2006 |
| Car Make: honda | Car Model: 95 civic |
| Painter: maaco |
| on their commercials they always claim that is about 250 to 300 dollars but when you go down there its another story they start adding things the car doesn\'t even need and they charge alot of money and their work is crap paint peels quick and the shine doesn\"t last somebody please teach them how to paint cars.maaco if you can\"t paint cars get the fuck out and stop fucking people\'s cars |
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| Posted by: eli johenkins in fayetteville, NC. | Purchased: December, 2008 |
| Car Make: ford | Car Model: crown vic |
| Painter: macco |
| I asked for the 249.00 paint job but was told my car didn't fall under that special an spent 479.00 for a job worth 200.00. looks like no sanding was done or priming . I saw a lot of white paint in certain places |
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| Posted by: joanna in Cambridge, MA. | Purchased: October, 2008 |
| Car Make: honda | Car Model: civic |
| Painter: maaco |
| Maaco's advertisement to paint your car for less than $500 is so not true!!! They told me that my car will be painted for $5,000. They lack customer service too. |
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| Amount: $450.00 |
Rusted Through
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| Posted by: AJ Quick in St. Louis Park, MN. | Purchased: November, 2008 |
| Car Make: Dodge | Car Model: Neon |
| Painter: Maaco |
I had my car painted at a Maaco in Minnesota. They were running a half off special on their $500 paintjob. They also had me pay around $200 for prep (sanding, primer.. etc). I dropped the car off and would told it would be ready by the end of the week. A few days go by and around the time I'm expecting to be contacted to pick it up.. I hear nothing. I give them a call and they tell me it will be done the next day. On that day I get a call from them and the receptionist explains that the paint was not sticking to the car and the whole paint job needed to be done over again.. but it would be ready in 2 days. When the Monday rolls around I have to call in and they tell me it will be done the next day.
I went to pick it up on Tuesday and it looked pretty good. I was actually quite impressed and satisfied. Flash forward one month and spots of rust that weren't on the car before are starting to creep through. The rear quarters are rusty, the bottom of the door is rusty and a spot on the hood is starting to rust.
I have not returned to Maaco, but I highly doubt their 1-2 year warrenty that came along with the paintjob will be honored. I can only imagine what they really did when painting it.. I know I drove by a few times during the week and could see my car partially stripped down sitting outside near the snow.
I also got my car back with a dead battery. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
$199.00 special
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| Posted by: JRS in Rancho Cordova, CA. | Purchased: January, 2009 |
| Car Make: Buick | Car Model: LeSabre |
| Painter: NA |
I went down to check out the $199.00 Special and
by the time they added the prep charges, door jam
charges it olny came too $875.00 SO MUCH FOR THE
$199.00 SPECIAL I declined to have it painted at that point ! |
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| Amount: $4,700.00 |
Pro Job
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| Posted by: AndyAltima in Miami, FL. | Purchased: May, 2001 |
| Car Make: Nissan | Car Model: Altima |
| Painter: Kendall Toyota Collision |
| As explained to me by their techs, the complete car (2000 Altima) would have to be stripped down from all it's molding and ornaments and replaced with new ones. This includes (not new) front and rear glass. Door window mouldings after almost 9 years would obviously need replacement as well as the windows front and back. Head lamps would need replacement (not included but 140 a pop). This also invloves removal of both bumpers to paint properly. Also includes the replacment of all four mudflaps. I truly believe that they would do a great job since they did work on another car of mine and I experienced that they are real professionals. They explained this is the proper way to repaint any vehicle which to me was obvious. AND WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY! |
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| Posted by: a user in burien, WA. | Purchased: 2005 |
| Car Make: nissan | Car Model: sentra |
| Painter: maaco |
| maaco repaint my x-gf's car, two weeks later the paint already fading and coming off..i dont recomend maaco to anybody...they rip you off... |
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| Amount: $2,000.00 |
sweet and cheap
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| Posted by: johnny getz in cincinnati, OH. | Purchased: September, 2007 |
| Car Make: lincoln | Car Model: navigator |
| Painter: some guy |
| I know this mexican guy that went to mechanic's school and he painted my 'gator candy lime green for $2000 bucks he did it two years ago and it still looks awesome |
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| Amount: $16,000.00 |
PAINT JOB
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| Posted by: Burt Finklestein in Boston, MA. | Purchased: January, 2007 |
| Car Make: Jaguar | Car Model: XJS |
| Painter: Proffesional from ACU |
| This was probably the best thing that happened to this car, i had a custom paintjob and it came out no less than perfect. It was very expensive but i had custom graphics hand painted onto the car. All of the paint is first class paint and i choose metalic. Do no trust MAACO they have cheap service and your car's paint will peal. If the paintjob is done for anyless than two thousand dont even consider it.(Even if you want that dope pimped out ride.... dont!) |
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| Amount: $2,697.13 |
maaco tulsa sucks
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| Posted by: upset in tulsa in tulsa, OK. | Purchased: June, 2008 |
| Car Make: honda | Car Model: accord |
| Painter: maaco |
| took my sons car in after he wrecked the front fender i also took a new primered front fender and they were to put on the new fender and match the paint that was on the car that was painted 3 months before at maaco in dallas,tx the car was painted but not the same color and it had over spray all over the door that made it clear that they did not paint it back the same color and they did not put the new fender on they reparted the old and kept the new one maaco tulsa,ok really sucks |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Need paint job n philly
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| Posted by: Won't get cheated in Philadelphia, PA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Car Make: Nissan | Car Model: Maxima |
| Painter: Maaco |
| I was looking to get a paint job for my Nissan maxima. Maaco seemed to be the most popular company so I thought I'd go with them. They quoted me a price of $535 + 200 to take out 4 small dime sized dents caused by rocks hitting my hood on the highway. After reading comments here I think I may reconsider. I don't have $735 to throw away. Just want my car to look good. |
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| Amount: $800.00 |
SMJ Auto Body
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| Posted by: harry james in Hyattsville, MD. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| Car Make: Chevy | Car Model: Caprice |
| Painter: Richard Hall |
| Good price,fast service and the paint is still looks good takes all my job to him highly recommend his work |
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| Amount: $150.00 |
Mexican Landscaping Laboror
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| Posted by: Kyle Gallas in South Haven, MI. | Purchased: June, 2009 |
| Car Make: Kia | Car Model: Rio |
| Painter: Mexican Guy |
| A guy from my old work here in South Haven specializes in painting company trucks for a landscaping firm. The paint lasts and doesn't fade or chip and looks semi-wet. The company uses 2 main colors...this paint is heavily in stock at times. I called him up and said, "If I sand it/mask it etc...how much if you just come over and paint it. Keep in mind I already have a air compressor. All you need is your gun, base coat, and paint....he said $150. I'm going to get it done next week. |
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| Amount: $1,000.00 |
Auto Painting Cost
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| Posted by: Jeffery in Taylor, MI. | Purchased: August, 2008 |
| Car Make: Ford | Car Model: Taurus |
| Painter: Maaco |
I was looking to give my car that new look again. I had a little rust on the rear fender and some scratches thats all. So of course I fell for the Maaco ads and headed over. After talking to the manager they seemed like they knew what they were doing. He said that they would cut out the rusted area and weld in a new section, so I agreed to the work. It went down hill after that, the job was to take 5 days it took 9. My car was matador red when I got there it was some so called black cherry want to be a Ford red. I was told they don't make my color anymore. Then I noticed all the name plates (Taurus,24val, ect.) were not installed, that would be extra. Now here in Michigan Maacos warranty is 90 days. And they must have paid some lab alot of money to determine how long it would take for their workmanship to fall apart. Because on the 92 day rust popped out on the rear fender where that peice was suppost to be replaced, And today the paint looks like SHIT!!!
And if anyone suggest using Maaco that person is no friend and I suggest BEATING THEIR ASS!!!!! |
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| Amount: $1,400.00 |
Don't waste your money!!!!!
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| Posted by: a user in gurnee, IL. | Purchased: 2006 |
| Car Make: Volvo | Car Model: S80 |
| Painter: Macco |
| They told us it would be a 299 special and the total came to be over a thousand so we said sure because there was no one else in the area. one chicago winter later the car was rusting (Brand new car that was garage kept before) and the paint literally rubbed off when i waxed it. since then i had the car sanded down primed and repainted from a chicago company and 2 years later it looks GREAT! |
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| Amount: $1,200.00 |
wow maaco is brutal
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| Posted by: James in whittier, CA. | Purchased: May, 2006 |
| Car Make: ford | Car Model: 95 ranger |
| Painter: macco |
| got this old truck when my grandpa died so i thought it would be nice to have it repainted to its origional glory but didnt want to spend an arm and a leg so i went to macco big mistake.they gave me a estimate 750 i was like ok go ahead then get a call that they need to pull out a few dings and what not so i figured it would be anothe 100 or so go to pick it up and its now 1200 and the two toned paint is backwards was supposed to be silver on top and red on bottom half wheni said what the fuck happend they said that is what i wanted i said no i wanted it to look as it was they said we will re do it but it will cost anether 750 dollars so i said fuck you i am outta here. fast forward 6 1/2 mothes paint is bubbling and flaking off like theres no tommorow. sorry grampa i tried my best to honor your truck |
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| Amount: $5,300.00 |
P.O.S. Paint job
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| Posted by: Aloysius Huss in Lansing, MI. | Purchased: July, 2008 |
| Car Make: GMC | Car Model: 1991 S15 Jimmy |
| Painter: Maaco |
| i took it there and they told me it would cost $500 and some change. a 6 day job turned into 2 weeks! got it back looked great. loved it. first hard rain washed it all off! the original paint was still there and on my passenger front qaurter panel where i had a huge dent the bondo fell out!!!!!!!!!!!! Never go there again!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Amount: $550.00 |
great new shop in san jose
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| Posted by: antony in san jose, CA. | Purchased: July, 2009 |
| Car Make: 2001 | Car Model: nissan p/u |
| I went to Auto-Glow painting and collision repair and asked if they compete with the franchise stores maaco,miracle,earl scheib shops. to my surprise not only they do, but they took time to explain the difference between a $300.00 and $2000.00 job |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Having my car painted at Maaco
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| Posted by: Carisha in Cincinnati, OH. | Purchased: July, 2001 |
| Car Make: Ford Mustang | Car Model: 1998 Gt |
| Painter: Maaco |
| I called 3 Maacos for estimates and was given a rough amount of 400 tops excluding the cost of dings and dents, i was of course happy about the pricing, but also thought hmm? thats too cheap to be a good thing. The saying you get what you pay for is absolutly true. After reading these reviews i totally pass on Maaco! |
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| Amount: $700.00 |
better not get maaco
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| Posted by: a user in sierra vista, AZ. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Car Make: 88 honda | Car Model: accord |
| Painter: Craapco |
I also fell for the advertisments. i went in for the $199. special, they said "sure" when they saw a couple of tiny dings on my hood they said it would cost another $500. to fix. I said just want the paint job, but they RUFUSED to paint unless i paid to fix the hood.
not 3 months after i paid for the paint it started to chip off. (BIG CHIPS) and thats where i could see my old paint
BOOOO MAACO SUCKSSSSSS.
take my advise save your money and go someplace else |
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| Amount: $1,500.00 |
maaco misleading and incompetent
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| Posted by: a user in orlando, fl in Orlando, FL. | Purchased: August, 2008 |
| Car Make: Mitsubishi | Car Model: Eclipse |
| Painter: Maaco |
| Don't take your car to Maaco, especially the one at 6601 Old Cheney in Orlando. They'll tell you one thing then do another, and when you point it out or object, they will insult you and yell (literally). Horrible, horrible place. Plus, the paint blisters after about 3 months. When you take it in to be fixed under warranty, they'll put all the blame on you. When I took it in for the original $1500.00 paint job, I was told that it would all be sanded down and primed to be like new. They just painted over the old paint. Of course the person who was there the first time isn't there any more. When I picked it up and wanted them to pay for a rental car, they refused, saying it was a "limited warranty". My friend pointed out that it should have been done the first time, and they should pay for the rental car. They refused. They said that the car already had four coats of paint, and it's going to blister. When I told them what their employee had told me, they pointed to a sign and said, "Does it say anywhere on that sign that we'll sand it?" They refused to acknowledge that their counter person had explained that to me, which he hadn't, and in fact said the opposite. These people are awful, and Maaco is poorly represented by them. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Thanks for the heads up
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| Posted by: jarhd in Fredericksburg, VA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Was just hours of taking my 1992 Dodge Dakota to Maaco, I was amazed that I didn\\\'t read one favorable review. I don\\\'t know how they stay in buisness, I do know, thanks to your site they will not be getting my buisness. |
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| Amount: $10.00 |
Real costs to paint a car
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| Posted by: Painter in Portland, OR. | Purchased: May, 2009 |
| Car Make: Any | Car Model: All |
| Painter: Me |
| The long and short is that if you have a car in pristine condition, no bodywork whatsoever, no rust, and no trim or decals to remove, expect to pay no less than $1500 for a good paintjob. Bodywork, trim, rust, etc... $2000+. I do this for myself for a living, and I get slackjaws day in and day out who want a foose job at a maaco price. Get real. I have over $10000 in equpiment to paint, that doesn't include my spray booth. |
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| Amount: $2.00 |
Disasterous job
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| Posted by: lied too in Burien, WA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Painter: Macco |
Went to Macco to get a fare deal. Bad idea !
Besides the ruff body work, overspray and orange peel , the mechanical work was criminal. Lugs, finger tight, suspension literally falling apart, missing bolts.
There was many issues with this job beyond belief.
If you do go to Burien Macco and there's anything mechanical done. Be sure you go straight to a reputable mechanic to get your car safe before driving too far.. ( warning True ) |
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| Amount: $900.00 |
marie in harrisburg pa
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| Posted by: not so smart in harrisburg in harrisburg, PA. | Purchased: June, 2007 |
| Car Make: 1991 | Car Model: mercury capri |
| Painter: maaco |
| i told them to give me an estimate to take out the dents an paint the car.i didnt check the dents in the car i thought that was their job.so when i got the estimate including the dents to be removed i figured that was all the dents.i chose the supreme package 4 yr warranty deal .when i got my car back i notice 2 big dents in the car now realy stood out.that said i didnt specify those dents i said i didnt specify any dents that was your job.advsd them the paint under the spoiler was real rough an missed some spots around the handles. the manager got me some touch up paint for me to fix it.then suggested i go to cindy rowe to suck out the other dents which cost me another $50 but on of the large dents could not be removed without really messing up the paint job. then 2 yrs later we now have rust coming through .i advsd them i wanted it fixed for free because i paid for a paint job to protect my car from rust. i also reported them to better bussiness bureau which is pending now because the manager is giving a great song an dance. about the paint was to make the car shine not protect it from rust. i was an idiot i was told not to go there by many people an sure enough they do have a bad reputation and there work really stinks . i would not recommend them to paint a wagon let lone a car |
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| Amount: $4,800.00 |
They SUCK!
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| Posted by: Nestor in Reno, NV. | Purchased: August, 2008 |
| Car Make: Nissan | Car Model: 350z (NISMO) |
| Painter: A1 Body shop |
| So I take my car after its been fixed from a car accident. I tell em that i want a custom paint job white on top and black on bottom with a red stripe around the whole car going through the middle of the 2 paints. They say they can "definitely" do it. Takes them 2 months to paint it, not even 2 days out of the shop i see the paint chipping already so I take it back and have them redo it......they did it for free the 2nd time but i had to take it again cuz the paint was coming off again!!!!! 3 paint jobs and nothing good came out of it!!!!so this shop really sucks! they rip you off!!!! I do not recommend them at all! |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Guess I will pass on Maaco
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| Posted by: Yippee in White River Junction, VT. | Purchased: 2004 |
| Car Make: Toyota | Car Model: Camry |
| Painter: would like to know one whose dependable |
| I live in Vermont, on the New Hampshire Border and saw a TV add about Maaco. I thought I would finally get a nice paint job since I always hated my silver color. Seems ALL the Toyotas are silver in this area, as is most other cars. I used to have a Toyota white car which I loved the color. I have scratches where I waxed my car one day and my cat went skiing on it. I would like a nice Toyota white paint color. I was going to check out Maaco but now I won\'t after reading all this. Wish I knew a dependable car painter around here. |
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| Amount: $1,100.00 |
Great shop in Longview WA
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| Posted by: Tom Stalick in Longview, WA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Car Make: 96 volvo | Car Model: 850 |
| Painter: GT collision Center |
| Had GT Collision center paint the roof and hood of my '96 850 to repair oxidized paint - they stripped it and painted it for $1100 - their service was awesome - they called me twice over the course of the four days they had it to let me know how the job was going and they followed up with a thank-you letter to me for letting them work on my car. The paint job looks great and I would go back in a heartbeat. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Thanks for the warnings
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| Posted by: Marc in San Pedro, CA. | Purchased: September, 2009 |
| Car Make: Honda | Car Model: 1994 Accord LX |
| Painter: Looking |
| Thanks to all who posted their warnings about Maaco. I was considering them but I see now that they are a bait and switch scammer that can't deliver a decent, long lasting, quality paint job. They are PRETENDERS! I will look elsewhere. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Thanks...I have been saved!!!
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| Posted by: Linda5186 in Davenport, FL. | Purchased: 2001 |
| Car Make: 1996 Mazda | Car Model: MX6 |
| Painter: looking |
| I have decided to give my old MX6 to my grandson for his 16th birthday. After 23 years the paint is not so nice but the body is in great shape. Thought I would go to MAACO until I read these post... I WILL KEEP LOOKING!!! |
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| Amount: $200.00 |
MAACO Is High Cost
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| Posted by: Jack854 in Torrance, CA. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Car Make: Suburu | Car Model: Tribeca B9 |
| Painter: MAACO |
| I went to MAACO for an estimate for painting one panel on my car and the quote was $600.00. Another shop charged $200.00. So much for MAACO being low cost. |
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| Posted by: Smile in San Jose, CA. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Car Make: ford | Car Model: festiva |
| Painter: autoglow |
Autoglow gave me a good deal and a good paint job.
I had to choose between maacco or autoglow but autoglow made me feel comfortable. I was afraid that the price would change after the actual quote but autoglow gave their word that i didn't have to worry about the price changing. They were honest and kept their word. I recommend Autoglow. |
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| Amount: $803.99 |
Maaco play pen
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| Posted by: rward2720 in Knoxville, TN. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Car Make: 1950 ford | Car Model: Coupe |
| Painter: maaco |
| I strongly recommend no one use maaco to get thier car painted! It looks like 5 year olds do the work, very bad! I got taken this time but no more. Maaco is for suckers I was one I know! |
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