Pay for parts up front?

It is a special order part. This is camping world so I don't think they'll go belly up. They want awning and shipping money up front. In there quite a bid but not enough to have any relationships with anyone working there.

inform your insurance company. or find another servicing dealer.

Prowler Doug wrote:
I lost an awning this summer in a bad storm. My insurance is paying for it less my deductible. The repair shop wants me to pay for the awning up front before they'll order it. Is this a common practice? I manage a auto body shop and we always pay for parts and collect when the job is complete. just seems strange.

I have heard of shops to want special order parts that they cannot return to be paid for up front but given that this is an insurance job, I'd just contact my insurance company and let it be handled from there. They may be able to convince the shop or provide one to work with.

Sounds like the shop is broke, or has a bad standing with the awning manufacturer and has no credit line with them.

There is no good reason for the dealer to do this, unless he vastly overcharging and knows the insurance company will balk. What if this dealer goes belly up before you get your awning? You are not a secured creditor and will lose anything you give him. I would not do it.

Sometimes we'll ask for a deposit from an individual, but never if we are working with the insurance company, and never 100% up front.

Go to another shop. Why should you be a general creditor of that business if they go out of business before completion? What are your options once your $ is out the door and they don't complete the work on a timely basis or a professional manner. When you pay in advance, are they providing you with a performance bond from a reputable ins. company? Sounds to me like a grossly underfunded business - a red flag you should run, not walk, from. JMO.

If they know you it shouldn`t be a problem. if they don`t then they want their money in case you look after the order and find it elsewhere!

BTW, what shop are you talking about? I know a few of them around the area!

I've never been asked to pay up front except on mail or phone orders. do you have a history with the shop? maybe compromise at 50% now, 50% upon delivery or install?