So, a quick update on my 2017 LC200 body work.
The job was done at Hunter Auto Body, 8014 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123. The work has been done perfectly, and it warrants posting several extremely positive comments.
For starters, they are not cheap. Their estimate ended up being significantly higher than any one of the three other estimates I obtained through insurance recommended shops (two chains and one independent shop); Hunter Auto Body was NOT on any of the insurance recommended lists and I don't believe that is going to change any time soon... as the owner Jack Hunter appears to insists on standards that may in some cases exceed what is provided per insurance guidelines. He is upfront about that and I was clearly informed the insurance does not always follow his recommendations.
With that important caveat (that I hope I'll not end up getting stiffed by my insurance, on top of already being out the deductible as the driver who rear ended me was not insured...) I asked the owner, Jack Hunter, to proceed with the repairs as he sees fit. Being the truck is less than a year old with only 10k miles, I couldn't stand a thought of giving the work to anyone who wouldn't want to bring it back to pristine condition.
Mr Hunter documents his work scrupulously so there is not guesswork involved as to what has or has not been done, in my case he has produced some 100 pictures documenting every most minute detail. Prior to commissioning the work I spent about an hour in his shop where he kindly walked me through the process, discussing work at various stations all extremely well organized, all w/laptops with factory procedures they follow to the letter. Apparently, Jack studies factory manuals before each job and conducts pow-wows with his techs before they begin the work; in my case he said he needed about 4 hours of study; I could tell he is extremely knowledgeable in discussing the repair.
Having been through this process (autobody service) before I am incredibly impressed with the work done at this place. In my experience with past repairs I have always been able to easily spot a few imperfections, always some missing taper-ware fasteners etc. etc.; this time is different: I can literally not tell a difference between the fixed (left rear) and factory "pristine" (right side) side of the truck, in any way. Everything is perfectly aligned, including any molding, plastic edge protectors, even factory stickers are back, all plastic rivets matching etc. Nothing is missing, nothing is out of place.
Moreover, when their work is done they have the truck towed to a Toyota dealer to perform post-repair inspection and re-calibration of the electronic assist/collision avoidance, blind spot radar controls etc. This was the first for me, but I really appreciate the service as it is easy to imagine having, for example, a rear fender blind spot radar bumped that could make the truck malfunction under some circumstances when the collision avoidance algorithms kick in, or something like that.
Outstanding service and workmanship, Hunter Auto Body is a small shop run like a Swiss watch. The owner is intimately involved in all the work detail, which is so rare these days, almost unheard of.
Just thought I would share my impressions here, if anyone is unfortunate enough to find themselves in need of autobody shop service in the Greater Saint Louis area, I couldn't recommend these guys more strongly.
Again, with the caveat of insurance coverage being on par with the Hunter's standards, Jack has been very responsive and keeping my Liberty Mutual adjuster in the loop.
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