A Ok Automotive

Super scammy, super douchy! I would neg if I could.
This is a cautionary tail, a hard lesson learned. I used to know better, but 11 years of being out of Chicago, I lost some of my street cred.
My girlfriend was hit near head on by a kid who blew a red light, I drove there within 10 minutes, no one was hurt, and the boy and his sister seemed quite sincere in there desire to fix this. We all were legal, as far as insurance and tags go. A gentleman comes over and says he saw the whole thing, said he saw it from his office right there, pointing to an Insurance office. We thought great what a perfect witness.
Our perfect witness gets on his cell and calls a tow truck, he explains to me we won’t have to pay anything their insurance will pay. This being Chicago after waiting an hour for the cops, decide to let this guy tow the car, I asked him how much, he told me he wouldn’t know until he got there, «got where» I said, he told me he tows for A OK automotive on Archer, the witness gives my 2 business cards, one for A OK, and another with a Corvette and his first name on it! I feel very stupid right now saying that in my head. He assures my the shop will work with the insurance, and I can always take the car somewhere else if I don’t like the work I see on other cars.
We call the body shop the next day, no info, this goes on for three days.
We receive a call on the fourth day, the parts are in they will start working on it that day. I explain that I wasn’t sure if they were doing the work, I hadn’t spoke to my insurance guy yet. They told me that is fine, come pay for the tow, and the 3 days of storage.
At this point it is all coming together, I am quite pissed, and I want the car back. I ask how much and he gives some $ 400 price, WTF he explains the tow $ 295! Me «How in the fuck can a 3 mile tow be $ 295»
Douchebag, «Don’t vorry bout it, insurance pays no.» I told him I wanted that off the bill when it was finalized, he hinted at a deal where if I got the car fixed there, the numbers would work out.
The Insurance company only picked up 60% of the responsibility, this is a new way the insurance companies are lowering their liability, no way to fight it, the legal costs will eat you up.
After 6 weeks the car is finally done, I drop my credit card down to pay and, «they no take the credit!» Thanks for letting me know, thanks for posting it somewhere.
I explained I would need 2 weeks to round up $ 2800 and if he tried to charge me for storage I would go bananas. That is my go to saying because it doesn’t really imply anything. He said I had three weeks.
After 2 weeks I came to pick up the car, it was parked dead center 6 deep 5 abreast, with no room to walk between, they explained my car would be out in a minute. Twenty later, the car pulls up, the headlight is crooked, and the turn signals don’t work. A mechanic comes out, as he is working on it I ask him questions, he reinforces my instincts about Douchy Douchenstien, he also tells me they have bounced payroll checks and most of the mechanics are not really mechanics.
My girlfriend walks up to the car and sees door dings and a footprint on the bloody roof. I call the guy back out, a different guy comes out, an older, more burly fellow. I show him the damage, he tells me this is what happens when you don’t pick up your car on time. Banana time, I raised my voice explaining his responsibilities, he snapped and said, «what is it you want from me!» I wanted $ 200 off the bill, he came out with a hundred dollar bill, and told me to «get the fuck out of here.»
Beware of witnesses who have business cards, attached to no particular business.
Don’t assume the insurance will pay based on fault.
Get a hard price on the tow before they hook your car. An 8 mile tow should cost about $ 75
As soon as you suspect shananigens go bananas and get your car out.