Unfortunate experience. The repairs were done in ...

Unfortunate experience. The repairs were done in a timely manner and the car was washed and vaccumed as guarantee however, the customer service was a traumatic experience for me. We (my father and I) were notified that his vehicle was ready for pick-up. Upon arrival at Coastal Auto Collison there was no one in the office. I waited for a few minutes, looked around and saw no one. Eventually I went back to my car and waited. Again, I went back to the office and no one was there. I decided to call the office with my cell hoping to alert someone that I was there; that was unsuccessful. I walked over to the repair bay and saw no one. Once again I went back to my car and waited a few more minutes before returning to the office. This went on for at least 20 min. When I returned to the office I noticed that the car keys sitting directly on the customer counter looked identical to my fathers. My fathers car was parked directly outside the office door so I tried them and they were in fact his keys. The thought that crossed my mind at that point was that since this was a repair due to an accident which I was not at fault, the repair costs must have been billed directly through the insurance company; which would clarify why no one was there to assist me in the office and the reason the keys were out conspicuously on the counter. Therefore I picked up the car and returned home. Upon my arrival home I received a voice message from Coastal Auto Collison informing me that I/we owed $500 deductible. I immediately phoned Coastal and appologized, conveyed that it was an honest mistake and that I/we had no intention of not paying the deductible. I explained how long I had waited for someone to assist me and further explained the extra effort I made to look around in the repair bays and trying to get someone's attention by phoning the office with my cell. What I received was a verbal bashing and a demand that I come back to the repair shop immediately to pay. I asked if this could be rectified by paying by phone with a credit card. I was told yes. I explained that this was my father's car, that I would call my father and have him call Coastal with his credit card. This entire ordeal ended on a bizzar note as I was threatened that the police would be called and the incident would be reported as a stolen car if payment wasn't received

Being in Florida to assist my father during his open heart surgery has been a gut wrenching ordeal in itself. Dealing with an automobile accident was an added, unwelcome stress. The poor manner in which I was treated was completely unnecessary. Coastal Auto Collison was referred by my father's Auto Insurance Co.; which I have filed a grievance with. I also intend to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.