Issue with neighbor's car and my dog

[blueeyeztexgirl]

Last Sunday, Jan 9, 2011 my dog got lose and chased my neighbor's cat by his car. We live in Montgomery, TX County. In the process he left paw prints on the car from the mud and did scratch the paint in two places. On Monday, I said that I could call someone over to wash and buff the car and a professional could look at it if it could be buffed out. I also took pictures of the car. He said that buffing would not work and he was going to send it to a family member to paint it. Then a week later he hands us an estimate. for the car and has it over 1500 dollars and wants a clear coat placed on the hood where there was a mud print and no scratch. He also added his lights and mirror and bumper to this for us to pay. He will not let me get 3 different estimates on the car to see if this is over priced, which I assume I only have to pay for the scratches not the other areas where he touched it and no scratches. I need help in what to do with this issue I am trying to work things out with him but he wants it his way and done by his family member also. He will not work with me and I am not going to pay for something that was done by him or weather, because it is 4 years old and sits outside. Any help would be grateful. Thanks

 

[mightymoose]

Don't pay it. Offer him a reasonable amount to compensate for the damage that you photographed and feel you are responsible for.
If he refuses your offer then he can take the matter to court. In court he will have to justify the receipts that he is claiming and it sounds like he will have great difficulty doing that, and you will be able to tell the judge that you offered a reasonable amount and you were refused.
Don't be afraid of small claims court. You won't need an attorney and you won't need to know the law. Just go in and explain yourself clearly.
It sounds like you should be responsible for the buffing/touch up of the scratched area only, which would include the labor for the shop to do it. Take your photos that you have to a couple of shops and see what estimates they can give based on what they see, then make your offer (in writing) to your neighbor.

 

[bluemann33]

The dog left prints or the cat did by jumping on the car getting away from the dog? Either way do as mighty said and do not pay that much. Let him take you to court if he does not want to be reasonable about the situation.

 

[blueeyeztexgirl]

Thank you very much very helpful. He did change his mind a little and took it somewhere else and it is cheaper, which is more reasonable. After, he was told they could be buffed out, like I offered to have done. He even said I could call the guy I had lined up to come out. Somehow he has changed his mind and willing to make some compromise. Thank you for the advice very encouraging.

 

[mightymoose]

He changed his mind because he asked around and found out he would be stuck with the bill if he followed through with his first plan.