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| GOOD GUYS IN BLACK HATS – SCAMS IN THE AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE APPRAISER BUSINESS |
FORT PIERCE, Florida - Everyone hates lawyers. The reason is plain, simple and
timeless. Most of them are slimy, blood sucking parasites that prey on rich and
poor alike. Automobile Diminished Value Appraisers are acquiring the same sort
of reputation. And, not unlike the rare honest attorney who hates being lumped
in with the garbage, we’re exasperated by the number of scammers working in the
field of Automobile Diminished Value Appraisal.
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company (http://stlucieappraisal.net 772-359-4300) and our associated company, Automobile Diminished Value Appraiser (http://automobilediminishedvalue.com
772-579-9400) are two companies showing no complaints on Better Business Bureau, complaintsboard.com
and Rip-off Reports types of websites. While this might seem advantageous for our
business, guilt by association contributes greatly to a general deterioration
of customer confidence in the industry.
We recently researched the Automobile Diminished Value
Appraisers that advertise on the Google, Bing and other search engines. They
are the ones listed at the top and right side of the search pages and they are
there because they pay a lot for the privilege. Unfortunately, a closer look at
most of these firms reveals less than satisfactory reputations in review sites,
in forums and in automobile discussion groups. While we can’t mention them by
name, a little due diligence will expose an astonishing number of disgruntled
customers. Common complaints are dishonesty, carelessness, false advertising, worthless
reports, unreturned calls and promises of unrealistic results.
Official sounding titles like “accredited” and “certified”
are also used to inflate the credibility of many unscrupulous appraisers. These
are nothing more than designations for which they pay a yearly fee. In most
states, independent appraisers and insurance adjusters are licensed. This
assures consumers that they will receive competent reports. Fraud and false
advertising are just two of the misdeeds that will cause a state-licensed
appraiser or adjuster to have his license revoked.
An interesting example - and we point out the name of the
organization because it holds itself up as an “association” - is The National
Association of Diminished Value Appraisers. Its web site, which originates from Scotland, informs consumers that
they can obtain a “free” diminished value calculator as well as a “self-help”
diminished value calculator. Upon further investigation, the “free” version
costs from $39.99 - $99.99 while their “self-help” version will set you back
anywhere from $14.99 - $99.99. Is it any wonder that American consumers look
very skeptically at Automobile Diminished Value Appraisers as a whole?
Methodology is another critical factor consumers should
consider when choosing an Automobile Diminished Value Appraiser. Does the
appraiser simply conjure up a formula to determine the amount of diminished
value? This simple approach, not unlike State Farm’s infamous Rule 17-C, takes
but a few seconds to formulate yet independent appraisers using these methods charge
up to $400 for their reports. Scanning automobile auction results to determine
diminished value is another easy but imprecise method used by some appraisers.
Insurers routinely downgrade or refuse to recognize this method as being too
non-specific. The buyers of these previously repaired cars, new car dealers who
take them in trade, basically set the market because they know better than
anyone what the used-car buying public will pay for previously repaired cars.
Obtaining at least six verifiable quotes from dealers stands as the most
reliable method for determining diminished value. If your appraiser doesn’t at least
offer that, we recommend that you look elsewhere.
Dealing with insurance adjusters proclaiming formerly
wrecked cars are worth every bit as much as cars that were never in collisions is
bad enough. Having to wade through the muck and mire of the independent
Automobile Diminished Value Appraisers that are supposed to be on your side is just
makes the situation that much more unbearable. Kind of like it is with lawyers.
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net
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| AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE APPRAISERS IN ALL 50 STATES |
Automobile Diminished Value Appraisals nationwide including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value
Report is $225.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone,
call 772-359-4300. Credit card payments can be made on the PayPal page. Click on "Don't have a PayPal account?" to be taken to the secure credit card payment page.
After making your secure payment please email
all supporting information, including Year, Make, Model, VIN, Mileage, Engine,
Color, Options as well as the completed insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net or
FAX to 772-466-8400.
| Check our Reviews on Angie's List |
Keywords for this article: scam, auto, automobile, diminished value, appraiser, appraisal. lawyer, honest, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Automobile Diminished Value Appraiser, National Association of Diminished Value Appraisers, reputation
Updated 02-16-2014, Updated 02-17-2014
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