I just picked up my five month old 2005 Dodge Ram diesel from the body
shop.  The truck had a four inch long vertical dent about as wide and
deep as a finger that crossed the contour line of the left rear fender
where our travel trailer jacknifed against it as I was attempting to
turn around at walking speed in a cul-de-sac.

When I took the truck in to be repaired, I asked the body shop owner if
he could repair the dent or if he would need to replace the box. "Oh
nooooo..." he said, "We don't need to replace the box... We can fix the
dent."

After the initial repair of the dent, I noticed several areas of
ripples in the finish of the fender repair. I returned to the body shop
and told them to fix it.

After the second attempt to repair the fender, the ripples were fixed
but coarse sanding marks, dust particles, and pin-point defects were
present in the finish. The sanding marks were so coarse it looked like
somebody had applied the paint with a bristle brush.

So I took the truck back A THIRD time. After picking the truck up, OK,
no ripples..... no sanding marks, but the styling crease formed into
the fender at the factory - has a noticeably softer edge for
approximately 8 inches horizontally over the area of repair. I can also
feel a dip in the surface of the fender roll at this spot.

I went back to the shop, raised hell, and they refunded my money
($500).

But now I have to find another body shop to fix this right.

Can you folks suggest any tips for finding a reputable body shop?

Thanks...

Jim