Eli’s Collision Repair at Santa Monica

For vehicle owners in Santa Monica, California, and the broader Los Angeles area, Eli's Collision Repair at Santa Monica serves as an Auto Repair Station specializing in various forms of vehicle body restoration and collision repair. Located at 1020 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA, this facility is part of a larger network of Eli's Collision Repair centers across the region. As an auto repair station, their primary business involves restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition, offering services and goods related to auto body repair.

Eli's Collision Repair is known for providing a range of services designed to address both minor and significant vehicle damage. These typically include, but are not limited to, full collision repair, paintless dent repair (PDR), auto body repair, and car paint repair. They handle various types of damage, from small scrapes and dents to major structural repairs, ensuring that vehicles' safety systems and structural integrity are restored. Their website highlights that their technicians are certified by major vehicle manufacturers, as well as I-CAR Gold Class Professionals and ASE Master Auto Technicians, aiming to meet high standards for repair work.

The operational structure of Eli's Collision Repair appears to involve multiple locations, with the address at 1020 Colorado Ave identified as one of their Santa Monica branches, potentially acting as an estimating center or a drop-off point, with the actual repair work occurring at a separate, dedicated body shop facility. This distributed model, as noted in customer feedback, can sometimes lead to logistical complexities, where initial interactions may occur at one site, and the vehicle is then moved to another for the repair work itself.

One of the key features of Eli's Collision Repair, as emphasized in their promotional materials, is their commitment to quality workmanship. They aim to restore vehicles to "like-new conditions," focusing on aspects such as structural integrity, safety systems, corrosion protection, fit and finish, and color matching. Their certifications from various vehicle manufacturers and industry organizations underscore their effort to adhere to stringent repair standards. They also claim to provide a transparent report on the vehicle's status throughout the repair process, utilizing methods like video and text updates to keep customers informed.

However, customer experiences, as reflected in the provided reviews, offer a different perspective regarding certain aspects of their service. One customer reported an "extremely frustrating experience" involving a new bumper installation that took "almost two months," which they deemed "absolutely unacceptable for such a basic replacement." This lengthy repair time also led to unexpected out-of-pocket rental car expenses, as their insurance only covered part of the extended rental period. The customer further noted poor communication, stating they "never got a clear or honest explanation" for the delays and were directed to a different, distant "real body shop" for a subsequent issue (a non-working horn) after picking up their car from what turned out to be "just an office." This suggests a potential disconnect between their stated operational transparency and the actual customer experience.

Another customer shared a similarly negative experience, branding the establishment as "Scammers!!!" and advising others "Do not go here." This review highlights significant issues with repair estimates and communication. The customer reported that their car was held for a month with claims of an inability to reach an agreement with their insurance company. They were then informed that a simple dent repair would take "3 months to fix" and that their car was "totaled LOL after insurance inspected it twice," with claimed damages being "300% more than what insurance estimated." This customer also experienced a complete breakdown in communication, with their calls allegedly going unanswered, leading them to retrieve their car and seek repairs elsewhere, which were completed in a much shorter timeframe.

These detailed customer accounts, while representing individual experiences, consistently point to significant challenges in areas such as repair duration, communication clarity, and the accuracy or consistency of repair estimates and interactions with insurance companies. The discrepancy between the initial drop-off location and the actual repair facility also caused inconvenience for at least one customer, highlighting a potential area for operational clarity and customer expectation management.

In terms of promotional information, Eli's Collision Repair, as a larger chain, often partners with dealerships and insurance companies, aiming to be a recommended repair facility. Their website emphasizes their expertise in various repair types and their commitment to customer satisfaction. However, the severe negative feedback provided suggests that customers should exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence, including perhaps visiting the physical location and inquiring about the exact repair process, estimated timelines, and insurance coordination, before committing to services.

The facility can be contacted at (424) 207-2000 or via mobile at +1 424-207-2000. While the company aims to provide high-quality collision repair services, potential customers in the Santa Monica area should be aware of the strong negative feedback concerning repair times, communication, and billing practices as reported by some previous clients. It is always advisable for customers to gather multiple estimates and thoroughly understand the repair process and terms before authorizing work.