re: Totalled 91 200q Avant: was $10,300, now $11,400

[Dwight Varnes <mxbreed@lancnews.infi.net>]

> Also, I'm not overwhelmed by the number of appraisers available here in
> Greenville.  Can anyone recommend one possibly in the Charlotte or Atlanta
> area?  There is only one listed in the phone book here under Auto
> Appraisers, and that number yielded a fax tone.  There are a few listed
> under just "Appaisers", but they seemed to be skewed towards real estate,
> antiques, and jewelry.  I thought I'd go ahead and try a couple, but
> obviously I'd like to find one that will work to my benefit.  I don't need
> another uninformed opinion of the value.  Depending on how closely they
> appraiser wants to inspect my car, I guess they could be located anywhere in
> the country, so if anyone knows of one who is especially knowledgeable in
> this area, please let me know.

Getting an appraisal done will run you between $100-150.
You might try some of the independent appraisal chains like Property
Damage Appraisers or Crawford & Company. PDA offices are independently
owned and locations vary. C&C is a huge corporation that works for many
insurers, but are greedy enough they will work for an individual if you
ask :)

> NADA books are on-line at http://www.nada.com
> 

You can also find the books at most book stores. Do NOT use the online
guide. It is too vague, and the sample car I ran to test it just now is
overpriced by about $1,000!!!
-- 
"Life is too short to drive boring cars."

Dwight Varnes, insurance appraiser and car nut
1970 124 Spider (restored, mostly)
1986 Audi Coupe GT (bigger engine at machine shop)
1989 VW Jetta GLI 16v (the wife's ride, needs restored)
1984 Nissan 4x4 Pickup (rust never sleeps)
1965 Buick Skylark conv. (more fun than you'd think)