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Auto Body Shops Especially Busy this Winter

December 02, 2011|By Ted Land | Channel 2 News
  • Mike Foster repairs a vehicle at Able Body Shop, Friday, December 2nd, 2011, in Anchorage.
KTUU/Ted Land

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Auto body repair shops are not complaining about the near-record snowfall and icy roads which have sent so many drivers careening into one another this winter.

“We’re kind of like a doctor, they don’t want to see us,” said Ken Perrault, owner of Spruce Park Auto Body, which has seen a steady stream of customers since that first snowfall. “But unfortunately it happens and we’re here to help.”

The latest thaw caused even more frustrating fender-benders and ditch-divers. With such messy weather hammering Anchorage more frequently and earlier than usual, repair shops are not expecting a drop-off in business any time soon.

“You’d think somebody was out there with a Zamboni last night,” said Geoff Bullock, of nearby Able Body Shop.

Most of the damage is minor, body shops say. Front and rear end damage, usually a result of low-speed collisions on side streets or in parking lots.

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“They’re not bouncing off each other and spinning around. The highway’s been pretty decent so far,” said Perrault, who estimates a typical repair job to cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000.

Able Body Shop says it can get most customers in and out in a week or two.

“A lot of the time the car is returned to them in better condition than it was before,” said Bullock.

Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com

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