In Georgia (I don't know about other states)a dealer can do $500 or under in repairs to a new car and by law they don't have to tell the customer.
Just cause the side was repainted it doesn't mean it was replaced some A'hole could have walked thru the parking lot and keyed the whole side.
Dealer's that have body shops usually give the new car salesman the est. and lets say it is $825 the new car manager knows that he will have to tell the cust. so the body shop discounts the price on paper to meet the $500 threshold.
Just a thought
