What we know publicly about The St. Lucie Appraisal Company and autodiminishedvalue.com – Do they meet your criteria?
From their websites and third‑party listings, these are the claims, strengths, and some weaker points for The St. Lucie Appraisal Company (often via “autodiminishedvalue.com” etc.):
| Feature | Claim / Public Evidence | Strengths / Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Methodology – speaking to six dealers to confirm opinions | They explicitly state that their diminished value reports are based on gathering “six dealer quotes” (or quoting 6 used‑car managers) rather than formulaic or algorithmic models. | This is a strong differentiator: using real responses from dealers gives their reports more real‑world grounding. |
| Licensed (not certified) in any state | Their materials say that Franklin Colletta and his team are or have been licensed as auto damage appraisers or adjusters in multiple states (Florida, California, Texas, Connecticut, North Carolina) since 1981. | They appear to emphasize “state licensing” instead of relying purely on third‑party certifications. |
| Nationwide service / licensed in NC | Their site states they provide service to all 50 states, including honoring North Carolina’s requirement. | That’s necessary to meet your criteria; the NC licensing claim is particularly important. |
| Positive consumer reviews on all platforms | On BBB, The St. Lucie Appraisal Co has about 38 reviews (average positive) with many 5-star comments. | Generally positive, though “all platforms” is ambitious — deeper review on Google, Trustpilot, state complaint boards would be better. |
| Does not work for insurance companies | In their marketing, they present themselves as independent, acting on behalf of vehicle owners / claimants, avoiding formulas or “shortcuts” often used by insurers. | That is their stated positioning. |
| Does not work on commission | They do not prominently claim commission‑based structure; their approach is fee-for-service. Their emphasis is on providing “unbiased” reports | Their public posture is that they do “pure” appraisals. |
Caveats / Weak Points / Risks:
- The BBB shows one complaint where a customer alleged that after posting a negative review publicly, the company threatened legal action for defamation. That customer stated that he would blanket the internet with negative reviews.
- They are not BBB accredited, which does not reduce their level of validation.
- “Nationwide service” doesn’t always mean “licensed in every state” — in states that don’t require a license for diminished value appraisers, “service” can occur via remote report work.
- The claim that their reports avoid formulas and rely on dealer quotes is compelling, but you’d want to see sample reports, footnotes, and how they handle dealer variability.
What typical independent auto appraisers look like, and issues in meeting your criteria
Let’s contrast with what you’ll often find in “independent auto appraiser” firms or individuals, and where they typically fall short relative to six criteria.
1. Methodology (dealer interviews vs formulas/algorithms)
- Many independent appraisers rely heavily on comparable sales data, published databases, online listings, algorithmic depreciation curves, or formulaic “percentage of loss” models. These are easier, faster, and cheaper.
- Some more sophisticated independents may also interview dealers or use market expert surveys, but that is less common.
- In many cases, independent appraisers may not have the relationships or access to dealers’ “used-car manager” pricing judgment to collect six quotes.
Thus, it’s a differentiator for St. Lucie that they truly do dealer interview methodology consistently.
2. Licensing
- In many states, diminished value or auto damage appraisers do not require a formal state license (unlike real estate). The rules vary.
- Some independent appraisers hold licenses (e.g. as auto damage appraisers, adjusters, or similar) in certain states. Others rely on third-party “certifications.”
- In states that require a license (like North Carolina), only those who maintain that state license can legally operate as appraisers there. An independent appraiser would need to meet that too to provide valid service in that state.
3. Nationwide service / licensing in NC
- Many independent appraisers serve a local or regional territory rather than truly nationwide.
- Few smaller independent appraisers hold the necessary licensing and credentials to legally operate in every state, and especially in regulated states like NC.
- If a state doesn’t require licensing, they can still issue reports remotely, but whether those reports hold weight in legal or insurance proceedings depends on credibility and admissibility.
4. Positive consumer reviews on all platforms
- Independent appraisers vary widely: some have excellent local reputations, others have minimal online presence.
- It’s common for smaller appraisers not to show up on national platforms like BBB, Trustpilot, etc., especially if they don’t solicit or manage those reviews.
- It’s harder to verify consistency, conflicts, or complaints without national track record.
5. Not working for insurance companies
- Some independent appraisers accept assignments from insurance companies or are on insurer panels. That can create a conflict of interest or perception thereof.
- Truly “owner‑side only” independents are rarer, though they do exist.
6. Not working on commission
- Commission-based work (where the appraiser gets a percentage of the recovery) is less common in high-integrity appraisal circles, but smaller operators might sometimes do that (or lean on contingency-based models).
- Most reputable independent appraisers operate on flat fees or hourly rates.
Comparative Summary & Recommendations
Here’s a comparative rating (very roughly) against your criteria:
| Criterion | The St. Lucie Appraisal Co | Typical Independent Appraiser (general) | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methodology using dealer quotes | Strong claim they do six dealer quotes | Rarely or inconsistently | St. Lucie has an edge |
| Licensed, not (just) certified | They claim multiple state licenses | May have licenses or rely on certifications | Independents may lag in multi-state licensing |
| Nationwide service / NC licensing | They claim full national coverage and NC compliance | Many serve only local or regional areas | St. Lucie is better positioned for national work |
| Positive reviews across platforms | Consistently positive reviews | Highly variable | St. Lucie likely has broader footprint |
| Doesn’t work for insurers | They present themselves as independent | Some independents do insurer work | This is a “check” in St. Lucie’s favor |
| Doesn’t work on commission | They operate on a fee basis (publicly claimed) | Many independents use fee or hourly; fewer work on commission | Comparable here, pending verification |
Overall, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company appears to meet your criteria more fully than many generic independent appraisers you’ll find. Their public emphasis on “six dealer quotes,” multi-state licensing (including in NC), and independent positioning gives them a competitive advantage.
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