That's basically the same reaction my friend that owns a body shop said. He took one look and said, "Is it molded? No? Why the f*** would they make it like that?"

For sky high insurance claims!

haha, precisely!

Appraiser came in at $1672.xx with parts, paint and labor. He also threw in new grills and a new Roundel.

Should I go elsewhere and get another quote?

Nope, that's right up there with what I was thinking. Nothing wrong with that.

I was expecting more...

1000 for fender
500 for prep and paint
172 for your knicknacks

that's probably about right.

OMG.

Where, pray tell, will the paint/metalics be 'blended' so that there isnt a distinct "repainted fender" look?

This needs blending in the door and hood, and clearcoat of door, hood and fender.

But what do I know. Don't bother getting any estimates...just take the check, and use bondo and rattle cans, and you can be the smart one with that extra cash in your pocket!

After all this hi-falluting 'paint talk' is just a conspiracy to jack up repair costs.

OP, listen only to those posts that reinforce your pre-conceived ideas...don't go to a real shop...sounds like a plan

I'm very confused. I'm getting the impression you were directing this towards me...but you said $3500. That's why I was expecting more. Can you reword your reply?

always get two quotes and one always being from a dealer.

then i would repair it from the back so the crack lines up and put the money into your payment or to pay off some other debt... or if you have no debt to put it in your savings account.