what are your options??

[paulk68]

Let me start by saying that this is purely a hypothetical situation and question, but it has crossed my mind and I have even had some bad dreams about it LOL but I am wondering if other people have run into this situation, So I am having all of the metal work done to my 68 Camaro by a shop that I researched and heard good things about from other forum members but in my dealings things have been a lot slower than promised and communication has been OK at best. My contract wich is pretty vague called for the shell to be torn down blasted and all new metal body panels to be put on including things like rear quarter panels, rockers, firewall, tail panel roof ect.. basically a brand spanking new shell. well after blasting he found that most of the OEM metal was in really good shape (rear quartera. So he was going to be keeping as much of the good stuff as he could, which I am happy with as long as it is really really good. He has sent me some pictures of the process but not to many and nothing that shows great detail. So here is my question when he comes to drop it off I am expected to pay the remaining balance which is a pretty good chunk of change. What if I am not happy with the work he did? while he is sitting in my driveway what are my options LOL? I am sure it is going to be great and really nice but I was just curios what if it is not?

[clill]

Is the shop too far away for you to go inspect the work yourself ?

[paulk68]

It is about 2 hours away and I work ALOT wich is why his pick up and delivery options helped. I know I am over thinking it but it is my baby and it is a lot of money but i just want to make sure this part is done right you know.

[GregWeld]

Sounds to me like the guy is pretty honest if he told you / contracted to R&R a whole bunch of panels -- and then tells you -- HEY! Lucky you! We don't have to do near as much work as we planned. Sounds like a good guy to me just from that point of view.

I agree with clill - whoever he is - that YOU should go visit the shop while the car is there if you're that concerned. It's usually fun -- and should help the fears you're having.

[Vegas69]

You need to micro manage every single step of the car building process. That means taking the time to go and inspect your investment if it's only 2 hours away vs. doubt over what?

[paulk68]

I agree it is on me to actually go see it in person. I am looking into that. When I do actually talk to him he seems to be doing everything right and is extremely honest. So I am sure all is well. I wish the communication was a little better but other than that and the time frames he gave me wich i am willing to live with becasue i want it done right and not rushed just to meet a time frame. but have people actually not been happy with the work and if so waht have you done about it after a set price has bene put in place?

[bdahlg68]

This is a tough one for me. As long as you are getting the end product you want, how he gets there isn't the end of the world. And if he is fair about the $$ side too, great and he should be getting more business from you! This goes both ways, and while I'd struggle to pay for R&R if he didn't R&R, if he had to do it 3x to get it right and my contract was for 1x, I wouldn't want to pay for the 3x. Can't have my cake and eat it too as the saying goes. These guys take risk on every project, and sometimes they get rewarded by a car like yours.

[rjsjea]

You need to micro manage every single step of the car building process. That means taking the time to go and inspect your investment if it's only 2 hours away vs. doubt over what?

Agree

[Flash68]

Many people WISH their project was only 2 hours away. Take advantage of that proximity and make an appointment to go see it. Take a half day off work if necessary or do it on a weekend.

[GregWeld]

I agree it is on me to actually go see it in person. I am looking into that. When I do actually talk to him he seems to be doing everything right and is extremely honest. So I am sure all is well. I wish the communication was a little better but other than that and the time frames he gave me wich i am willing to live with becasue i want it done right and not rushed just to meet a time frame. but have people actually not been happy with the work and if so waht have you done about it after a set price has bene put in place?




It shouldn't leave the shop to "come home" until you've seen it and said it's fine and agree it's what you wanted and paid for. PERIOD.

[Ketzer]

It shouldn't leave the shop to "come home" until you've seen it and said it's fine and agree it's what you wanted and paid for. PERIOD.

^^ This ^^

Once it gets to your place, he is feeling done and expecting to get paid. If you are not completely happy but take it anyway, you will never be happy. If you refuse it and send it back, I can only imagine that there will be hurt feelings and it will get ugly from there on.... but, there might not be a single thing to complain about. It might come home awesome!


Jeff-

[markss28]

For sure you need to go see it. Dont let that thing leave the shop until it has your approval. There is always something you will want. Get it done right the first time. Im in a bind because I didnt put enough pressure on the guy who did mine. He did an absolutely horrible job and now im looking at getting it done again. Super annoying.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Go see the car....make time to do it.....it will pay off in the end.

Pictures aren't really that good.....when my car was up in Oregon at the first shop, the pix he sent looked pretty good..... when I went to actually pick up the car it was horrible.....

If you just send $$ and wait for the car to show up at your door, you are a fool.....

[James OLC]

^^ what he said. And FWIW it's happened to most of us

[BBC71Nova]

Yes, absolutely go see it. Mine was 7+ hrs away so I only went once in the middle of the work. I think I would have been able to do a little things different and end up having spent a little less and been ahead if I could've visited more often.

I also think it is pretty common for shops to over commit just so they don't miss out on work. That is, once your car is there and in progress it is highly unlikely that someone will move a project.

[waynieZ]

Go See It!