Business must be good!

[LDO]

Have tried to get an appointment with a local shop for over a week now. I stopped by and have called & left messages but the manager is not there and hasn't returned my calls. I understand folks get busy but that's not very good customer service and probably not the place I thought it was or a place I want to leave my truck at or do business with.

This place is local and has built some very nice cars there and is well known around my area so I'm not sure what's going on but I can't put my project on hold any longer; I would like to start enjoying it.

It has upset me enough to where I'm going to buy my own welder and go at it myself. Wife and family tell me they're sure I can do it.

Gonna tackle the common lower fender rot and firewall repair and some other stuff. Welding has always intimidated me a bit but it's time to 'fish or cut bait'.

Sorry for the rant...

Wish me luck folks!

[Clyde65]

Good luck my friend!

I sympathize with you, seems customer service is a dying breed ( Not dead though). I have some needs on my truck as well, but because of all the competition around me, prices are high, at least higher than I can afford.

[LVPhotos]

Well l, in Las Vegas everyone is ramping up for SEMA, and the upcoming shows. If your lucky you can get a call through.

[cv65]

"ooh rah." get on with it, youve got all of us here to help you out with questions,Its the same here people act like they dont need your busniess??? I have taken the stand that if you dont treat me like the customer you aint getting my money! "ooh rah."

[LDO]

Originally Posted by cv65

"ooh rah." get on with it, youve got all of us here to help you out with questions,Its the same here people act like they dont need your busniess??? I have taken the stand that if you dont treat me like the customer you aint getting my money! "ooh rah."

Thanks CV.

[padresag]

he might be on holidays , which are allowed are they not? could be involved with above.
if it is a good shop, I doubt that you could just waltz in at the last minute and get it done anyway if you are in a hurry.
ron

[65sub]

don't be intimidated by welding. it's not hard to learn. just takes a little practice

[HumphreyMurdoch]

Just remember, its only metal. Go for it!!

[Ol Blue K20]

Good luck! But I doubt you need it. What ya need is a little patience and practice.

[cableguy0]

Go do some reading in the paint and body section here. Most of your questions are already answered and any others you have will get answered.

[Bucket of bolts]

Welding is not that tough,just practise.Go to a wrecker,get a old fender or door,cut some holes in with die grinder.Practice cutting pieces that fit.Weld them in.Grind smooth your welding.One thing try to get metal same gauge as your going to be working on helps with Temp and wire speed.its all in the prep,and clean up You can do it

[special-K]

If a body shop/restoration business can't answer the phone or call back to make an appointment, that's a pretty good indication of a body shop prison, for those vehicles that do make it onto their lot. It definitely displays an "all about me, not about you" attitude.

Do it yourself and reap satisfaction rather than pay someone to reap aggravation

[68C15]

talk to previous customers and get a feel for the place and their morals. Yes, they might be gone to SEMA as vendor or visitor. I'd give them a fair shake.

I, my self, am pretty much destined to cut bait.

[special-K]

SEMA is in November and it's early September. What's the point of setting up at SEMA if you have a business that has to shut down to prep two months in advance? That's hardly a business that needs to spend thousands on promoting. That's a business that needs to build itself up to that level with hard work, first. All the big guns you see at SEMA are up and running before, during, and after. I know a smaller (by comparison) business who goes and it doesn't impact his business months in advance. There is no excuse, anyway, for not returning calls coming into your shop. What's the point of promoting a business that can't even handle phone calls?

[KShortell]

Like others have said, if it is that hard to get your truck IN the front door, just imagine how difficult it could be to get it OUT. Good luck and have fun!

[fine69]

I talked to a shop one time...bout 20 years ago. About welding in panels. I had no welder or experience at it anyway. Dude said yea he could do it...that he would call me.
8 MONTHS later he calls. I already had it done by someone else by then. Then I bought my own welder and learned to do all that stuff on my own. Way more satisfaction. YOU CAN DO IT.

[russgoodman]

I just bought my own welder as well and am going to learn. I've already taught myself how to paint (thanks to the internet and hugger on here).