problems with repair shop

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by jeffspower

Taking it to another shop probably won't work out too good. I've worked in shops all my life, owned one for 11 years. Shops HATE working on jobs that someone else tore apart. They take longer just to put together than if doing the whole job, because of missing parts, rechecking any assembly work that has already been done (which usually means tearing stuff back apart) and so on. Due to these issues, the hours to get it done can't be quoted accurately. Time & a stall is held up while the owner tries to find missing parts. So, many shops will charge you however many hours it takes to get it done, and might push it outside until you find the missing parts. That puts you on the back burner again, time is money.

Originally Posted by mfarmer

I have had my sons truck at the body shop for almost 2 months. They are replacing all of the typical body pieces that rust out. I told them that I understand that these type of jobs are not easy to turn and by no means "easy" money compared to some jobs. We go by every week and check on the progress and there is alway notable progress. I then pay then for their time involve and they continue to work on it in between the "easy jobs". They are doing good work and we expected it to take a few months. This was understood up front and there is no hard feelings. I was just happy to find a place that would do the work and do a good job. Where we are live nobody wants to touch cars that are over 10 years old let alone rust repair. I suggest you tell the the owner you are going to spread the word about his lack of service on your behalf.

Mike,

I would support that taking it to another shop is a little dicey, but you the owner, has every right to be taken care of. If some other shop screws it up or you get reamed in a deal the only person you have deal with is yourself---especially if YOU know they are doing it to you. In other words, the guy that is taking forever and is brushing you off--is putting you in a compromising situation and he is in charge of YOUR life right now. Once you decide that you want the truck out the door, get a trailer and a couple of friends--go to the shop ask him what you owe him up to date and PAY his bill, DO NOT tell him that you are there to remove the truck until it is paid. NOW back up to the door---TAKE the truck right then and there--don't let the shop have it after you show up and want it or you could become a victim. IT IS your truck and if the bill is paid he has no lean. After you are out of the door you can spread his name as you wish, BUT definitely wait until you have ALL of your stuff. He may dislike you, but he has created this mess on his own--A man's credibility is not only his word but his actions.

Hopefully you did some more research and you have found another shop before removing it from this one, It is not good to have the truck open and sitting around waiting for repairs. Tell the owner of the next shop that you have had a bad experience and explain what had been done previously to the truck, BUT DO NOT give names. That is your business and not his. IF you have to spend a little more to have them catch up it is better than the botched job or the mess that you were in. OWN YOUR LIFE, don't let the world own you. If you think this input is not aligned with your situation, OK; however there are people out there that do things like this daily.

By the way the shops that have the signs that say you are not permitted in the shop due to insurance reasons. That is only one of the real reasons, what you can't see is good for them. Ask for regualr tours or find a shop that is amiable to your being involved in your stuff.

THE other comment about the easy jobs---NO SHOP that does body work for a living REALLY wants to do a whole body and paint, because of the hours and the lack of parts money made. In many cases the owner already has all of that and brinngs it to the shop with him. The work on a whole job is time plus materials and you want it to be perfect. As for a body job, the insurance runs it in, they pay for it and the work is short and sweet for the shop. They get chipped hard if they don't use the Chinese aftermarket parts--because that is what the insurance company is paying for---and they will take work away from the shop that does not support their desires. So a majority of those jobs are done with cheap substandard parts. America doesn't care, they will trade their car in a year or so anyways. If you can find a shop that does that kind of work between jobs, then that is outstanding. I actually had one that would let me do some of the work myself in their shop, and direct me to what I needed to know, but it is now owned by another person and he is not on my list of trade..

There are shops that deal directly with restorations, but they want the control of the work from the get-go. That means parts off and parts back on. That is where the really high dollar vehicles come from. It is not abnormal for a $100,000 vehicle to come out of these places. I have one of those just a few miles from my house and it charges $45.00 an hour for shop work and $65.00 for paint booth time. You can get involved, but they do the assembly and they guarantee their work standard.

[retodd7711]

time for a quick update on my painful 7 week episode.
I called the owner Monday and was told we're starting tomorrow. On Tuesday I called and was told "starting today finish Friday." Tuesday p.m. I pulled into the shop and of course no work was done.. I came unglued, I raised holy hell. I mean I *****ed the paint off the walls. I called this dude a liar and I was tired of his s#!t. I started putting my parts in the truck and told him I would have a rollback there in the morning. He said calm down let's talk.
Last night they stayed until 11:00 welding. Tuday they got the doors on and the driveline almost finished. I should pick up Thursday night or Friday.
THANK GOD!
I'll keep you informed.....Todd

[68GMC454]

well i always kenw an ass chewing could work..lol..glad its getting done...now when you get your truck back,,dont recomend them either...

[jkeady]

Rock on, man, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[piecesparts]

Check the job out closely. The A$$chewing may get you some surprises.

[retodd7711]

I am expecting to see a one day rush job. If that's what it takes to get my
s#!t and get. I just want out of this deal. It's a crying shame but I'll get over it.

[Boog]

Well it should have never come down to that. He was just putting you off for more lucrative jobs. I understand all that but if he gave you a time frame then it should have been completed in that time frame. No excuses. I figure my cash money in hand is just as good if not better than an insurance check he'll have to maybe wait on. Now I just hope you get the end results you deserve.
It would have to be a tuff decision to call it quits with this guy and start over with someone else. More waiting. More of the same....? After 7 weeks you have displayed way more patience than I would have. The older I get the less patience I have! Hope it goes well for you.

[one9six9]

I don't get it. I too have my truck at a shop for a tank and carb cleaning. Nothing complicated. I took it in Tuesday last week and was told that it would be done Friday. Friday came and went. I didn't even call to check on it. I did notice that the cars that were parked around it were making it into the shop and leaving the yard. So I thought that mine would fall into the order that they came to him. I my truck sit while all others came and went. Now he has a lot of new cars in the yard to work on and mine still sits while I see some of the newer cars roll in and roll out. Yes, I drive by daily. I only live a mile from his shop and he is on the way to work.
I finally called him thinking that he might just need to know that I do want it back. No answer, left message, no return call. This morning I stopped in to check on it. He had three other cars in the bays that were not even on the yard when I dropped my truck off last week. I was told that he would get to it this afternoon and be done with it tomorrow. On my way home this evening I drive by and what do I see? My truck hasn't moved, but two of the bays have different cars in them. I will give him until tomorrow around noon to have it in a bay, and if it's not I will be putting it back on the car trailer and taking it home.
I really think that he is doing two things. I think he is hitting the money jobs. He won't be making much money off of me so he is doing the jobs that are bringing in good money, or he is hoping that I get fed up with him and pick my truck up.
My dad kept telling me not to take it to anyone since he knows that I could clean and adjust the carb, but I just don't have the time. Plus, I don't really have a way to discard 20 gallons of bad fuel once out of the tank.
Good luck with you problem. I hope mine is done tomorrow.

Keith

[Boog]

Another thought. A lot of people think just because our vehicles are older and well worn some that they don't matter. Like they're automatically moved to the bottom of the importance ladder. He can wait. It's just an old truck. I've have gone through this very thing with one of mine.
Old guy ran a stop sign clipping the rear of my truck on rainy street spinning me into two newer cars. He told the owners of the newer cars he'd take care of theirs but when it came down to me said he didn't have insurance or money but if I'd take it to a shop he knows they might could beat a dent or two out of it. My truck was 17 yrs old and in 2 shades of primer at the time so it didn't look like much to him. After the wreck both ends of it was trashed. A visit to our family lawyer got some results in less than 2 wks. It apparently was just an old beater truck to him not worth anything and it was ok to take advantage of this kid. NOT!

[72CSTC5]

one9six9,
I would pick up my truck and move to another shop. One thing I have learned is do not over promise and under deliver. I give customers a lengthy time to repair their cars and if they are okay with it and leave the vehicle to repair 98% of the time I deliver before promised and they are tickled. The ones that you say are quick and do not complete on time, they are pissed!! Poor communications of the shop if you ask me.

[one9six9]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

one9six9,
I would pick up my truck and move to another shop. One thing I have learned is do not over promise and under deliver. I give customers a lengthy time to repair their cars and if they are okay with it and leave the vehicle to repair 98% of the time I deliver before promised and they are tickled. The ones that you say are quick and do not complete on time, they are pissed!! Poor communications of the shop if you ask me.

I agree. My dad even pointed out that he may think that this is a project vehicle, and he may think I have another daily driver. Makes since. I do have another vehicle right now, but it is a lease and I will be turning it back in at the end of the month.
So, although this truck is a project it will also be my daily driver, and a damn fine one at that.
By the end of the summer I should be done with all the little things that I have on the list, and by the end of the year it should be painted and looking fine.
My birthday is Dec. 30 so I am shooting for the end of the year so it can be my birthday present to myself. Oh yea, I was born in 69 too and that was a deciding factor in purchasing this truck.

Keith

[retodd7711]

This thread has lead me to an interesting thought. Does anyone on the board own a repair shop? Body or general repair, or welding that tackles these projects? Is there a link to members shops ? If not, should there be?
After this crap I would much rather spend $$ with a member just like a board vendor. Any thoughts? I may start another thread to check interest.

[retodd7711]

My truck should be finished this afternoon Then I am going to buy a welder and learn to do this myself. In the 7 weeks my truck was gone I could have taught myself to be a competent welder and saved aggravation. I appreciate all the support during this ordeal. I have learned a valuable lesson.
For the other guys going through this waiting game. Just bring it home, get a book or manual, and fix the doggone thing.