[Fang Bit]

I took my car to the body shop a few weeks ago for some touch up work, nothing major. The guy that owns the shop tells me it will take only a week. So two weeks goes by and I hear nothing. As the temp here in California was expected to rise to 80 degrees, I figured I would have it back to put some serious ass time in my seats. WRONG!! I call him a week and a half later and get the old, "It is not quite done yet, almost though. Don't worry, I'll have it to you before next weekend." So I call today to find out the status... Receptionist answers the phone "Can I help you?" I say "Yes is XXXX in?" (name protected). Receptionist replies "No he left early today, he is over at xxxxxx bar having some beers if you would like to get a hold of him there?".... Needless to say I have been stewing in my own juices all day and still dont have my car!! Now I understand that things like this take time, but why do people set dates and then miss them by three weeks?? How do people like this stay in business? The sad part is, I know if I go over there to look at it, the only thing different will be the amount of dust on it from last week. This is definately a lesson to me of how NOT to run my business. I think I'm getting an ulcer.

VENT OFF...Whew!

 

[lrdavi]

Easy there "Fang"

I've been waiting since November.

"Mr. Potato Head"

 

[Sergio]

You better go over there, I bet you that he's driving your car around, enjoying it himself.
(couldn't resist...sorry).

 

[Fang Bit]

But Mr. P, It's not like I hit a deer or something. (I couldn't resist either )

 

[Michael Everson]

I got the 2 week routine on my last kit project. I didnt get the car back for 5 months. And i had to finish it myself. Sorry way to run a business. There is no excuse for it.

 

[d isham]

Took my car in for body work and paint and they committed to have it completed w/in 4 weeks. 7 weeks later I was going over there twice a day baby sitting them to get it done before my scheduled state inspection. They finally got it done leaving me only 36 hours to final mount my body, doors, install windscreen, wipers, all lights, quick jacks, gas cap, etc... Body sat there untouched for 7 1/2 weeks and was near complete in 8 weeks. Totally sucked. Besides dealing w/ Jet-Hot it was the most aggravating experience of the build.

Doug

 

[cobraman]

You guys don't know how good this thread makes me feel...

 

[Fang Bit]

Sergio, that would probably explain why he was sunburned. After thinking more about it, I feel sorry for the guy if he has a receptionist telling his customers that he is out drinking beer. Don't think it will do much for repeat business.

 

[Rob]

With a car like these..... if they take longer than what i think is reasonable it makes me think they may be driving it..... take an odometer reading... trust no one!

 

[vince ffr3209]

this has happened to me more times than i care to remember, the funny thing is these kind of companys, not just paint shops, are usually so busy that they dont know what to do with the work. i guess the trick is ,treat people like sh-t , and you will always have work. vince

 

[John Baker]

Mine was supposed to be done for Spring Fling in June of last year. I finally got seriously pissed off and picked it up in February of this year and it's still not done. I found a new shop and it's due to go in at the end of April to have the first job fixed and repainted. I’ll have a time frame and ALL details specified in the new contract! Live and learn. I was amazed at the number of shops that didn’t even want to touch it. Apparently there is better money to be had hammering out dents for insurance jobs.

 

[motorheadcrm]

I have had bad experiences with body shops too.
if it was supposed to be done in a week and the joker had not touched the car yet. I would take it home with me.unless the quality of the work and the cost was totaly worth being aggravated for however long it takes. chris

 

[BIL1024]

Did he even start it yet? I sure wouldn't give him anymore business and if he didn't start I'd pull it!

 

[duckman]

My body shop said it would take 2 weeks and between $2,000 and $2,500 7 weeks later he called and said it was done. Went to look at it and asked when he was going to wet sand and buff to get rid of all the s____ that was in the paint he stated that thats all he was going to do. So I told him to deliver the car and he said that he would that afternoon. His big mistake was delivering the car and then giving me a bill for $4,500.00 I told him politely to put the bill where no one would ever see it because the sun does'nt even shine there. I had already given him a $2,000 down payment

 

[Fang Bit]

Only the hood is being repainted, so that is why I believed him when he said it would only take a week. Since I am one of the lucky people that have a Stewart Warner speedo currently installed, I couldn't tell you if they were out driving around or not. I have a set of brand new Autometer gaugues that I was going to install this weekend but can't because it's still at the shop.