TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jul 24, 2003 10:22 pm

2 years ago I bought a 69 square, and a guy priced me 1500.00 to do the paint and body on the entire car. 13 months and 4 flat tires later, the car was never touched (I checked with him every 2 weeks the entire time). The dude was always drinking, and never working on cars. His excuse was "I have to do the insurance jobs first". I canned the square project, and bought a solid 65 which I have at a different "supposedly reputable" body and paint shop. 2 months in, the rust has been cut out, the old paint has been removed, and 2 of the 5 rust areas patched and welded, and one coat of primer. Although he has gone further with the beetle than my square ever got, he is scooting shit ahead of it every time I am over there (at least once per week). I have only paid him for supplies. How is the best way to approach this matter without pissing the guy off to the point that he does a shitty job on my car????

Thu Jul 24, 2003 10:37 pm

Pay him for what he's done and take the car back!- Or at least talk about doing that in a gentle way. Ask 66split about how I restored his bus! I had a lot of other work going in between the 6 months I had it. 66split won't complain because you can't rush good work... But you can rush slackers, He actually threatened-in a nice way- to take the bus elsewhere to have it finished because it was taking me so long. I immediately shifted into high gear and put his bus back on my priority list.
Maybe find someone else capable of finishing so you can name where it will be going. Hopefully he will then realize he isn't the only shop in town and it's starting to show.
By the way- insurance work does pay the bills! VW restoration rarely does!!

Fri Jul 25, 2003 8:16 am

Just show up at the shop unanounced and say. 'Im here to pick up my car, i found a guy doen the street who has the same pricing as you and has room to work on my ride right away". Spice him up about how good the guy is and how youve seen alot of his work in mags..just bullshit the guy and see how fast he starts on your car. If that doesnt work....youre assed out..lol

Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:14 pm

GREAT IDEA, but I live in southern ohio, there aren't any shops around here that have any cars in magazines, I have to order one more part for it, and when I deliver it to him, I am going to have him give me a firm date of completion, or take it elsewhere. Thanks for the suggestions.... John

Tue Jul 29, 2003 1:58 pm

yes 90% are exactly as you have stated. the other 10% are too busy to take on most projects.

Thu Jul 31, 2003 4:41 pm

ask a vw shop- they usually know a place with a good reputation.