TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Jul 29, 2003 2:03 pm

As you guys know a good body/paint man is hard to find,There are a lot of people out there that talk a good job!They tell you what you want to hear and actually deliver nothing like what you expected.
As a Volkswagen restorer myself, I feel the only way to put the customers mind at ease is to show a portfolio of past work and hopefully at shows, the actual customers themselves put the word around. So I would say maybe ask to take a look at previous work, OK that wont give you a timescale but it should show you the mans capabilities. REMEMBER. Once you start lifting and cutting away metal, Its a whole new ball game. In answer to your question, Pay the man for the work hes done up to now, and get it out of there. ( dont be fooled by the old storage trick, If the vehicle was being worked on as promised then it wouldnt have been an issue).

Tue Jul 29, 2003 3:26 pm

alot of people try and misuse the storage deal... fact is storage (unless some other pre arranged deal was worked out) storage should never be charged unless a SIGNED work order or other type of document is held, and or the work is COMPLETED and the owner has not picked up/paid for in full the vehicle in a specified time. or the vehicle is abandoned for more than a specified time frame. then the shop does have certain mechanics lien rights that vary from state to state.

I agree with the word of mouth portfolio, I have one and it has helped me get work and allow me to also turn down work that people want done to a lesser standard than I want to perform ( IE GO TO MAACO! LOL!)
but I have also taken a very long time, longer than I or the customer wanted but in the end they were pleased with the jobs so it all turned out good.

but if your fed up with or the place is doing you real bad then you have a right to settle on an amount done and get your car/parts back... it can get nasty though, depending on who all your dealing with.

just MO here...see alot of both sides of this kind of story