I think my painter is losing it....

[trapin]

Wow...did I ever get the STRANGEST phone call from my painter today. In case some of you are not current with what's going on with my car, I've been trying to get it back in his shop for a re-spray since November. He got the car straight as an arrow and nailed the gaps but when he applied the color, it got a textured look to it. He agreed that he was not happy with it and wanted to get it back in as soon as possible. I've talked to him a few times since then and the last time I talked to him was early March. At the time he told me he was getting close and to call him back early April and that he would probably be ready then. Last night I decided to contact him via e-mail instead of phone because I know he is busy and e-mails are a lot more convienient since you don't have to sit on the phone for 5 or 10 minutes. I sent him this short message;

"Matt….what’s the current status in your shop? We’re into April here."

So at 8:30 this morning I get a phone call from him and he's got this attitude and tells me he doesn't appreciate getting insulting e-mails at his house and why did I feel the need to insult him. I was shocked, I didn't know how to answer him. He goes on to tell me that if I have something to say to him that I can do it to his face or talk to him on the phone but don't ever send me an insulting e-mail again. He then tries to change the subject but I said to him, "Hold on a minute...I'm having trouble understanding how you thought I was insulting you in my e-mail." He thought I was being a smart ass and then went on about how when he worked at GM he hated people doing business via e-mail. We had some more dialouge but when he wouldn't back down from his pompous attitude I became enraged and got right back in his face. I told him, "You know what...I don't think I want you re-painting the car....I think you can just keep my $7500 and have a nice life and I'll take my car somewhere else...who the f**k do you think you are talking to a customer like this??!! I only sent you that e-mail because I know you're busy and I thought it would be more convienient for you. I meant no malice towards you, you have this whole thing twisted." He then backed off....I mean WAY off. He started apologizing repeatedly and said he must have read the e-mail wrong or takin' it out of context. Then he says....let's get your car in here Monday...I want to make this right.

LOL!!! I've been fightin' to get my car back in there since November...now I'm only 2 days away and I feel wierd about seeing him again or even taking my car back there.

[Johnny Blaze]

Man, I don't know what I'd do in that case. Of course, I'd want to get my moneys worth on the paint, but then again, I'd be scared to have my car in his possesion.

[Johnny Blaze]

MAybe he had been painting without a respirator that day!

[SicMonte]

umm....if it was me, after that lil dialogue, I would not take my car back there. Who knows what grudge he is holding now...and with your car in his hands....he could do more harm than good.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

^ x1

[69Nova]

Not sure what to tell you to do. But good luck with everything. I hope it comes out like it should have this time.

[1FstChevy]

Ha thats a little crazy but I've heard far worse paint disaster stories, just keep your eye on him when the Camaro goes back in...

[camcojb]

Tony,

I read your e-mail and thought the same as your painter. I read it as "hey, we're into April here, what the heck is going on?

That is the disadvantage of the typed word versus a phone call. I know you didn't mean it that way, and now he knows it, but I took it the same as him on my first read.

Jody

[parsonsj]

Tony,
I think you two are straight now. Nothing wrong with some histrionics occasionally. Now you both know where you stand, and I think you'll be fine.

BTW, I'm with the painter and Jody: I took the email as a small "dig". His response was over the top, but I think he had some justification. Have a joke ready when you show up, and go from there.

jp

[LowBuckX]

Ok this exsplains alot to me. If anyone here would take offence to that email I now know why people take offence to some of my posts. They are adding emotion that just isnt there.

I see nothing wrong with your email. But I would make sure I have recipets of money spent and something in writing on a deadline for finishing what he started.

[Restomod]

^ x1

X2, he would not have my car back no matter what!! If he has your car you are at his mercy!! BTW I have read stories about people loosing jobs because of a innocent email asking a question or somthing!!

[Vegas69]

I have found in my business some things are better left to a phone call. Emails have no emotion and can be blown out of proportion. You have to be careful how you word things. Now emailing my painter or whatever is a little different, I think he overreacted. It's reasonable after someone botched a paint job to want it fixed.

[Rubes]

You did NOTHING wrong T...It really pisses me off when a supplier or vendor or anyone can "scew" you, make a mistake and not take care of it...etc...etc... and then the second you stand up for yourself it becomes you being the azz hole. BS!!!!! He told you to call in April, you did that (ok kind of, since you were courteous to not tie him to a phone and put him on the spot for an immediate answer by sending an email instead. I feel exactly like you on the convienience of email). He dont like email because it makes him accountable to what he writes, rather than just giving you a BS answer on the phone and then claiming he never said it. Besides, why is it Tony's fault the moron put emotion into reading a simple costomer request??? because he KNOWS Tony had the right to rip him!!!!!! Everyone here already said it, "emails have no emotion"...so why the heck do you read them with it??

Sorry Tony, hope you get things fixed.

[MonzaRacer]

Tony,
As a tech who takes great pride in his work if it doesnt come out right it bugs the rap out of me till I can make it right.
Now that said there IS the possibility that he had a bad day, something got him ,well, out of character for him.
Body work and paint is a task left to the rare few who can do it to a great finish.
One he is most likely working on time constraints in more than one direction and its not to say that he may even have had a paint (product) that was defective,,,or even the sandpaper/prep products he used were wrong,old or going to cause problems.
So as a professional, I would ask you to go to his shop, talk to him face to face and look him in the eye and make your evaluations then dont let one possibly misconstrued email and one phone call where both parties tempers let go be the end of a possibly good outcome.
Dont get me wrong I am not defending him but if I am not in the right state of mind and I get an email on a race engine (i do race engines on the side for now and work a regualr job), I take a moment get my self straight then call and kill the customer with kindness on the call.
I learned my leason a long time ago on one of the very first expensive race engines I did for a fella. Very simple, race preped block, splayed caps, Calies crank, Oliver rods ,Wiesco pistons and a set of aftermarket aluminum heads.
Well the heads got messed up on the CNC and the guys called me and had to wait for more castings to be ready for these heads (it also did some mill damages too I believe), A simple 14.5 to 1 355 set on kill and we had to wait on heads a couple extra days. So I called customer and told him we had to reschedule the dyno time to the day before he was setting it in(and I had to swap days off at work so I could help with both as we were dynoing it after my work was over and then putting it in on my day off and having it ready to race).Well in my contacting of the customer and getting my regualr work scheduled right I was getting a little stressed but I did get it done.
Then the customer calls me up screaming at the top of his lungs, ranting and raving, well I just hung up, his wife called and he gets back on and starts again, so I hang up again and start tryingto think of who would buy this bullet if I had to give hime his cash back (parts/machinework only I get my labor profit after its deliverd at that time.
Well after about an hour customer shows up on porch, had some time to cool off(drive time) and think he askes what happened and we talked, I told him he is getting a $500 dollar discount on heads, and then his lawyer calls me and gets on to me, I just hand Jimmy the phone.
He lost it , calls me ,then lawyer then thought it over.
Now inthe time he wasdriving I had tried to call on his cell and left some very nasty messages.
Well after we both calmed down he got a discount, I get a little better prices on heads and I now have a fella who buys atleast one engine a year.
again ,go in person, use your best judgement, (I agree start with a fake joke of "Hey did you hear the one of the customer who emails a buiness owner and the message gets misunderstood,,,?) then have a conversation, sit down for a few minutes and see how sincere he is in fixing the job, you dont have to leave it if your not convinced.
Heck my buddy has had his 67 Impalla in a certain shop 7 or 8 times and its still not right but my buddy is giving the guy a chance rather than make a big stink, I guess he figures he may get better service on next car, and he IS going to make it right my buddy says.
Anyway take it easy, give him a chance, you can start off with "hey Im sorry my email came off wrong. I thought it would be a quick way to ask if we could get my car in, I wasnt meaning anything by it."
Beside you have to figure the cash he will have to lay out for materials to repaint it and that can get pricey too.
Good luck and keep your cool.
Lee

[trapin]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Now that I know how an e-mail can get completely misconstrued, I shaln't do that again. At least not with this guy.

[WS6]

I'd show up with car ready to be handed to him. Before you turn it over I'd ask him point blank if you two are cool. Tell him again in person that you meant nothing by the email and that if it was taken wrong you're sorry. Then compliment him on how straight he got the body and how anxious you are to see the paint done as well as the body.

[audioman]

Everyone can be misunderstood which leads to fiction. Hopefully, you both have had time to calm down and nothing else needs to be said. I woudld take the high road and let it go. Next time give him a phone call, maybe he's been traumatized by a email in the past.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Steve68]

Maybe he was a little stressed, and he vented on you, seen my Dad do it noumerous time, he had a garage from 78-86,

[Jim Nilsen]

Don't you just hate it when the "Redemtion Hotline" puts you on hold:seizure:
If people who want redemtion never get the chance everyone loses.

What's in your wallet?

[ProTouring442]

I think your painter needs to read Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People... 1,000 times.

Yes, you can salvage this if he has gone over to the rational side of life, and may even get a better job for it. But, and just like a fat chick on a bicycle, this is a big "but," I would definitely let him know that, as the customer, you expect to be kept up to date on things in a timely and polite manner.

He's the business man, you're the customer.
Bill

[Beegs]

Tony,
I think you two are straight now. Nothing wrong with some histrionics occasionally. Now you both know where you stand, and I think you'll be fine.

BTW, I'm with the painter and Jody: I took the email as a small "dig". His response was over the top, but I think he had some justification. Have a joke ready when you show up, and go from there.

jp

I agree ^^^, email is sometimes difficult, I find it easier at times to just pick the phone up.

[BA.]

Wow Tony, your painters response to you was obviously waaay out of line. Sure sounds like something else may have already had him on edge.

While reading your post, I was going to say that I wouldn't have pulled my car from the shop. Then I read that the painter backed down, got his head right, and y'all seemed to be back on the same page.

Now the other side.
I probably would not have written the email the way that you did. Not that it is bad, but as you've learned, sometimes brevity is mis-construed by the reader.

I'd have started with a bit more of a "Good Afternoon Painter guy", and then tossed in a sentence reminding him that he had asked you to call/get in touch with him in early April". You have to set the stage to ensure you both start from the same place. More-so with newer acquaintences.

Lilke Bill K said, you're the customer, the Painter is the business-man and he did not act appropriately.

I REALLY hope you get a satisfactory paint-job in the end and no hard feelings! My ride goes to the paint jail very very soon! (waiting on the call)

[paul67]

When you take the car back I would have a talk about the email and conversation, I hate using email ,or phone text if the person does not know you to well he can take it the wrong way which looks like what happened here, clear the air and if he realy wants to spary the car let him , as he now know's how good the job needs to be . Is he doing it for free, cause taking it some where else could cost a packet.

[trapin]

Yes, he's doing it for free. I'm taking the car over there this afternoon. I'll let you guys know how it went.

[sunkistcamaro]

Take pictures of your car before you go

[Damn True]

I am astounded by how few people understand the relationship between employee (and/or paid contractor) and employer.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

aaahhh.. the relationship between owner and painter.. it is a war that never ends..

[6'9"Witha69]

I'd show up with car ready to be handed to him. Before you turn it over I'd ask him point blank if you two are cool. Tell him again in person that you meant nothing by the email and that if it was taken wrong you're sorry. Then compliment him on how straight he got the body and how anxious you are to see the paint done as well as the body.This is probably the best way to approach it so far.

[Rubes]

I am astounded by how few people understand the relationship between employee (and/or paid contractor) and employer. Exactly what I was thinking. I am totaly surprised by the responses on this. Next time your boss emails for an update on such and such project, go off on him like that because you didn't like the "tone" of his email (meanwhile we all agreed you cant put a tone into an email:dunno:)

Facts (ok, maybe not neccessarily facts, but at least actions);
The job was paid for
The job was messed up
It was delivered reguardless, as a finished job hoping the customer would quietly accept it.
The employee (painter) agrees the job is not up to par
The Boss is forced to "Re-Que" rather than be put in the front of the line.
The Boss accepts and quietly waits the prescibed amount of time before politley asking for a status
The Boss gets berated and verbaly assulted (NEVER an acceptable response from ANYONE accepting money for a job)
The Boss comes here for support, and again gets told how wrong he was in his simple, humble request to get his job done as promised.

I really dont get it?!?!?!? The only way I can see the guy getting offended by the original email, is if he read it with a tone he would have written it in knowing the situation. I bet if Tony didnt tell us the entire story to that point, but just his email and the guys response, the answers would have been WAY different since we wouldn't have been influenced by the story.

Now I am all for turning the other cheek and all, and I believe Tony did everything right. But you have to stand up once in a while at least. Heck, even "The Man Upstairs" ran out of patience after awhile and remember what he did!!!! Now, how to handle this situation is a whole other mess, but I'm sure Tony will be the better man and politley beg to have his car fixed as it should have been to begin with.

Man, living under a rock was so much nicer:)

[Chad-1stGen]

I see both sides of the story here. I work in the business world and deal with email communication all day long. In fact I almost NEVER get VM on my office phone anymore, it is all about the mighty email.

Well you discovered that people read all kinds of crap that just isn't there when dealing with text communication. I totally understand your motivation for sending the email and also think the painter over reacted but you guys got it settled so not sure what the big deal is in taking your car back there.

I wouldn't not take the car there based on just the email and subsequent phone call. There would have to other reasons on top of that for me. /shrug

If you are still unsure go talk to him in person and you should get a good feel for it IMO. Either before you drop the car off or when you drop it off. Go there with the mindset that you still can take the car back home if in person you get any red flags.

[jy211]

Yes, he's doing it for free. I'm taking the car over there this afternoon. I'll let you guys know how it went.

Hopefully no NEWS headlines come from this~:machine:

[Restomod]

If you are going to drop it off I hope you get something in writing!! You and him got at it again while he has your car you are Forked!!!

[Joey_H]

I think your painter's customer relations skills are lacking. Yes your email was a tad bit brunt, but so what? It wasn't anywhere near bad enough to warrant his angry reaction. Painters can have bad days like anyone else sure, but they don't need to take it out on the paying customer. You don't have to apologize for anything, IMHO.

[paul67]

I seem to find painters are like artists , you have to humour them , bite the bullet as they know wants the've got your car your at there mercy.I've got a plasterer in at the moment doing my house and he keeps failing to turn up most times but you cannot fault the work,and he only lives across the road my partner cannot understand why I have not had a go at him, I tell her I don't won't a crappy job.

[trapin]

Dropped the car off today at 2:30pm. He was relatively pleasant but you could sense the agitation in his attitude behind his smile. He mentioned a number of times how he lost money on this job. I can't figure that out....how did you lose money? When you asked me for money...I gave it to you, and I never complained about it. Especially when the bill went $2000 above what you quoted. It sounded like he was trying to make me feel guilty. But he kept insisting, "It's my fault, I knew the job wasn't good yet I let other people influence me (like his wife) to let it go...I shouldn't have listened to them." "I got behind on money on this job and I was trying to save face and it was a big mistake." Then he pulls out some paperwork on my job to show me how much money he lost. I said he should consider my car an investment, it'll be at Autorama one day, numerous car shows, maybe some small magazine will give me a feature...who knows. He was unfazed..."I've had numerous cars in magazines, one was even on Speed Channel the other day". Yeah, OK...whatever. Through it all I was just friendly with him and told him our tiff from Saturday was water under the bridge and that I had complete confidence in him. I even commented him on his work ethic and how straight he got the car and the gaps and such. He thanked me. Basically I took the high road and tried to kill him with kindness. LOL!!! Hope it pays off. He seems very confident that when I get the car back I will be happy. We'll see. I'll keep you posted. He says he should be done by this weekend.

[c.schulz]

Crazy Man Crazy!!!!


Chris

[trapin]

Yeah...LOL!!!

[CliffS]

I'll keep you posted. He says he should be done by this weekend.



Any update Tony?

[trapin]

He said he was going to start it on Friday...that probably traslates to yesterday or today and his 1 week to do the car will probably be a 2 week deal so I really don't expect to hear from him until the end of April or early May. Now that I've been through this painting stuff...I know how it works. LOL!!! Thanks for the inquiry, I'll be sure to keep you updated.

[parsonsj]

Good luck Tony. Keep us posted how it's going.

jp

[CraigMBA]

He's the business man, you're the customer.
Bill

And the customer is, quiet often, wrong.

[trapin]

And the customer is, quiet often, wrong.

Depends on your point of view.

I don't believe I was wrong in this case. I really don't. This guy got handed a car with no rust and all new GM panels with a mandate to give the car a paint job on par with a 2007 Chevy Cobalt. The end result was one that would get red flagged by the plant supervisor. That's fine if your throwing the flunkie at Maaco $300 to spray your car but when you fork over $7500...that's not going to cut it. Everyone that's seen it has had the same reaction, "Dude...what the hell's wrong with your paint?"

That that tends to weigh on you after awhile.

[ProTouring442]

And the customer is, quiet often, wrong.

It has nothing to do with weather or not the customer was right or wrong, and everything to do with the way in which you treat a customer.

Shiny Side up!
Bill

[EFI69Cam]

Depends on your point of view.

I don't believe I was wrong in this case. I really don't. This guy got handed a car with no rust and all new GM panels with a mandate to give the car a paint job on par with a 2007 Chevy Cobalt. The end result was one that would get red flagged by the plant supervisor. That's fine if your throwing the flunkie at Maaco $300 to spray your car but when you fork over $7500...that's not going to cut it. Everyone that's seen it has had the same reaction, "Dude...what the hell's wrong with your paint?"

That that tends to weigh on you after awhile.

I guess my budget of $5k to repaint my car ain't gonna cut it.

Maybe time for some rustoleum and a roller.

[Restomod]

That all depends on how you spend your $5k........

[EFI69Cam]

That all depends on how you spend your $5k........

Not too many options other than hiring it done. There are specific prohibitions against spraying anymore than rattle cans in Suburbia.
I paid $2500 10 years ago, I figured doubling it would be enough.

[WS6]

Depends on how much has to be painted, paint brand used, and what type of paint job. ie candy, single stage, two stage, or this new blend stuff. Shop around and talk to the people. Tell them your budget and your goals. One of those may have to change. Also be realistic with yourself. Do you really want an ultra slick paint job on a car you plan to drive? Think how you'll feel when you find a rock chip in the paint for the first time. Maybe even from the drive home. Then ask yourself again just how expensive and fancy you want that paint job to be.

Tony, I hope it works out for you and your car comes out looking great.

[Restomod]

All great ideas WS6.

[BA.]

It has nothing to do with weather or not the customer was right or wrong, and everything to do with the way in which you treat a customer.

Shiny Side up!
Bill

+1
.

[MonzaRacer]

Dont get me wrong it hurts to redo any job regardless.
As for new GM parts I have an uncle who rebuilt a 80 C10 and used a GM fender on one side and a Generic on the other,the genric was a scuff and shoot and the GN one had a warp in it and he had to work it out. This was his truck and he intended to do it justice for a rolling billboard.
Not all FACTORY parts are super sweet and straight.
andnas for making gaps right and adjusting things thats part of it if he is any good. BUT if he has to "jamb" a car out it gets a lot harder and takes about twice the paint/prep.
If he is lucky the car will "rough" colorsand ,reseal and shoot and be super straight.
Good luck
Lee

[EFI69Cam]

Depends on how much has to be painted, paint brand used, and what type of paint job. ie candy, single stage, two stage, or this new blend stuff. Shop around and talk to the people. Tell them your budget and your goals. One of those may have to change. Also be realistic with yourself. Do you really want an ultra slick paint job on a car you plan to drive? Think how you'll feel when you find a rock chip in the paint for the first time. Maybe even from the drive home. Then ask yourself again just how expensive and fancy you want that paint job to be.

Tony, I hope it works out for you and your car comes out looking great.


What jumped out at me was Trapin's statement that he wanted his paint to be the same quality as that on a new GM car. That is all I want, 7500 is alot for that, considering thats half the cost of the Cobalt he mentioned.

I just hope the guy I have picked out to do it is not going to hurt me too bad.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

damn this is a horror story...

[6'9"Witha69]

I haven't looked too closely at '07 Chevy paint jobs, but they are NEVER perfect. Nobody's is. Not even Mercedes. IMHO $7,500 should get you a pure show quality paint job with 0 imperfections.

[jy211]

I haven't looked too closely at '07 Chevy paint jobs, but they are NEVER perfect. Nobody's is. Not even Mercedes. IMHO $7,500 should get you a pure show quality paint job with 0 imperfections.

Yup...I had a place do the 68' in Toyota black. Car had dings, dents etc, and 2 bad battery rolls 1 in each quarter...guys also smoothed my firewall and installed a new dash panel and it came out under $4k....

For $7500 it should be perfect IMO....

[JLM]

Depending on what is being done and the condition the car comes in, 7500 can buy a lot or a little.

My car goes in May 7th to be shot. The estimate for stripping the car to metal, priming, sanding blocking, 3 stage paint with color sanding and buff is estimated at about 4600.00 though I expect the final cost closer to 5700 as there's always a few things you don't catch on an estimate.

Edit: I did forget to mention that I am supplying the paint. Had it all purchased and was actually going to shoot it myself in my father's paint booth. So my figure is without material supplys, figure to add $800-1500.00 depending on paint type.

[hotrdblder]

how the hell can 7500 get you a show quality paint job, let me ask you this, how many hrs to strip a car to metal, fix things, prime, block sand, prime, block sand, paint, sand and buff??

lets here your hrs and use a median of 50 per hr shop labor
then use 800 for an median materials charge.
you guys do the math
2k barely sands and buffs a car right by hand with hard blocks, sure you can da it but it will look da'd
goodluck but show job will start at 10k and up easy.

[Restomod]

I got a quote (Hes a 20 year pro!) to buff my Stang cause my painter did not have time. He would sand and do 4 grades of compound and a final polish.......$300! If you are paying $2k for just buffing you must feel it in the lower rear part of your body.................

[67velle]

:twothumbs I have been keeping up with this for a while,I feel so bad that this has happened!!!! TPC and I work together we have talked of this so much. I don't want this to give all us painters a bad rap, there are people out there that are as good as their word! please let us know if you need us to help get this done right!!!!

[trapin]

UPDATE....

I went and saw the car yesterday, he's about a day from finishing. First off, he fixed the problem with the paint (it's laying nice and flat as it should) but now there's a new problem. As I was inspecting the car I noticed on top of the fender what looked like a paint chip that he painted over. It's noticeable, about 2mm by 1mm in size. I know that paint chip was not there when I dropped the car off. When I asked him about it he goes, "Yeah, I noticed that too, I don't think it was there when I went over the car with you was it?". I said, "No....it wasn't, I had looked at that part of the fender maybe a hundred times when I first recieved the car and it wasn't there." He then asked me if I had a car cover for it. I told him yes I did, a nice thick one and that it went on immediately after I got the car and only came off to show people. It wasn't my kids because in November (much to my wife's dismay) I evicted all of my kids toys, bikes, big wheels, etc and they were told to stay out of the garage. He "hmm'd and haa'd" about it and said, "Well...what I can offer you is this...if it still bothers you when you get the car together, you can bring it back and I'll fix it for you." HUH??!! What is he getting at? That I put the chip in the paint?

I'm going to pick the car up on Thursday. If I want it fixed later, I'll find someone else to do it.

[Steve68]

He's done with the car! He's taken a loss and dosen't want to fix anything else, Take the car and run, have someone else fix it, I know it sucks but he won't be any help,

[69TAPoser]

He's done with the car! He's taken a loss and dosen't want to fix anything else, Take the car and run, have someone else fix it, I know it sucks but he won't be any help,

I agree. Get it the hell out of there and have a more reputable shop do the repair.

Phil

[jy211]

Just put a big NOS sticker over the chip....:drool: J/K....

I agree...be done with this guy and move on!

[Bow Tie 67]

Yep, move on, your car is not a labor of love to him, it has become just the opposite.

[Restomod]

I hate to say it but my .02 was not to go back to start with.............RUN AWAY FROM THIS GUY WITH YOUR CAR BEFORE IT GETS WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BA.]

Yep, move on, your car is not a labor of love to him, it has become just the opposite.

That's a good way to put it.

Sorry to hear about the chip Tony but damn......DAMN! It sure sounds like you have to seriously consider getting it fixed somewhere else.

The only other option, one that I'm no good at, is to be a total D!CK and insist that he correct it. Oh sure, it'll create major bad-blood but sometimes I really think that's what it takes with "that kind of people". (large assumptions made there)



Good luck man. At least the larger problem with the paint has been corrected!! :twothumbs

[4MuscleMachines]

My initial thought was to pay him to get it fixed, no big deal.

Afterwards, it occurred to me that maybe it was chipped intentionally, which in this case it would be best to go somewhere else.

[eville]

As much as it sucks, you'll probably wind up needing to get something else touched up by the time you're finished. At least you can blame the first chip on someone else. I had to blame the first two on me!

[trapin]

Afterwards, it occurred to me that maybe it was chipped intentionally, which in this case it would be best to go somewhere else.
You know, as I was driving home I had the same thought. How could he have not noticed that before he shot the color? And his reaction to it was very suspicious.

[paul67]

Is the colour a special mix,if not there are companys over here that specialize in paint chip removal, you might have 1 over there ,over here there called chips away and 1 called dents away,there big fanchises:ripped: .

[paul67]

Just googled and there both in the USA

[Scott Parkhurst]

You know, as I was driving home I had the same thought. How could he have not noticed that before he shot the color? And his reaction to it was very suspicious.
I honestly think you're looking WAY too far into it. How hard is it to have an accident that'd cause a chip like that? Not very hard. The odds are it was purely accidental...Just like him not being able to read into your inflection on the e-mail.

I've dealt with several painters in my life. Some good, some not so good. Sometimes, the same guy is really good on one job, and a total flake on another. They make no sense.

But, I will tell you this - Every time I visited the paint shop, I brought at least a 6-pack of his favorite beer...and usually a 12-pack. It's an icebreaker, a kind gesture, and says "we're cool with each other" without saying a word. A 'liquid handshake' if you will.

So, appreciate the work that's been done correctly, get some of the paint he used in a can for the touch up, and have someone else do it. Honestly, I think you got a good deal if the body is perfect and the gaps are good. That's a tough thing to do. Except for the chip, you got everything you asked for, right? You did pretty good.

When you recruit a new painter to touch up the chip, you won't have to leave the car as long or spend nearly as much money. You're in the home stretch. Paint jail sucks, but you've found a way out without major duress. Be nice when you pick up the car, and just move on.

~SP~

[trapin]

I honestly think you're looking WAY too far into it. How hard is it to have an accident that'd cause a chip like that? Not very hard. The odds are it was purely accidental...Just like him not being able to read into your inflection on the e-mail.
I know, Scott...I was being more facetious then serious. But sage advice anyway, thanks. You're probably right. And I'm a nice guy...I'll handle it as such. I am going to ask him for the rest of the paint (if there is any) and just tell him I want it to paint some components on my engine to match the car. Down the road another painter will get a knock on the door from me.

[parsonsj]

Sorry about the continued near misery with your painter. I would have the same, get your car the hell out of there, and see if you can live with the chip. If not, get somebody else to spray it.

You don't even have to tell him you are matching other parts ... just tell him you want some for touch up.

jp

[ZL-1]

Stop by my shop with the car on Thurs. I will hook you up.I PM my number.

[TPC]

It is good to hear the majority of the car is satisfactory. The chip issue stinks.It's a bugger there are so many horror stories like yours and Rogers. All painters ain't creeps. If you need a hand with the chip, 67velle and I are coworkers and also refinishers in the Brighton area. Feel free.

[trapin]

Thanks guys, I will certainly keep that in mind.

[EFI69Cam]

It is good to hear the majority of the car is satisfactory. The chip issue stinks.It's a bugger there are so many horror stories like yours and Rogers. All painters ain't creeps. If you need a hand with the chip, 67velle and I are coworkers and also refinishers in the Brighton area. Feel free.

All painters are not creeps, but the profession does attract more than it's share of flakes.

Maybe its the paint fumes?

[trapin]

You guys aren't going to believe this....he just called me about 5 minutes ago.

"Hey, looks like the weather isn't cooperating with us today...we might wanna push it to tommorow or Saturday for you to pick it up. By the way...I felt bad about the chip in the fender so I just went ahead and fixed it for you."

LOL!!! Now I feel like a total d**k for slamming him. I guess I should count my blessings. People have been through a lot worse than this. Car should be home today, tommorow, or Saturday and then this saga comes to a end. Thanks for following along and for your support.

[EFI69Cam]

You guys aren't going to believe this....he just called me about 5 minutes ago.

"Hey, looks like the weather isn't cooperating with us today...we might wanna push it to tommorow or Saturday for you to pick it up. By the way...I felt bad about the chip in the fender so I just went ahead and fixed it for you."

LOL!!! Now I feel like a total d**k for slamming him. I guess I should count my blessings. People have been through a lot worse than this. Car should be home today, tommorow, or Saturday and then this saga comes to a end. Thanks for following along and for your support.

No need to feel like a d!ck. You've got $7500 in his work, plus a car thats worth a bunch of cash in his custody. You are understandably nervous.

[LateNight72]

Sounds like it paid off. You should bring a 12 pack when you go pick up the car...

[parsonsj]

I like Scott's advice too. I usually bring non-alcoholic beverages to places of business, if only because most of the time they can't drink it there.

Sounds like it is turning out fine at the end. Isn't this fun?

jp

[trapin]

LOL!!! Yeah, this has been great. I can't wait to have my next car painted.

Actually I don't think this guy drinks. What I could do is maybe pick him up a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse or something and say, "Here...take the Mrs. out to dinner, on me".

That way I can leave with my conscience intact.

[6'9"Witha69]

LOL!!! Yeah, this has been great. I can't wait to have my next car painted.

Actually I don't think this guy drinks. What I could do is maybe pick him up a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse or something and say, "Here...take the Mrs. out to dinner, on me".

That way I can leave with my conscience intact.Perhaps not drinking is his problem!:cheers:

I think the gift certificate is a good idea, a nice gesture considering it sounds like the wife was pressuring him from the beginning.

[Dayton]

You guys are too nice with to this painter. Personally, I would have beat the crap out of him...

[Scott Parkhurst]

You guys are too nice with to this painter. Personally, I would have beat the crap out of him...

I'd LOVE to see what your paint job looks like! LOL!!!

I've always tried to be as nice as I possibly can to everyone I meet. In business, it's the same. As a magazine guy, it's just a good idea, but it's simply the way I've always been. Yes, I've been screwed over a bunch on several deals, but I have that 'clear conscience' thing Tony mentioned earlier.

I'm in this hot rod industry for life. This is where I'll always work, if I possibly can. I'm hoping no one out there has anything bad to say about me (well, there are a couple guys I know of, but to be on THEIR bad list is a good thing, if you know what I mean.)

The bottom line is that you don't know who knows who, and you don't know who you'll end up working with down the road. If you're always as nice as you can be to everyone, you won't have to ever worry about it. On the contrary, if you give someone the benefit of the doubt, it may come back to you with interest down the road.

~SP~

[67velle]

we need pics asap lets find you a new painter for the next one.....

[Kenova]

What I could do is maybe pick him up a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse or something and say, "Here...take the Mrs. out to dinner, on me".

That way I can leave with my conscience intact.

:yum: :drool: That would certainly be appreciated by me.
It would be a good way of letting him know you appreciate the extra effort he has put into the job. Perhaps his behaviour was partly caused by his own desire to have a clear conscience. If he's been dumped on before after making similar attempts to make things right, he may have begrudged (?) taking your car back in.
It sounds to me that you may very well be one of his better, and more understanding, customers.
Ken

[profro]

I think Steve Nail it on the head...He's probably just stressin out and it would have helped him to vent on you a bit. My quess he feels better and will do a fine job now....just talk to him and feel his disposition when you drop off your car!

[trapin]

Here's the final update....

It all ended well. I got the car back on Saturday and it's perfect. He got it right this time. The paint lays nice and flat and as a result really pops in the sun. Before it didn't do that...probably due to the texture effecting the metallics. He seemed quite pleased (and relieved). The chip is gone...the whole car looks great. He even re-did the stripe and that looks better. What a relief to have this process behind me. I didn't bring him anything on the day I picked it up because truth be told I was suffering from a stomach virus that my 5 year old (Jared) passed on to me and I barely made it there and back with the tow truck. As soon as I got it home I went straight to bed. I'm going to have a few more friends come out to look at it and give the paint another couple of weeks to cure. If all looks well I'll get him a thank you card and stuff a gift certificate in there to LongHorns or Outback. Thanks for following along and for all the valuable advice. I appreciate it as always.

T.

[69Nova]

Awsome Tony. I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you. Pictures???

[Steve68]

I'm with you on the sick, buddy the 5 yr old coughed in my face all week long, I felt in coming on Tuesday and kicked in hard on Sat and Sun!!!

[SimplyKC]

:postpics:

[69ratfed]

:postpics:

What he said.:lol:

[trapin]

LOL!!! I'll try to get some this week. Right now I'm having a new roof put on my house and I'm swamped at work. I'll get em though.

[Bandit]

I'd show up with car ready to be handed to him. Before you turn it over I'd ask him point blank if you two are cool. Tell him again in person that you meant nothing by the email and that if it was taken wrong you're sorry. Then compliment him on how straight he got the body and how anxious you are to see the paint done as well as the body.
I think this is the best way to go. I would give the guy the benefit of the doubt, if he has been in business for a while I'm sure he has done some things right. He probably just had a bad day or was miffed about some other issue altogether and your email caught him at the wrong time so he took it out on you.
Like this one pretty famous guy once said about 2,000 years ago, "Blessed are the peacemakers..."
Glad you were able to make it work!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Glad to hear it all worked out for ya T!!

[CliffS]

Good news! Pics when you can.

[Kenova]

..... I didn't bring him anything on the day I picked it up because truth be told I was suffering from a stomach virus that my 5 year old (Jared) passed on to me......

T.
Yeah, :sick: that could make it hard to think about anything to do with food. Never mind stopping in to pick up a gift certificate. :hah: :barf: Hope you're feeling better.
Ken

[CraigMBA]

All painters are not creeps, but the profession does attract more than it's share of flakes.

Maybe its the paint fumes?

In my world, body repair is made up of folks who were and/or are:

- ex cons
- currerent or former substance abusers
- illegal immigrants

I'm trying to think of an exception. I can't.

In my experence, body shop customers don't tend to be real peachy either. The 70 year old lady accusing my customer of taking advantage of 'a couple of old people' because he collected the deductable was pretty priceless.

[DonTalarico]

Yiiiiikes