What to do when your shop goes off the radar with your cars and your cash?

[switchblade327]

I am currently working overseas and left my two cars with a performance/restoration facility. After paying for a good chunk of the bill, I found out that they're quite a bit behind on the work. Like, *maybe*halfway to where I've paid. At first I figured I'd been backburnered since I'm not able to drop in anytime but now they're not even returning my calls or emails.

I know I could've handled this better and it was probably stupid to trust a shop to follow through without being able to pester them in person but what's done is done.

My question for you guys is what do you suggest I do now? I don't really have anyone local to that shop to check it out and my next step seems to be contacting the insurance company and possibly a lawyer but is there anything I can/should do before taking these drastic measures?

[Young Gun]

Got any big friends that could stop by and remind them to get the work moving?

[toxicz28]

"Borrow" a predator drone.....

[Steve1968LS2]

I am currently working overseas and left my two cars with a performance/restoration facility. After paying for a good chunk of the bill, I found out that they're quite a bit behind on the work. Like, *maybe*halfway to where I've paid. At first I figured I'd been backburnered since I'm not able to drop in anytime but now they're not even returning my calls or emails.

I know I could've handled this better and it was probably stupid to trust a shop to follow through without being able to pester them in person but what's done is done.

My question for you guys is what do you suggest I do now? I don't really have anyone local to that shop to check it out and my next step seems to be contacting the insurance company and possibly a lawyer but is there anything I can/should do before taking these drastic measures?

Where's the shop? If it's in SoCal maybe I could "stop by"...

I know of serveral good shops to move your car to, there's no real reason to put up with bad service.

Let me know.

[JLM]

My suggestion would be to send one last nice letter about your concerns and desire to settle any dispute quickly and discreetly without the need to lawyer up and move the car elsewhere.

I would be direct in the fact that those steps would come next.

If the shop doesn't come through for you on this, I would then do as Steve stated and have the car moved to another shop.

Keep track of e-mails and expenses incurred while doing this. Then at that point (if needed) I would take the company to court to get the money you are owed returned.

Obviously you're overseas so that "could" be a problem. I'm not positive on this, but I think the statute of limitations for individuals that are deployed (I'm assuming you're deployed military) starts from the time you return and does not run while you're away. I would do some checking on your end.

That's where I would start. Just remember that every person from every company will be more likely to help you if you remain calm and courteous. However, if that fails, legal action can and should be taken.

Good luck, I hope this turns out for the better.

[1badchevelle]

I am also in so cal . I would not mind taking a drive and will send you pics.

[mc84_zz4]

^^ that is awesome if somebody can volunteer to scout the shop out and inform you.

If you are in the service, I assume you have USAA insurance. I hope your car was covered by homeowners, or auto policy.
By having a renters or homeowners policy you have access to legal advice.
If you have not signed up with them do it NOW.
When they go to bat, they carry a big stick.

[Lowend]

Did you pay on CC or check?

[6'9"Witha69]

I am a big guy and wouldn't mind stopping by one day if it's in my area (I work in Monterey Park, so anywhere round the east side of LA out to SB County.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

daaaamn.. SoCal people get out there and take a look for a fella.

that would be NERVE wracking for me...

[Steve1968LS2]

I am a big guy and wouldn't mind stopping by one day if it's in my area (I work in Monterey Park, so anywhere round the east side of LA out to SB County.

We could all meet up and show to the shop in force.. lol.. I'll bring my camera.

[1badchevelle]

We could all meet up and show to the shop in force.. lol.. I'll bring my camera.

Actually not a bad idea. I am in.

[gearheads78]

Before everyone goes on the offensive and tips the guy off I would send someone in acting like they are looking to dump some cash in a project. See if you can get inside the shop for a tour. That should tell you what is really going on.

[John Wright]

LOL...film at eleven

[jerrys85iroc]

Before everyone goes on the offensive and tips the guy off I would send someone in acting like they are looking to dump some cash in a project. See if you can get inside the shop for a tour. That should tell you what is really going on.

ok and that person needs to have the tiny spy camera in their hat...you need the disguised van out front with the rest of you lol just kidding...but this thread just goes to show how much of a "family" we are...hope everything works out

[1badchevelle]

.but this thread just goes to show how much of a "family" we are...hope everything works out

I hear you, I was in the same boat with my 69 camaro about 10 years ago. Ended pulling the car and no money. My family and freinds got together and helped build the car. So I know first hand of shady shops.

[78 Type-LT]

Get you cars out of there...no need to put up with piss poor service when you payin good coin for a service...

[Boatmark]

Before the mob forms, SteveLS2 might be the best person to quietly stop by to check on the car of a "friend working over seas".

If the guy is a dirt bag, bank some information and move forward to get the car moved. If it is a decent guy who is behind for whatever reason, the unspoken but implied impact to his reputation from screwing the "friend" of a known magazine guy with a lot of contacts and a loud pulpit would probably get the car moved to the top of the list with a serious mea culpa.

Sometimes what is not said can be the most effective.

Just a thought.

[6'9"Witha69]

Pitchfork in hand!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[TitoJones]

I'm also in LA and could stop by for a look.

Tyler

[BIGX69]

FEELING THE LOVE..LOL:box2:SO-CAL 4 LIFE!!!

[MonzaRacer]

Lets See Tito, Steve and Bad Penny, umm several P.O.ed car guys all showing up inforce AFTER say one guy goes in for a lookee loo, and then hit'em where it hurts. Heck this would almost be fun, maybe even worth flying out to join the lynch mo,,, uh retrieval squad!

[77thor]

Call Guido

[John Wright]

Before the mob forms, SteveLS2 might be the best person to quietly stop by to check on the car of a "friend working over seas".

If the guy is a dirt bag, bank some information and move forward to get the car moved. If it is a decent guy who is behind for whatever reason, the unspoken but implied impact to his reputation from screwing the "friend" of a known magazine guy with a lot of contacts and a loud pulpit would probably get the car moved to the top of the list with a serious mea culpa.

Sometimes what is not said can be the most effective.

Just a thought.
<strong Italian accent on> If this doesn't work, I have some friends that can pay this guy a visit<strong Italian accent off>...LOL picturing some mafia hitmen with baseball bats looking to break some knees....LOL


Seriously, I hope all of this turns out fine and the shop will turn on the afterburners and get the job done, done right, and have a happier customer in the end.

[novanutcase]

What's the name of the shop?

I'm down to roll through his shop en force...

John

[OHCbird]

You guys are ready to roll based on one or two posts? I'd, uh, highly reccomend against that. There are much smarter ways of dealing with all of this. Half of you could wind up making the situation 3 times worse than it is.

Why are you overseas? If you're in the service or doing work related to DOD, you have some protection. BUT- how much did you get in writing? What was the agreement?

[minendrews68]

MAN...you guys in SoCal rock! talk about family!

[nowukno]

I am currently working overseas and left my two cars with a performance/restoration facility. After paying for a good chunk of the bill, I found out that they're quite a bit behind on the work. Like, *maybe*halfway to where I've paid. At first I figured I'd been backburnered since I'm not able to drop in anytime but now they're not even returning my calls or emails.

I know I could've handled this better and it was probably stupid to trust a shop to follow through without being able to pester them in person but what's done is done.

My question for you guys is what do you suggest I do now? I don't really have anyone local to that shop to check it out and my next step seems to be contacting the insurance company and possibly a lawyer but is there anything I can/should do before taking these drastic measures?
Name and Location of shop??? You have lots of eyes and ears!!!!

[Nicks67GTO]

I have a buddy that told me somthing once durring a good conversation and i think it fits perfectly. He said this..."You know i dont like being a jerk or resorting to conflict over stuff, but sometimes you just gotta check a mother *****er up"

It allways amazes me when people run their business like this. My Dad used to have his own plumbing shop. When I was a kid he would allways tell me that he would go out of his way to make sure customers were happy because if you did the job right, 3 people would hear about it. If you did a poor job, 10 people would hear about it. That was in the 80's and early 90's when no one had the internet. With the internet im sure those numbers are more like 3,000 and 10,000 now.

[novanutcase]

I don't think anyone wants to start trouble, rather, our showing up en force just puts a punctuation mark on the urgency of the situation and drives the point home that the shop owner needs to move OP's callback to the top of his priority list.

John

[41565 chevelle]

I just saw this thread and I am willing to help. Live and work in Orange County, know a ton of friends in the industry locally in Huntington Beach and can get info on the business itself without dropping by. I have a good buddy (car guy) that is a PI and would do some work for you or I can drop by. I can show photos of my project, inquire about finishing my project and cost etc.???? Steve has mad contacts too, just throwing it out there and I used to work lots of surveillance so I can do secret ops as well....:machine:

[1badchevelle]

I dont think anyone including myself wants to or be confront the shop, just willing to go out and take a look, give some feed back. I will agree show in number might get the shops panties in a bunch. But having several people going in to follow up with the project will let him know people are paying attention.

[rjsjea]

Guy drops this post and doesnt check back for 5days......seems odd

[novanutcase]

Guy drops this post and doesnt check back for 5days......seems odd

Does seem kind of strange but then again he is overseas.....

John