Problems getting someone to work on your car??

[Toadman]

I'm just getting really frustrated and need to rant for a minute to get it off my chest!! I like to do as much as I'm able to do on my car, but some projects are beyond my abilities or (more often that not) time. Since it's now summer, my free time to work on the car is next to nil, and I didn't accomplish everything on my winter "to do" list. Fortunately I own a company in an industrial park that is home to several body shops and mechanics.

I'm on friendly terms with the body shop owner next door, and we do work for each other. (I run a sheet metal fab shop.) He has done some spectacular patch work on my car in the past. I approached him in January about replacing one of my quarters that had some damage (oops!), and he put me on the "board". I assumed that is the list of what he works on next, and I wasn't too far down. So now it's June and still no repair... The standard answer is, "it's gonna be soon". I realize that the insurance work he's doing is probably more lucrative, but I'm not looking for a favor and I'm totally prepared to pay for whatever the repair entails.

Also, there's a mechanic shop a few doors down from my business. He owns more than several 2nd gen f-bodies, and is very familiar with them. I had him do my LS1 swap, and he is intimately familiar with my car. I called him to install an oil accumulator, a trans temp gauge, some exhaust gaskets, and adjust the 4-link I installed over the winter. The issue with the 4-link is due to him not adjusting the crossmember, so the trans is at a proper angle. He has several lifts and the proper tools at hand. Should be easy for him, right? He takes my car for a day and brings it back the next morning. Says, "I'll come back and get it when I get some space available." All that was accomplished was running a wire through the firewall for the gauge. It's still hanging from my dash. That was 2 weeks ago... Again, we're on friendly terms, but I expect him to charge me accordingly.

Both shops do their share of custom work, so this type of work is not alien to them. While I'm not necessarily in a rush to get the work done, I DO hope to run at the Motor State Challenge this year. At the current rate, I don't see the car being at the point I want it to be at. Am I getting brushed off because this isn't my daily driver?? Guess I'll have to be more pushy. Anyone else experience this treatment?

[68TTT]

A "buddy" of mine owns a hotrod shop and has promised to help me with some minor projects for the last three weeks but something always comes up. I've learned that unless they are building the whole car it seems that you get bumped for any other cause. But then again I don't want to pay the labor for someone else to build my whole car, so I wait, and wait till they are free. It sucks but I'd rather wait and have it done right than be stuck with less than perfect work.

[SparkyRnD]

If you haven't already had the conversation, maybe you should tell both guys that you are more than willing to pay, and that you need them done by X date. Ask them for the cost to get it done by that time. If they can't commit or agree to meet the deadline and provide a price, then politely thank them and take your car elsewhere. No harm, no foul, and you can part ways as friends. If a shop has a lot of overhead, then they have bills to pay and possibly have already-in-place contracts that they are obligated to meet first.

[MrQuick]

With all the unemployed working in thiscountry you would think you can get some service when you ask for it.

Pull it and find another shop to deal with. Sounds like you are too friendly with these two.

[LeighP]

If you haven't already had the conversation, maybe you should tell both guys that you are more than willing to pay, and that you need them done by X date. Ask them for the cost to get it done by that time. If they can't commit or agree to meet the deadline and provide a price, then politely thank them and take your car elsewhere. No harm, no foul, and you can part ways as friends. If a shop has a lot of overhead, then they have bills to pay and possibly have already-in-place contracts that they are obligated to meet first.

Yep, I agree....I always make a time frame and the fact that I'm willing to pay cash quite clear going in.....and I make sure they know it, too.

[PT Sportwagon]

Well I have about the same problem, I traded my 95 Suburban to a friend for the rust repair on the wagons quarters. I had no real use for two big SUVs, I have an 04 Denali too. He works part time at a body shop, that is "officially" retired. but still does work. That was over two years ago. Still no repair. I wound up doing some temporary fiberglas repair myself until actual replacement quarters can be found. Which are scarce.

Tim

[oestek]

Many body shops will not put restoration work on the "front burner" because of the nature of collision shop work. Keep in mind when a wreck comes it, the clock is immediately ticking, insurance companies only pay for the time it takes, and will only pay for a customer's rental car for a certain time period. If your car is occupying the paint booth and it risks pushing an insurance job back a day, than the body shop is out that extra day of rental car time and customer aggravation.

[Tony_SS]

If you haven't already had the conversation, maybe you should tell both guys that you are more than willing to pay, and that you need them done by X date. Ask them for the cost to get it done by that time. If they can't commit or agree to meet the deadline and provide a price, then politely thank them and take your car elsewhere. No harm, no foul, and you can part ways as friends. .

agreed with this... Chances are you are doing favors and work for them too, so I think they should return the favors and make time to work on yours. But pinning them down on a time frame and being upfront that you plan to pay the bill in cash always helps.

[Toadman]

If you haven't already had the conversation, maybe you should tell both guys that you are more than willing to pay, and that you need them done by X date. Ask them for the cost to get it done by that time. If they can't commit or agree to meet the deadline and provide a price, then politely thank them and take your car elsewhere. No harm, no foul, and you can part ways as friends. If a shop has a lot of overhead, then they have bills to pay and possibly have already-in-place contracts that they are obligated to meet first.

Amen! Actually most of what I do all day everyday is estimates and meeting deadlines... 'bout time I turn the tables and get some results!

[TonyHuntimer]

If you haven't already had the conversation, maybe you should tell both guys that you are more than willing to pay, and that you need them done by X date. Ask them for the cost to get it done by that time. If they can't commit or agree to meet the deadline and provide a price, then politely thank them and take your car elsewhere. No harm, no foul, and you can part ways as friends. If a shop has a lot of overhead, then they have bills to pay and possibly have already-in-place contracts that they are obligated to meet first.

Sparky hit this right on the head. Do what he said...and don't forget to drive home the question of, "What's it going to take to get it done by date XXX?" Don't be jerky.

Here's an old trick I learned from Dale Carnegie and it works like a charm. The best way to get a favorable response is to go in with a good attitude. Ask the guy two questions that you absolutely know will get a "Yes" response...then ask your "yes or no" questions. Starting off with two positive responses is always the best way to get a third and fourth "Yes".

Good luck,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

shoot, the problem is finding an HONEST guy to build your car.

[vintageracer]

Paint and bodymen have RUINED the car hobby.

They have no concept of time and their word means nothing!

The customer is a dollar waiting on a nickel (the bodyman).

Now you know why DONE CARS sell quickly and half finished projects sell for 20% of their value.

Thank a paint and body man!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

...and why i spraypainted my car.





ahahhaha

[Tony_SS]

I have a real problem leaving my car with anyone... I just image them leaning over the fender and their belt buckle dragging the whole way.

[LSX67]

In response to vintageracer, you clearly have no idea about paint and bodywork. It takes a lot of time to replace (and make fit) sheet metal on the older cars when the only choice you have are parts made in taiwan. It's hard to find an hire quality techs that want to work on them because of that reason. I will not replace quantity for quality in my shop ever!! How can you say that we have ruined the hobby when there's so many cars with awesome paint and bodywork. As for your statement, our word means nothing, that may be your experience with the shops in your area but it's not fair for you to label every shop that way.

[SparkyRnD]

That one has more to do with lack of integrity, lack of morals, lack of customers willing to pay for quality work, and lack of customer's understanding that a quality job takes time. But, that's another discussion that is OT from the OP topic.

[AdvAutoBob]

That one has more to do with lack of integrity, lack of morals, lack of customers willing to pay for quality work, and lack of customer's understanding that a quality job takes time. But, that's another discussion that is OT from the OP topic.

^^^^ This nails it..
In my shop, I'm willing to work with a customer on labor charges, giving them a bit of a break if they agree that their car will be worked on between other jobs. I understand that people are not made of money (I certainly am not). If things get slow, and we can knock things out, it's a bonus for all involved.

However.. if the client expects us to work on their car before everything else, they are charged full boat, and it's explained that in order to complete their work, I will have to turn other work away. You cannot have it both ways.

Also, I refuse to do barter or "buddy deals" for work, as it ALWAYS leads to situations like the OP has.

Best of luck to the OP.

[Tony_SS]

^^^^ This nails it..
In my shop, I'm willing to work with a customer on labor charges, giving them a bit of a break if they agree that their car will be worked on between other jobs. I understand that people are not made of money (I certainly am not). If things get slow, and we can knock things out, it's a bonus for all involved.

However.. if the client expects us to work on their car before everything else, they are charged full boat, and it's explained that in order to complete their work, I will have to turn other work away. You cannot have it both ways.

Also, I refuse to do barter or "buddy deals" for work, as it ALWAYS leads to situations like the OP has.

Best of luck to the OP.

It doesn't sound like a barter or buddy deal in the OP to me. People think that when you pay for a service you are doing them the favor. Not so, the one who is providing the service is doing you the favor just as much too.

[Zachalanche]

Paint and bodymen have RUINED the car hobby.



They aren't the only ones. I feel like I never want to buy parts or service again, after some of the BS i've gone through. However, It's my understanding that there isn't a lot of money to be made on car restorations since they take so much time and materials. so they tend to be back burner jobs if there is insurance work to be done. The one's that are ruining it are the ones who cut corners and hide questionable work behind filler and paint. you really get what you pay for on this type of stuff which leaves only a couple of options: do it yourself, or spend a ridiculous amount of money to have things done right.