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TR6 TR6 restoration $$$ Problems long

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Were you planning on having a "Show Car"? Or was the car gonna be a "Driver"?

If you were planning on a Show Car, I think I'd let the bum finish the car and I'd be so picky that he'd wish he had never met me.
If you were planing on it being a Driver, I think I'd pay what I owe to this point, and I'd either finish the car myself, or find another shop to finish it up.

Either way, I'd let the bum know I was gonna tell everyone I can about the whole unpleasant expierence.

I wish you the best of luck with this
and please let us know how it works out.
 
Hi,

I've been following this thread with interest and am sorry to hear about your bad experience.

One thing I've not seen anyone mention is the fact that you live in California (me too).

California has pretty strict auto repair laws effecting estimates, additional charges after the estimate and detailed expense reports, among other things. Most shops require a signature approving any increase over the original estimate, but I don't really know if that's a legal requirement or simply good business practice to protect themselves.

I did notice in your original post that you waited a year and a half for the shop to get back to you with the current cost total. I wonder how much was being done on the car during that time, with you in the dark as to the increased cost?

My point is that you might be well advised to talk to your local district attorney's consumer affairs office. They can tell you more about the law and how it applies to your situation. Other suggestions to hire your own legal counsel are a good idea, too. Even one or two or three hours consulting fees might be a good investment right now.

Personally, I would not allow the shop to do any more work or rack up any additional cost until something is resolved. Even then, after a dispute I probably would not want to trust the shop to any additional work on the car. You have noted one error they made, and it might be wise to have another, knowledgeable shop looking at the car in much greater detail to see if further, hidden mistakes or problems exist.

If you can prove the original shop made an error, the cost of making it right at another shop might be recoverable from the original shop, possibly in small claims court.

Overall, it's an unfortunate situation. Mostly, I think you need to take control of it and do some serious research as to what resources you have available and what the laws are governing this transaction.

I ain't no lawyer, but personally I would not sign anything or make any agreements with this shop, or allow them to do any more work, until I had legal advice from an attorney and have talked to the DA's consumer affairs division. Then, after everything is hashed out, any and all further agreements with this shop or any other should be in writing, completely detailed, with a signature required before work can proceed.

Keep us posted!

Alan
 
Reread my post, I was a bit hard on SCguy, apoliges,I'm fun at parties too. I have heard this story alot though,and I react to it almost like its politics.Plenty of good advice above,now just take your pick. On the lighter side, have you considered a slip and fall in his shop?
 
Box o Rocks, "Whats he going to do with it"There is a saying For every seat there is an ARSE!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif---Keoke
 
Here's what we ended up with...

He's stopping work. I should be able to finish the car with very few problems. He's covering his work for 12 months or 12000 miles (in writing) and he's taking $3000 off what I owe him to this point. Bottom line $38,000 for an almost complete car. Oh, and he appologized for not working on the car.

It's not a bargin... but it's not bad either. Every nut and bolt is new. Nothing was left as it was.
 
SCguy, after some additional thought on your dilemma, I see that you also own another TR6. SCguy, surely you know something about these cars and are not a complete novice. How much do you have into the car to date, out of pocket? The cost of the car plus what if anything you have paid him? How about selling the car to him, backed by a barracuda for a lawyer? Get some or most of your monies back and bail out. For 40 thou, George Barris would have done it for you. Again, my sympathies. Hang in there....

Bill
 
SCguy, glad you were able to feel some satisfaction and if you have all the goodies put on the car, like mini-lites and such and never turned a wrench, not bad. Hope you are able to enjoy the car and it doesn't just set because you don't want anything to happen to it. Wayne
 
Oh, and by the way, nice photography, Larry. A real pro.
I would bet that you are really particular.

Bill
 
SCguy:
Suggestion:

Arbitration may be the best approach here. An arbitrator is impartial and does not represent either party. They will quickly establish the issue(s), review available information and propose a reasonable resolution.

Determine if your restore shop is certified by AAA (Automobile Club of America) or a member of the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Businesses that advertised either of these this agree to operate their business in accordance to AAA and/or BBB guidelines.

If the restore shop is certified AAA and you happen to be an AAA member, then you could utilize AAA’s services to perform arbitration. If they are a member of BBB, then you could use their services to arbitrate.

Should you decide to seek arbitration, make copies of all your records and other pertinent information such as times, dates and brief summaries of telephone call conversations and shop visits. You should also know exactly what you want from arbitration – pay a reasonable fee for services for the return of your car.

I know from experience that arbitration works towards the mutual benefit of both parties. But remember this is your hard earned cash, and you should not leave any of it on the table. Good Luck, GONZO
 
Suggestion:

Arbitration may be the best approach here. An arbitrator is impartial and does not represent either party. They will quickly establish the issue(s), review available information and propose a reasonable resolution.

Determine if your restore shop is certified by AAA (Automobile Club of America) or a member of the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Businesses that advertised either of these this agree to operate their business in accordance to AAA and/or BBB guidelines.

If the restore shop is certified AAA and you happen to be an AAA member, then you could utilize AAA’s services to perform arbitration. If they are a member of BBB, then you could use their services to arbitrate.

Should you decide to seek arbitration, make copies of all your records and other pertinent information such as times, dates and brief summaries of telephone call conversations and shop visits. You should also know exactly what you want from arbitration – pay a reasonable fee for services for the return of your car.

I know from experience that arbitration works towards the mutual benefit of both parties. But remember this is your hard earned cash, and you should not leave any of it on the table.
 
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