Hey, The "Mercules" to me = poor concept, excellent execution! Most of the ''big money'' kustoms I see built today i.e. D'Agostino, Zocchi etc. look like street rods without door handles! Jus' stop it with the crate motors, bags, ugly wheels and the radials! Again, poor concept, excellent execution. As for puttin ones foot/feet in ones mouth, I'd have felt like a whore in church if I'd of kissed his ass to land the job, but I also have bills to pay and I like to eat on a daily basis! At the end of the day, you gotta look at the guy in the mirror. Swankey Devils C.C. "Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Compassion!"
Old saying I try to remember, "It's better to be thought of as a fool than open your mouth and prove it." Always ask more than you say... By the way, Mercules is the most beautiful car with the ugliest paint job I have ever seen. It's just horrible.
Well, it cost you a job, but saved you some grief. Could you imagine what he'd have had you building for him with his obvious lack of taste. That car is a well crafted ugly mess! I know a job is a job, but would you really want your name associated with a car that he designed.
Looks to me like he got the message when he sold it. They were expecting $200,000 - $350,000 with a starting bid of $100,000. The RM Auction site says it sold for $95,000.
You never know, he might come back to you because you were honest with him. I would much rather do business with an honest person whether he likes my style or not. Tell me the truth with no bullshit and you got my business. As far as the Mercules goes I agree with your assessment.
he'll be back...............i insult my customers all the time, lol. beisdes he aint there to get a replica of the other car, maybe he's feelin the same way you are now skull
Although it's not advice I always follow, I always try. An old boss used to tell me, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. I think you could have gotten the same message across without being so abrasive. I remember a client once telling my boss (who later relayed it to me), Mark (me) is the kind of guy who could tell you "no, that's a shitty idea" in such a way that it makes you feel good about being told you are stupid! Haha. Like I said, I don't always practice, especially while not at work, but it's served me well over the years professionally. Live and learn!
i dont think u made a mistake he knows its a queen and thats why he came to u to biuld one he could drive as thats what he realy wants. u will probaly get the job if the guy realises that u are right ...a car is to be driven and must be fun so good luck my friend
I dont agree with most of the posts. the whole tell it like it is speak your mind bullshit may have lost you a very highend customer. I dont do this for a living and I still will not put other peoples cars down its funny how many times you see people put there foot in there mouths at car shows you wouldnt believe how many arguements break out with this line (nice rat rod).
Rick, your work and reputation speak for itself. The guy certainly knew that when he entered your shop, and knows you build a completely different type of car than his previous garage art. If he's serious about having a traditional kustom built, he came to the right guy. If he's not, then he'll be talking to whoever is left at Boyd's. Let us know how this turns out, will ya?
I love all the guys on here that are so quick to say "Oh well screw that guy, blah blah blah...." I'm trying like hell to keep my head above water right now and I've done more than a few jobs that I didn't want to because I either didn't like the car or the style or parts that the customer wanted but the way things are right now I had to swallow my pride and get the job done 'cus I like being able to pay my bills. I wonder if half the "screw that guy" crew on here work for themselves? That all being said I do have a hard time with some of the stuff I've had to work on and didn't really want to attach my name to it but I did the best job I could and tried to make the finished product look good even if it wasn't my style. You always have to take pride in what you're doing even if it's not to your taste. You have a great shop and do awsome work so I bet the guy will be back. Best of luck on your continued success! Later, Roger.
The worst part about Mercules is that they somehow made the front of the car look like a 49 Chevy truck! I thought the point of a Kustom was to make the car more beautiful, and not more agricultural?
Ah ! You told the truth, you are indeed an honourable man. That is something to be proud of. And he KNOWS his other Merc is an impractical dream machine, which is why he came over to see you in the first place. He wants a REAL car built up, not an illusion. My guess is you not only stated an honest opinion that he realises himself already, soon he will be back again to talk about his new project in a a bit more detail. You did the right thing, and that is always good Karma.
Worst thing about PC is that people think you can avoid being Politically Correct by being Humanly Just Plain Wrong. Please don't jeopardize the thread: I want to know if the customer comes back.
Rick, this is a traditional forum, why would you even propose the idea of a street rod/custom discussion!Or did the traditional snobs need to do some bashing today!!!
I don't see where there is any question about the car,,Total show piece,,if he got upset about you saying that well...
don't worrie about it, build your cars and forget about it, you might not have been the right person for what that guy wanted, nothing to see here folks move on, build 'em and enjoy it . if he can appricate you for what you do he'll be back,
Keep your words sweet, you may have to eat them, huh? I've learned to keep my mouth shut at car shows and cruise nights, as invariably if I made a derogatory comment about some car I thought was ugly, poorly built, whatever, turned out the owner was the guy standing right beside me. Everybodies taste, skills, and dreams are different, who am I to judge? Certainly not everybody likes my car(s). As a business owner, while you may feel good about expressing your opinion, insulting a guy who might have been a patron, might not have been such a good thing. Maybe the guy is the forgiving type, I hope so, and that he comes back and you get the job. Today, more than ever it seems the customer should be right... Brian
Hmm,did you actually say the car is a piece of shit trailer fuck weasel and the judges are on crack,actual words? Or was it more like " I don't like those type customs and I build cars that are for driving"? I don't know you so don't take me wrong here..........I don't build cars for a living,I'm an electrical contractor.I have a tendency to be foul mouthed honest at times but experience has taught me to temper my words with customers even they they are profane. If you want to do his work,get a hold of him,explain you where being honest and got carried away.See what happens.
you didnt insult him so i hope he gets over it..its a trailer queen and he knows it.. maybe you will get the work, because you were honest..i think if i had that kinda cash i would rather have an honest builder building me a car rather than some shmuck that would tell me what i wanna hear rather than the truth..and if he doesnt call you back..trust me, you dont want his greef..hold your head up man..in my eyes you did the right thing..dont be a sell out on what you know...(and you werent!)
There's a Biblical story about a bunch of guys getting killed by a guy using the jawbone of an ass. That same tool has killed more sales.......
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