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Open mouth insert booth feet

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by EXK, Aug 12, 2009.

  1. pimpin paint
    Joined: May 31, 2005
    Posts: 4,937

    pimpin paint
    Member
    from so cal

    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!"
     
  2. Pooch
    Joined: Apr 11, 2006
    Posts: 869

    Pooch
    Member
    from Oklahoma

    If he cant deal with an honest opinion you are probably better off not building him a car.
     
  3. Pitbullgoingpostal
    Joined: Jan 2, 2009
    Posts: 450

    Pitbullgoingpostal
    Member

    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.
     
  4. roddinron
    Joined: May 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,676

    roddinron
    Member

    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.
     
  5. hotrod40coupe
    Joined: Apr 8, 2007
    Posts: 2,561

    hotrod40coupe
    Member

    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.
     
  6. terryr
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 285

    terryr
    Member
    from earth

    I'd buy it for the parts. $1000.
     
  7. voodooblackcat
    Joined: Jun 16, 2006
    Posts: 62

    voodooblackcat
    Member
    from Pacheco

    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.
     
  8. skullhat
    Joined: May 30, 2009
    Posts: 892

    skullhat
    Member

    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
     
  9. Comet
    Joined: Dec 1, 2004
    Posts: 2,571

    Comet
    Member

    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!
     
  10. ranfor
    Joined: Jan 17, 2009
    Posts: 101

    ranfor
    Member

    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
     
  11. wallace
    Joined: Aug 7, 2009
    Posts: 51

    wallace
    Member

    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).
     
  12. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

    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?
     
  13. Used Up Junk
    Joined: Nov 12, 2008
    Posts: 673

    Used Up Junk
    Member
    from Merced, CA

    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.
     
  14. James D
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,942

    James D
    Member

    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?
     
  15. Hitchhiker
    Joined: May 1, 2008
    Posts: 8,503

    Hitchhiker
    Member

    wow....ugly. he shouldn't own any more mercs.
     
  16. James D
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,942

    James D
    Member

    Thats right. What don´t you understand?:D
     
  17. Warpspeed
    Joined: Nov 4, 2008
    Posts: 532

    Warpspeed
    Member

    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.
     
  18. skwurl
    Joined: Aug 25, 2008
    Posts: 1,620

    skwurl
    Member

    It looks like a Pimp my Ride car
     
  19. djmartins
    Joined: Feb 11, 2005
    Posts: 410

    djmartins
    Member

     
  20. Ned Ludd
    Joined: May 15, 2009
    Posts: 5,484

    Ned Ludd
    Member

    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.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2009
  21. sloorider
    Joined: Oct 9, 2006
    Posts: 277

    sloorider
    Member

    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!!!
     
  22. onlychevrolets
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 2,307

    onlychevrolets
    Member

    been there done that.... I just got to learn
     
  23. Little Wing
    Joined: Nov 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,565

    Little Wing
    Member
    from Northeast

    I don't see where there is any question about the car,,Total show piece,,if he got upset about you saying that well...
     
  24. Nothing beats telling the truth.....
     
  25. strawberry
    Joined: Sep 13, 2008
    Posts: 291

    strawberry
    Member

    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,
     
  26. retroridesbyrich
    Joined: Dec 2, 2004
    Posts: 1,871

    retroridesbyrich
    Member
    from Central NC

    All that work and they forgot to put a wing on the back?????????????????:eek:
     

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  27. flynbrian48
    Joined: Mar 10, 2008
    Posts: 8,682

    flynbrian48
    Member

    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
     
  28. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,660

    Truckedup
    Member

    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.
     
  29. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,401

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    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!)
     
  30. dabirdguy
    Joined: Jun 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,404

    dabirdguy
    Member Emeritus


    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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