Body Shop Horror Stories & The one to stay away from.

Sorry to hear about your car disaster. As a shop owner , here are some things I always advise people to look at when choosing a plce to have your car worked on..

1. References from customers- ASK the shop owner for some- if they cant or wont give them to you- DONT GO THERE. Word of mouth on the street works as well.
2.Go to see the shop- look at the work being done-ask to see pictures of other vehicles finished. You dont need to be an expert but you should be able to notice bad paint or bodywork on what is in the shop.
3. Ask how they handle full restores- do they take the vehicle off the frame? Sandblast etc? If the owner says they can 'save you some money by doing X' might not be the right shop for you. I always suggest do it right the FIRST time- will probably save you cash in the long run.
4.Communicate- many of the vehicles have been in my shop for over a year and yeah- some for more than that- but Im communicating with the owners constantly- whether its a delay on my end (parts backorder,more damage than anticipated etc) or a delay on their end (finances,illness etc).
5. The Better Business Bureau. Quality businesses will be a member and/or have a good standing with them .
6. Use a legal business- guys working out of their garages that screw you? No recourse - its as if a 'buddy' was helping you out. Make sure you are choosing a place that is insured,licensed (if your state requires that) and has the necessary permits to do what you are having done. No sense of having someone paint a car if the town will be down to shut the doors...
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A lot of the cars I have ahd are fixing other peoples errors- all I can say is buyer beware and ASK ASK ASK until you feel satisfied . If you dont- chat soem more with the shop owner- if you STILL dont feel Ok about it- take your car elsewhere. Good luck

 

I've been on both sides of this issue as a shop owner, car owner and dealing with shops. It is a very sticky problem. I'm that I'm just a pinstriper. Never have a problem with getting the job done...There it is, I've striped your car now pay me.

Since I've been in the car biz all my life I understand both sides, the car owner wants to get his car done and the shop wants to make money. Problems exist and sometimes you have to to get to the root of the problem and it is all psychology. There are mental games in this business.

I've been striping for shops and car owners for 30+ years and have seen it all. Many times I've had to keep secrets about the shop. And I've let car owners cry on my shoulder concerning their ill-fated dream car. It is a touigh situation for them and me since I respect both sides because they are my clients.

In the last few years I've been quietly building a new business model; working with car owners and shops to help with projects from beginning to end. Yes there are many problems that come up but my expertise is getting both parties on the same page.

Acting a sort of a "coach" I help the car owner chose the right shop and once the car is there, I make sure the shop does the job. Lot's of car owners will, after some time, lose courage to stand up to a shopthat is getting kinda screwy, not me. I know how the shop thinks because Ive been there.

I also act as consultant to the shop.

If a car owner wants me to oversee the process I can do that. If the shop and the car owner are having problems, I'll do my best to mediate the situation. It is a tough call sometimes because I work for the shop too but if you know them the way I do and if they understand what I'm doing there we can resolve the problem before it gets too out of hand.

We need solutions to this problem otherwise the next generation will either do it themselves or not even get into old cars. And the businesses will close doors.

I think we have a new business opportunity here for those with the experience to help both the shop and the car owner.

I'm in the process of laying out the business model for this service for those interested in becoming a project consultant. This will involve not only the overseeing of the project but shop referrals, build consulting, coaching the car owner on what to do and what not to do, etc. I think it is a good business idea since there are so many out there who need help before during and after the process.

Mikey

 

I have seen this chit so many times and even experienced the same stories as some of y'all. I have watched my cars rot in body shops and interior shops.
It's got to be more than just a money thing with these guys. Maybe if we dig into the brains of these types of people it would help others to understand. I believe a lot of these guys get all hyped up about your project and then once started, realize how much f'n work it is and then lose interest. Besides there's another new project being unloaded outside.... oh look a new "toy" to play with.

Some of them I am sure it's just a money thing. As long as you are pumping money into their pocket they will keep working. money stops? there's a new guy ready to pump some money their way.

It's a real shame. I stopped building cars because I cant do body and paint and got tired of my cars sitting for days, weeks, months and then years in other people's shops waiting for the guy who you signed a contract with to get off his *** and fix that piece of **** over there in the corner of his shop. The one that has turned into a "shop bench". Yea that';s my car... the shop bench.

 

JUST REMEMBER WHO THE BOSS IS THE GUY THATS PAYING THE BILL AND ITS NOT JUST BODYSHOPS THAT SCREW PEOPLE PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND GO KICK HIS *** I HaVE A ""pro funny car guy from in the day thats been screwing people for years and he,s still out there doin it and every body thinks he,s a hero he got and I will get em........it just take time....