O.T. I need your THOUGHTS """"HELP""""

Hello Forum Members.

This is a bit Over the Top for the Forum but I need to hear some of your opinions.

It all started in the Fall of 2008... I found a reputable Forum member who wanted to take on the task of doing a Complete restoration on my 1938 Ford 1/2 ton pickup. Anyway in late October of 2008 me and my best friend trailered the truck from Kitchener Ontario to Columbus Ohio to meet up with the Forum member at his home.

We set up the deal and what payments would be and that he told me he would be moving the truck later that week to his shop.

Anyway this is were all the trouble started. I kept in contact with the Forum member over the next few months and kept finding out that my truck was still sitting in his driveway. It is now February 2009 and my truck is now being started. The problem still continues. I find out he does not have a shop and that my truck is in pieces in his garage. Now it is April 2009 and I find out he has gone off the Deep End and his wife is leaving him along with the kids.

Anyway------ Fast forward to June of 2009.... I finally decide I cannot deal with this person any longer so I post a Message on the forum looking for someone who could help me with the truck.

I find another Forum member who lives about 30 miles away and he decides he will go and have a look at the truck to see if he would be interested in the job at the price I sugggested.

Anyway The Forum member gives me some great refrences and I decide to have him pick up the truck (which is in pieces) on July 8th 2009.

About a week later I talk with the forum member and things seem to be going fine. He tells me the job should be completed in 4-6 weeks. September comes along and Excuse after Excuse and he states to me that it will be done no later than October 2009. October rolls along and I am getting a bit worried as the weekly emails and photos are not being sent. I give the Forum member a call and he tells me he has had a few setbacks and will not have the truck ready by October. I understood and told him that would be fine as I could not trailer it home during the winter months anyway.

I tell him thats fine and that he assures me it will be DONE by April 2010.


April arrives and more excuses........... May and more. Finally 3 weeks ago I have another Forum member who lives in the area (Thanks Dave) go and have a look at my truck and reports to me that it is not even close to being finished.

I have just been through Hell after loosing my Business in November of 2009 and then just had Cancer Surgery in June.

PS

I have paid for the Resto in Full already. I just owe the Member $200.00 when I pick it up

What should I do

thanks for the read

rgds
Jeff
Kitchener Ontario

 

There are a lot of BS artists out there. If the work isn't getting done how you want it, take it back. It's your vehicle. I'm not sure how much money you have tied up in the truck but sometimes it's best just to cut your losses.

 

Take it up with Ryan.

 

wow, this really sucks. maybe Dave, that updated you, can help find some that can store your truck in a safe place for free until you can sort this out. need to get it away from guy that has it now. there must be a shop, car club, or someone in Columbus, Ohio that will step up to the plate. once this is done you will need to go to Ohio yourself, or good friend, to see truck in person and go from there.

 

If it were me:
I would personally go pick the car up and put it in my garage or rent storage, immediately.
Then, I would begin looking locally for a shop that has a good reputation. Meet with them, explain the troubles had in the past and explain that I would PERSONALLY be stopping by 2-3 days a week. If they have a problem with that I would keep looking.

Just my thoughts.

 

I agree with greenmonster48. This is going nowhere...might as well have your truck at your place. If you lived in Texas I have the perfect guy for you, but obviously that's not up for consideration. I shopped out on my paint and chassis work and I know what kinda frustration your going through. Wish I could help.

 

Just because they are on here doesn't make them reputable, get your truck home and under your supervision. Try to do it with the help of local friends. If you can't, maybe you can't afford to finnish just now, at least you can store it and prepare smaller components for later. These guys are bsr's, I know some on here will defend them, but they should have been honest with you at the least.

Just remember if they did it to you they will do it to others, names??

 

you're essentially the project manager/general contractor on your build. if your 'team' isn't meeting deadlines then it's time to find a new team.

 

You stated that you have paid in full for the restoration,which one or all of these crooks have you paid to do the work.? Go get your truck,I hope you do have some proof that you put out the money and take them to court and screw them right back.I definitily wouldn"t be looking for anymore car builders in Columbus,Ohio,three strikes your out.Never as you have learned in this case pay for anything or job upfront.Get your truck home and go from there that is if its still there.Good Luck.

 

How many time have I heard stories like this? Finding a good shop is very hard to do. Seems that everything is verbal, no contracts, so no one can be held accountable. Often the guys with the nice building/shop is the most crooked that them all.....

 

Don't pay too much in advance. I tell people all the time and they still do it. Money is motivation! That's why I get half up front for a painting, I have motivation to finish it. Something as big as a car project I would say pay weekly as the work gets done, no work no money...

 

Yes, good idea. There has been several unscrupulous types that have taken advantage of others on here. You don't have to get in the middle of anything, but it would be the responsible thing to do to simply bring it to his attention. He needs to know, as his good name is synonymous with the HAMB. Good luck to you.