my c4 went to the bodyshop yesterday for a complete colorchange including repainting under the hood, wetsand&polish, reassembly, complete top to bottom for $2250
artist
Paint job problem
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 0
From: Old Skool, NY
If he was expected to do the entire work then he should be obligated to finish it.
If he is offended by you having someone check out his finished work then tell him you'll have someone check out his prep work to determine payment or settle it in court.
Since HE chooses not to finish what he started, its up to him to prove the value of his work.
I doubt any court would sympathize with someone who is basically blackmailing you and I think you'll get the better end of the deal from a judgement... and if he won't release the car, make him pay for it.
If he is offended by you having someone check out his finished work then tell him you'll have someone check out his prep work to determine payment or settle it in court.
Since HE chooses not to finish what he started, its up to him to prove the value of his work.
I doubt any court would sympathize with someone who is basically blackmailing you and I think you'll get the better end of the deal from a judgement... and if he won't release the car, make him pay for it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 0
From: Some Beautiful Place Sunny and Amazing One
If he didn't met your agreement you don't owe him anything. If you had a written agreement (contract) that have a description of the paint job that you want for the Vette you have your legal evidence.
Based in your description I can assume that you don't have a written contract with the owner of the Shop. If you didn't sign a written contact, you can remove your Vette from the Shop. Remove ASAP with a flatbed your Corvette from that Shop.
If the owner don't allow you the Vette removal, he can be accused of illegal "appropiation" of your car.
Consult your local Police Station Department and your local attorneys before any action.
Good luck.
Based in your description I can assume that you don't have a written contract with the owner of the Shop. If you didn't sign a written contact, you can remove your Vette from the Shop. Remove ASAP with a flatbed your Corvette from that Shop.
If the owner don't allow you the Vette removal, he can be accused of illegal "appropiation" of your car.
Consult your local Police Station Department and your local attorneys before any action.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
They should try and iron out the problems first. In the mean time I would be talking to the police. Although they are not lawyers, they have a basic understanding of the law. If its a gray area, they may not get involved. If its cut and dry, they may arrange to be ther the next time the flat bed shows up. Either the body shop releases the car or they face charges. The price of the work seems a little high but I have no idea of the scope of the work; how much of the car was disassmebled and how much/many parts were needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by 1mean71
Its Buzzy's auto in slatington
http://www.dc.bbb.org/codbrep.html?ID=50002300&cons=y
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Something is definitely not coming together here. I am not a lawyer so my comments on legalities would not be relevant. In any case you have taken the first legal step already.
But on the 178 hours claimed, I have my doubts. You estimate that the work is 60% done so the total time could touch 300 hours. You stated that the body lines were generally straight. You did not mention any bodywork that had to be re-done when the paint was stripped. (Paint can hide mistakes of the past and it does take time to make them right.) My experience is with my former 1979 and my current 1967. The former took 60 hours of labour and the latter 130 hours. It was painted in May of last year. I have attached a pic to show that it was thoroughly stripped of all brightwork (bumpers, door handles, etc.). So while I can only speculate not knowing your car, I find the accumulated hours a bit difficult to understand. It is easy to be judgemental on any situation from afar but you may wish to have someone look at the work records very carefully.
But on the 178 hours claimed, I have my doubts. You estimate that the work is 60% done so the total time could touch 300 hours. You stated that the body lines were generally straight. You did not mention any bodywork that had to be re-done when the paint was stripped. (Paint can hide mistakes of the past and it does take time to make them right.) My experience is with my former 1979 and my current 1967. The former took 60 hours of labour and the latter 130 hours. It was painted in May of last year. I have attached a pic to show that it was thoroughly stripped of all brightwork (bumpers, door handles, etc.). So while I can only speculate not knowing your car, I find the accumulated hours a bit difficult to understand. It is easy to be judgemental on any situation from afar but you may wish to have someone look at the work records very carefully.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 0
From: Old Skool, NY
If you owe him anything, its not per hour.... you would pay him based on the amount of work he's done.
How much would it cost another bodyshop to finish a 10k quality job?
If another bodyshop says it'll cost 6K to finish, then his work is worth 4k or less.
What hes doing is not ethical and maybe even illegal so you may not owe him anything at all.
How much would it cost another bodyshop to finish a 10k quality job?
If another bodyshop says it'll cost 6K to finish, then his work is worth 4k or less.
What hes doing is not ethical and maybe even illegal so you may not owe him anything at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
wow...5 months...and not LOOK at the car before paint.
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Thanks for all your posts. They did do all the work of disassembling. Taking everything off. The car did have a small crack(3-4 in) front rte bumper. My view of the situation is if your quote(UNWRITTEN) is 8-10k. And you are 75% done with the block sanding. There sure is more than 2k left to do. Believe me I would have been more than happy to pay the 10k. All I asked was to approve the pre-paint work and have a finish inspection.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: franklin sqaureish ny
Originally Posted by Richard454
wow...5 months...and not LOOK at the car before paint.
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
that is a very nice sliver... what sliver is that ppg??
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 81
From: Nashville, TN
Originally Posted by Richard454
wow...5 months...and not LOOK at the car before paint.
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
I have to say the guys that did my car (Alley Cats-Loganville, GA)would NOT put the paint on till I looked over the car!
Second - They SCHEDULED the car for paint-gave me a date to bring it in and 6 WEEKS (that's weeks NOT MONTHS!!!) later it was back home.
Third- I paid 5k-for body work and paint-I had stripped the car and pulled most if not all of the trim off myself. I had a list of what was to be done- re-bond flares, fill pass side mirror holes etc. I had it clear BEFORE the car was touched.
Their reqiurement was 50% up front and final payment when the car was finished.
I realize it's too late- but anyone getting a car painted SHOULD check w/ previous customers-Have a written agreement-and see how many cars are sitting around the shop. With that kind of money spent-do your research!!!
GOOD luck!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 1,174
From: out of nowhere
Someone suggested to ask him to finish it. Given he's probably now pissed and would do a poor job, I surely wouldn't do that. One year later paint starts popping off!!! Sorry to hear about your troubles and good luck with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by litevette
Someone suggested to ask him to finish it. Given he's probably now pissed and would do a poor job, I surely wouldn't do that. One year later paint starts popping off!!! Sorry to hear about your troubles and good luck with it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 0
From: Old Skool, NY
Originally Posted by mandm1200
That is not always the case. Some people just don't do a bad job, no matter what the circumstance or if there pissed.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 1,174
From: out of nowhere
Originally Posted by mandm1200
That is not always the case. Some people just don't do a bad job, no matter what the circumstance or if there pissed.