So much of how 'things' are handled when a repair is being inspected DEPENDS on what the repair is.

I have TOTAL RESPECT for the person who was mentioned that did VW repair and only wanted what he wanted to do the job. That is his right to do so because he is liable for the work and has to warranty it. And if he has found what works for him so he only does it one time....and I could not blame him for his overbearing demands. He pays the 'costs to be the boss'. Sink or swim...love it or hate it...if people can not handle his standards...then they can choose another shop. or like was previously mentioned....get the tools out and fix it themselves and see how easy it is.

I get that on some Corvettes where I am being told what to use and I hand the keys back to the owner due to I KNOW that I will be warranting the work FOREVER. And that is due to 30 years of dealing with this type of stuff. A man has to stand for something at some point.

I do offer options...but to a point. And yes...doing 100's of the same types of repair...I have seen a lot. So...a 'high-low' guesstimate is given (depending on what is being worked on)....and if I see that it has gone nuclear...I call the customer and they MUST come see what I see.

Because about 29 years ago..one of my customers was a judge...and he said something to me that STUCK. "You are the professional...and YOU know better...that is why they are bringing it to you......and IF you do a repair to the standards of what the customer WANTS.... when you know it is wrong or not as you know it should be done...and a problem occurs that causes for them to be injured....TRUST ME...that customer will forget ALL ABOUT what was discussed and when he is my courtroom..he will say that "I took it to him because he is the Corvette expert and I did not know what he did. I trusted him your honor"".

From THAT day forward..I REALLY looked at all repairs that have anything to do with safety of the driver and the people in the on coming lane PRIORITY.

And that is why many times many of you think that I feel that 'my way' is the only way when I comment. Which it is not. It is my way. And maybe if some of you stop and think what I have to deal with and how I can loose my lively hood because I do a repair incorrectly (just like many of the others and shop owners who have replied)....you may then see that all I am doing is offering a different perspective that possibly many of you may not stop and think about.

DUB

 

You guys should have followed the 69 repair we're doing and posted on facebook.. To me, I'd wouldn't have fixed this car.... But the customer bought the car in May of 1969 and is the original owner. We painted and repaired the windshield frame 12 or so years ago but other previous damage to the birdcage and to the rear frame were not address at this time.... Fast forward 12 years and the car was to a point where if we didn't do something quick it'd be a safety concern.

The owner has pushed over 200k miles out of it but with little maintenance... until we got hold of him 12 years ago.. When you get a frame and birdcage that is this far gone sometimes it's time to cut the mustard and just move forward vs fixing... (our suggestion) Sentimental value to the customer was worth it and he is the one signing the checks so we have to go in the direction he prescribes. While we gave other options they were not within his budget.

We have a 72 re-frame job on the books in one month.. that should be another interesting challenge. The back ground on this is the customers wife bought him the car for his 50th birthday.. After an expert inspect the Swiss cheese frame car the wife bought it... So now we get to replace the frame. It's a coupe, AT car.. and while we told the customer to sell the car he has elected to repair it instead..

-Ernie