body shop jerk around

chilimundo · 02-10-2004, 02:46 PM

I make an appt. to have some rust removed around the lower windshield on my 911sc. Drop the car off at the body shop and the owner is gone. Call back two days later and explain what I want done. When he discovers that this is not an insurance claim, he says he's not interested in doing any work on the car---at any price. Now my chili's getting really hot. I live 90 miles from this insurance hustler and have to get a friend to take it to another shop that will do the work. Am awaiting his estimate with clenched cheeks. Main problem is that I live in a county in Texas that's 3000 square miles with one town in it [ie. BFE]. Nearest porsche mechanic is in San Antonio about 200 miles away. So for all you enthusiasts that ***** about the price of maintaining your 911's, you should try some of this! And yeah, this is the only porsche in the county. Adios.

v9ff · v9ff's Garage

I feel your pain... I came across this problem a lot when I was body shop shopping. They first question they all ask is, "Is this an insurance claim?" You almost have to "know" someone in order to get non-insurance work done.

One day, I hope to be able to do my own body work.

v9ff · v9ff's Garage

Hmmm... something just struck me. Did you sell some C2 Design 90 wheels on eBay about a year or so ago and one of the wheels was cracked? If that was you then I was the guy who bought them from you!

Jon Hile · 02-10-2004, 02:56 PM

Maybe you could connect with the folks at the West TX PCA. They may be able to point you towards a shop who can help.
http://www.pca.org/wtx/

chilimundo · 02-10-2004, 03:32 PM

v9ff, something just struck me. Out of the thousands of enthusiasts out there, you accuse me of selling you some defective wheels. If you're ever through Texas, please look me up. I have a boot heel with your name on it.

350HP930 · 02-10-2004, 04:17 PM

Your geographic location sounds like a great reason to DIY.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Duane,

Not related to your post, but when I was a kid I spent a month every summer in Ozona visiting relatives. Is Crockett county still dry?

I can't believe there's not a Porsche dealer in Sonora!

scottb · 02-10-2004, 10:18 PM

Take a road trip and drive it to So Cal. Have Pelican KevinP73 do his magic! He knows Porsches, and he's a great guy.

Well, it was a thought, anyway.

DavidI · 02-11-2004, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chilimundo
v9ff, something just struck me. Out of the thousands of enthusiasts out there, you accuse me of selling you some defective wheels. If you're ever through Texas, please look me up. I have a boot heel with your name on it.

Be careful Chilimundo, Steve has some backup.......

I am sure it was an honest mistake.....

v9ff · v9ff's Garage

Just for the record... it wasn't Chilimundo. On a good note, the guy did give me a partial refund so it did work itself out.

By the way, Chilimundo, I was merely making a statement... not trying to make a claim on anything. Maybe you should read my post again... carefully. You gots to lighten up buddy. We're all friends here.

Oldporsche · 02-11-2004, 08:28 AM

I visited Jones Autowerks, San Antonio, Monday. They can help you with expert advise or do the work for you. They are very experinced and well worth the trip. Bill Jones, owner, was the Porsche dealer for many years in San Antonio. Bob Jones, son, is now the shop foreman and very knowledgeable. He can advise you of probably someone that can be very helpful in your own county.

This repair shop has full machine facilities/fabrication. You can mention my name and probably get a friendly handshake. I've known Bill for 30 yrs.

Good Luck,
David Duffield,
Springfield, MO

vash · vash's Garage

this is the second time i heard of body shops not touching anything but insurance claims. what gives? isnt money, money?

Oldporsche · 02-11-2004, 08:33 AM

Probably because Porsche owners are known to be hard to please. Especially if they have to spend their own money.

Body shop work is notoriously known to be a matter of taste!

David Duffield

dtw · 02-11-2004, 10:16 AM

I've been looking for a shop to paint my car and tidy up the bodywork for a few weeks now. I finally found a couple that I'm getting estimates from, but I was shot down point-blank by several before I found some takers. Money is money but the collision work is more consistent and profitable income stream than doing 'projects'. Those that turned me down mentioned that while they actually enjoy the project work more than just slapping on new subframes, headlights, fenders, bumpers etc. to crashed cars, they invariably lose money on the projects.

Shuie · 02-11-2004, 10:21 AM

Ive been shutdown promptly everywhere Ive been. If its not insurance here, they are not interested. I found a guy who said he would paint the car, but he wasnt interested in doing any the body work.

Steve 82SC · 02-11-2004, 10:29 AM

After completing a 2 year mechanical project on my sc, the body imperfections really began bothering me. I shopped around for 3 months regarding some body repair issues, all fairly minor, but requiring a definitive level of skill. After finding numerous people that wanted to relieve me of my money, I was turned onto a guy whose been a body guy for 37 years and has a part-time business after his regular job consisting of Porsche only. It was a 175 mile ride to the south of Chicago to initially visit him. He knows these cars and is extremely personable. I dropped the car off to him yesterday and decided to do an entire respray, including anything else that may be required along the way. Was this alot of effort...sure, but hang in there Chili, your guy is out there.