Where NOT to go for a PPI in Richmond

[plymouthcolt]

DO NOT use Word Automotive in Richmond for a PPI. You may as well take the prospective car to a Hyundai dealer for a PPI--you will probably get better feedback.

[hkspwrsche]

Call Lufteknic 359 9393 ask for Robert. He actually knows what he's doing. Very active in local PCA, etc..

Good luck


EDIT: Theyre only a few blocks from Robert. I've never heard of anyone using them locally for Porsche stuff. They do European cars but, never seen a Porsche out front that I remember.

[sithot]

There are few places to go but Robert would be a good choice. I would not go near the "other" shop. Richard Mitchum is also familiar with the cars but I doubt he would do a PPI.
The other choice would be G&W in Waynesboro but that's hardly convenient.
I don't think I'd use the local dealer simply because they are more in tune with modern cars. No money in a PPI unless you have some work done.

Tom

[kcf7z]

As an aside, I would only use G&W in Waynesboro if you enjoy dealing with the pompous and elite. I know they are well respected, but I had them hang up the phone on me when I called to set up a PPI for my 930. I tried to arrange a time I could drop the car off and asked if they did after-hours drop off since I could not get away from work. There response was "no" and , if I wanted to have them look at it, it would be on their terms and that the customers they want have "people" that can bring the cars in if they are unavailable. I suggested this was an interesting business practice as I was wanting to pay then ~$300 for a PPI and with that remark, they yelled at me and told me never to call them back and that they did not want mine nor anyone I knew to contact them for business - then hung up. I was baffled.

[mfbarnes]

Originally posted by hkspwrsche
Call Lufteknic 359 9393 ask for Robert. He actually knows what he's doing. Very active in local PCA, etc..

I second this. Luftecknic and Robert will treat you well. Go visit them...in a little industrial park that opens onto Tomlynn St. You have to look sharp for the sign at the street, turn into the drive and go towards the rear. It's on the right.

MFB

[sithot]

Sorry about your experience, although, I don't buy elite and pompous. Doing PPI's is not their business (but they will do one provided they are familiar with you and you play by their rules). Plain and simple, there is NO money in doing PPI's. It's a courtesy they generally provide for regular customers.
They are a shop that specializes in vintage Porsche cars, plain and simple. Of course, they can work on anything, but it's not the bread and butter part of the business. Selling vintage and historical cars is.
Weldon has been a Pebble Beach Judge, Amelia Island Judge and a long time Porsche Parade Judge. He's responsible for starting 2 PCA Regions and is well known by the factory and some of the greatest names in Porsche history.
He's forgotten more about a 356 or early 911 than most of us will ever know and I can say without reservation that he has always been fair to me.

Good luck and please don't take this personally.

Tom

[sithot]

Originally posted by hkspwrsche
...ask for Robert. He actually knows what he's doing.

Is this damning with faint praise?

Robert is a good guy.

Tom

[72doug2,2S]

Tom,

I got a PPI From Weldon in 2001 for $150.00. All he told me were the compression numbers. Since I've never had a PPI done before, I wasn't sure if that was all there was to it. I'm still not sure. I think Weldon likes it that way.

BTW, has Weldon done any MFI work for you? Is there anyone else you use in the valley?

[sithot]

I live in Richmond 50% of the time, less if I can help it.

Richard Mitchum has done some adjusting for me as well as a few other old Porsche guys he knows (like me).
"Mitch" crews for race teams from time to time and races too. I met him over 20 years ago and spent time with him at a Daytona 24 Hr. Race in 1983 where he was crew for Bob Beasley and his '74 IROC car. He's a good guy but mainly sticks to the Japanese stuff now. That said, he is still a good mechanic and I think he is more than capable.

Good luck,

Tom

PS: re: Weldon and your compression figures. He does a good PPI. I've been there before when he did one on a car one of his customers bought. It was more like a Post Puchase Inspection but since the car was fairly new (less than 10 years old) there wasn't much wrong with it. The new owner asked him to "sort it out" which he did.

[Doug E]

Maybe something has changed over the past 3 years but Word did a PPI for me back in 2001 and I felt I got a fair deal.

[Elombard]

I dont care what there main business is, If G&W treats people like that - I would not go there.

[kcf7z]

I understand that they have more important things than doing a PPI, but as someone who works in a service industry, I just could not understand his attitude. Weldon is the one who hung up on me. What I neglected to mention above is that I called back to apologize or just figure out if I had been wrong in any way with my question or attitude and his wife answered and told me never to call back and that Weldon would never speak to me again. Seemed to me pretty extreme. I tried to kiss and make-up even though I wasn't sure my fault, and they still treated me like crap. I know I'm not Jerry Seinfeld, but I am still a Porsche guy too.

I know many of you have worked with him with good result and I'm glad. I probably just got him on a bad day.

[hkspwrsche]

IT's a shame jerry doesnt get on the board. We could ask him to put in a good word for you at G&W!

[kcf7z]

Maybe I could get permission to speak to Weldon again

[jkarolyi]

>his wife answered and told me never to call back and that Weldon would never speak to me again.

Sounds like this Weldon is the Soup Nazi of the Porsche service industry. "No service for you!!!"

How can there be "no money in a PPI?" ~$85 an hour times 2 for easy labor with no risk of screwing anything up (thus working for free to fix their own mistakes) ...what's not to like? Especially since Weldon only does a compression check for a $150 PPI. Besides, what a better way to get a loyal customer and get additional repair work.

Either there's more to this story (Weldon's side) or he is a terrible businessman.

[kcf7z]

we did coin him the "Porsche Nazi". You are right that there may be more to the story from Weldon's point of view, but it would have been a misstatement that I did not perceive. I don't really have hard feelings and figure one day I'll drive over and chat with him. I have a hard time having someone hold a grudge against me.

[GeorgeM]

If you're willing to drive to Va Beach, call the guys at Eurosport,
425-6651.

[Elombard]

Good point, when I was in biz $150 for no headaches was welcome!

[sithot]

Originally posted by jkarolyi
>Either there's more to this story (Weldon's side) or he is a terrible businessman.

Hardly. This is a man who sells (expensive) rare cars and has done so for a long time. If you saw Rennfest II take note that 3 of the cars that won the concours were sold by him. These included a 917, a 934 and a GS/GT Speedster.

If you are into old cars or want to buy a rare or vintage Porsche he is a great source. Unfortunately, he is but one man, and has a limited amount of time to chat. This cannot be helped and he has told me as much in person. (Want a job? Be prepared to put in long hours and deal with somebody with more energy that most 20 year olds. He will wear you out.)

When he's busy (I've been on the receiving end of this) he won't talk very long and might even cut you off mid-sentence. Something is up that is more pressing. I learned to shake this off and have never taken it personally. Some folks can't deal with this sort of phone etiquette and that's too bad. I learned a long time ago that a lot of things that are said, or "not said" on the phone, should not be taken personally. He's called me back, sometimes days later, to apologize for which no apology was needed.

I like to make purchases based on my own common sense and the word of the person I'm dealing with so I have nobody to blame but myself. If I screw up, it's my fault. I've never bought a car or bike any other way. I like to do it on a handshake and a man's word. I get one or the other or am willing to walk away.
You shouldn't go into a purchase feeling like you "have to buy". That's incorrect thinking. Never be so “dialed in” on a car/bike/boat etc. that you are not willing walk away.

As far as the PPI goes, I wish I hadn't even mentioned it. Here's a guy who has forgotten more than most of us will ever know, is a real jewel of a person, a fountain of knowledge and a really great ally if you need him.

Good luck,

Tom

[kcf7z]

I figure I talked to him on a bad day - I'll leave it at that. I am sure he is wonderful if approached under the right circumstances.

To be perfectly honest, the main feelings I had about the whole thing were those of disappointment. I was excited with the prospect of have a place with G&W's reputation in my backyard.