I really need some Help - Speedwerksllc

[kenaichoochoo]

Help me here. I have a 1968 Softwindow Porsche that has been at Speedwerks in Thomasville NC for about 4 years. Due to many circumstances (money not one of them) the car is not finished. The owner(s) needed some structural drawings done for them and I obildged, and we did some trading. I proboably did 8 to 12000 dollars worth of work (retail) and in exchange they were going to get the car on the road. Long story short. I have not seen the car in about 1.5 years. I call the owner almost everyday, I told him to forget the deal, I'd take the loss....I JUST WANT MY CAR BACK. So far, I have not gotten it back, seen it, or gotten a picture of it to ensure it is OK. I don't think the car is gone, I just think they haven't done any work on it and are embarrased. I guess I'm just venting, but any "real " suggestions on how to get the car back. I have spoken to a lawyer, and I know I can take that route, but I hate to burn bridges...These guys have rebuilt about 7 motors for me...But I'm tired of excuses and nothing being produced. Thanks for listening!

Maybe we should bomard them with email and phone calls...but I call nearly everyday as it is.

[Porsche Doc]

I know Dave and you may be right on the embarrased part.
I have never known them to be dishonest.
We see them at the PCA and HSR races.
Go down to the shop and demand to see it and then pick up the car ASAP.

If you get back and still want it restored let me know.
We would be glad to help you.
Were doing a 68 911L now. It has Cosmos wheels!
Good Luck!

[CarreraS2]

Why not just show up at the shop with a trailer?

[kenaichoochoo]

That's the problem..It is not there.. They say it is at a paint shop, but will not tell me what shop. I think it is at his home, which I do not know the location of.

[ianc]

They say it is at a paint shop, but will not tell me what shop

What? It's your car after all. How can you take that from them? Demand to know!

ianc

[david.avery]

I had this happen to my with Simons Motorsports out of Bolton CT 7-8 years ago. I towed it away one day. Come to find out, they had "let" parts be stolen from it, including a nice Weissach tail and some other stuff. I agree, rent a trailer and show up. Have the local # for the police handy (though they may not do much)

[randywebb]

another option is to file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office - cheaper than a lawyer and soemtimes effective

let's face it - on the facts you presented, worries about burned bridges are the least of your worries

or send a letter by certified mail to the owner - demand that your car be returned; give an exact number of days; and threaten a complaint to the AG

if you need a lawyer, then what you have is not just a give me the car situation - they have committed a tort - a legal violation that comes with punitive damages, among others. So they could be looking at a lot of money if the judge is a mood to teach them a lesson

[wholberg]

Originally posted by david.avery
...I agree, rent a trailer and show up. Have the local # for the police handy (though they may not do much)

I agree with this approach. Show up with a trailer and act like you mean business. If they refuse to release your car or take you to it, tell them that you will call the police and report the car stolen by them...and if they do not produce the car, call the police from your cell phone while standing in their office and report the car stolen.

I don't know anything about their reputation, but if they REFUSE to return your car, you don't know if it is because of embarrassment, or if it has been dismantled and the parts have been already sold on EBay.

When they do produce your car, take lots of pictures before you load it on the trailer so you can document any damage, missing parts, etc.

[kenaichoochoo]

I think I will draft a letter to the AG and copy the BBB and send them a copy with a deadline to produce the car. If I don't get the car I'll send the letter...might be fun to send to local TV stations too, but not sure there is really an investigative story there.

[david.avery]

Honestly, I think that you just need to show up. Shops do not always care about the BBB. The one I had my car at was once a reputable shop, but the father moved to Florida and let it with his crooked sons, who left my freshly painted 75 Carrera out in the elements with no glass. As such, they carried no insurance, and were obviously drinking/snorting their customers funds. They laughed at my attorney's letters, the police report, etc, so letter writing will only get you so far.

Take the day off from work. If you have a balance, bring payment, do everything in your power to make sure you can bring the car home. Bring a friend with you as well to assist in loading, so you don't have to depend upon them to help you.

I called and said I was coming monday to get my car, on a friday, have it ready. They didn't have it ready, but I took it anyhow. In your case, I would state "have it at this location with all parts concerned" and if they don't have them have it ready where it is. IMO, be prepared for some heartache, you will likely discover the reason they have been hiding it from you. It will feel good to have it back in your garage, and a reputable shop with a fresh outlook will help set new expectations. Good luck, keep us posted!

[randywebb]

all you guys saying just show up or show up w/trailer and giving good advice to someone else... but he said the car was off site at a painter's shop....

[Mysterytrain]

Bring a friend with you as well to assist in loading, so you don't have to depend upon them to help you.

Friend? yeah something like..."say hello to my little friend"

Well, you can give them the heads up first and tell them you will be at the shop to pick up your car on Friday. Then show up with your trailer, your friends and the cops.

[david.avery]

Originally posted by randywebb
all you guys saying just show up or show up w/trailer and giving good advice to someone else... but he said the car was off site at a painter's shop....

I agree Randy, but I spent a year of my life being passive with my guys, and no angry phone calls or letters got me anywhere except visiting the police station for a stolen parts report.

Truth is, "just showing up" isn't fair, give him a two day notice. I would hate to think that some unnamed paint shop has the car sitting outside with no glass (like mine) getting wet or baked by the sun unwaxed. IMO, you need to show you mean business... calls are easily ignored.

[randywebb]

agreed - to both posts

[TRE Cup]

when you go- bring a friend as a witness. There is no need to give him any notice- you've been more than agreeable - to say the least
Bring the day's newspaper to document the date on the condition of what you are picking up- when taking pictures.
best wishes

[Porsche Doc]

Did you ever find your car?

[TerryH]

Bring the police and your pink slip. Four years is crazy. Then bill them turds the 10 grand for the work you did for them.

Call it what you want, but your car has been stolen.

[DavidI]

Unless there are some other facts, the police will not be able to do much. This is a business dispute that is most likely to be settled in civil court. At most if you can factually prove criminal behavior from the shop, you may have an EMBEZZLEMENT charge in which property which was entrusted to the shop was stolen. This can only be proven if the shop cannot and will not give it back to you after all payment has been paid.

I would make sure you take along a very cool headed witness. You do not want a hothead that may escalate the situation. As TRE wrote, you may want to see if a newspaper writer would go with you as well.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out, David

[kenaichoochoo]

Well..It is going to hit the fan next week. Had to get a lawyer. Judge is signing a demand to produce the car and Sheriff will be serving the papers.

[87coupe]

Good to hear! I hope they go down hard. There is no excuse for this. People who operate like that should have their business license revoked.