Bob,
Thanks for the laugh!
Believe me, several of my Porsche buds have told me to take a more aggressive approach and that I'm being too nice...I know they could also be right but I feel that no matter how loud & pissed off I'd get, it won't change the situation...and I have these thoughts of the shop doing a half-ass job just to get me off their back so I'm being patient. Sure this has been stewing inside me for a while now and I took a big step just taking my situation publicly to hear other views & opinions as I'm not into drama or looking for sympathy.
The BBS has convinced me to stick to a game plan so I will see what state my jalopy is in this Weds. and will get it back.
Again, thanks all for your feedback.

I've heard lots of stories just like this. When I really, really get exasperated and decide to kill a deal like this (which I've had to twice), I showed up with an escort - an attorney who specialized in civil and contract matters. I can imagine the possibility of a shop refusing to allow you to take your car from their premises on the basis they claim you owe them more than you claim you do. If they've strung you along like this, they have probably done it to a number of others and might try to play hard ball. They haven't shown to be too trustworthy so far. It might be worth the attorney fee for the time spent if you know somebody or can get a good referral. Not only would you have an observer with you, but him/her presenting his/her business card can be a little intimidating and might promote a smoother transition. You've already sunk a decent sum into this, so a bit more might be worth it.

Marv,
Since I started this thread, in the back of my mind I have been thinking of worst case scenarios like you describe...thanks for the reality check. Up to now, everyone has chimed in on "what" to do but no one has detailed if it would be "easy" to do until your post. CONCRETE911 mentioned them holding my car "hostage" and you're both right that this can/will happen. Thanks for another seed of thought, I will consider your suggestion very seriously. I'm going to call them tomorrow, if he claims someone worked on my car over the weekend like he told me I want to see pics. I've asked to see pics in the past and there would be a one or two day delay meaning to me he didn't do what he said he completed or he wouldn't respond back. While at the shop, I asked if they installed the muffler and did the bumper cutout for the exhaust exit and they never started...I don't understand why they couldn't get to that as that has nothing to do with the other work they've been waiting on.

All I can offer is be careful. It sounds as though there may be a cash flow issue. Hence the late shipment to plater's, etc. They may be on a cash and carry basis with suppliers. Be careful this place doesn't get locked out with your car inside.

Edit: I would also agree with Marv regarding an attorney (as much as I hate to involve them in anything). I would assume there was some kind of written work order. Have that reviewed and work from there. I am sure Califirnia has some sort of standard regarding automotive repair shop performance, standards, costs, etc. and that must be signed by the vehicle owner before performing repairs and any deviations must be in writing. Move forward from there.

If it were me, I'd call the Bureau of Automotive Repair and run it past them and ask for advice.
Sacramento: 10949 North Mather Boulevard, 916.403.8080

Having been in your situation once with a project vehicle, I can tell you I eventually loaded the car up on a trailer and took it home. Paid him for services rendered up to that point and finished it myself. I had let it go on for over a year by that point.

He's probably really busy and has more profitable work to do (or people yelling louder than you). As long as that is the case, your car will sit. That's fine if you agreed to that, but more often than not that's not the case. Shops that operate that way don't deserve your business.

It might be an expensive proposition to go in and grab your car. It is a nice thought they have all your parts nicely organized on a cart, but it sounds highly unlikely. I would imagine you will not be getting back all your parts and you will probably need to kiss them goodbye.
I would have a serious talk with the owner/manager about setting a deadline, get in writing what is expected, and offer up no funds until the car is back in your possession. You may also face having them put a lien against your title if you go grab it and there are funds due. I had a similar situation with both a chassis and engine. It isn't an easy thing to do but you will have a sense of relief once your car is back in your hands, even if there is work left to be done.

Haven't read other replies. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Squeak and give them a deadline. A hard deadline.

If it makes you feel any better ...
I've had a 964 in a SoCal paintshop for 3 years now after telling the owner I was in no rush :eek:










Saved me thousands in storage fees :cool:

:D

I've had similar issues before. Having quite a few cars I'm typically not in a huge rush and like better quality work, slightly reduced rates for allowing them to push more profitable, urgent work through.

That said a lot of shops have crappy practices. The common tactic of hold it and keep ncreasing the bill until the owner pays up or dies is one of them. They win regardless... either by getting paid ir by putting a lein on the car. In a few years they'll relocate, new shop, new 'owner', new 'management'.

Hi folks,
Just a quick update, this morning I e-mailed the shop manager asking if my car was worked on over the weekend and requested pics for proof. No reply as usual. So after a couple hours I called the shop and he answered, maybe their receptionist wasn't in, and again asked if my car was worked on over the weekend...he didn't sound too happy it was me but he told me that it was worked on and they were in process of re-assembling the door frames and qtr windows and taking their time as these are very delicate pieces and he would send me pics today...yeah right. I sent another e-mail late this afternoon to send me some pics. No pics as of this evening. That will be my last correspondence with this person.

My friend in Sacramento will help me get the car this Weds. as he has his truck & trailer for his racecar. Before I show up, I will call the owner who is down the street in the mechanics shop to let him know I am on my way to get my car regardless of condition. He will be there. I will not throw a tantrum and just be civil and ask if there's any compensation/discount for all the waiting, undelivered promises, etc. and hope he does the right thing as I square up the bill. I have consolidated all the important e-mails by date and highlighted all pertinent info the shop Mgr. promised to show the owner but I'm sure he couldn't care less. Once I have my car and parts loaded, I'm thinking of telling him about this thread, as you all noticed I didn't mention the business name, just that it's located in Sac.

ljowdy, thanks for the BAR number, I called but forgot it's MLK day so will call again tomorrow.
I want to thank everyone for sharing your thoughts/opinions/experiences as you helped to kick my ass to come up with a plan and just get the car. I'll post an update on Weds.

The two things I can see as issues on the "pick it up" are:
- It will be very hard to make sure you get all the parts. The "little stuff" quickly adds up to a lot.
- Are they charging you for hours of labor? If they have been glacially slow I think that would add up to extra hours for something done wrong.

These aren't things that would make me stay with them. They are what I would be keeping in my head to keep from getting "more fleeced" then you already are.

Another thing to remember is if you 'underpay' the shop and it's NOT IN WRITING and signed by the owner, the shop "may" slap a Mechanics Lien on the car.

Why not name the shop here and use community influence to have them finish the job in good fashion? That might be cleaner and best option for both... not a zero sum finish.

NorCal911, keep us updated.

I will be willing to bet, the shop is wise to this thread. I would expect a headache on Wednesday. I wouldn't be surprised if you show up and your car is fully dismantled or it is pushed outside with all the parts piled on it. I hope they are as civilized as you are expecting.

If they did that... they could expect far less business. It's a small world, after all; if they play rough then just have Jalopnik run the story. Game over in the internet age.

Oh and take plenty of pictures and video... that helps with the story in showing who is out of line if it comes to it.

+1

Regardless you should name the shop once you get the car.

How they deal with you from today forward will either help or hurt their case. NOT naming the shop is doing a disservice to all car and Porsche brethren in the Norcal area, including myself.

If they mess with you and don't treat you fairly, I will certainly do my part to make sure everyone in the Sac chapter knows about the shop and how they treat customers.

I totally understand you not wanting to post before you get your car back though.

David

update
 

Hi folks, lots of drama/comedy since I last posted (long).

On Tues. afternoon I received an e-mail from the shop Mgr. that one of the trim pieces needed to go back to the plater as it was chipped. He called the plater that he will drop off the piece and to put a rush on the job. I e-mail back why wasn’t this caught when you took possession of the parts? Why didn’t the plater find this during final inspection? No reply back. At this time I just can’t believe what a clusterf**k this has become. But wait…there’s more…

I left a message for the shop owner Tues. evening before close that I will be picking my car up Weds. afternoon regardless of condition. He was OOO but I guess bad news travels fast. He calls me back pleading to let him finish the car as it is soooo close to completion. He said the door frames are assembled, the rear quarter trim/windows put together and just need to be installed on the car, once that’s installed, he can install the F/R windows/trim. I asked about the bad trim piece and he told me it was a small chip on a surface of the piece that is hidden and not visible and is already installed so it didn’t go back to the plater. He COMMITTED that I WILL drive my car home this Friday.

This morning I receive an e-mail from the shop Mgr. that the part is at the plater…I reply back that you should talk to the owner and get your stories straight. I’m serious all, I’m not making this stuff up! The left hand isn’t talking to the right hand.

So, I headed over there this afternoon to see if what he claims has been done. My friend with truck/trailer is aware of this sudden turn of events and waiting for my call…my decision. So, I meet the shop Mgr. (no owner around) and what do I see…my rear windshield installed with a 3rd brake light. I ask what is that doing there? I did not order that! I’m not paying for that! So for the rest of the inspection I noticed that they attempted to re-use the 35 year old quarter window seals. The door frames looked good. They test fit the muffler and will clean up the edging of the bottom of the bumper. The A & B pillars dyed black to match the new headliner. He still needs to install the remaining trim above the doors & below the qtr window frames, new qtr window seals, door handles, interior door panels, sunroof panel. Pics below.

So, seeing some progress with my own eyes instead of empty promises in an e-mail, I told them okay, what time Friday will it be completed? I will get a call Friday 12 noon when to come get the car as I am an hour away. Okay, fair enough.

Once I got home, I called the shop owner and discussed my findings. When I asked about the 3rd brake light, guess what? They installed someone else’s rear window! Mine has a GD steal your face sticker (since this is a VW :)) on the bottom so whoever was tasked to do this thought Hmmm…50/50 chance to pick the right one. The owner admitted to the snafu and said it WILL be corrected and the car completed as PROMISED this Friday.

So, that is where I’m at. I’m sure many of you think I caved in and have made the wrong decision again not getting the car today, and some of you may think, okay, you got a committal date not from the shop Mgr. but from the shop owner this time, let’s play this out one last time. I don’t mind criticism as I’m old and in the way and can take it so have at it :).

If they know of this thread, fine, maybe it’ll open their eyes and they’ll make some corrections as to how to deal with customers and when caught in a lie, just man up and admit your mistakes. But I doubt this person’s behavior will change. If they don’t get any more business for these types of small, custom projects because of this thread, it’s their fault. They can join the BBS and defend themselves.

This is not over yet but now that I’m experiencing it first hand and reading what many of you have gone through, I am hoping for a positive outcome. I appreciate all the replies/comments/concerns. I will keep you all posted.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1421901586.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1421901609.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1421901637.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1421901665.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1421901697.jpg