Customer won't pay.(Little long.)

[dkveuro]

I was going to post this to Tech's Only, but I thought I would get input from some of you who use shops for your repairs.
This has been a nightmare job and a sensitive situation.

Please read on........

Refered to my shop to repair 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider.
'Make run' he said. I did. Been laid up since 1998.

Needed both TDC sensors/fuel pumps/intake repairs/spark plugs/thermostat/hoses and engine tune up..suspension work...tie rods ..etc.

He returns and said 'Make it presentable to drive"
I told him I do not restore vehicles.
He said he'd obtain the parts I needed if I gave him a list.


He asked me to paint the car . I told him I'd sub it out.
I stripped every chrome part/bumpers/headlamps etc.. and top assembley along with most interior panels.
Several shops quoted $2800.00 down to $1200.00.

Electric windows did not work. Cables stuck.
Top totally destroyed, only bows and braces left.(Rusty.)
Trunk full of chicken crap and rats nests.

Seats upholstery bad.
Seat pans rusted out.
Door hinges siezed.
Gas gauge not working.
a/c not working.
Radio knobs missing and...speakers shot.

I called several times but no answer.....five weeks go by, I find out he'd shot and killed himself.

I spoke with his dad.....he visits shop and says carry on as before.
I finished the job ...not easy, as I could not get an upholstery shop to do the soft top or seats. I had to do it myself......never again !

anyway..I got paint done for $1500.00.
I refitted all parts,straightened grill and chrome on front bumper.. refitted the interior,fitted new tyres and painted wheels origonal colour...chrome wheel lug nuts.... used CD player and new speakers..ressurected the a/c and generally made the car safe and drivable.

Sent dad the invoice.Total = $7300.00.... Balance = $4313.00.
(They'd already sent me $3200.00 for paint and some parts.)


Parts : $1700.00
Paint job : $1500.00
Top : $400.00
New tyres : $200.00 (Pirelli's.)
63 hours labour @$65.00 per hour.. $4055.00
( Spent around 150 to 200 hours actual, if you count all the hunting down of parts and finding out exacly what parts where missing and getting them etc etc...)
Local sales tax : $141.53.

Dad says he does not want to spend that kind of money.
I asked him to name a figure.
He said he did not want to haggle.( He runs a business powder coating window frames.)
I told him to make me a reasonable offer.
He repeats the car's not worth the expense.

I asked him if he did not want me to continue as his son had origonally asked ? Still said his son would not have spent that kind of money on it.

I said maybe not, he was to do a lot of the finding and buying.

So the problem is now that I have a real pretty Alfa in my shop and a customers dad who does not want to come through with origonal deal.

Yeah ! I know the car is not worth the money invested....but I told them I'd stop right there if they did not want me to continue as his son had asked when I first meet his dad at the shop..... dad said to continue.

I asked him what don't you want to pay for ? You want my labour free or parts..? He said he'd get back to me after talking to his son's widow.
That was last week.

What would you do?

[MikeTangas]

Send a certified return receipt letter/bill for the outstanding balance. When not paid after 30 days file a for a lien title then sell for what it'll bear or keep the car for yourself.

[dkveuro]

Originally Posted by MikeTangas

Send a certified return receipt letter/bill for the outstanding balance. When not paid after 30 days file a for a lien title then sell for what it'll bear or keep the car for yourself.

Thanx Mike....Automatic lien here in Oklahoma.
I'm going to do a Title 42 next week if no response.

[J. R. B.]

Don't let this guys loss of his son soften your heart. It won't put food on your table. My first rule of business is--I'm not in business to make friends.

[Hatterasguy]

Don't budge you did the work and now you need to get paid. Do as sudjested above and put a lein against the car. You can probably get $4313 for a clean Alfa. If you can't drag him to court.

Business is business it doesn't matter if the son shot himself it isn't your problem.

[dkveuro]

You guys are just brimmin' with pity ain'tcha !

I know what I SHOULD do....but I got a little heart too.
I'm going to see what the next few days brings...who knows, he might feel obliged to step up to the plate.

But like the O girl says..." And then again........."

Shoot...I'm quoting...tut tut.



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