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?

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

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.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

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

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

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.

__________________
1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

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.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

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.



.

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

Even if he does pay, make sure you make real clear what you will warranty and for how long. This is one of those situations where the customer is going to expect you to fix anything that breaks on the car gratis for a long time. I would start charging storage soon.

Sell for $5K and give the dad and widow a check for $700.

Do you have the approval to proceed in writing? Do you need it in writing in your state to file a claim?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

It's a tough one.

I suspect that the "owner" does not have a clear title to the car. So many cars are sold on epray and the like with only a bill of sale and the promise of a easy title. This is the real reason why they are balking at paying the bill. I would contact the local DMV and see who is the registered owner. The shop owner trying to make a living is the real loser here. I would also "hide" the car because you don't know who will show up claiming ownership. I would also talk to the widow, as she has more legal say over the "estate". It's just business, no one should work for free. IMHO

The car is registered to the son it seems, he was about 35 years old.

He.... "bought the car from an acquaintance he's known for some time" and he's "always liked the car.".... This is what he told me, but his dad said, if so, he was lying....

Seems there was no love in that relationship!
Have a feeling Mr B was not close to the son. Why? Didn't tell dad what was troubling him .

A customer, who is local lawyer, said he'd officially write to Mr Blankenship or registered owner demanding payment or, vehicle forfeit to expressed mechanic's lien.
Here in Oklahoma mechanics lien is priority even if the bank owns the car.

Title 42 is Oklahoma DOT form to seize ownership for charges due.

I have done this before....File paperwork on repairs amount, storage charges etc....you have to post an auction sale three weeks in advance in local places....have auction...no one ever turns up...cars yours. Cost about $70.00.



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__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

If you're feeling really bad about the situation, and want to show a little sympathy, then maybe give him a little more time than you are obligated to?..... Maybe a couple of weeks or a month to think it over?....

But after that, I'd pursue whatever means you have to in order to legally collect the money or assume ownership of the car to recover your losses.

Don't let your sympathy get in the way of good business sense. His problems, as sad as they are, should not be your problems.

Mike

__________________
_____
1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

Update :
Seems the car is still reg'd to the origonal owner in Texas.
My lawyer has just obtained the correct paperwork from the Texas DMV.

Under the 'privacy laws' they need evidence of 'Need to know' or sumthin'

Lawyer is charging me $450.00 plus paperwork to file and obtain ownership.
Seems this is not going to be simple.
We have to get title papers transfered to Oklahoma and then apply for Title 42.

Stand by for futher news from the 'Alfa saga'.




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__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

Easyrider read that one correctly. Not an issue of sympathy after all. Why would the son put that much effort into restoring a car that wasn't his?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

He had aquired the car from the origonal owner and never got to do the paperwork...It was in a barn and not running .

This is why it's taking time to get all this sorted.

His father told me " I know Bill would not have put that much money into it."
My reply was..." Had you known him that well, he might not have killed himself "

I feel there are/where deeper issues involved here.
To take your own life requires irrational thought.
I feel, those who commit suicide are not responsible for their actions.

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

I certainly don't want to give you grief about what you "should" have done up front, but as I was reading, it occurred to me that if I was doing that kind of essentially vanity work on someone's house, I'd be collecting an installment about every $500 or $1,000 or so. Just show 'em the progress and explain that I need funds to continue.

I don't always do this but if there's anything sorta illogical about the work or the customer, it's cash up front or payments on a regular basis anyway.

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K