Hi all, I have had my project car in at my fav panel guy for 5 months now, and at the start of the work I mentioned that this was my absolute deadline. I have stopped in EVERY week to check on progress, so far he has removed boot lid and made two phone calls. I normally have a good relationship with his and he has worked on a number of my vehicles in the past with flawless results, which is why he's busy. Yesterday I went to see him again for a 'nothings been done' progress report again. So I suggested that I source the boot floor pan myself for him to weld in. He got very defensive and short with me, and told me to 'do it if I wanted'. Just wondering when it's time to find a new panel guy? Do I put up with this, and order the boot piece, or is it really time to let go? And how to go about it diplomatically. if possible?
jmma,
Feb 6, 4:27pm
Hang on, everybody is watching the News Lol (o: Time for diplomacy has expired IMO
kevlight,
Feb 6, 4:30pm
Its your Car and its your money,he obviously is too busy or considers 'that he has your car in his work shop and will get around to it when he feels like it' . time to arrange another work shop,retrieve your car and walk away. . I know of a car in Geraldine dropped off with instructions"to work on it when your not busy" its been there for 5 years ! and counting
ambo11,
Feb 6, 4:32pm
What? Its your money, he obviously is either too busy to be able to do it, or not interested. I'd be taking it elsewhere if you need it done quickly. Our local mechanic is terrible for not doing things when he says he will, 3rd time he's let me down this last two weeks for mechanical work he has booked in, so I'm not feeling the slightest bit guilty about taking my business elsewhere. Understand if they are too busy or not interested in small $200 jobs, but they could at least tell ya. I'd just tell him its been 5 months and very little has been done, so you'll be taking it elsewhere. Its your car, and your money after all.
He quoted me $3000 to do the job, so not exactly peanuts - AND it is a classic in the brand that he particularly likes and he has worked on her before for a couple of tiny things. Usually in and out in a matter of weeks at the most - not MONTHS. I like him, so it's hard to say 'mate it's time I take her home again'. I'm an employer so I know what it's like to be short staffed, but at some point that is no longer a valid excuse for NO work at all.
bella-boo,
Feb 6, 4:52pm
Ngatea is a fair hike from here with a car whose rego is now on hold as the WOF expired. She's too big to trailer - I've tried. The weight of the car and trailer is just abit too much for my truck. But, just in case I decide to move her that way, what are his rates like?
bella-boo,
Feb 6, 4:52pm
LOL - kids stole TV tonight - lost track of time!
jmma,
Feb 6, 4:53pm
This is what you should say to him !
trogedon,
Feb 6, 5:10pm
I'm worse at times! I took 7 years to do a clock restoration for a customer once (he wasn't in a hurry). Sometimes I appreciate customers who give me a hurry up and we set small goals. Maybe he needs that too. Negotiate him or you getting say the boot floor by a certain definite date. That done move on to a specific date for getting the old one cut out etc. Pay as you go too.
mechnificent,
Feb 6, 6:41pm
Go in and remind the guy that now is/was the deadline, and that if it's not going to get done (don't mention why, or what you think of it), that you should take it to another fellow you've heard of that says he can start straight away.
pico42,
Feb 6, 7:01pm
Something along the lines of. "Mate, we need to have a talk. I am concerned that the work you are going to do on my car is not going to be completed by my deadline. We need to address this concern. I am not here to play a blame game, but simply get in place a plan or programme to ensure that the work is completed. What do you suggest?"
clark20,
Feb 6, 7:01pm
Go in and talk , his pride is stopping him when he knows he does not have the time, he wants to do the best by you by the sounds of it. Just talk straight and see if he can do it, and let him down gently if he can't
kazbanz,
Feb 6, 7:30pm
OR --with every other job he's done for you you have screwed him over and he figures enough is enough. Just putting it out there.
blue35,
Feb 6, 8:37pm
As has already been mentioned, you need to have a conversation with the guy and ask directly when it will be completed and be prepared to remove the vehicle if need be.
bella-boo,
Feb 7, 6:43am
Are you serious? I can see how some people think that could be a thing to do, but I live in the same town as him, and I do business with most of his neighbours (bike shop, auto electrician, engineer, paint shop). I have never considered it acceptable to shit where you eat (eg ripping him off), and I always pay on the day the full amount he asks for. He is also the local supplier of Petrolhead magazine and I collect one from him regularly. I don't see how I could be the problem here?
intrade,
Feb 7, 7:08am
post 13 has the aproach i would take . The usa have trainings for shops and 80% of there doing can apply for nz also. They talk about shops who are extreem busy but are not making any profit and wonder why they dont get things done. this your shop seems to fall in such a catagory from what you say as they got no clean planning of how things are done. Professionally your car should be on there whiteboard or what ever system a shop uses with the end date marked 5 month deadline . So it gets done by this time. Now from my personal experience and i get real surprised sometimes but this almost never happens . when i need a part for example it dont matters who i order it from they always tell you we ring you when its here?and you can be sure if you dont ring them you be waiting till your dead or they have the nerve to tell you they did ring you, when you ring them! to tell you they did not ring you! when the answer is ah yea that is here since 2 weeks , i know for a fact they never ring i was always home and have a answer phone on back then. The real exemption is partsmaster whangarei they seriously do ring you when the parts turn up, each and every time if you ask them to. Its gotten better in the last 25 years with this problem but still now 5 out of 10 wont ring you back. its down to poor business practice as i found out.
kazbanz,
Feb 7, 7:46am
So then tis time to put the lean on. Id say the easiest way is to give the date for an event a couple of months away and tell him you are planning on taking the car to it. See how he reacts
darryl,
Feb 7, 8:46am
I would get it back. My car that was meant to be 4 - 6 months took 3 1/2 years because I kept trying to be diplomatic. You make a deadline - he doesnt meet it and you leave your car there, he just thinks he can keep doing it.
Also if you keep pushing for a deadline he will leave it until the last minute and do a shit RSB job to get it done on time.
supernova2,
Feb 7, 8:59am
Go talk to him and if he cant do by the agreed time then take it away. As for petrolhead just pay for the subscription and it will arrive in your mail box - simple.
kcc55a,
Feb 7, 10:03am
Don't talk just take the vehicle back. he obviously doesn't appreciate your past custom.
trogedon,
Feb 7, 11:20am
Is that like don't talk to your wife or partner. just leave them?! We have relationships with people, including the relationships we have with those who work on our vehicles, for a reason. Those relationships are usually worth maintaining not just ending prematurely. That's the nature of wisdom. maturity and (when needed) kindness.
kecal,
Feb 7, 11:45am
In my way of working i give all suppliers, trade people etc ,1 chance only if you cant do what you say second time around. your gone i go find someone else. so id be taking my money some were else
ozz1,
Feb 7, 12:14pm
best bet. order the part. deliver to him. and say " whens it gonna be done?" smile and say "i NEED it done by. "x time?" " can you do it? " please. if not "i gotta take it elsewhere" sorry. have been there . 3 months. and turned into 10 months and turned into shit job. my fault? dont think so. then the $ went up.
elect70,
Feb 7, 1:54pm
You wave a fistfull of 100 $ bills under his nose & tell him hell get it when the jobs done , dont pay any upfront that doesnt work , they just keep putting it on the backburner .
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