SickSilverado

My vehicle is at this custom shop near San Antonio. It's been there since March for a simple back half job (pre-built frame and ladder bars + all needed parts). The contract was for 2.5 months even though I was told it would only take a couple weeks. Payment was made in full (traded a separate vehicle for the labor) back in march) as stated in the contract. I tried to stay in contact with the shop owner this whole time (mainly through text). Sometimes he replies and sometimes he doesn't. I showed up to the shop just to find my vehicle untouched and the extras/parts missing.
I don't want to be a d!ck to the guy and have him do shoddy work or damage my parts. Not only that but I actually like the guy and can see myself being friends with him outside these circumstances. Should I pick up both vehicles or threaten to? I don't know what to do. I'm not a bada$$ and won't pretend to be, but I'm running out of patience. Been seeing him post pics of new work and still not do ish to mine. Heck mine is even shown in the background being used as a table/shelf.

joeformula

iTrader: (11)

I haven't heard of "contracts" with custom shops before? Nevertheless why not be blunt with him about him not fulfilling his end of this ordeal? Don't be a dick just be straightforward

SickSilverado

We have a printed, signed, and notarized contract.

I was blunt with him in person a few weeks ago and asked for his honest time frame and he said by the end of this month. But from the pics he posts, nothing has been done. I'm also afraid if the deal goes south he'll just keep my parts and give back the vehicle. The parts weren't in the contract but we had several witnesses see them take the parts and they were mentioned in our texts.

Footlead

iTrader: (18)

This is exactly why you never pay anybody for work until it is DONE because they now have your money and or trade and they now must make more money so Your job goes on the back burner cuz there will be no more $ coming in on it. The other jobs go to the front to make more money. I have seen this happen many times. If they want your money they will finish the job ASAP,,,If they already have it===whats the hurry??? The most I would ever give would be 25% up front.

SickSilverado

Yeah, I'm an idiot for paying up front. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm hoping he pulls through and does the work because his work is top notch as far as I can tell.

01WS6/tamu

iTrader: (37)

My TA has been in paint jail at a paint shop in Bryan for 1 year 10 months as of now. Bullshit excuse after bullshit excuse paid a grand up front they got started on it and it's been pushed outside covered up by a tarp for over a year now. Guess I'm going to have to paint it myself.

I feel for you don't screw around show up with a truck and trailer and be polite be honest and be fair you are here to get your truck and all of it's parts right now today. Record the conversation for proof if they guy trys stating you were cussing beligerant etc. If he refuses call the police and tell them you are at a shop to pick up a vehicle and they will not surrender it they will get both sides and do their job from there. They will serve as a moderator and you have documented evidence to go to small claims court with. If you have before and after pics even better. I am fixing to go do the same thing very quickly with mine. The above advice was given to me by a friend who is a law officer.

Wes89GT

As stated above, when you gave him the payment up front you lost all your bargaining power on getting it done.

Now you'll have to rediscover that power. Your going to have to get ugly, like above; demand your ride back, threaten legally or defamation....

...So who is this crook?

SickSilverado

Our local JOP offered to help get things rolling by calling the owner and warning him that I had contacted her and would proceed from there. But I think that would just push him to damage or hide both vehicles. I'd rather just get his local county cops involved and show up with my trailer out of the blue and collect my stuff(after verifying he's home).

I don't want to mention his name or shop just yet. He really does some nice work for everybody else and I don't want to negatively impact his reputation. Its a small time shop that's starting to do big things.

LSX Power Tuning

iTrader: (4)

A real chassis shop will give you a contract on a big build. My friend has had 20+ pro stock cars built and all had contracts with the exact finished price, start date and completion date before even starting. He paid 1/3 up front, 1/3 half way through on date specified in contract and then the last 1/3 on delivery date in contract when car was finished.

Yeah unfortunately in today's world paying up front is not a good idea whether its with cars, contractors, etc. I learned the hard way dealing with both, no matter how good you think you know someone if its a big job or expensive job there will be a contract and they wont be paid until the job is complete.

62nalide

iTrader: (2)

5yrs ago on a turbo build I paid up front for a turbo build est 5 weeks toget it done. They took over a year with BS over and over. Worst project ever and never did work with the shop and now I only give 50% up front. Sorry about whats going on and hope it gets worked out soon.

imma_stocker

iTrader: (19)

So your parts have already gone missing? What did the shop say about those and do you have a detailed list of EXACTLY what was left there?

If parts went missing then A) they lost your parts and obligated to replace them, B) they sold your parts or used them on another project (theft by conversion), or C) they still have the parts but cannot locate them which goes back to A.

SickSilverado

I guess the parts were being stored somewhere else. They're back on there now. Gonna give it a while longer...as long as the big stuff gets done I'll be happy.
I do have a detailed list and 2 good witnesses who saw what they took.

SickSilverado

Well, he started working on it and made some good progress. Now he's stopped and is not replying to text messages anymore. I don't know what the deal is but I'm about out of patience. I'd at least like a response even if it's just more BS. I've made plans to have someone else finish the work since he wont. Gonna show up with my trailer and drop him a couple hundred bucks for the work he's done so far and leave with both of my vehicles. The contract was pretty simple. Local PD and Justice of the Peace have been contacted.

Nismo Kid

iTrader: (3)

Man that sucks. You've had nothing by patience through out this entire deal. After your vehicle is back in your possession I'd share name of the company. I personally think the community would be appreciative knowing their identity. Keep us posted & good luck.

jdoyle

iTrader: (27)

the community would.

SickSilverado

I`M A SUCKER AND AN IDIOT. I went by the guy`s place and he fed me a line about my texts not going through and he needed to source the parts/tools to complete the job. So I let it slide. Later down the road I read my older texts to and from him. He knew for months what materials were needed and said he already had the tools to do the work. It's been stressing me out and I am really tired of being brushed off. Me and a couple guys from work are gonna go over there and load up my stuff in a few days if we can get another trailer to carry everything. It sucks, now I have to go find someone to finish it but not sure I want to after this.

62nalide

iTrader: (2)

Put him on Blast simple as that

charlie_gonzales

iTrader: (12)

This right here. Will help others from getting screwed and might help you out with him getting your stuff.

SickSilverado

Just shoot me! I went over to just let him know I was coming for the truck at the beginning of next month (January). He assured me it would be done before then and proceeded to tell me how busy he's been. I purchased (with cash) another service of his, paid in advance and made plans with him to pick up product...sure enough the product was non existent when I get there....he has to make it on the spot. Came out awesome, but still the BS is rediculous. Before I leave I realize that my truck is no longer in his shop. He tells me he had to move it to make space. Also I made a trip a few days before to drop off more parts....they were sitting same spot I left them. I have made arrangements to borrow another trailer and go get my stuff and my trucks right after Christmas. The court has been notified and I will have a police escort. My coworker bet me 6pack that my truck ends up "stolen" and my trade ends up "sold" to a relative. I know it's my fault for letting things get this far, but this has really put a damper on my Christmas.

charlie_gonzales

iTrader: (12)

Wow. Just wow. Who didn't see that coming. Why do you keep giving him more parts and more money? Stop protecting him and start protecting yourself. Get your stuff before it's gone for good, if it isn't already.

And go ahead and out the guy. This is ridiculous, before someone else gets hosed by him.