Dropped car for paint, shop wants half payment before finished

[UpSideDownDesi]

I have ran into this situation plenty of times where a shop or individual has been working on the car then asks for half payment before car is done, each time it didn't end well.

Currently my RX-7 is in for paint (been in for 6 weeks), I get a call today saying that they need half of the money because guys need to get paid. Car is more than half finished. I wasn't told about paying half of the monies before I left the car. They said, if i don't pay...car will be put back till end of September or after.

I just don't feel all so good about paying before job is done. Usually what happens is final price goes up after half payment, then you are in a situation you don't want to be. Price has already gone up good bit from what i was originally quoted, but i understand in business like paint nothing is solid until they start working.

It's a local, reputable paint shop. Some really good work has come out of there.

Thoughts?

[quickdodge®]

That's complete bullshit. I would definitely fight that shit. Even bring up The Man, if I had to. Later, QD.

[UpSideDownDesi]

I was told by the owner, that they are no big shop like Sprayglow, and only a 2-3 guys shop. Guys need to get paid as they are working and car is in there for extended time since that's the only source of monies.

I am at a situation where is loose loose for me, i don't wanna make them mad since they are working on the car, and at the same time don't want to be in a situation I don't want to be in.

The way i have dealt with any paint shop before is, drop the car, check finished product, pay the money and take the car home. Bring back if any problems.

I am going to tell them that i don't feel comfortable about paying upfront when i wasn't told about it, i would have taken it somewhere else. Nor do i expect my car to be put back since I can't satisfy something i wasn't told and being told after the car has been worked on. They said my car will be finished this week, and be ready to pick up early next week if i pay the half price.

[quickdodge®]

The way i have dealt with any paint shop before is, drop the car, check finished product, pay the money and take the car home. Bring back if any problems.

Unless otherwise noted, that's how it goes. When I had my CVCC's bodywork done up to the primer stage, I did give the money to the dude in stages. But this was discussed beforehand and I had no problem with it.

But if that arrangement was NOT made beforehand, then they have nothing on you if you decide to pursue this legally if they try to fuck you over. Let them fuck with your car. See if you can't get it documented somehow, all of this. Pictures included of your car. Later, QD.

[UpSideDownDesi]

Unless otherwise noted, that's how it goes. When I had my CVCC's bodywork done up to the primer stage, I did give the money to the dude in stages. But this was discussed beforehand and I had no problem with it.

But if that arrangement was NOT made beforehand, then they have nothing on you if you decide to pursue this legally if they try to fuck you over. Let them fuck with your car. See if you can't get it documented somehow, all of this. Pictures included of your car. Later, QD.

They failed to provide me a estimate for the car, when i dropped the car. Their computer was down. I requested them to email it to me, never came through. Now price has gone up, plus half payment clause. I don't feel right.

They said, "we didn't discuss it because it was going to be a 2 week job, and now it has taken 6 weeks, not that we are slow, but it was lots of work (given) so guys need to get paid".

[87 Turbo II]

This is sounding REALLY fishy, I'd get out of their establishment if this is the way they want to do business. They failed to give you a proper quote, then they say just because they have had the car for a while it means they've had to do more work (for all you know this is B/S and they spent 10 mins sanding [exageration, it could have been one full day of work] the thing, then let it sit for 6 weeks)and that it is going to cost more than a guess they gave you which wasn't really a quote. So now they wan you to start paying since you'res stuck with them and their unknown amount of prep work and they are probably going to try and continue to go up now that you're "locked-in". Man, DANGEROUS way of doing business, I don't like one thing about it.

[dimsumboy]

i agree with everyone else that's posted. in addition, if you decide to get your car out of there, do NOT tell them of give them any warning prior. otherwise they might do something to your car. maybe check and see if a police officer or detective can come out with you at the time of picking up the car. i'm not sure if they can do that, but it's worth a try. if not maybe get a lawyer to accompany you to do the pickup. maybe even carry a recorder of some sort to make sure if any threats are made that there is evidence you can produce. this is a long shot but maybe you could even call that tv news channel, i think it's channel 5. you know, the iteam investigations thing. if you're in georgia of course. also, the shop suddenly saying they needed half the money to pay the guys to get your car done by next week or if you don't pay it'll be put back until end of sept or after sounds la lot like extortion to me or at least a threat. there should be some kind of legal action you can take since they said it. in any case i wish you the best of luck and keep us posted.

btw, i'll be looking to get my car painted sometime next year, if you don't mind please pm me the name of the shop so i can avoid it like i'd avoid a 300lb chick in a micro bikini. did you just have a mental picture of one? i bet you did.

[UpSideDownDesi]

They are a site sponsor (i don't know if still), so i am gonna hold everything until i go up there an talk to them tomorrow. I am not paying the half upfront. Shop shouldn't depend on customers payments to pay their workers. Reason i went to a shop, not to someone to do a after hour job that I will pay in installments.

I was told that there was a prior paint job on the car that wasn't done properly so to do this one properly it was going to take more work, which they couldn't see before they started working on the car. Price went up $300 to add extra work & sealer on whole car and car was suppose to be done that week. 2 weeks go by, i call in yesterday, and price has gone up another $300 because more work went in. I asked why has it gone up, i was given same details for why it went up initially...guys had to do more work to because of shitty previous paint job, and more dents they found. Last i checked (2 weeks ago) all the dents on the car were patched up. I am gonna go tomorrow and see how much more work has been put in since i last saw the car.

I am hoping all my gut feelings go to shit, all this comes out butter smooth and the shop keeps the reputation it has been for awesome work.

[Gabe]

any updates on the car?

[UpSideDownDesi]

any updates on the car?

went up, talked to them, expressed how a felt about the whole deal, always talk in person if anything needs to get discussed, came to a agreement, and made the payment. Should have the car back this week. It looked good, and attention to prep work was impressive. Worth the extra premium.

[EmminoDaGreat]

This seems to be a different situation, But we usually ask customers to pay for parts up front.

[UpSideDownDesi]

only part i wasn't happy was with not being told upfront about paying because i would have put that money to side than rushing in couple of days to dig it out. Plus, being burned in the same type of situation before so all my red flags came up, but after talking to the owner thing calmed down a bit.

[quickdodge®]

This seems to be a different situation, But we usually ask customers to pay for parts up front.

There's a huge difference in ordering parts and painting cars, though. Later, QD.

[Austin?]

we going to need some picture of it

[TicketRedBB6]

went up, talked to them, expressed how a felt about the whole deal, always talk in person if anything needs to get discussed, came to a agreement, and made the payment. Should have the car back this week. It looked good, and attention to prep work was impressive. Worth the extra premium.

Good thing you went in person then, since you were happy with the extra work they were telling you about. Most people would've called over the phone and made a huge scene over what could be nothing. Good call, hope it turns out well.

[-S Double C-]

seen the car today, ass loads of orange peel, trash in the paint, fish eye in the bumper. and some dry spray on the mirrors

[TicketRedBB6]

seen the car today, ass loads of orange peel, trash in the paint, fish eye in the bumper. and some dry spray on the mirrors

Damn. Time for another one on one chat with the owner

[UpSideDownDesi]

seen the car today, ass loads of orange peel, trash in the paint, fish eye in the bumper. and some dry spray on the mirrors

u saw my car?

[umairejaz]

In for update.... let us know how it goes bro.

[DynamicSound]

My question is what did they have to do to the car to need to have it for 6 weeks??

[UpSideDownDesi]

My question is what did they have to do to the car to need to have it for 6 weeks??

Full car paint, full tear down, stripping, prep, paint....u can stay restoration OEM quality paint job.

[GGPIS3]

i agree with everyone as well. you should have been told that payment was needed at the beginning.. its funny because i've heard this same story not too long ago and he also gave the same excuse of having to pay his employees....

if the business owner wisened up a bit, he would just charge for all the materials upfront. now if times are really slow and you are stretching to make ends meet, then you do what you have to even if it seems a bit unorthodox or even rude.

[umairejaz]

^It really shows the company's long term strength as a business, which at that rate....I wouldn't trust it. I hope it ends well, I hope to see boner inducing pictures posted asap.

[UpSideDownDesi]

I didn't change the color, it got OEM Montego Blue sprayed back on it. No exterior modification either, as OEM as collector FD RX-7 is suppose to look like.

[Vteckidd]

It's totally commo to require half payment up front. Small businesses don't have deep pockets moat operate very close to "break even"

so if they are slow and have a tough week it's nOt uncommon to call someones bill in up to a point to get more cashflow . It's all about staying liquid

always sign an invoice and get an estimate thought you would have learned that lesson by now sonny

[OnURleft]

I think you should leave it and let them finish. I think it's horrible that they forgot to email you and let you know but they are probably frustrated with how much time they had to put into it to get the crappy paint job that was put on, off. Probably a huge bitch that they didn't expect

[5speed]

Take the car out of their shop! Only pay for what has been done to the vehicle and document anything done wrong. Take the car to another shop to be finished and done in a way that you would be satisfied. It is your right.