Lude Generation

10 days ago my Lude was collected for a full respray and new metal welded into the rear arches. The company came highly recommended(which from seeing some of their work I cant disagree.
So I was told it would be about a week(I took that with a pinch of salt)

Last Wednesday I got a call from them saying the outside door cappings were FURBERED but they could get some good ones for a tenner would I like them, yes I said assumming they were making progress on the car.

Last Friday afternoon I rang them and asked if it would be completed by Tuesday this week as promised in the last phone call. Yes it should be was the reply.

Today Jenny and I called unannounced at midday to find the car parked in their yard minus the front and rear bumper off and all the bulbs and holders hanging down as well as the mudflaps.

Not happy to say the least. I don't mind how long it takes for a good job but for drokks sake don't feed me a line of bullshit.

The promise as they are running behind is about Tuesday next week. I did notice however the front bumper had been sprayed in primer and was hanging on the wall!

To be continued............

That would body lemonade me right off too. Hopefully the finished job will justify the wait

i always get a defined date of delivery or penalty agreement or a lower price.

this is what I have to give my customers so i expect no less.

i feel you pain mate. sorry to hear people in this financial climate will still drokk about with work.

all bodyshops are full of crap

probably the nature of the work too, but still wonder about most of them

I agree with what LLL and lude dude said, its jobby that are feeding you lies. The price your paying should be discounted for taking longer, when its done, put some foot to ass.

Bummer, but hopefully, once finished it'll be worth it.

Thanks for your replies folks. £1600 in my back pocket is staying there until and unless I am satisfied. If I was offered that money in cash I would be busting a gut to get it done. Still as i said before his work is supposed to be excellant so I am not going to pressure him to cut corners to get it done. The magnifying glass comes out before the money though!

problem is if you are using someone who's work is excellent you dont want to rush him like you said paul lets hope he is as good as he seems to be and its worth the wait

Fingers crossed the end wait will be worth it. I think it's scary seeing the things that may happen to parts of the car. But as long as nothing is damaged, broken and back in one piece when you collect I wouldn't loose your rag over it. Ignorance is bliss and all that!

As for the timing, a week is impressive to say the least! They should have been realistic and given you an honest timescale. Like you say, you'd happily wait so just be honest.

So was any work done on the car when you saw it? I.e. arches, dings dents, stone chips taken care off. Any primered areas actually ready for paint?

Rob it was sitting outside in the weather with the front and rear bumper off and the bulbs hanging down exposed to the elements! I believe from a glance in their workshop the front bumper had been primered nothing else.
Todays update
This morningI rang my garage who recommended them and the guy went round there and gave him a bollocking. Apparantley some welding work was taking place now. His comment to me was he was going to sit on him until the work was done and any further bullshit would result in a kicking. If it was not a good job which he assurered me it would be it would have to pass his inspection first! So that is where we are at at the moment.To be fair to the guy he does good work but is unrealistic over time.I can wait but I do not like people who try to fob me off. Those of you who know me would say I am a reasonable person who is upfront and straight with everybody and that is all I ask from from those I deal with.

To be continued..............