Hi gang,
As most of you know I have a 71 cuda that is being restored over the last year. I received the finished shell back in July to reinstall the motor and drivetrain and had paid them almost $13K up to that point. Their original verbal estimate was about $13.5K done and painted. Paint was quoted at $3500.
Last month it went back to the body shop for what I thought was final paint. At that time I asked how much more I would owe them and the reply was $3500. Well that following week they asked for $3000 for additional bodywork on the fenders, hood and trunk. I agreed that it was necessary and paid them. One week after that was a request for $3000 check towards the final paint with a small balance to follow.
Saturday I go down to see my car and it almost done being painted and one of the owners says lets go over your bill. I am figuring the balance will be about $500 as I expected.
Drumroll please...........$10,124
No one ever told me that I was going to billed for 200 hours of block sanding, priming and sanding and plastic work. I flipped out and told them that I did not have that kind of money. Their reply was...we will have to hold on to the car until you can resolve this..
The shop came highly recommended and we have become friends of sorts over the past year but wow...call me stupid. :dupe
Any clues as to what I should do now? besides contact my lawyer.
