Issue with mechanic (hostage Beetle)

Hey Everyone..

I've been lurking for a while, but I've run into some trouble with the mechanic who has my '68.....Because I don't have a garage, I had to sublet the engine to be rebuilt. The workshop that I sent it to has already rebuilt the engine, but has yet to supply me with a written estimate. As well, I have wanted an estimate to get some welding done, as well as new ball joints...I keep getting an excuse as to why I haven't gotten my estimate...what should I do? The guy that I am dealing with is an older German mechanic who does good work, but lacks any business savvy...I don't want to piss him off because he also services my Jetta, and is really the only game in town, other than the stealership....which I refuse to deal with.

So what would people suggest? Getting the car home and doing the work myself isn't an option, as I don't have the space, nor the expertise to do the work properly, and the workshop that has the car now also has the engine from the car. So....what should I do?

Thanks,

Peter

Reply to
Pete Cressman
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In order to avoid disputes, it is important to be a good customer. Part of being a good customer is understanding, and obtaining a commitment for, how much work will cost and what warranties apply in advance of having work performed.

Before permitting any additional work to be performed, you really ought to find out how much the existing work will cost and when it will be completed. If necessary, write the mechanic a letter expressing your concern about his inability / unwillingness to provide written estimates for the cost of his work.

It is really difficult to prevail in any dispute about prices if you have not taken reasonable steps to protect yourself as a customer.

Tim

Reply to
The Guy

How would allowing your 'trusted' mechanic to know your budget and asking what you could have done without going over your budget?

Of course if he has not given an estimate on the engine repair, you should still know what it is supposed to cost. Maybe he is charging you between $1000 and $1400 depending on what parts/machine work is needed. Any more and you could have purchased a new engine IIRC from aircooled.net for $1450 and pay a little to have it installed. :-)

Estimates (in the USA) are supposed to be given to the customer and shops are not allowed to go over 10% of that without your authorization. Just don't sign any blank contracts. :-)

JMHO later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Reply to
dave

If you are a long time customer, trust him (hasn't gouged you) and are happy with his work then you might have best of both worlds. Its very hard to give a realistic estimate when working on a 36 year old vehicle. If you force him to give an estimate he will either double what he reasonably thinks it will cost or cut corners on the repair or make it up next time. There are estimated repair books around where you can get idea of parts and hours to repair --- that would give you idea of normal charges. Take replacing muffler - part is $60 normal install is say 2 hours or $90 --- then you discover that the are leaks at the heat exchangers or the ends of heat exchanges are bad, studs are corroded away or break off --- cost will easily double.

Reply to
Wolfgang

I know that having a 30 year old car makes it difficult to give an estimate, but the car has been at his shop for monthes...and I always get some excuse as to why it isn't (the estimate) ready.

As for the whole "don't let them work until you get a quote" thing...I never gave them a full go-ahead to rebuild, rather I told them that I wanted a price on what the car needed and the costs involved...they took it upon themselves to start the rebuild....grrrr...

I know that they won't "screw" me, per say, however I know that this mechanic isn't the most accurate with his accounting, and there have been a few discrepencies with billing when he has done work on my Jetta...

So....I guess the next step would be a strongly worded letter?

- Peter

Reply to
Pete Cressman

Peter,

You already know the answer to your question but you are in denial. Any mechanic can give you an estimate for work on a 30 year old vehicle. You may not like the amount but it is for to you to decide whether the work is performed...not the mechanic. Perhaps you are comfortable with a mechanic who lacks business savvy, isn't accurate with accounting and cannot explain discrepencies with previous work. Others might not. Not having another option in town is a difficult position but you are ignoring the fact that members of of this NG have(re)built their VDubs THEMSELVES. With no space, no talent, and tight budgets. A lot of folks have learned manual skills (welding) while working on their own vehicles...you can too. The next step is up to you. If I were you....I'd reclaim my car, immediately. I would find another mechanic. If there's not another in town...go to the next one. When you find one you can work with, treat them right. They're worth what they charge. And a good one will charge you what they estimate. Good luck.

Joel Bartlett

PS "On the road of life there are passengers and there are drivers"

Knowing the difference is the important part. Don't allow yourself to get taken for a ride.

Reply to
Joel Bartlett

snip

I agree with Joel. If you are not happy take it elsewhere and pay nothing!!! Just make sure you get all your original parts! Will we see you on one of those TV court shows? lol

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Reply to
dave

I agree with what you are saying Joel....

I am going to make a few phone calls on Monday and start looking around for somewhere else to send the car to...However, the thing that I am a little worried about is that this mechanic has the original engine (it's the one that was rebuilt) and I am reluctant to put another engine in the car with a different engine number...hence the reason I had this engine rebuilt and didn't go for a new Mexican long block....

- Peter

Reply to
Pete Cressman

Check this out, Mexican longblocks DO NOT HAVE engine numbers. I suppose if it bothers you that much you could get out the 'ol number punches and "clone" your original engine! My car ('74) had the original engine when I bought it, but a year into owning it the engine swallowed a valve. I looked very briefly into rebuilding it but it was obvious that engine had been rebuilt and machined at least once. I, too, also live in an area with scarce VW resources and weighed my options and decided that a Mexican engine was a far surer thing and so far I have been very satisfied with my purchase.

Reply to
Ben Boyle

they are very slow to answer email, I just purchased an engine at the end of

2003 it came around Feb 2004

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Reply to
David

Reply to
Ben Boyle

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