WOW SCREWED BY MY BUDDY OF 25+ YRS!!! another bad resto story....

[HITMAN 149]

hahahaha lmfao!! thanks khyron!!! 

[mikesbbody]

hahahaha lmfao @ mike!!!!
yea i know realllly... doesn't he know who i am?!?!? wait... who am i again??? lol


You have 2 options Hitman 1. go over with your Cop Buddies and "legally" shut the dude down (bust some shit up etc) or...(my favourite) go over with the "Family" throw him out, sell the other cars, and the "family" has another "legit" Business...and remember in the movie Donnie Brasco, Al Pacino "wacked" his Buddy who he knew as long as you knew your Buddy don't let "Frienship" get in the way of "Buisness"...

[HITMAN 149]

hahaha yea... he's slowly hanging himself with his business..... and his wonderful personality!!!! lol 

[jeryst]

Well, MY TURN.....As one who restores cars on the side, I have a story on the other side of this coin....
I had this buddy and I stated HAD, that had owned a 1970 Charger for about 13 years all beat up and rusty. He saw my GL and asked me to "Do a buddy a favor"...Well, I asked what he was willing to pay, he told me, I objected, he then began to come at me with the "Woe is me, I'm your buddy" thing....SO, I actually told him, if he KEPT the car I'd do it for what he could afford..Long story longer, I installed BOTH quarters, Trunk Floor (Hand made), Blocked the hell out of both doors(Hit right in the scoops), R&R All glass, as the quarter windows hadn't been down in over 13 years and were stuck), Rebuilt the entire front and rear window channel (This was BEFORE the AMD days), Completely worked a '69 Change over, with rebuilt R/T Grille, He bought fiberglass fenders and I had to block the hell out of of 'em along with repair them after damage during shipping, Installed a 4-speed where the auto was, Installed floor pans (2), Repair frame rail, Rebuild 8 3/4 rear, Rebuild/build 440 engine TWICE(His screw up), Installed trans, had to pull back out THREE (3) times (Again, he guessed at the wrong flywheel, and bell had a crack), Swap over front disc brakes and rebuild, He then decided he didn't want the fiberglass fenders and pays $1200.00 for two SUPPOSEDLY rust free/dent free fenders, which turned out to look like they'd been run over by a tractor trailer after blasting, and had to start all over again, He then decides that he wanted the side reflectors to actually WORK, so I custom made them out of Ford Maverick parts, Installed iner rear fender wells, Installed trunk extentions, Installed ALL seat covers, And Painted car TWICE (My fault this time), with PAINTED white tail stripe......ALL FOR $2000.00................................................
I told him he better be planning on keeping it as that's why I "Helped" him out.....Exactly 1 year almost to the damn day, it now resides in Germany somewhere, for a reportedly $30K.....................

SO, Not all shop owners/"Buddies" are like your buddy......Some of us get taken just as bad as you.....

Cooter, I think you are much more the exception than the rule. You sound like a real friend. Too bad the other guy wasnt as good a friend to you. He took advantage of you big time.

[hemi-hampton]

You said he underpriced the work. That's probably why he no longer wants to work on it if paid up to date. Are you saying you paid 100% up front? I've never heard of anybody doing that before   LEON.

[jeryst]

and my GF went there the next day and told him off & told him something (medical) im going thru... that he kinda knew about....AND STILLLLLL NOOOOO CONTACT!!!!! 

He has already written you off. His choices are (1). Spend a lot of time fixing the car for no further gain, (2). Pay you back, (3). Dissolve the friendship in favor of greed.
I'm pretty sure he has chosen #3, otherwise he would have said something to you by now.

He's the one that fired the first shot. You only have two choices. (1). Say OK buddy, No hard feelings. I'll just forget about what I paid you. (2) Dissolve the friendship.
If he's not going to make it right, the only way the friendship will survive is if you choose number 1. You are the wronged party, so the choice is up to you. You
have to decide what the friendship is worth. Personally, I'd choose #2. You'll never be able to trust him, and his guilt will eventually cause him to resent you. Even if you
forgive him, what he did will eventually make you resent him, so the friendship is pretty much doomed anyways.

Calmly, go get your car. Tell him you want to get it done and dont want to wait any more. You dont owe him anything, so there should not be any problem there.
Dont tell him you are coming for it. Just show up with a dozen friends, and a trailer. If you tip him off, he may do something to it, take parts, hide it, etc.
Dont let him stall you or argue with you. Just calmly load your car and leave. I believe you said you are a COP, right. Shouldnt be any problems there.
If it's outside, and accessible, go get it when he's closed. You cant get arrested for reclaiming your own property. Repo men do it all the time.
Once you get the car back, sue him for breach of contract in small claims court. As an officer, your word will carry more weight than his.
He's worrying about himself, you need to worry about yourself.

I dont know how it is in your state, but here in PA, cars need to be inspected by licensed inspection stations, and inspection stations are rigorously
patrolled by State Police Officers specially trained in proper procedures.
If that's the way it is in your state, put a bug in their ear, and make them go a little tougher on him.
He's made your life miserable, pay him back.

[mikesbbody]

Or...you could put a cap in his ass seriously though that is good advice get the car back and sue him very sad it has come to this but you don't deservethis 

[Magnumcharger]

It still amazes me to hear tell of people who own old cars let lack the abilities to do their own work.

I cannot understand the reasoning behind purchasing any vehicle that requires a complete restoration, then having to be dependant on other people to realize your ideas of what it should become.

I did the restoration business bit, so I understand this concept thoroughly. This is precisely why I became educated in how to do this work on my own.

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes.

[HITMAN 149]

hey leon...
no i didn't pay him allll up front... just a lil at a time... and we were close to the car being done. (mechanically). but i ended up being all paid up. and no if it were just "some" guy i really didnt know.. i would have held alot back till it was done.

jeryst..
yea basically that's whats gonna happen next week... i'll end up getting the car & my parts...  unfinished!!!

magnum...
im sorrry, but did you build your own house?!?!? do u do your own tattoos?? do you do your own plumbing & heating..ect..ect..ect. are you a "jack or all trades"?? do you grow your own food??? i mean cmon.. you don't pay anyone to do any svcs for you??? he WAS my friend who knows alot more about cars than i do..... yes i can do some "little" things mechanically... but i don't have a shop, as far as all the tools,lifts..ect...ect...ect
geeez that's like me as a cop saying.. it still amazzzzzes me that people don't know every law!?!?! or me as a tattoo artist.. "wtf...wow people can't do their own tattoos!?! but yet they want them!!! just some thoughts!!!
ok well im off to my docs apt in NYC.....
tty guys later....
thanks again for all your support!!!!!!

have a great day!!!!!!!!!

[TUFCAT]

The scariest thing one will ever face in the old car hobby is finding the right batch of good talented people to perform our work - and man, these days "good guys" are hard to find.

I still go to "recommended" people who my buddies have used and known for years.

...and for paint and body work - I like LEON

[jeryst]

It still amazes me to hear tell of people who own old cars let lack the abilities to do their own work.

I cannot understand the reasoning behind purchasing any vehicle that requires a complete restoration, then having to be dependant on other people to realize your ideas of what it should become.

I did the restoration business bit, so I understand this concept thoroughly. This is precisely why I became educated in how to do this work on my own.

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes.

People buy projects because they cant afford to dish out $50k+ for a finished product. Many of us hope we can do some of the work ourselves, and farm out the rest, little by little. Many of us have more time than money, and many of us have neither time nor money. And not all of us have the experience to do everything. I am amazed at how many talented people are on this forum, and how many have such varied talents. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. I've pretty much learned, over the years, that its cheaper for me to have someone who knows how to do something to do it, than for me to botch it up and then have to pay more to have it made right again. One way or another, we try to find a way to fulfill the dream.

[41husk]

I understand what you are saying, but if every one did there own restoration work, you would not have much work.  I can do many jobs on my own but often pay to have work done, time and many jobs such as paint and body, wich I have done on my own in the past I would now pay to have done since I found a local guy who painted all of my past cars including the 68 Charger that was first done by me.  He works much faster, does better work and the price is well worth the time I dont have to spend.  In addition I can come in and help with assembly, wet sanding or what ever he needs done and he will take money off the final price.  I had never met this guy until about 7 years ago when I agreed to let him do the WannaBee, Since then he has painted two more of my cars, one of my cousins, several friends cars and is going to paint my dads MG real soon.  I would consider him a good friend.  I think he was more upset about me selling the 68 than I was, but understood.  He takes half up front, but has asked if I could give  a hundred or two towards the finished project when he gets in a financial bind.  He does the work on the side out of his garage.  I would say he does 7-10 cars a year.  As for paying upfront, I am mixed  I paid in full up front for my Daytona clone.  The car was every thing I was told and more, plus Larry through in extras.    

[harlandodge]

as bad as i have been ripped off on my chargers i hate to hear someone at another shop has been ripped off to,,the only good news i can give anyone about restoration shops is that i have found a guy in kingsport tn that is honest and does great work and it doesn't take him near the time as the other shops i know and for less money then i have paid anyone else,, he doesn't do uphostery but is amazing with metal and paint,he is doing my 3rd car for me right now which is a 68 charger, well just wanted to say there might still be some hope out there

[RECHRGD]

If there's one thing I've learned in my 62 years on this planet, it's don't mix money with friends or family.  Money always wins out.  Bob

[elacruze]

If there's one thing I've learned in my 62 years on this planet, it's don't mix money with friends or family.  Money always wins out.  Bob

Old business adage-

"Never hire Outlaws or In-laws"

[bull]

There seems to be something about Chargers that attracts this sort of thing. I don't know what it is but I hear from very few Chargers owners who say how awesome their body shop experience was. Seems to me a lot of the problems could be averted if there was clear and honest communication on the part of both parties prior to any work being done. Instead though it seems that what one side is saying is usually interpreted very differently by the other side. I'd rather deal with an honest person who charges more than I would a dishonest person who tells you one thing and does another. The problem is you can't really tell who's dishonest until it's too late.

[Magnumcharger]

magnum...
I'm sorry, but did you build your own house?!?!? do u do your own tattoos?? do you do your own plumbing & heating..etc..etc..etc. are you a "jack or all trades"?? do you grow your own food??? i mean cmon.. you don't pay anyone to do any svcs for you??? he WAS my friend who knows alot more about cars than i do..... yes i can do some "little" things mechanically... but i don't have a shop, as far as all the tools,lifts..etc...etc...etc
geeez that's like me as a cop saying.. it still amazes me that people don't know every law!?!?! or me as a tattoo artist.. "wtf...wow people can't do their own tattoos!?! but yet they want them!!! just some thoughts!!!
OK well I'm off to my docs apt in NYC.....
tty guys later....
thanks again for all your support!!!!!!

have a great day!!!!!!!!!

I guess I'm a jerk.
Yes, I built my own house. Yes, I did the wiring and plumbing, and yes, I'm a jack of all trades. I paid to have my work inspected and certified.
I've had an interesting life, and learned lots of valuable abilities. I also learned that there's not a lot of people who can't do things for themselves, if they put their mind to it.
I'm sorry you had this terrible thing happen to you, especially by a friend.
I'm not saying you are stupid, lazy, untalented or otherwise.

What I am saying is that I know how much you want your Charger. We all want Chargers, especially those of us on this website. It's not a cheap hobby either, and eventually you have to pay for it - one way or the other. For people who don't have the skillsets needed to restore a car, I suggest buying one already finished. Thereby you avoid the pitfalls of having to rely on other people (and their generosity or fallibility's).
For those that cannot afford to buy a restored Charger, finding a "Project car" is usually the alternative. And this is what it is too: a project.
For me (and others) it makes sense to approach a project by doing a bit of self analysis before starting into it. Can I restore this car myself? Am I financially able to carry out this project to the end? What can I do for myself?
If the answer is that you cannot do the work, or don't even desire to attempt to learn how to do the job, then maybe buying a "project car" is the wrong thing to do?

Again, this is not directed specifically at you HITMAN 149. It's a bit of advice for others to help them avoid getting screwed by unscrupulous body shop owners.
My  

[69*F5*SE]

 

[66chargerkid]

I agree in the sense that people need to look at themselves and there situation to be able to take on a project car. But, for those who have money, that is alleviated. And for those who don't have time but still want to enjoy the hobby, then there comes another loop hole.
I do agree that being mechanically inclined to do the work yourself is GREAT! I would love to learn to do body work and paint work. But I dont have the time nor really the money to learn. You do with what you can, how you can, and with what time you can spare.
Thats why my charger still sits LMAO.

[HITMAN 149]

wellllll the plot thickens....
while i was in NYC today (as my douchebag "taker" knew!!!) for some medical stuff.... my cousin who came over to take out the beast (bullitt bulldog!! lol) and texted me that my car was in my driveway... i said yes my caddy is home.. we took her (my GF's) pathfinder today. he says NOOOO your charger!!!
wellllll low & behold i get back home late afternoon... and there is the R/T in the driveway!! with a cowardly note from my EX-buddy...... and some billed paperwork from the shop... "paid in full" but wuth some lil note in the corner "shop time waisted.. 26.5hrs" fuckin coward douchebag!!! he also said in the note that he would try & make some time at night & weekends... but he just can't work on my car at the shop anymore... yada yada yada.......
SUCK MY ASSSSSS YOU FRIGGGGGIN COWARD DOUCHEBAG!!!!!!!!!!! (appoligies for the language!!! )

so he had the car towed to my house... (knowing i wasn't gonna be home!!!) with 4 tires thrown in the back... the driveshaft in the trunk with a bunch of other parts & crap....
(i have to double check my list of what he has & what's in the car!!!)

[TUFCAT]

Man that sucks...but like others have said, it seems like par for the course when it comes to restoring our cars.

Some people are ruthless theives, and unfortunately its still somewhat like "the wild open west" in our hobby. 

[b5blue]

At least the Charger is out of there, the whole thing sucks but if he's going under you could have ended up in a lawsuit to get your baby back. 

[ChgrSteve67]

Your lucky he did not bill you for 3 years of storage.

Consider it the cost of learning what your two's friendship was worth and move on.

Sucks but that is the way it goes sometimes.

[elacruze]

he also said in the note that he would try & make some time at night & weekends... but he just can't work on my car at the shop anymore...

Ok, I see the backdoor open there.
Disclaimer; I don't know either of you. Here's my opinion, feel free to disregard it.

25 years is a long time. Ask yourself, 'how much fun have I had with this guy, and what has it cost over all those years?'
Showing some willingness to work on the car, even outside the shop, is an out for both of you. It's an open door to reconciliation.
Does he own the shop? Is he losing business, marginal profits? Hard times, very stressful. Maybe not personal at all.

Pardon my saying so, but New Jersey guys don't have a reputation for man-hugs and making up, so one of you will have to be the first to get calm and salvage the friendship, if there really ever was one.
If you spend a lot of time with the guy, and his family, sounds like a friendship. If he's just a guy who's been in the same places at the same times without any real life-sharing, a toss may be in order.
One of the things I've learned while studying people and relationships is that friends come at a price. What's a friend? A guy who will miss work and drive 9 hours to help you get your broke shit home? A guy who'll post bail and front the money for a lawyer? Yeah...that costs him though, which we lose sight of because we'd do it for him without a thought too.
The money's spent; but so are the years, and the car can still be finished.

[A383Wing]

My  here...at least the car is home....he could have taken the car apart and sold it off in pieces saying that you came and got it at some point.

<PS: I don't think I wanna mess with yer GF either...sounds like she could whip yer ass>