advice on bizarre price for a respray!!!@??
advice on bizarre price for a respray!!!@??
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Discussion

kenny12

Original Poster:

1 posts

151 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Hi Guys,
I recently bought a tribute mx259 gto, based on a 1990 mx5, it was a turn key build by the kit manufacturer, had a couple of wee issues regarding leaks so put it in to a local garage. He persuaded me that the paint job was not good enough and I agreed to get a complete respray [ mug ] The quote was £2,000 but he then phoned me to say it would need to be £2,500.I ok'd that and told him to proceed. That was 4 months ago I have been in and out umpteen times to be given various excuses. This week it's ready, but the bill is now £6,400+vat, in other words well over £7,000. What can I do?

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

188 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Of course - you got a detailed statement of works in the printed quotation - didn't you?

Or is this heading for "I said.... he said..."



SMcP114

2,916 posts

221 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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How did he arrive at that price?

R8Steve

4,150 posts

204 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Did he say that price with a straight face?

What's the breakdown of that price, i can't see any way that a paint job for that size car could be anywhere near that price.

As previously said, did you get a written statement of costs/work to be done?

16plates

1,925 posts

156 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Sting.

Reminds me of a mate who put a sierra cosworth in for welding... £1800 was the quote, £5600 was the bill... He fought it but nothing was written up, other than the final bill which was well itemised with hours and materials. He had to pay up or lose his car, I think in the end he agreed to pay in installments as he physically didn't have the extra 3.5k.

You should have said "if it gets close to £xxxx, phone me and i can make a decision". That helps keep costs in check on a job like this.

Ask him to justify the cost? Where has it escalated, what's went wrong etc etc... Unless you have anything in writing its a you said, he said thing.

Unfortunately i feel this thread would have been better posted in the plod and law forum!

JQ

6,807 posts

208 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Personally, I'd get written quotes from 3 reputable bodyshops for the same level of work, present him with them and ask him to explain why his costs are so different.

chili1

439 posts

266 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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He's taking the mick!

Ask him to provide an itemised breakdown of the bill. Unless it was a full body restoration involving lots of cutting, panel replacement etc, I can't see how he's arrived at that price.

To give some comparison, I had the bonnet and bumper of my Focus sprayed last week. Cost £200 and he's done an excellent job. The local bodyshop that does all the paintwork for a Mazda dealership quoted £150.
The wife's car had a complete front end respray last year, that was £400.

V8RX7

28,982 posts

292 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Go down with a few mates and collect car.

That's what the gypsies do

bencollins

3,574 posts

234 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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JQ said:
Personally, I'd get written quotes from 3 reputable bodyshops for the same level of work, present him with them and ask him to explain why his costs are so different.
excellent +1

TAHodgson

875 posts

200 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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What exactly has he done to want that kind of money?
I did a full colour change (some minor repair work) on this for £1300...

toerag

758 posts

161 months

Friday 28th February 2014
quotequote all
TAHodgson said:
What exactly has he done to want that kind of money?
I did a full colour change (some minor repair work) on this for £1300...
discounted for repeat business?





jeff666

2,459 posts

220 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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It would be interesting to know their hourly rate ? also how much was paint materials out of that ?

TAHodgson

875 posts

200 months

Friday 28th February 2014
quotequote all
toerag said:
discounted for repeat business?

Darn, i've been foiled!
This one just so happens to be running a ZX12R Kawasaki lump, mechanically it's a Z Cars conversion so it's been done really well, kept road legal to go to and from the drag strip, mental! The owner is a PHer so heres hoping he does a build thread on it at some point!

Back to the thread, i'd really want to see an itemised bill for that kind of money! People that go stupidly out of the quoted price give us lot a bad name!

V8RX7

28,982 posts

292 months

Friday 28th February 2014
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Itemised bill my arse.

He agreed £2500 so you go down with £2500

If you don't want to take mates down and the £2500 isn't accepted then I suggest a solicitors letter follows - including threatening car hire charges etc.