When your gut tells you "STOP" after 1000 hours
Discussion
I had a dream of restoring a 1930s vehicle and hoped that one day that I would be able to drive it down country lanes... I found one and the romance began...
But then I took a job abroad and decided to leave the car with someone I trusted - a friendly classic car restoration workshop. The alternative would be to garage the car for several years, and that wouldn't achieve the dream would it?
Every few years I visited the UK and when I did the car was in the workshop being worked on - progress was being made, albeit slowly.
And now with just 2 years before I retire back to the UK, I find that I have been charged a huge sum of money by the restorer, but still have an unfinished project with no end in sight... just the restorer asking for more money.
"How did I get into this situation?" Well, the fact is I enjoyed the idea that I was saving a car from the scrap heap... I was its saviour and that meant something. And then, because I was out of the country, I liked the idea that someone would be moving the project along in my absence.
But now, after trusting my restorer for so long, my gut tells me that I have been over-charged and I am angry with myself for allowing the restorer to claim for work done without offering any evidence.
I don't want to admit defeat, but my gut tells me to stop and accept the life lesson, but like a gambler that spends more trying to win back what has been lost, I find myself wanting to keep going...
Perhaps what I need is a restorer who is able to give me a fixed price to complete the project, rather than continue to pay an hourly rate whilst the car is siting in the workshop, or perhaps I should listen to my gut and find an exit from this obsession...
I am sharing this in case there is someone out there, who is about to begin a restoration project... as I did 25 years ago. Think very carefully about what you are doing my friend.
But then I took a job abroad and decided to leave the car with someone I trusted - a friendly classic car restoration workshop. The alternative would be to garage the car for several years, and that wouldn't achieve the dream would it?
Every few years I visited the UK and when I did the car was in the workshop being worked on - progress was being made, albeit slowly.
And now with just 2 years before I retire back to the UK, I find that I have been charged a huge sum of money by the restorer, but still have an unfinished project with no end in sight... just the restorer asking for more money.
"How did I get into this situation?" Well, the fact is I enjoyed the idea that I was saving a car from the scrap heap... I was its saviour and that meant something. And then, because I was out of the country, I liked the idea that someone would be moving the project along in my absence.
But now, after trusting my restorer for so long, my gut tells me that I have been over-charged and I am angry with myself for allowing the restorer to claim for work done without offering any evidence.
I don't want to admit defeat, but my gut tells me to stop and accept the life lesson, but like a gambler that spends more trying to win back what has been lost, I find myself wanting to keep going...
Perhaps what I need is a restorer who is able to give me a fixed price to complete the project, rather than continue to pay an hourly rate whilst the car is siting in the workshop, or perhaps I should listen to my gut and find an exit from this obsession...
I am sharing this in case there is someone out there, who is about to begin a restoration project... as I did 25 years ago. Think very carefully about what you are doing my friend.
Have you been given a breakdown of what the costs relate to?
If not that would be my first request: How can you be expected to pay without knowing what you are paying for.
Are they charging you for storage in between the periods they were working on the car? If so, was that agreed. If it was agreed was it verbal or written contract?
How long has the car been with them. What time limit was expected when the car was first lodged with them. Was the progress hampered by your ability to fund their work or were they too busy to commit to a restoration in a short space of time at an affordable rate?
If not that would be my first request: How can you be expected to pay without knowing what you are paying for.
Are they charging you for storage in between the periods they were working on the car? If so, was that agreed. If it was agreed was it verbal or written contract?
How long has the car been with them. What time limit was expected when the car was first lodged with them. Was the progress hampered by your ability to fund their work or were they too busy to commit to a restoration in a short space of time at an affordable rate?
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
But a disagreement over what was agreed several years ago in a verbal contract isn't fraud, it's a dispute.I agree its frustrating which is why the OP needs to understand the position of the restorer and reach a realistic understanding and assessment of whether its unreasonable based upon what was agreed.
I have nothing really to add in the way of advice, and I hope you get it resolved in a satisfactory manor.
It reminded me of this, which I saw yesterday.:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1963-lancia-fla...
It reminded me of this, which I saw yesterday.:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1963-lancia-fla...
Auction said:
It was during the mid-eighties that the car became the subject of an 18-month court battle after a bill for the car's restoration, estimated at £5,000, was invoiced to the (understandably) upset then owner at £37,000! Interestingly, however, the court found in favour of the restorers.
Not necessarily the news you wanted to hear according to that article, though this one was completed to a high standard. might be more information somewhere.Edited by Mighty Flex on Tuesday 8th August 17:56
The restorer says he only has a record of the time the car was in the workshop, but I replied that I wanted to know the exact details of the work performed. I think that is fair and reasonable. I am waiting for his response.
We had a verbal agreement that he would store the car for free when it was not being worked on. I set up a standing order to drip feed money into his account and he said that he would bring it out of storage to work on it as and when the balance allowed. I trusted the restorer and realise it was a mistake not to protect myself with a contract, although I have not heard of anyone getting a legal document to cover work on a car before.
The car has been with them for 25 years and I had expected them to have the car finished by now, but I was okay with the project taking longer as I was continuing to work abroad for longer than I had originally planned and so I was not ready to enjoy the car, even if the dream became a reality. I simply could not afford to allow them to keep working on the car until finished, so I thought I was making the right decision by the course of action I took. Once you get into that type of arrangement, it is much easier to keep paying, little by little every month, than to face a huge bill. Looking back, I did not appreciate how vulnerable I was making myself, with a handshake.
We had a verbal agreement that he would store the car for free when it was not being worked on. I set up a standing order to drip feed money into his account and he said that he would bring it out of storage to work on it as and when the balance allowed. I trusted the restorer and realise it was a mistake not to protect myself with a contract, although I have not heard of anyone getting a legal document to cover work on a car before.
The car has been with them for 25 years and I had expected them to have the car finished by now, but I was okay with the project taking longer as I was continuing to work abroad for longer than I had originally planned and so I was not ready to enjoy the car, even if the dream became a reality. I simply could not afford to allow them to keep working on the car until finished, so I thought I was making the right decision by the course of action I took. Once you get into that type of arrangement, it is much easier to keep paying, little by little every month, than to face a huge bill. Looking back, I did not appreciate how vulnerable I was making myself, with a handshake.
Edited by Forever59 on Tuesday 8th August 18:27
Edited by Forever59 on Tuesday 8th August 18:28
I am returning to the UK next week and plan to visit the restorer to see for myself what work has been done and take photos.
If I settle the bill, I will move the car somewhere.
I do not believe the car has been painted or trimmed.
As far as I know, all works performed are on rebuilding the bodywork.
I will know more when I get to see the car.
If I settle the bill, I will move the car somewhere.
I do not believe the car has been painted or trimmed.
As far as I know, all works performed are on rebuilding the bodywork.
I will know more when I get to see the car.
If you've paid monthly and the restorer agreed as you say to only do work as it was paid for and with no storage charges,how does he justify a large lumps sum bill? (assuming you have paid him every month for 25 years - That's a long time and presumably a lot of money.
I think this might be worth fighting.
I'm sure Breadvan72 might be willing to give you some informed advice.
I think this might be worth fighting.
I'm sure Breadvan72 might be willing to give you some informed advice.
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