I am stunned

[Cornpatch MO]

In case there is someone else here that is having similar problems. I tried to stop payment on the bank money order due to fraud, but my bank said they could not do that. I went to the sheriff to see if I could file fraud charges, and he said "not in this situation it is a civil matter" The sheriff told me he was familiar with the painters " Jeckle and Hyde" personality, having first hand experience with him. Wish I had known that. I asked the sheriff if he would make out a police report and take pictures. He said " not since it is a civil matter" but would let me make out a report and he would keep it on file in case an insurance company would require it.
It looks like we are headed back to court again---" and time keeps drag'in on"

Oh yeah, The sheriff told me about 1/2 hour before I got there, the painter was in his office wanting a restraining order to keep me from calling him or being on his property. I got a little chuckle out of that, but the devil is whispering in my ear 8-) ......................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I thought this story was coming to a conclusion, but noo-ooo. For those of you who are interested it continues.
My attorney told me to get two estimates to fix the damage. BTW he also gave me the bill for work done and travel to court -$300. So I took the Dodge to the local body shop . He was probably more than 20 ft. from it and said OMG! He could see damage in the paint prep on every body panel. He said he could fix it right, but the car would need block sanded , some areas would need to be filled, and the whole car re-painted. He also said that basically I had a very expensive primer now. He also said he would give me an estimate, but really did not want the work, because he had no idea what the condition was , below the paint.
So I trailer the car down to a painter that several of my friends have used, and he does a great job. He got his worksheet out and gave the Dodge a close inspection. He said pretty much the same thing as the first guy. He will do the work if I say OK. Cost--60 1/2 hours of labor and $800 in materials. I sure wish I would have had him do the work in the first place.
So, back to court again. I can't get the paint fixed unless I can win damages. I had hoped to have Brutus on the street this year, but it ain't lookin like it now. .......................................MO

 

[prplcar]

Up here shop labour for that kind of work is $70-$90 an hour. Could take 20-40 hours.

 

[Rocketman]

I honestly want to do the right thing. I just don't know what the right thing would be...........................MO

He should knock off 10-20% for cash

 

[64BEL]

Wow, Steve - sorry to hear that it just keeps getting worse. I wonder if you could even get much out of the guy if you do win a judgement. Would he have the money?

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Wow, Steve - sorry to hear that it just keeps getting worse. I wonder if you could even get much out of the guy if you do win a judgement. Would he have the money?

Yes Dave, he should have. The $3,200 bank money order I gave him!! Actually, he has property, vehicles, and tools, and most likely the money. The thing is--if he has any of it in his name. If I win and put a lien on his home, I will renew it till he bites the dust !
I hate to whine, but it is the only outlet I have!!!.....................................MO

 

[64BEL]

I hope you can get something back, Steve. Sounds like he's really due to have some bad karma come his way.

 

[69 GTX]

The body guy I took my car to said it typically takes 200 hours to do a good paint job. Now granted my car was totally stripped and needs everything painted/coated. I'm expect to have a bill of 15000. 3500 will not even get you a Macco job here.

 

[snakeyes]

ski ouch !

 

[mmissile]

My guy gets about $80.00 an hour. I gladly pay it. GOOD, FAST, CHEAP.....pick 2.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Great news! if anyone here is going thru what I did with overcharging and poor workmanship, You may learn some things by reading all the post in this thread.

Good news is, after going to small claims court again for poor workmanship, and all the time spent on the legal system, Today I was notified by the Magistrate that I had won the case, and was rewarded the maximum $ allowed in small claims court. The painter will have to post a $500 bond if he wants to appeal the decision. The problem is now--to collect from the painter. This time the law is behind me and I WILL collect!.

As I have said before, do not hire someone to do work for you unless you have a signed agreement stating all the conditions of what-how you want it done. And the cost. Even if it is a friend doing the work. And if you get ripped off, don't let it slide, there are things you can do legally.

Now then, When I get some money to go on, I will continue with my 1964 Dodge nostalgia street and strip-Brutus- build thread.
Thanks for the support folks.......................................MO

 

[Big D A12]

CP MO - Congratulations on getting some closure to this issue. I, as well as everyone else here appreciates your tenacity with this. It shows that if you stick with it, you will get some sort of restitution. It no longer is about the money, it is about what is right. I do hope you keep us up to date on how it proceeds forward.

This is supposed to be our hobby and help relieve some stress in our lives. Unfortunately, we all seem to run into someone along the way that doesn't see it the same way and we have headaches from it. I know I have. It will be some time before I restore another car. I am approaching year 3 on my current one, burnt out but can see day light.

BTW, I budget $10k for just the paint alone when I get into these things.

D

 

[64BEL]

Great news, Steve!

 

[dvw]

The body guy I took my car to said it typically takes 200 hours to do a good paint job. Now granted my car was totally stripped and needs everything painted/coated. I'm expect to have a bill of 15000. 3500 will not even get you a Macco job here.

Exactly. I see Quote s here of $1200-$4000. Heck I have close to $3000 in materials. It's been said before. A 100% job takes 3 times as long as a 85% job which take 2 times as long as a 70% job. If your satisfied with fresh color over stock panels with the big dents gone that's OK. If you want flat panels, that takes a hell of a lot of filling and blocking. Show me a car with stock steel panels, and I'll show you a wavy car. As for labor. What is a skilled craftsman worth per hour? $20-25 maybe more . That doesn't include tools, shop, electric, heat. Just because they do it at home doesn't mean those items are free. $40-50 an hour is a bargin for good work. I don't paint for a living. But I do watch my friend do jobs like my 64. They take months. They are also 99% perfect. You get what you pay for.
Doug

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Exactly. I see Quote s here of $1200-$4000. Heck I have close to $3000 in materials. It's been said before. A 100% job takes 3 times as long as a 85% job which take 2 times as long as a 70% job. If your satisfied with fresh color over stock panels with the big dents gone that's OK. If you want flat panels, that takes a hell of a lot of filling and blocking. Show me a car with stock steel panels, and I'll show you a wavy car. As for labor. What is a skilled craftsman worth per hour? $20-25 maybe more . That doesn't include tools, shop, electric, heat. Just because they do it at home doesn't mean those items are free. $40-50 an hour is a bargin for good work. I don't paint for a living. But I do watch my friend do jobs like my 64. They take months. They are also 99% perfect. You get what you pay for.
Doug

What percent would be a factory OEM paint job? I have not noticed wavey side panels on a new car........................................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I can close the books on this story. I was awarded the max of $5000. he wouldn't pay anything. I had the sherriff garnish his bank account $3500. I also was awarded interest and fees for collection. He sold his acreage and had to pay the balance before I would release the Lien. My car got another paint job, and it is nice. Dodge is at the upholstery shop now. After 6 years, maybe I will be driving it this Spring..............Done deal--end of story................................MO

 

[Chargerjase]

I have been following your story for quite a while now. It's terrible with what you had to go through, but at least now you have the right result. Enjoy your car and put this experience where it belongs, in the past. Good luck.

 

[64BEL]

Glad you got your car back, Steve, and glad you were able to get some financial satisfaction to boot! Can't wait to see Brutus when he's all done!

 

[Kern Dog]

Let me take this opportunity to bash the scum sucking crook Chevy man who did my Coronet back in 1989. Shelly's Auto Body in Danielsville, Pennsylvania. He later got his and I will spare you the details.

I would like the details.
Plus, I wasn't aware that you were from back east!