A Tale Of 2 Panel Shops

[vidospace]

Panel Shop 1 – "Insert big name panel shop here" – Honda CRX Respray

On advice from a lot of people, I convinced my wife that removed was the way to go for a respray on her CRX that had badly worn paint and needed some minor accident repair. We took the car in and negotiated with the owner to totally respray the car in factory white and colour code the side skirts. Basic stuff. We were promised 4 weeks turn around and quoted $2000 + the insurance claim to do the lot. All good.

4 weeks later, the promises start. If I could get them on the phone, they would say “pick it up tomorrow” then they cancelled. Same thing happened for the next week most days.

Finally picked up the car a week late, after waiting around for literally ½ a day till they got it finally cleaned and ready. Go to drive the car, and the plugs are full of water. Like totally full! And then it really got nasty. There were a full page of imperfections from massive tape lines, to dents, to misaligned bumper, etc. Basically things that should have been fixed in the process. Another 2 weeks later of being stuffed around in the same way, interrupting my work, promising that it will be ready then canceling on me, we are told that it is finally ready. On picking it up, there are still 2 dents that haven’t been fixed. Pathetic. I went to make the final payment and their Eftpos / credit card machine is conveniently stuffed and I have to trudge up to the nearest ATM to get cash out. Finally got the car back and still not happy but at least I don’t have to deal with these people again!

Panel Shop 2 – "Insert smaller Panel shop here" – R34 Aftermarket Front Bar Install

After the removed mess, my wife said we are only going to "Insert smaller Panel shop here" from now on. Now yes they are not cheap and I had to accept that the premium cost to paint and install that was quoted would be worth it, based on my wife’s feelings about the company. Eek!

So we dropped off my R34 last Saturday morning, with the bar still in the original box. I am approached by Joe, the company owner, who recognized me from Autosalon’s that I had attended years ago!

Joe went through the options I had on installing the bumper, including extra bracing, install of different mesh, and trimming of the “mouth” to fit a large front mount. All of which would be included in the original quote so there were no surprises.

So today, a week later as promised, I headed to Smooth, and low and behold a lovely clean R34 faced me ready to drive away with a perfectly fitted bumper. No bumps, imperfections, issues, or anything else to complain about. The finish is excellent and the colour matching is flawless. The bumper was mounted to all the factory holes and Joe personally mounted the front number plate on the spot to my specification. And they accept Credit Cards!

The morals of the story are:

- you get what you pay for

- your mates are not always right

- just because places have a big name, they are not always the best

- and finally listen to you wife!

If anyone wants the names of the shops above please PM me.

[Sl!m]

removed workshop names as per forum rules.

[vidospace]

Fixed original post. sorry Sl!m

[adgey]

I feel for you vidosapce! All my experience with "names" has only led me to frustrations and headaches, since taking advice from a select few I have had nothing but good times!

Front bar is looking very nice.

[lingeringsoul]

can we name the good workshop?

[D3bb4]

can we name the good workshop?

X2

PM the dodgey shop name please.

Sorta goes to show, sometimes you jsut gotta wear the price tag with modded cars, as sometimes is only way to get a job done right. Too many dodgey businesses in operation in sydney IMO.

[vidospace]

Its against the rules of the forum. PM me!

[evil_weevil]

Very neat looking front bar mate!

[D_I_F]

I could have told you always listen to your wife!

[adgey]

I could have told you always listen to your wife!

and never listen to dif

[SLY-25T]

Hey Bryce

i know exactly what you mean. One of my friends went to a place to get a bodykit. She found the company in a tuners magazine so she thought that they were reliable. she wanted a custom bodykit made up and they said they could do exactly what she wanted for a certain amount of money and just 3 weeks.... 9 weeks later and the car looked like shit! random pieces of fiberglass screwed into the original bodykit, etc. they had no idea wat they were doing and didnt care. they ruined the stock bodykit by screwing into it everywhere.

she decided to take it to a more known shop. they said they could do exactly wat she wanted with spray in 2 weeks. and of course they made it! perfect job on the body kit, which is customised, not a mark on the paint and it all fit beautifully.

the first shop has closed themselves down because my friend took them to fair trading. but i wouldnt be surprised if the guys open up another shop under someone elses name.

EDIT: and just wanted to say that the front bar looks awesome mate! nice choice

Edited August 12, 2008 by auss13

[7heavn]

Glad your happy with the fitments and finish on your front bar . I currently paint for smooth and I can tell you there are a lot of dodgy shops out there, in the end you get what you pay for . .

[DECIM8]

Wow thats an excellent job, As per forum rules could you please drop me a line via PM about bad and good workshop.

[D_I_F]

and never listen to dif

You're not my wife!!! GET BACK INTO THE KITCHEN!

[Duncan]

the rules don't have anything about positivei experiences, feel free to name them! Its negative feedback that is the problem

[vidospace]

OK the good panel shop that helped me out was Smooth Autostyle. They are in Homebush West. Ask for Joe.

[monkeykplunk]

It's one of those "funny" kind of situations that life spits out really.

"Do I go to the name shop for a name brand and get a cheaper price, or do I spend my money with a smaller shop who may have excellant service but charge more?"

Working in the auto parts business in Newcastle its a a question that comes up constantly from retail customers.

I don't know what it's like in Sydney, but up here its a good time for the retail customer to get really good quality work at a cheap price. The deals some of the smaller independant shops are willing to do just to help pay their employees are unbelievable.

It's always good to see that small business know the value of customer service.

[DrewII]

i also need a few parts resprayed couple little hits and shopping trolley dents. can you pm me the name of the good and the bad work shops?

[bombtrack]

I love that Front Bar! What is it and where can I get one?!

[vidospace]

Sorry for the late reply! The bar is a Impul genuine front bar. Very hard to get in Australia and this one was imported directly. I love the bar but it does sit a bit low and my drive way has cut it up a fair bit