Author Topic: Always get an estimate!  (Read 3253 times)

Offline Rob62

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #15 on: October 16, 2019, 12:55:55 PM »
No way should you have paid this bill... regardless of failing to get an estimate. You should have told him that there is no way he can justify that amount and to keep the items.... The guy is clearly a con man.

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #16 on: October 16, 2019, 01:20:53 PM »
Personally, I think it's a great shame that Bob has had this experience, regardless of the reasons behind it.
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Offline royhall

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2019, 01:50:33 PM »
Personally, I think it's a great shame that Bob has had this experience, regardless of the reasons behind it.
Agreed, very stressful.

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Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #18 on: October 16, 2019, 02:19:28 PM »
I think you should negotiate with him before paying up. As others have said, he should have at least warned you from the outset it was going to be an expensive repair. Faili g that he should have contacted you during the work to advise the cost was mounting up and did you still wish to continue. If he just left it until the final bill that in my book is sharp practice. Unless of course you told him to fix them and included the words 'time and money no object' in which case you have no option but to pay.
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Offline bobv7

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #19 on: October 16, 2019, 03:19:46 PM »
Have you ever been driving down a road and it suddenly dawns on you that you must going the wrong way, but if you keep going because it might be the right one just around the corner? Well, that was my brain fade state with these two cheap bits of pressed steel because I was paying at each stage of the process. Still can't believe I got sucked into it, just like a alcoholic or gambler waiting for their next fix for whom I now have the greatest sympathy! :'( At no time did I expect the cost to rise so high and the guy doing the work didn't bring up the probable final cost, but now none of you will be likely to fall into this trap, will you! :o At least the 6 rubbers supporting the underside of the seat only cost me £45.00 from our friends in Holland. Time for my tablets, I think. ::)

Offline JamesH

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #20 on: October 16, 2019, 03:25:56 PM »
Have you ever been driving down a road and it suddenly dawns on you that you must going the wrong way, but if you keep going because it might be the right one just around the corner? Well, that was my brain fade state with these two cheap bits of pressed steel because I was paying at each stage of the process. Still can't believe I got sucked into it, just like a alcoholic or gambler waiting for their next fix for whom I now have the greatest sympathy! :'( At no time did I expect the cost to rise so high and the guy doing the work didn't bring up the probable final cost, but now none of you will be likely to fall into this trap, will you! :o At least the 6 rubbers supporting the underside of the seat only cost me £45.00 from our friends in Holland. Time for my tablets, I think. ::)

Bob I've got to say this really sickens me - you're clearly an honourable chap, but it really feels like you've been taken advantage of here.

Where are you at with the rest of the project? What parts do you need to finish the build?

James

Offline Green1

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #21 on: October 16, 2019, 04:07:40 PM »
Its amazing how costs can add up I have been on both sides.Not bike related. Paid tons for what I thought was a small job and also charged what looks like tons for a so called small job.
I always give a rough idea when asked to do anything and even then I can be way off and it can be quite embarrassing when totting up the final figure
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Offline bobv7

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #22 on: October 16, 2019, 04:33:08 PM »
Hi James

Kind of you to say that; many others will think I'm just a mug!

As a couple of them are in a poor state I had been going to go for a new set of pipes when DS get them back in stock but not sure if I'll bother for now. Fork tubes have been re chromed with new seals and the headlamp/bucket has been replaced, as have the crumbling warning bulbs holders. The side panels have been previously patched up but aren't too bad, but probably could do with being replaced if and when I get around to repainting the tank. I'm in two minds about the tank as it has quite a nice patina that's not unattractive. Hmmmm... The seat base was good so I had it rebuilt and covered, not stock but with a bit more comfort and lower to suit my creaky knees. Now maybe I'll wait until I'm in a better frame of mind before deciding to do any more, and it's not costing me money for the bike to sit in the garage! ::)

Offline Andrew-S

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #23 on: October 16, 2019, 04:33:34 PM »
It's a real shame to read this thread, but the shame is not Bob's - I just think 'specialists' who take advantage of people in this way should be named and shamed.

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Offline Moorey

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #24 on: October 16, 2019, 05:05:28 PM »
I think it admirable that you have told the story,  but which restorer was it, so no one else on the forum suffers the same fate.

Offline bobv7

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #25 on: October 16, 2019, 05:36:50 PM »
Finger pointing is not my style and I said it was my fault for not getting the cost in writing and that would be my advice to anyone looking to get this sort of work done. Being new to the West Sussex area I don't have the same familiarity with the reputations of the local trades and dealers I did have, however as with any specialist dealers you need to be careful of classic car restorers as their ideas of costs and values may not be quite in the same world as the rest of us! ;)

Offline steff750

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #26 on: October 16, 2019, 06:32:59 PM »
Quote
Please tell me you didn’t pay him £1500 for the work?

  :-\  if that had been in wales he would have been burned at the stake

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #27 on: October 16, 2019, 06:41:41 PM »
The more I think about this post, the more it saddens me. Firstly because a fellow forum member has had a bad experience. Secondly, because some of us in this industry go above and beyond to be honest and open with customers right from the very start and if that means telling a customer their engine is being economic repair, so be it. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't communicate any little issues or problems with the person paying the bill. Luckily, it is very rare that a job changes due to an unforeseen issue but that is why all customers are told we can't put a price on an engine overhaul / rebuild / restore until its fully stripped and a full assessment takes place. I thought this was the way all businesses worked these days but....I'm obviously wrong.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
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Offline Rozabikes Tim

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #28 on: October 16, 2019, 07:28:50 PM »

You are obviously an honourable chap Bob and don't deserve such treatment.

Athough the curtains we sell are in no way related to the bike industry, the principles you operate to should be the same in any business. Lots of people say to us - "I don't care about the price, I want it,  just do it". We still  always insist on giving  a firm cost. I personally often feel uncomfortable  when giving people a cost as they may understandably have no Idea of potenial price and I would not want to shock them. Just shows why you should do it.  Simply would not feel morally comfortable sticking an end cost on a job without prior agreement to an accurate estimate.

One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Offline Rob62

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Re: Always get an estimate!
« Reply #29 on: October 16, 2019, 07:41:06 PM »
A very sad story indeed, i really do feel for bobv, but this dealer/restorer whatever he is, has obviously pulled a bit of a nasty one here and I don’t think many would disagree with that. He most certainly deserves to be identified and challenged over this incident rather than being allowed to get away scott-free without the entire classic motorcycle community being made aware of his actions. Bobv may well not get his hard-earned money back but he can certainly limit this guys chances of repeating this scam on some other unsuspecting victim.. Name and shame, its definitely the right thing to do.... maybe bobv should try a bit of sharp practice and give this guy a taste of his own medicine.... either refund a reasonable amount money or face being exposed to the entire community, forums and facebook.... I do hate to see people being ripped off and arseholes getting away with this type of nasty behaviour....

 

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