Paint shop jail! Should I bail?

[bondora68]

I think I am going to just walk away and not worry about the $1500. The work done on the car was simply sand off the epoxy I had sprayed on (lots of runs) and the beginnings of filler on one pillar panel. I'm pretty sure it's not worth it.

 

[Quazit]

No, I did not sign anything.

Im no attorney, but I would say that is a good thing.

 

[gorilla]

I had a very similar experience, I was in paint jail for 18 months. Kept asking for money which I paid but the work didn’t offset the money. Go get your car man. I went and got mine.

 

[Lou6t4gto]

OK, I need some advice. I dropped off my 71 at the paint shop on July 5th of this year. The shop owner and I agreed (on paper) that he would finish final bodywork and paint the car within 60 days. I gave a down payment of $1500 to get things rolling. The remaining $3500 would be due after the job is finished.
Very little has been done to my car. The whole car has been sanded and that's about it. It has been over 90 days and all I get is excuses. It looks like he is having trouble keeping employees and maybe even keeping the doors open. My car is covered in body shop dust inside and out. My interior is brand new and now covered in thick dust. The engine is also covered in dust. They pulled the rear windshield off for paint and did not bother to cover it. Only one employee remains and is doing all the shop work.
My worry is that his shop is going under and that I will show up one day to find the place permanently locked and closed and my car will be trapped in red tape and court cases.
Should I just cut my losses and go get my car? Do I trust that he will finish the job? I check on the car twice a week and I get stories about how they are "about to start working on it" but that never happens. The owner is a poor communicator who avoids me and is never at the shop. He is going through a divorce and I'm worried that my car is just not a priority anymore (if it ever was).
I understand that I am getting a good price on the work and I understand that some people wait much longer to get their cars back but I don't want to ignore red flags that can be trouble if I wait. I have heard horror stories about cars getting stripped for parts and cars getting stolen or sold...
What should I do?
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take the car and run. I was in the business for 35 years. unless he was dismantling the entire car and replacing panels, there's no excuse for longer than that. he "juggling cars" and collecting "Deposits" ! Run. Bring a cop with you if needed

 

[QUAKE_WARS]

get the car back before you regret it!!

 

[Bandit723]

Haha OP already did.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Haha OP already did.

No one reads the thread anymore LOL

 

[f-body freak]

Lmao. Love it.

I AGREE. RUN FOREST RUN

 

[Burnttoastburgos]

Got the car and parts home without incident. Turns out the owner is in jail. Looks like I got the car out just in time…

good to hear......sorry that you had to go through this tunnel of crap. Whats your plan now, still searching for a new paint guy?

 

[bondora68]

good to hear......sorry that you had to go through this tunnel of crap. Whats your plan now, still searching for a new paint guy?

I'm doing the needed body work myself and looking for a new paint shop...