This is the final blog in the four-part series. It is the shortest of all the parts but no less important. We opened the series talking about the fact that a body shop is not a restoration shop, and a restoration shop is not a body shop. The foundation of the first post was all about Research. The second blog post talked about a visit to the shop you are leaning considering. Again, this blog dealt with collecting information about the shops you are thinking about following your initial research. Then we moved on to Paperwork and putting all of your expectations and understandings in writing before turning over the keys. If you have not read those posts, go back and read them now so you get on the path to finding the right restoration shop.
No two classic cars are the same and there are twists and turns in every restoration that may lead to the unexpected for both you the owner and shop that is doing the restoration. We believe that if you have followed the recommendations of the previous posts, the likelihood of you ending up in a situation that cannot be resolved is unlikely.
If you find yourself involved in a dispute, this last blog may help you work through this situation in a fashion that still keeps you happy and interested in the project without putting too much disappointment in the process.
When Things Go Wrong
If a dispute arises between you and a business doing work for you, your best course of action is to try to settle the dispute as quickly as possible. Even if this means compromising in some area where you are convinced you are right, this is usually the best solution in the long run. If compromise will not work, there are several avenues of redress you can pursue. The first is to contact the governmental agencies that regulate or license the business involved in the dispute. Frequently, one or more of these agencies will offer some sort of dispute resolution assistance that is free. In New York, for example, the state department of motor vehicles regulates all registered automotive repair shops and will investigate any complaints against a registered shop. If the investigator determines the shop is at fault, the department of motor vehicles can suspend the shop’s registration, levy fines, or take other steps to force the shop to solve your problem.
In addition to regulatory agencies, you should also contact the local Better Business Bureau, which may be able to help. The telephone number for the Better Business Bureau can be found in your phone book in the business listings section.
If the shop’s behavior is particularly egregious, you can bring your complaint to the county district attorney’s office or the state attorney general’s office. If the shop owner appears to have committed a crime, these agencies will investigate and may settle the dispute on your behalf.
Most disputes between a business owner and customer are civil and not criminal in nature and if you can’t get assistance from regulatory agencies or the local Better Business Bureau, your only avenue of redress may be to sue the shop in civil court. This will usually require a considerable amount of money and you should think carefully about whether it is worth it to you. I know people who have spent tens of thousands of dollars to win a judgment that is worthless because the shop owner has no money or assets to pay the judgment.
Finding the Right Restoration Shop Conclusion
If you follow the advice and steps found in the previous three posts, worthless judgments, big legal bills and general aggravation has a greater chance of NOT being part of your vehicle restoration hobby, and guides you to find the right restoration shop..
