As the joke goes; “What is the definition of redundant: see redundant” so we again come back to this topic of classic car restoration shop scams since for too many well intentioned in the car hobby are still being taken advantage of by the not so honest restoration shops.
The quality and reliability of classic car restoration shops is going to vary just like any other industry. You are going to come across top notch companies that take extraordinary pride in what they do. You will also find companies that operate with less than honorable methods.
Unfortunately, there are shops out there that will cut corners and do what they can to make a quick buck. Many shops however should not stay in business awfully long if they operated this way, but unfortunately another saying that “a sucker is born every day” keep far too many in business. It is good to be cautious when hiring a company or individual but have faith that with enough research you will find a reputable restoration shop so you can follow our previous guide to finding a restoration shop.
Before we get into some of the most common scams, we want you to offer you a great article on what to ask before hiring a classic car restoration shop. If you take your time to ask the right questions you are likely to avoid falling victim to one of these fraudulent schemes.
Today Only Specials
Any time you are planning to spend a lot of money on a product or service, a limited time offer should always be avoided. Companies use this tactic to limit the amount of time you have to shop around for other prices. Their hope is that you will feel pressured to take the deal, so you do not miss out on savings. A fair deal on expensive items should be consistently priced today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.
Avoid Absurd Promises
Plain and simple, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. If a restoration shop offers you a bid that is half the price of other shops, then you are surely going to get half the quality. The fact of the matter is that a high-quality restoration is going to take some money to properly complete. It can be tempting to take the lowest price but do yourself a favor and pay the extra amount to have the job done right the first time. When it comes to classic car restorations the old saying is true… “Buy Once, Cry Once”.
Massive Down Payments
An initial down payment is often required to ensure you are committed to the project, but a large up-front sum of cash could be a sure sign of a swindle. A business that is in financial trouble may require a large down payment. Even worse, there are heart breaking stories of people paying enormous up-front fees only to have the business close the very next day. Well established shops should require a minimal down payment and then require fair progress payments as work is done on your classic car or truck.
Refuses to Provide a Written Contract or Estimate
Far too many restoration shops operate under the premise that a contract is not needed as there are too many variables or unexpected issues that can come up, so they operate under the “trust me you don’t need it in writing” principle. It is wise to walk away quickly from these operators.
Complicated Terms and Conditions
If a restoration shop does have a contract and uses confusing jargon and complex legal disclosures, you should see a red flag that they are trying to hide something. It is in everyone’s best interest to keep the agreement as clear and simple as possible. A good rule of thumb is to only commit to a deal that could be explained to a child. If not, our advice is to continue your search for another restoration shop.
Finally
The bottom line is this… take your time when choosing a classic car restoration shop, avoid too good to be true scenarios and do not be afraid to ask lots of questions. Doing so will ensure that you find a reputable business and will allow you to proceed with confidence. There are resources available so use them to your advantage to avoid the possible car restoration shop scams.
Thank you for the heads up.
Looking forward to reading more articles from you.
Retired collision technician, custom auto bodywork specialist
Good advice, and most “shops ” or individuals will have some sort of visual ( photo portfolio, with contacts for references, call them ask how the job went, and we’re you treated well, and always available (communication is paramount.
James thank you for your comment; we also have blog posts on how to locate the right restoration shop such as:
https://classicautoadvisors.com/2020/08/26/how-to-locate-the-right-restoration-shop/
I was swindled by a Venice island hot rod shop as I gave a so-called friend $25,000 to restore my 68 Shelby Cobra GT350 convertible. My so-called friend was telling his customers that that was one of his cars and that he would work on new customers cars as he stalled me year after year. He really played the role as every time I talk to him he came up with excuse after excuse of why my car wasn’t ready and that he would start on it next month. After hiring an attorney I was advised to give this guy storage for the time he had my car in order for me to get it back. I felt completely screwed that the attorney would side with the bad guy and between him and the attorney I ended up losing $49,500. By the time I got my car back it was still partially disassembled and as of today the car is still in storage not drivable. I’m hoping to win some money in the lottery so I can get my car back on the road as it sold from a Ford dealership in Columbus Ohio that my dad worked at for 12 years. I feel like I should do a Gone in 60 Seconds movie theme, called the bad guy wins again. I promised myself I would never sell this car as I’ve owned it since I was 17 years old back in 1974. My parents now are 93 years old and they’ve been waiting over 10 years for me to pick them up in Key West and take them out to lunch in my shelby.
Sorry to hear that happened to you. Realizing there were only 404 Shelby convertibles ever made, out of @4200 cars Shelby Mustangs produced for consumers. That car is as rare as hens teeth. You could probably sell it and buy a completed convertible clone. That car is worth big money for what it is, even unrestored. Good luck. I hope you meet your dream with the vehicle. I’m from Columbus, Ohio. Go BUCKEYES!
Bruno: it is terrible to hear another story like this. Unfortunately, it is all too common for these shops to scam hobbyists of their money. At least you got your car back as all too many give up and lose their money and their car. I got into this blog because of stories like yours. I hope you will get your classic Shelby restored and back on the road.
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