It may seem from this article that the classic car restoration world is filled to the brim with con-artists and scammers, but fortunately that is not true as there are plenty of quality and honest shops out there to work with. We focus on those shops that are the offenders as they are the ones that cause the most pain and suffering for those hobbyists who can least afford it in a difficult and time-consuming process and give those honest shops a bad rap by painting the whole industry with a large brush. Car restoration scams can come in a wide variety of methods and means, and like the internet it continues to evolve as the cost of car restorations increase.
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 great 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. Most shops however would not stay in business very long if they operated this way. 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.
Before we get into 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. Also remember to always get a written contract before handing your vintage car and your money.
Avoid Absurd Promises
Plain and simple, if it sounds too good to be true, then it likely 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.
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 don’t miss out on savings. A fair deal on expensive items should be consistently priced today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.
Complicated Terms and Conditions
If a restoration shop has a contract with 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.
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 scam. 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.
A New Trend in Restoration Shop Scammers
We mentioned previously that scammers do evolve and the latest trend is for some of the questionable shops now moving into fancy facilities with sparkling show rooms to fake their way into making the hobbyist believe they are a highly successful restoration shop. To prevent being dazzled into handing over your car remember to ask the important questions such as:
How long has the shop been at that location, if less than 5 years then where were they previously?
How long have they been in business and does that match up with state business records? Did they operate under other business names? (Answers like: We have been in business for 20 years but in looking you find the company has a record of only 7 years in business is a red flag)
How long have the mechanics worked there, and how long in the industry?
Do they have off property storage, if so where? Look at what they are storing.
You should get guarantees that your car and parts will always remain at the restoration shop property, and not be sent to the off-property car graveyard.
Also get comfortable with who is or are the actual owners of the restoration shop and are they running the shop daily or are they absentee operators (like a front man).
They key to asking questions is getting your comfort level with their answers and finding any inconsistencies.
Finally
We have written several times about how restoration shops can deceive you and what you can do to help prevent going down the painful “rabbit hole” of failed classic car restorations.
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. Remember the adage of “measure twice, cut once.” Doing so will ensure that you find a reputable business and will allow you to proceed with relative confidence. Do not forget that once you turn your car over to a restoration shop your job does not end as you need to make sure you stay in constant contact with the mechanics to keep on top of the work in progress.
Im old school. I do my own work. I can weld, do engine and electrical work. Body work is not my favorite but I can do it. I certainly talk with my friends that have or are in restoration process right now. They are my best guidance for who is good and who is not.
Been scammed by Bruckner restoration in North Carolina all the red flags 🚩 were there do your research and don’t hurry do a detailed interview with the individual you can tell right away by the integrity of the person !fooled me but Karma is a great reward buyer beware
Can anyone recommend a good attorney that deals in classic car cases. We were scammed out of 35,000 and told to come pick up our 1962 C20 after 2 1/2 years. We got my grandpa‘s truck back, totally stripped, and in pieces.