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  #21  
Old 12-07-2013, 08:52 PM
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So Jan 1st, 2009 came and went and all my calls/voicemails to Frank went unanswered, finally I got through to him in late January on the phone and he says that he is about to start on my Camaro, and that he thinks he can get her finished by April (2009). See attached email.
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:53 PM
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Rather than paste the attachment into the email, I have just copied the emails chains.

Here is an email chain that started with my email at the bottom of the chain in May 2009, Franks email at the top of the chain is from June 5, 2009:


Hey George. I guess we need to determine the total work list. That work list kind of grew once the car got here. If it is the original work list doing mini tubs and mechanical, what I am still looking at is 120 hours ($6000) to put it back together. Back together being replacing the subframe, rear suspension, rear, brakes, wheels / tires, engine, and install mini tubs. That has not changed. As I mentioned, I did have to raise labor rates, I am not bumping your labor cost. But I also need to know your able to pay once we get going.

Weather you run it to William for stereo and interior stuff, that is up to you. That will obviously be additional.

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [FWD: Project Flyin Blind status]
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, June 02, 2009 7:59 pm
To: [email protected]

Frank,

When you can, send me a labor estimate to install the parts you have to get her all put together and ready to go. The original estimate was about 120 hours at $50/hr for a total of about $6000 in labor. I am working the budget out with Stacey so that we are ready when you are.

I would really like to get this finished before I head down to Florida around mid summer.

Let me know.

R, George

From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 2:39:29 PM
Subject:RE: [FWD: Project Flyin Blind status]

Hey George, So sorry I forgot to call back,. I just totally forgot, Then I had a 3 day advanced fuel injection class, then I remembered I needed to call, and started to call again, but a another call came in, and then I forgot, Bla, Bla, Bla.

Your leaving messages on Lisa's phone I think, I do not have any messages on my phone unless they are from today which I have not checked the messages yet.

A year ago we were ready and on a roll till the **** hit the fan. We would have been done in a month as I had that project scheduled to be the primary focus. No hard feelings on our end, but by the time I got the all clear you were ready to move forward, we have been slammed to death since. Business actually has been very good, VERY busy

I am going to have to pick away at your project and can start that later this week. I just have too many projects now that are on schedule and the customers money is ready right now to stop one of those to push yours through.

Also, we had to increase out labor rate due to increased rent, utilities, insurance and every fricken other cost of business expense. However I am going to honor our labor rate we gave you. But I need to be able to work your project through the system so it is not quite as much of a hit for us financially.

Anyway, I just tried to call you, call me when you can.

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
http://www.prodigycustoms.com/
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [FWD: Project Flyin Blind status]
From: [email protected]
Date: Tue, May 05, 2009 2:08 pm
To: "Frank Serafine" <[email protected]>



Lisa Serafine
Prodigy Customs
407-832-1824


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Project Flyin Blind status
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009 6:45 pm
To: [email protected]

Lisa,

I called Frank twice last week and once to you and left messages. The one time I did get a hold of Frank he was about to get his hair cut and said he would call back, never did. I know you guys are busy, but I need a status of my '67 and a finish date.

I know I left you guys in a bit of a bind last year when I got deployed and I didn't have the funds to continue, but it has been over a year now and I think we can both agree that finishing my car and getting some space freed up and some money in your pocket and my Camaro back in my garage is better for all of us.

So when you get a chance could you send me an updated status of my car and a projected finish date. Thanks.

Appreciate any info you can pass at this point.

R, George
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:54 PM
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This email chain is from July 2009, just after Franks father passed away. Again I reiterate that I am ready with the funds to finish (I had been telling him this on the phone and in emails since 2008):


Have Jess E Mail me his address. Let me know when your paid and I will ship it out.

Soon as I get this Bull Run car done i can look at schedule and knock this thing out

Thanks for the kind words

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Hope your family is ok
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, July 01, 2009 9:23 pm
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Frank and Lisa,

First things first, I wanted to write and express my condolences for the passing of your father. I can not imagine that yet and I hope that you guys are hanging in there through this. I am sure the rest of the car world has been expressing similar thoughts and sentiments but I wanted to also. Both my wife and I hope you guys are getting through this ok.

Frank when last we talked you had been in touch with Jess in Texas about the Muncie and the Hurst shifter. I have been in communication with him on pro-touring.com and we settled on $700 for the trans and the shifter (he does not need the bell housing, I may have a buyer for that too. He is also paying 1/2 the shipping cost. Jess wanted to know when you would be able to ship the transmission and shifter out to him. If you could let me know I will let Jess know and I will get payment for it and push the shipping money to you with an address to ship it to. Whatever you charge for packing the transmission I will add into the shipping charge with Jess and we will split that also.

Other than that I am ready with the money to get my Camaro put back together with the new parts that we stockpiled last year. As soon as you can get started I am ready. Stacey has been putting money aside to cover down on this. So let me know as soon as you can get started on her.

Take care and keep me posted. Thanks.

Warmest Sympathies,
George and Stacey
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:55 PM
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This email chain starts with my email on Sep 10,2009, and Frank's response on Sep11, 2009.

Hey George,

To be completely honest, I have not read the first email yet. We are so busy I don't know weather to scratch my watch or wind my ass. Actually it was Lisa that told me needed to read this. I am not trying to ignore you. Just working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, and ending everyday leaving a few little things un done.

Had we been able to do this on our original schedule, we would all be happy. In the meantime we have had a hell of a year with family health issues and massive growing pains.

I hired 2 guys in May, and one made it 2 months before I gave up on him, the other developed a acute ulcer 6 weeks ago and came back yesterday, but I am not crazy about his performance before the ulcer. So he may be gone soon. It is hard to hire guys to trust to do this to our quality.

Believe me, I want your car done more then you do. But I am off schedule on the cars I thought would be done already because of these new guys not measuring up.The shop right now looks like easter egg basket of F bodies in all different colors, 4 cars are all be finish at once. Soon as I clear some we can ease yours in.


Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Flyin Blind request
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, September 10, 2009 7:01 pm
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Frank and Lisa,

I hope that my previous email did not come across as angry or anything like that. I have a good reason for wanting to expedite my the completion of Flyin' Blind. It is not just because I am impatient (which I can be sometimes) but rather it is because I had a plan to take my Dad on a trip up the coast through the Blue Ridge and further up the Applachin Mountains stopping at his parents old house in North Carolina and the house where I was raised in South Eastern PA. I wanted to do this as a Father-Son bonding trip since he is a huge Muscle Car fan having owned a couple back in his prime ('67 Firebird, '72 Plymouth Duster). We never did get to do much bonding while I was growing up since there were so many kids (8 total) so time was limited. I just found out that his health is starting to go downhill pretty fast. In the past 10 years he has had 2 heart attacks and a stroke. Luckily he recovered pretty darn good from the stroke and the only sign of it is when he gets really tires he slurs a little. With the new news about his health I am worried that if I don't get this done soon, I may not get to do it at all.

So I hope you understand that it is not that I am just an impatient SOB who is bitchin about how long this is taking, I actually have a good reason for wanting to get this finished as soon as is possible so my Dad and I can make the trip I promised him a long time ago (which he has probably forgotten) but I'd like to surprise him with.

Regards,
George
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:56 PM
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This set of emails starts on Jan 7,2010 with an email from me, I'm angry now. Frank replies on Jan 11, 2009:


We actually plan to start the mini tubs and start squeezing it through in 2 weeks. My plan is to get it to you for spring.. If you guys want to do it, I am OK with that too.

Just let me know.


Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Flyin Blind
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, January 07, 2010 8:40 pm
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Frank & Lisa,

I have been patient and I have explained the situation with my Dad and I really don't have time to waste anymore. You picked up my Camaro 2 years ago and we have been in a holding pattern for almost that entire time. I will take the blame for things stagnating in 2008, but we are in 2010 now and my only desire is to take my Dad on the trip we have been talking about for the last 20 years before it is too late. I propose 2 options:

1. I take leave and come down to help finish my Camaro during my wife and kids Spring Break (27Mar-04Apr). If you start a few weeks before that I can be there for the that time period to help out.

2. I come down during that same period with a trailer and haul everything back up here and have someone else finish the project. Obviously not my preferred option.

I understand you guys are busy, but at some point you need to fit in my car and make it a priority. I see all the great coverage you guys get at SEMA and the cover shots of your projects and I feel like my car is just not a priority to you. Which is wierd because the back story to Flyin' Blind would make an excellent story for Camaro Performers or Pro-Touring magazine. With 4 brothers and 1 sister in the military my Dad and his Muscle car background and the decade of trying to finish this project to take him on the nostalgic trip we have been talking about I think there are only about 20 writers that I know of who would kill for a chance to write about this.

Please get back to me about this right away so I can finalize plans for one option or the other.

Thanks

Regards, George
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:57 PM
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This email chain is a continuation of the previous post. I'm explaining to Frank that the time has come to be up front with me, that I need the car done by March/April (2010) at the latest. His response says that can't be done, but May (2010) is probable I changed the font color to highlight these areas:


It has been said a dozen times, had things gone as planned on your end you would have been done on time. You need to understand I am not upset or punishing you. Here is what is happening, we have not taken any new work in 6 months so I can clear some idle projects. Idle for customer reasons, there are 2 others that HAD money issues, everyone caught up their bills current, your the only one with money to actually, so your first up. The other guys may never finish.

Here is where the problem has been. Every scheduled paying customer has been adding to the scope of work once their car is in. We just sent a car home to California that came in for subframe, rear suspension, brakes, wheels tires (sound familiar), then he said, what do you think about the paint? While were painting, what about interior, Can we re wire? Sound familiar? So what ended up happening is it became a full 600 hour build and instead of a 200 hour project being done in 4 weeks, it was 6 months. That pushed off the next car scheduled in line. The car before that was the Bull Run Racer, we were only supposed to do a drivetrain, and we were never supposed to paint the car, we were only touching up a couple spots, but when we dug into those couple spots we found holes you could throw cats through, so we did 350 hours of body and paint, and that delayed the California car I just mentioned that went from 200 hours of work to 600 hours! So you can see there alone is 750 hours, 17 weeks of time that was not planned on just those 2 cars. Both cars are fabulous, and we are proud of both, but it really ****s with my schedule. And now there is a convertible in the shop that came in for paint, and yesterday a 2010 Camaro drivetrain showed up along with 2010 Camaro seats. What was a paint job is going to be a 700-800 hour project and will be one of our premiere builds this year.

So in the meantime, it sure makes it hard to get to the next car to say the least. We are getting down to a manageable amount of projects as we delivered 5 projects in the last 3 months of 2009.

I have to work it through though, I cannot just stop the shop and spend a month or two on Georges car and put off scheduled customers. I have to wiggle you through the sea of cars without blocking flow.So right now I have my brother caught up on fabrication, so he will do the mini tub install and get that behind us. Soon as I can get Michael some available time he will work on suspension, etc. But that will not be the day my brother finishes the tubs, it won't work that way and "wiggle" through.

No one wants your car done more then me, even more then you. I hate having languishing projects. I am tired of tripping over your engine, I have been spending $100 a month for a storage container (your car is one of 2 in there) just to store it. So it cost me $600 a year just to keep your car out of my way. And I hate stuff like this out there period. I have all happy customers. And the customers that get to add to the scope and get a full prodigy build are REAL happy, LOL!

I am not giving a kill date, than I cannot miss a date. But my goal is to get this car done and make sure you get to play in the good weather. March, no way. April, that's pushing. May, more reasonable.

On another note. You were adding some additional stuff interior / sound / console related. I do not want to be involved in any of the interior / console program. I had some issues with William with communication and schedule, a couple other things, and long story short, am not using William anymore and don't want the stress of subletting any part of this job. Right now I do not have anyone here I can refer that work to. We need to keep the interior stock and you find someone there for sound system and interior.

In closing, I know you never intended to screw me when you had your problem, and I have never had intention of screwing you. Your uncontrollable situation caused my uncontrollable situation. I cannot do anymore then I am doing to get to your car through the shop.

Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Flyin Blind
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, January 13, 2010 7:26 am
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Frank,

I picked you and Prodigy because of your craftsmanship, you reputation and because of the way you came across when I talked to you. I'm not blowing smoke or kissing your ass, I just got a sense that you are a no nonsense guy who does quality work and when you say something your word actually means something to you. That said, I want you and your guys at Prodigy to finish my car, I've had **** luck with other shops and don't want to have to take my chances somewhere else but I seriously do not have any longer than the time-line I outlined. If I have to go somewhere else it is because I would rather take the chance and just get my car to a point where my Dad and I can go take our trip and afterwards I will get the car done right. If you are serious about getting started on her in the next 2 weeks that's great, but if getting her started and finished by the March-April time-frame is really not possible I just want you to be up front with me.

Thanks.

Regards, George
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:58 PM
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My email Mar 20, 2010, cancelling trip to Florida due to my 5 year old breaking her leg. Frank's response on Mar 22, 2010 tells me the mini tubs were installed this week. 2 years after he started work.

I was going to surprise you. mini tubs will be done this week.

Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Status Update
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, March 20, 2010 8:08 am
To: [email protected], [email protected]

Frank,

I canceled the trip down to FL next week after my 5 year old broke her leg (full leg cast and swimming at Nanny's don't mix) so my schedule is more open now. What is the current state of lay for 'Flyin' Blind"? Has she even been taken out of storage yet? Send me an update as I would like to coordinate a trip down to help work on her once you get her into the shop full time. I will need a heads up on this though because I will have to clear my work and home schedule in order to make this work.

My plan is to possibly come down during the end of May or middle of June so if either of those sound better to you, let me know.

George
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Old 12-07-2013, 08:59 PM
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June 2010, email from me asking about an email I sent on May 23, 2010, prompts this response from Frank on 7 June 2010, his excuse, his email reply probably didn't send:


I answered but must not have sent, or sell check caught it and did not;t send. Mini tubs are done, Frame connectors are done. We have a chance to use a G Link instead of A Prodigy Bar, (if there is any advantage to waiting is better parts). We can go over it when you come by. that will be just about the time i can spend a couple weeks on it again.

Cal me when your close

Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Status
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, June 06, 2010 5:36 pm
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]

Frank,

I emailed back on the 23rd of May for a status check. I am coming to FL at the end of June and I want to come by and see how far along she is and go over what remains to be done and what our time line looks like.

If you have any pictures of the mini-tubs going in that would be cool too.

Cheers,
George
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Old 12-07-2013, 09:00 PM
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After several emails and dozens of phone calls/voicemails not responded to, this is what I get back from Frank after the less than professional blasting he gave me on the forum, that was full of lies.

Here is Franks email from Nov 18, 2010, he states he doesn't understand my excitement and motives about getting the car done, probably because he knows that he has no intention of finishing it, so why should I be excited?:

Hey George.

Part of me understands you excitement and motives and part of me does not. I do not wish to debate it to be honest, we could waste hours! And I am over it now.

When exactly will you be back from Deployment this time? I assume it is 90 days which puts us in spring time? I will promise to have it ready to pick up as soon as you return no matter what heart ache is causes me. let me know the date.

Can't be any more fair then that

Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line
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Old 12-07-2013, 09:00 PM
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Now we fast forward through 2011, because I was in Afghanistan that entire year until I returned in March 2012. As soon as I got back I immediately started calling Frank, with no replies. Here is our email exchange when he finally replies on May 6, 2012:



Been slammed. Don't worry about money until i can start.

I have a auction in 2 weeks with some cars ruuning, lets catch up June 1 and make a plan

Thank You

Frank Serafine
Prodigy Customs
Pro Touring Specialist
www.ProdigyCustoms.com
407 832 1752 Direct line


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Your car
From: George Hartwell <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, May 06, 2012 12:04 pm
To: [email protected]

Frank,
I've been trying to contact you for 6 weeks with no luck. I left two voicemails then your voice mail was full every time I called back. I emailed and no reply, I know you are busy, but we need to get my car done. I need your address, I did not find it on your website, so I can send you money. Please email me your mailing address right away.

R, George
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