Lateral-g Forums - Am I out of line??

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If you are spending $40K to have an engine built there are other issues :) Might as well spend some extra $$ on whale penis leather in the interior..

http://jalopnik.com/5380680/15m-russ...-penis-leather

Because "There's nothing like a nice long ride on whale penis." lol!!!

On a more serious note, I have seen buddies getting shafted (no whale penis pun intended), on builds and am amazed on how many people are taking their cars or component builds form builder to builder after long waits, crappy builds, and horror stories. I think it is perfectly acceptable for a contract to be put in place to protect both parties and establish a base or relative budget and ETA.

Remember that any changes YOU make in scope or your builder suggests should be accommodated on the contract to adjust and realign to new budget and scope creep. A lot of the builds I am seeing here that are failing epically are due to owners spending a lot of time on the forums and getting swayed on different directions specially on what is becoming trendy or better yet after learning the way they shoudl have built their strategy and plan in the first place. My advice (which I am also to blame for not following :)) is to make a plan and try sticking with it. I am seeing 3, 4 7 year projects where people have spent a lot of time, effort, money and frustration, marriages and new builders going to waste, and their babies are nowhere done :)

I may have missed it but what are your goals with the car to begin with? Show? OUSCI? SEMA? Pickup chicks?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396 (Post 477062)

Maybe so, but I've been taught some expensive lessons along the way, sometimes the price of admission isn't worth it. I didn't say you wouldn't get an estimated delivery date. I just wouldn't make any guarantees on dates there are too many outside vendors that have to be worked with that don't meet their commitments that we have no control over. I'll play devils advocate and have you look at it from my side, I have 2 half built engines sitting in the shop right now that have been there for 18 months because the guy ran out of money so I'm sitting on $50K worth of parts that are good for nothing but these 2 engines because everything is so specialized when you build an engine like you're talking about. I'm not trying to start a pissing contest I'm just trying to give you some perspective from the builders point of view, we get taken of advantage of as well. :cheers:

Tim no pissing contest it's all good! Just wanted everyone's take I fully understand what your saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccracin (Post 477087)

If you went back and looked, Mario said he would setup an account with the money in it so the builder would know he is getting the money. A good quote, then purchase order, and po acknowledgment is all that is needed to make a good deal that also happens to be a contract. As I said in previous posts, my company commits to delivery dates on million dollar equipment and we rely on vendors for everything. It is possible with the proper procedures in place for using the right vendor. The best engine builder ever may not always be a good business person. Happens all the time in many industries.

Chad your my new spokesman!!!!!!:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayton (Post 477211)

What you don't want to have happen is hand over 40 large to a vendor. The vendor then uses this money to pay his overdue bills, and, complete other overdue projects.
Then, for your job to be completed, the vendor needs more new money.
I have lived in this scenario.

One of my biggest fears right there !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by geberhard (Post 477212)

This car is for me to have a blast with! Any of the above would be a bonus ! Except for the last one my wife MAY have a problem with that :D

Guys lots of great points. I see it from all sides and fully understand where everyone is coming from .

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOM (Post 477267)

Guys lots of great points. I see it from all sides and fully understand where everyone is coming from .

Hey my question is whatcha doing with 572???? :hello:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick D (Post 477296)

Hey my question is whatcha doing with 572???? :hello:

Rick we can talk about that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccracin (Post 477210)

X2 I think this is what have been trying to get too. The problem is, there too many vendors in this industry that play buzz word bingo and have more excuses than solutions. It makes it oh so difficult for those of you that try to do it right.

Speaking of this, I will give Steve much credit. He is one of our vendors and an excellent one at that. I would not consider having to have a contract when business is done like he does it. In fact, our order changed mid-stream do to issues with one of Steve's vendors. He informed us of it, refunded us that portion of our money and found a solution for the issue. That is why our truck has his Muscle Drive/Shrifter setup in it! SIMPLE!

Thank you sir!

The subject needs closure. The middle ground is for enthusiasts to have detailed conversations with their vendors about terms. Know where you stand and get it in writing from your vendor before providing payment. I've long wanted to present a list of questions related to terms. I'm sure that list would piss some other businessman off, because every business has a different perspective on terms. Within our own business we have different terms for standard / in-stock items vs custom long-lead orders. So there are no hard and fast rules.

The flip-side is that there are many common terms and policies dating back to the Sears & Roebuck Catalog days that help nail down fair transactions.
:ups:
I've been working in mail order since 1989. That's pre-internet and I started out working at an engine builder! None of these problems, policies, and solutions are new. If you guys wanna talk through a list of terms related questions, I'll start.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96z28ss (Post 476892)

$51K for an engine? Your crazy!!
Dude have you ever seen a twin turbo big block in a 69 camaro. It gets cramped in the engine compartment. Hey if you want a trailer queen, its your car. I think you should take half that and Get a MAST LSX with a supercharger on it. Then take the rest of the money and read the INVESTING 102 thread.

I don't know how I missed your comment Bob ! Trailer queen? Come on Bob you know better..:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOM (Post 477730)

I don't know how I missed your comment Bob ! Trailer queen? Come on Bob you know better..:D

Dude, I feel like there are only 10 nice days a year where you live and 3 of those probably still get a little rain during part of the day, so it could be a valid question. Then again I clearly don't know Chicago very well. Last time I was there I drove from Midway airport to UChicago via 55th/Garfield (I think I got those right) because it looked like the fastest way there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt.A (Post 477732)

OH so you got to see some of the more beautiful areas of our lovely city!!! And your still here to talk about it !!:_paranoid

Mario

It is a Midwest Thing. Some people just do not understand it.:D