I agree.

Agreed

Personally -- I think the shop owner is a crook.

I can still remember conversations I had from 10 years ago. Maybe not every single word - but I know damn good and well if a guy had discussed his budget (might not remember the exact amount)... and what he asked me to do for him.

It DOES NOT take 40 hours to bend up custom brake lines. Holy Cow! Now - if you're building a Ridler car - maybe.... but not to run exposed brake lines.

If Illinois has some rules about having a signed work order/estimate... and this idiot doesn't have one and did work anyway. I'd say you meet with them - take the money and your trailer with you. Discuss your situation and your "memory" of the agreement... but I'd also slip in the fact that HE never produced a written estimate but went forward with the work anyway. That YOU understand he performed some work - but far exceeded your budget - and that HAD you received a written estimate - you would not have allowed him to do the work. Tell him you have "X" cash - the amount of your original budget - and tell him you'd like to pay him that amount and take your car home right now as is.

He's either going to understand he's screwed legally - or he's even more of an idiot than you now think he is. And you're going to have to engage an attorney.
Be prepared for either event. He consents and you get your car - or you take the money you have and pay it to the attorney. It really shouldn't take more than about $500 worth of attorney time if the state law is clear - and the guy can't produce a written signed estimate.

Perfect.

Before you pay a lawyer and start getting things messy I would make sure the shop doing the work is registered as a repair shop (body shop or mechanic shop). Only Repair shops have to follow the "automotive repair act" in Illinois which requires a written estimate.

If they are registered as a restoration shop or anything else for that matter you may be better off trying to work it out with the shop owner.

We have had many builds come in like this from other shops, where the customer says they got screwed (most of the time they did some what only because the quality was lacking)

I agree you never should have gotten 6 invoices at once. Chances are you could have realized with just one it was going to exceed your budget and could have pulled the car at that point.

I have a contract that I have all customers sign before work starts that clearly states in the first line "1. Because of the comprehensive nature of the restoration process, estimates or “bids” of the total cost of a restoration project cannot be given at any time. It is most important that this be understood and accepted. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them. "

There are so many shops doing shady work its unfortunate that your in this situation.

Needed a 3:36 open 10 bolt pumpkin third member assembled (4:56s were too stiff for a planned trip). Took it to a "friend" who owned a pretty good speed shop - provided a good, complete core with gears and a new bearing set. Told him not to "gold plate" it. He charged me $1700.00 (gulp). Eight hours of bead blasting at $80.00/hr. shop rate. I didn't flinch, paid the bill, told him (semi-politely) that that kind of thing is the reason he never has repeat customers, and forgot it. We are still friendly, but I would never do business with him or recommend him to others. Some times you just have to cut your losses (and I didn't have a gun with me).

Pappy

Get it out
 

My advice take it out,, this is so bad... :twak:

ok, got ya now. f this guy and shop around for another.

if he is raising prices over what was originally discussed without contacting you then you have no legal right to pay.....however if you didn't sign or agree to it in some tangible form then you maybe sol. In CA verbal agreements do stand up.

41 hours. It sounds like you paid to have someone learn stainless and buy the equipment needed to do it.

That is what I thought to Vince about the brake line. @ 85.00 an hour and 700.00 in material 40 hours seems a bit much ��. The kicker is that the main reason it went there was for wiring and there is nothing complete about the electrical. Its just really been bumming out lately that I even have to deal with this. I am looking into state laws now.

I think what may have happened is the new shop manager is under pressure to show a profit and sending you a bunch of inflated invoices and claiming ignorance of your agreement with the shop owner is an easy way to do it. Pure speculation on my part but it sounds plausible to me.

Don