 In or around May 2007 I dropped my Z off at a local body shop. I have worked with this particular shop in the past, and so trusted their work. As I was not in a hurry and I was receiving the special “buddy discount” I told them there was no rush. This actually worked out ok as I was able to use their lift and perform some upgrades while the Z was dismantled. June 2007 I place a large order to Coz for several parts including J-spec tail lights, mouldings, t-top finishers, gaskets, hood locks and bumpers, all splash guards/engine covers, etc. I want this done right. Fastforward six months to December 2007. They finally begin to work on my Z and so ask for a 50% deposit. I write a check on 12/28/07. Merry Christmas! In or around April 2008 I begin studying for the DAT (dental school admissions test). I put in a good four months studying and take the test in August 2008. By now, I feel he’s had plenty of time to work on the Z. However, it’s still not finished. Since I’m getting the “buddy discount” I let it slide. 10/09/08 my Z is done and ready to be picked up, or so I thought. Essentially my Z sat around for over a year. Rather than slowly working on it over time, they decided to do it all last minute—and it shows. The level of ridiculousness is astounding. After painting the spoiler they decided it doesn’t fit right so they don’t put the third brake light in. They didn’t install the bumper reinforcement. They didn’t install the IC ducts because they couldn’t figure it out. Then there’s the “paint job”. I expressed my concerns with him when I picked up the Z. He informed me that the shop was getting new flooring and so he would prefer I take it and bring it back when that was finished to avoid and damages. Hesitantly, I oblige. He tells me to make a punch list and bring it back. He promised to go over it with me piece by piece. In order to take it though, he wanted me to settle the other 50%. BIG MISTAKE. A day later the paint actually begins bubbling and cracking in areas as listed in the punch list. I get the Z home and compile the punch list that you see above. Seeing where this was going, I began a phone log in December:
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12.08.08 1:12pm—I called the body shop to schedule appointment to fix problems. Spoke to Brandon’s wife, she said Brandon would call back. 12.08.08 1:24pm—Brandon’s wife returned call. Left message stating their body man just had knee replacement surgery and would be out until at east 01.02.09 and that Brandon was having to do all the work in the back. 12.08.08 1:29pm—I called Franklin Paint and Body and spoke to Brandon. I said it was ok to wait until January to help him out since his body man was out. 01.08.09 4:02pm—Spoke to Brandon’s wife. She said that Brandon was demoing a new laser alignment machine. I asked about the body man, and she said he was back and doing well. 05.13.09 3:51pm—Called, spoke with Brandon. He said economy was bad. He had to lay off body man and that we was trying to juggle everything himself. 09.09.09 1:40pm—Called, spoke with Brandon. He said Z is in and out of shop depending on projects. Economy is difficult on business $50,000 per month vs $100,000 two years ago. He said he would keep me informed. Would call by middle of next week to update me. He said he would treat it like it were his car. I expressed my concerns about the spolier, missing fog lights, ruined hatch gasket, dry rotted tires, and general deterioration from just sitting. He said he tries to park next to it to protect it from door dings and that he is concerned about it getting damaged . I verified that he had the check list and contact info for the spolier. He stated there were parts that would need repainted and some buffing problems. He said he has been the only body man since he had to lay off employees. Now his body man is back, so he can start to work on it again. He said he had been meaning to call me just like he said the last time I called him.
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It’s now the middle of December 2009 and I have yet to get that weekly phone call. At this point I can not trust him. Even if he does the work, how can I be guaranteed it will be worth a crap. It wasn’t the first time. I plan to have another body shop look at the Z and go from there. I want to be sure he hasn’t started on it before I attempt other legal actions. Help! What should I do? It seems like he’s just waiting me out with no real intentions on doing anything. My Z has been sitting outside for over a year. I recently reupholstered the interior and am concerned about sun damage. Also all four tires are now dry rotted. Even if the spoiler didn’t fit, I don’t think Powertrix will take it back after 2 years and being painted. Why can’t people just do their damn job!
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HELP! Bodyshop Blues - 
