| Wow... Very sorry to hear about your predicament. Unfortunately lots of shops have uneven demand for services (feast or famine) and so the shop will overpromise or take on too much work and miss deadlines to ensure that they have a steady stream of work. This is only exacerbated due to the fact that you live so far away, it would be easy to defer your work because you aren't nearby to check on it and it would be difficult/impossible to move it after its stripped or disassembled. With all of the unscrupulous folks out there these days in this economy trying to make a buck, its always best to have an agreement in writing. If you could get them to agree to liquidated damages ($ discount) for missed deadlines, there would be a great incentive to complete it per specifications, on-time. With a last minute push to try and complete it, I sure hope that they did a good job. I would be very careful with regard to the final payment. This guy can always put a mechanic's lien against your car if you refuse to pay the final amount. At this point, your costs would only just begin as fighting it is an uphill battle. When you go to pick up the car, I would document the discussion (bring a tape recorder) and try to get the painter to agree to your terms and acknowledge that it was long past the agreed upon amount of time. I hope that you kept good receipts on your expenses for checking on it, plane tickets, and other out of pocket costs due to the deferral of repair. I have a great shop that have done several Z's in the Houston area if you need (Vintage Restoration of the Woodlands). John Evans is the owner and has painted my car and several other award winners.
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