What I don't really understand is how you spent 28 hours for the"quick"
job. That's 3.5 8 hour day work for labor. Just curious, nothing else.
$3200 CDN seems not that bad. But if you claim 28 hours labor that seems
a little excessive to me.

David

--- Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA> wrote:

> Sorry, i guess my English was not clear enough :-)
>
> To anwser your question, i don't know! I had the van for 10 days, but the
> customer did know that i was taking some days off, no problem... i come back
> Saturday, i call him and i say i'm starting Sunday, so sunday night i call
> him and i'm telling him the story about his engine... i offer him to come
> and see the damage... monday, he come and see and fully understand the need
> for pistons and heads... i give him an approx of the total bill, around
> 3200$, he said no problem, go ahead. I don't take a deposit because it's
> gonna be a quick job and i will have my money in the same week. Ok, i work
> hard and Tuesday night i'm done.. i call him late and tell him the van is
> ready and working fine, he looks very happy... before we hang up the phone
> he ask me if he can make a check... i said no. On my website (shop section)
> it's cleary indicated that i don't take check, it's also very clear that i
> take a 1000 deposit on any big mechanical work and a 2000$ on any paint job.
> It's also written in my shop.
>
> So, he tell me if you don't take check how can it pay? I told him, credit
> card, cash or debit if you call your bank first to tell them it's over
> 1000$. He then sound funny, not that he was unpleasant at all, just stange!
> this is when he told that he did't have enough on his credit card and was
> not sure about cash, but he would find a way... what i felt he didn't like
> is the fact that i didn't take check!
>
> Anyway... he came 30 minutes ago to pickup his van... he was very happy and
> greatfull...  he gave me cash and put some on his credit card. So he found a
> way.
>
> The purpose of my post was not to tell that customers are bad! far from it,
> what i was trying to tell is DON'T EVER TELL A MECHANIC THAT YOU DON'T HAVE
> MONEY to pay for the job... or your not sure how to get it! i don't want to
> hear that after 28 hours in a row of grease-working!!!
>
> Find a solution. I'm sure now that this guy had no bad intention at all...
> but he told me clearly that he wasn't sure of how to pay me!
>
> This is NOT my problem!
>
> Anyway... i have to deal with all kind of vanagon owner... everybody is
> different. i'm also use to deal with those with less money... and i find
> solutions. But just tell me before.
>
> Regards, Ben
>
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 13:16:44 -0400, Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> >Ben,
> >
> >I'm not sure from your description if this customer is telling you he's not
> >paying, or if he's just trying to find a source of money for you and doesn't
> >have it all in one place. If there's any possibility he's honest and not
> >just trying to rip you off, you might approach him politely and tell him
> >he'll get the van back when he pays, no problem.
> >
> >If the van is worth more than your bill, in fact you're the one who comes
> >out ahead if he defaults.
> >
> >As others have suggested, get it it writing if you don't already. You also
> >might look into how the lien laws read in your area; you are probably
> >protected even if you don't have a form that restates them, but find out to
> >be sure.
> >
> >I personally would understand making a partial payment beforehand if the job
> >required expensive new parts, as in heads. If mostly labor, I don't know.
> >
> >If you think this is hard, try getting back rent from a tenant....
> >
> >Good luck and keep the spirits up
> >
> >
> >Geza
>

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