Ken Wilford is one of the most honest, fair-minded people I know.
What he said sounded very reasonable to me.

Dave Vickery wrote:
> That's not the description of an honest mechanic in my mind, it is one
> that
> is living hand to mouth.  Sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, but if a
> mechanic asked me to pay up front, I would know it was not a well funded
> (and I would assume) not a well run business, unless it had just started.
> I've heard of contractor's that do the same thing, and there it is
> probably
> more common, but I wouldn't not do it.
>
> I had Just Brakes ask for payment before they finished the job that was
> taking longer because they wanted to count the sales in that week's
> figures.
>  That sets off questions in my mind that they have that much pressure to
> make numbers.
>
> Dave in Denver
>
>
>> From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
>> Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Labor, 28 hours, customer say, i have no money....
>> Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 08:03:17 -0400
>>
>> Ben,
>>
>> You have to cover yourself on these jobs.  I always get at least a 50%
>> deposit on jobs larger than just a couple of hours.  I make up an
>> estimate and try to estimate high because there is usually always
>> something that you didn't notice or can't see until you get it all
>> ripped apart.  If you estimate high and come in under it the customer
>> thinks you are awesome (like Scotty on Star Trek), if it goes up a
>> little at least they are more prepared for the price.  Once I get the
>> estimate typed up I can either email or just give it to the customer.
>> The customer approves it, I get the 50% deposit via cash, credit card,
>> even a check since you can wait for it to clear before you start the
>> job.  If it is an extremely large job, I get 50% then at another point
>> that the customer and I agree to, I get another 25%, then the final 25%
>> on completion.
>>
>> Parts cost money.  I don't have extra cash sitting around to buy all of
>> the parts that a customer might need for a large job.  But if you get
>> the 50% deposit you should have at least enough to cover your parts and
>> keep things rolling until the job is done.
>>
>> A real customer that wants the work done will have no problem giving you
>> a deposit.  Any changes that I have to make to the estimate that are
>> larger than $100 I call the customer and clear it with them first.  When
>> it is all done we go for a ride together in the van and any questions he
>> (or she) has are addressed and then when they are happy, I get the rest
>> of the money and they get their invoice with "Paid in Full" on it.  Now
>> everyone is happy.  I am happy because I have done a great job and have
>> gotten my reward for doing so.  The customer is happy because their baby
>> is back on the road and they can have more confidence in it.
>>
>> I have learned these painful lessons after doing this for almost 10
>> years now.  But if you learn something from the lesson, then at least it
>> is not in vain.
>>
>> I am posting this to the list so that list members know how an honest
>> mechanic does business.  Checks and balances on both parties.  I even
>> keep the old parts until the customer comes and checks out the van.  If
>> they request them, I can show the old parts that were removed and
>> replaced so that there are no questions.  Again you have to cover
>> yourself.  I recommend all female customers who are dealing with a shop
>> for the first time, request that they show you the old parts after
>> completing the job.  Do this when you approve the estimate that way they
>> know to keep the old parts.  Even if you have no clue what the parts are
>> that you are looking at, it lets folks know that you are going to check
>> on them and keep them accountable.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>> Ken Wilford
>> John 3:16
>> www.vanagain.com
>>
>>
>> Benny boy wrote:
>>
>>> Me:
>>> Sir, you Air-Cool van is ready and working fine (new heads, pistons + a
>>> lot
>>> of small stuff), 130psi all around, temp is fine, tested. Ready to
>>> drive,
>>> don't forget, drive smooth, oil change between 700-1000km.
>>>
>>> Customer: Ok, thank so much. I can go camping now, how much?
>>>
>>> Me: 3399$
>>>
>>> Customer: ho, ok, can i make a check?
>>>
>>> Me: NO check, i had to many problems with those, sorry, cash, credit.
>>> Debit
>>> as a max of 1000$ per day just so you know.
>>>
>>> Customer: ho, i don't have enough on my credit card, what shoud i do?
>>> Maybe
>>> i have enough in my bank account???
>>>
>>> Me: Sir, i have spent 3.5 days in a row in your van, i have grease
>>> up to
>>> my
>>> a**... find a solution... CREDIT, CASH or NO van, sorry but i'm sure
>>> you
>>> understand my point of view.
>>>
>>> Customer: Well, i'm no sure how to find the money!
>>>
>>> Me: Sir, i told you before an approx of the total bill, you didn't say
>>> nothing, you said go ahead!
>>>
>>> Customer: well, i will find a way, how can i pay again?
>>>
>>> Me: Cash or credit (me sound VERY COLD)
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> The conclusion...
>>> This is not the first time this happen to me, far from it, what the
>>> hell
>>> is
>>> the problem with people like that??????? i work my ass off... and
>>> this is
>>> the answer i get.
>>>
>>> Frustration! yes, it is.
>>>
>>> We always blame the business men, the customers is always right...
>>> yea..
>>> sure.
>>>
>>> I tell you all because if this happen to me.. i'm sure some of you
>>> did so
>>> one day!!! think twice before doing it again!
>>>
>>> Ben
>>> http://www.benplace.com/bjp3.htm
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
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