View Single Post
Old 08-11-2011, 06:16 AM   #15
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,485
Default Re: Model A Engine Rebuild

Mike & Herm both make solid arguments and as someone who is "in the hobby" I can tell you that the biggest problem with estimates is you must always defend them. If an engine rebuilder says a rough estimate will be between $2k and $4k, the customer always hears the $2k, ...and when the internal damage is found, it is closer to $3k but the customer is arguing the $2k quoted number.

The 2nd side of this is that in a small shop with few employees, yes the overhead is less because the owner is in the shop working too. Add to that situation that many people in today's society like to dream, so they call asking questions while posing to be a serious potential client. The shop owner is trying to be patient and give due-diligence to the person on the phone yet all the while, the caller knows that he won't really be ordering an engine anytime soon but just wants to know more facts to dream about. It is definitely a two-edged sword for the shop owner.

And finally, a warranty is worth nothing more than the paper it is written on. If a loophole is needed, the builder can usually find one leaving the customer hanging. To me it is all about the Integrity and the Relationship of the shop owner. As a customer you need to pay for what you receive and be as honest with him as you want him to be with you.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote