So, long story short ... my girlfriend found out the hard way that you pick your local businesses based on proven history and not perception of character.

She has a '72 Honda cl350 which she absolutely loves and decided to splurge on new paint this spring since the original laq clear was starting to crack around the decals.

She paid a local bike shop 600+ dollars to repaint the tank, side panels, and helmet. Just to be clear, this was for repainting VERY clean parts ... no dents, rust, etc. Basically all he had to do was dip the tank, epoxy primer, then paint.

She gets the parts back and they're total ---- - clear never hardened, on the helmet the clear reacted strangely with the candy/base, masking on the helmet was total ----, etc. Of course, all of this work was done under a verbal agreement (huge mistake which I suggested she not do) and he failed to seal the tank as promised, cut and polish, etc.

He will not issue a refund, offered only to redo the tank, and has a clear history of ------- people based on his responses. I've desperately tried baiting him into verbal admitting his work was compromised but he quite smart in playing ignorant.

See my abbreviated e-mail interaction below:

"...Secondly, you specifically stated that would would seal the inner tank - this issue is pretty black and white. She wanted it sealed and if for some reason you feel it isn't necessary it is not your choice to make that decision, it is the clients.

Lastly, for a professional painter, the general prep looked very poor at best. The masking lines on the helmet were atrocious. One can see the primer around the perimeter masking of the helmet and there is clear coat, base, and primer smeared on the stainless trimming.

Let's be clear, a number of these issues are NOT simply a paint/chemical issue as you have stated. It is a process issue and one of professionalism . You kept her waiting 2 months and blew paint on the tank the night before she picked up the parts. If you attempt to start otherwise, you are simply lying.

Stating you will redo the parts would be acceptable if the issues were limited to honest mistakes. They are not. You give Jess very little reason to have faith in your process. Given your history and reputation I'm simply astonished you would represent yourself and your business this level of work.

Jess is an exceedingly excellent, honest, and fair person who deserves better than this. If you respect yourself, your reputation and your clients you will right this situation like a gentlemen. Given the misrepresentation and handling of this, you simply cannot expect a chance for a 'do over'. The proper thing to do is eat it, learn from it, and move on."

His response:

first off if your such a expert why didn't you paint it ? cause you dont know nothing about painting candy I bet... second this is between Jess and myself, I am not going to discuss this at all with you , and yo better explain what a slander law suite means . I do I have filed a few in my life and never lost one yet

have a great day
K--

Mine, realizing its a no win:

K--,

Im confused. Slander implies one has been untruthful in their commentary which couldn't be further from the truth in this situation. I was writing you in email hoping you could resolve this in an honest and fair manner. Your response is apparently reflective of your history with clients.

I'll respectfully remove myself from this discussion and let Jess and the CC deal with this matter.

Here's pictures of the parts, though they don't quite capture how poorly they were done: http://www.vjmog.com/ftopict-8961-knk.html

The question is, what can be done? Based on my research, we're a bit screwed in a dispute with the CC company. Without giving him a chance to fix the issued complaints, they won't withhold payment ... at least that's my working assumption.

Small claims? What adds to the issue is his history in law enforcement. I believe he has the 'law on his side' and is willing to test it on every client who squawks.

-Zach

 

Stalk him and take his life in the night.

 

This is currently where my heads at ... I'm trying to refocus on the da $$$$

-Zach

 

Wow that looks like i painted it.

So i say let the guy try to fix it. When he fails u will be set for tour dispute

Your *** will be safe from him thanks to your credit card company.

But it will not be safe from me.

 

Cut off his dick and hit him in the face with a dictionary.

 

Get Faefae drunk and sick him on the dude.

It might not get your money back, but the lulz will be worth the cash and then some!

 

Unsure of your local laws, but I believe some states have statues where verbal contracts are binding. You and your girl both witnessed the agreement? I'd contact the CC company and demand they remove the charges from his shop immediately. His failure to follow your requests in the contract makes it null far as I'm concerned, any effort he would have to 'resolve' the situation by doing the work over will only result in more delays and likely further complications of refunding your money.

That's just my opinion.

 

I hope you can get this resolved. That is really awful, and to add insult to injury, the guy is rude and barely literate. I would be absolutely livid if I paid $600 for paint and got that back.

 

Should have went to Nubz.

 

This is my hope. I was really hoping I could bait him into admitting he failed to fullfill the verbal agreement in writing, however, it's quite clear he's fucked enough people to know better. Le sigh.

There's definitely no way he's touching those parts again.

-Zach