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Breaking The News
Breaking The News
Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars.
The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a car review and scope of work. The other, on the other hand, it was his first walk-around his new beauty without its clothes on.
As fair as we try to be, when a car needs work, it needs work. For those who have been through this before I try to simply point out what we found, and what out remedy will be, regardless of how extreme.
They usually get it and we move on and call them if there’s anything really bad. The experienced car geek is usually happy you were smart and diligent enough to find the issues and flaws before they either became cosmetically worse, or simply dangerous.
For the poor soul who bought a car without exercising due diligence, it becomes a bit more delicate. If it’s their first time, most had no idea that older cars had so many crappy parts. Welcome to the fifty-year-old mechanicals club, my friend.
Again, when a car needs work, it needs work. It’s how the news is delivered that has a big impact. In person is best, with the broken bone exposed, so to speak. We typically ask the customer out to the shop to review the work with us before dismantling anything. A solemn bedside manner and a bit of suicide prevention can help prevent a disaster.
Typically, both types of customers come out of the experience happy, but it sure helps to get their buy in up front. Everyone wants a nice car, right?
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Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance
Yesterday's results. People's choice 1951 Dodge. Founders Award 1952 A6G Maserati. Best in Show 1914 Stutz Bearcat!! Beautiful Car! Read More of My Blog Posts
Updates In the Shop – July
Some new pics and updates of some of the work we have in the shop at the moment. Give a call at (815) 629-2717 and set up a time to stop by to see what's new! More Blog Posts
Public Service Announcement – Now’s the Time!
Hey, wake up! We’re here now! We’ve arrived! It’s 2016 and all of those car projects you were going to do this winter aren’t done. You know it and I know it. Why do I know it? Because my stuff isn’t done either! Every fall I make a huge list of improvements and...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – The Wrap Up
The shock to my system has worn off already as I acclimate to the cold back on the tundra. I want to write down some thoughts about my trip to the AZ auctions this year for those of you who watch them. Understand, I am no “old hand’ at the AZ auction...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Chasing Classic Andy Reid
I attended my first Auction Preview a few years ago here in Scottsdale when our Austin Healey 100R was at Bonham’s. Normally I’m not much of a guided tour kind of guy so I figured I would just walk around with the catalogue and do my own research. But then...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Judging the Future Classics
My friend Andy Reid was asked to be the chief judge for a new car show here in Arizona to compliment the already crazy week of activities. The show was titled “Future Classics” and the main sponsor was www.classiccars.com, where Andy is their East Coast...
Arizona Auto Auction Week – Let’s Get Started!
Let's get this week going!! Arizona Concours d’Elegance today at the lovely Biltmore. What a great backdrop for the fine cars shown. I'll be posting more pictures this week as I check out the auctions, beautiful weather, and car values. Stay tuned!...
Arizona Auto Auction Action – More Than Just Barrett Jackson
Back in 2014 I made my first trek west to Arizona Auction Week here in Scottsdale. It was so successful, and I had so much fun, that it is now an automatic repeating event on my January calendar. Aside from the fact that the weather in Illinois is...
Guest Blog: Peter Conover’s Road to Restorations
I first became interested in the restoration British cars about 20 years ago when an acquaintance agreed to sell me his long-dormant Triumph TR-6. For that learning experience I did a basic mechanical and cosmetic restoration. It wasn’t a “ground up”...
Roadog DNA at Sport and Specialty
Turns out that some years ago Mark Baker (former S&S owner) rebuilt a BMC A series motor and Austin America automatic transmission for a custom motorcycle. I went to look at it for some work last weekend. It turns out it was for an Auto Four, one of...
Two Guys and a Blog – Another Successful Shop Visit
These two unabashed car guys, Bob Kendall and Larry Noble, came out to the shop yesterday for their annual pilgrimage and quality inspection. Bob posted some musings on his blog; http://pilotesanciens.blogspot.com/ Take a quick peek at some of the work we...