I could make this a long story, but here's a short version.
Fall of 2006, I needed a DS door and rocker panel replaced, scratch on the roof, and some typical rock chips repaired. I found every spot on the car that needed fixed, and hired Noshnoj to fix. I had heard great things about them, so I had high expectations.
I provided them with a brand new door that turned out to be junk. Noshnoj didn't bother to tell me, and proceeded to fix the junk door to the tune of $1400. The body work was/is good, but the door seals aren't right because it's a junk door. I'd much rather have had them fix the original door.
The rocker panel replacement does look great.
Some parts of the final bill were 75% over what the estimate was, and some parts ere 50% over.
There were about 8 problems that needed fixed when they had me come pickup the car. They agreed to fix them, but at a later time. They did take the car back, but the owner made the body man fix the problems on his own time. Big mistake. I've now counted 24 problems on the car that needs fixed. Some of them were never fixed in the first place.
Doug Johnson, the owner, agrees that the items need to be fixed. He had recently fired the body man, and wanted to give his new body man some time to 'prove himself', before tackling my car.
That was late Fall 2007, and I've not yet heard back.
Doug says he'll make it right, or I have the choice to submit to him an estimate for another shop to fix the remaining problems.
I hope he'll make good on his word. I've no real reason to believe otherwise at this point, but am skeptical.
I've already spoken to another highly recommended shop, and they don't even want to try to fix all the problems, as they think it will never come out right without a full repaint. I have 2 other shops to visit and get estimates/opinions.
At least as far as the body shop work, I recommend you ask around prior to doing business and get plenty of opinions.
Doug did change the body shop man, and did change his estimation policy, so hopefully those 2 steps will help.
I would also suggest they work on 1 project at a time. As they like to shuffle as many 'small' jobs in to keep the money flowing. That just doesn't seem to work in terms of getting a good quality body/paint job done in a reasonable time. I recommend that if you choose to do business, you insist on a deadline that will be met, and without any other cars being worked on while your's is being worked on.
Mike Pell
mjpell@prostreetcar.com
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