Where did his panicking about legal action come from? If I write my truthful opinion on someone, no legal action can be taken over it. Look at the myriad review sites, they don't Marmite themselves every time there's a bad review.
Which, as a total non-mechanic owner she'd have trouble doing. They'd tell her it's fine and that they'd have fillered it up and made it look great. They'd say if they had opportunity to complete they would use their professional skills to make it a beauty. They'd say you can't judge something that isn't finished. They'd point to there no doubt many satisfied customers. They'd trot out pics of completed shiney resto's. They'd say they were going to complete the inner arches, but the owner stopped work. Price is so variable out there it would be impossible "prove" they'd overcharged. The main thing to me at least is that the estimated for the work, did exactly what's in the estimate and no more (less you could argue) and somehow managed to double the price. That said they could argue that each item they estimated was based on an average condition they have experienced and that this one was worse than expected based on their professional experience. You see, there's always a counter arguement. The last thing they are likely to do is hold their hands up and say it's a fair cop, tell you what, to show good faith we'll finish your bus for free. Or refund, or half back etc etc. Though we can all clearly see the wrongs here, I fear that seeking recompense directly or in court would actually cause a great deal of worry and grief with no gaurantee of success. One persons (professional) opinion against another's (laymans). The purpose of this thread is to say visit your restorer, get to know them, ask questions, take someone who's done bodywork with you if you're green. Keep going back, take your own pictures, express your doubts in a friendly way if you have any. I like it when my customers come and see mea nd I trap them their as long as I can - it gets a bit lonely hacking away on your own and I want them to understand what I'm doing and see it's not as quick and straightforward as their minds eye might imagine. Don't leave it to the end and then pipe of your concerns. Don't be afraid to take it to another restorer half way through. It's your bus and your money. Peace and love campers.
You're right a contract helps everyone. As for the "do what it needs and anything you think that'll make it better" scenario which I'm in the middle of for someone - you know who you are! I tell them about each and every thing I'm doing and why I'm doing it, there is constant communication. They know exactly the score I hope. On that score if a customer says they're going to drive 5,000 miles around europe and don't want to break down what do you do? A quick service or a full strip down and rebuild? The latter even though the former might be all that's required. In the past I've done the latter only after all checks etc only for customer to go on and have someone else replace their engine anyway. What customers expect varies massively. Half the job is finding out their expectations and how much/little money they want to throw at it then doing a balancing act for them.
Basically we got threatened by a company with court action over comments made about them so we decided upon our rule on advertising the good as opposed to slating the bad. The company in question is banned from ever being mentioned on this site as a consequence! It's not so much people writing a truthful opinion as you say. It's people writing about companies before they've even consulted them first and all if the bandwagon jumpers that follow. This is how it is and always will be. Recommendation is the best form of advertising!
i'm being naughty, i'm not sure it is *** I just remember a few years ago we had some guff with them so I thought i'd wind dog up but he's not kicked my ass yet.
It's funny that if there genuinely is a company who are "banned from ever being mentioned" that no-one deemed it a good idea to tell the membership. I can only assume its because really they understood the futile nature of the "ban".
Actually - I agree with dog, there is no reason to diss a company just don't mention them, but big up the good work by good company's
