HORRIBLE body shop experience - details inside. 350z ruined.

[CrimsonRockett]

I'll be posting this up for Brian(aka Serris/Rubicant on the forums) to get the word out on this horrible shop. I'm doing this to get the word out on Import Image/iDesign. It's gonna be a long post, so be prepared.

Please feel free to post this on every car forum you're on.

We're not posting this to have people feel sorry for us.

We're posting this because we want to let people know about the work Import Image/iDesign has to offer.

All of the work was done at this shop:

iDesign | Import Image Inc - WEBSITE COMING SOON!

Michael Quinn
iDesigns / Import Image
921 Fairway Dr.
Walnut, CA 91789

10-9-08

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH IMPORT IMAGE LOCATED IN FLORIDA:
http://www.importimageonline.com/
THEY ARE 2 DIFFERENT COMPANIES WITH THE SAME NAME.

My350z staff,

VO



If you have any comments, suggestions as to what should be done, or just about any other input, please feel free to post.

NOTICE TO ALL OTHER FORUM VIEWERS

Refrain from using violence and making threats toward Mike. It's true, he did screw up the Z, but no one deserves to have death threats made toward their lives or bottles thrown at them. Stop lashing out on someone that has done absolutely no harm to you. If you're not involved with Mike in any way, shape, or form, then you shouldn't even be contacting him. IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

Take the time to read through this first page. A lot of wrong information is being spread out like herpes throughout the other forums. People see pictures, $250 price tag, and immediately think "you get what you pay for" or "owner is stupid for thinking he'd get a good finish".

$750 was the total price paid for this garbage.

As far as the finish goes...

We were pointing things out as soon as we arrived. Mike promised they would be fixed. I pointed out the door dent, the runs, the orange peel, the screws, the flaking paint, practically everything. Again, he promised they'd be fixed, but after we saw the damage done to the car, we weren't going to leave the car there ever again.

We had to visually inspect every aspect of the car a day later because the car wasn't going to be staying at Mike's for obvious reasons.

Brian was wearing new Mechanix gloves because we had to raise the car at his friend's house.(Yeah, that funny colored house doesn't belong to neither one of us). The car was literally 1" off the ground after the kit was installed.(Yes, it was that low). It wouldn't survive the trip to my house so we could work on it in my garage.

He didn't wear gloves just to remove wheels to not get his pretty little hands dirty. Coilovers had to be removed, adjusted, sway bars had to be removed, and things had to be re-installed and torqued to spec. So, all of you douchebags on other forums spreading the wrong information....quit being ignorant.

READ. It does wonders.

Very bad review coming...

So, after talking with Mike and hearing the good(and bad) things about him, I decided to give him a shot.

I picked up a Urethane lip kit for my 350z.

Without it even being test fitted, Mike had already quoted me at $250.

That included all prep, installation, and paint.

I dropped off the car and lip kit at Mike's shop on September 15, 2008(Monday) and was told it would be ready for pick-up on the 17th(Wednesday).

The following day, I was told via AIM that fitment on the sideskirts was off and needed to be trimmed. Without my approval, he had already trimmed the sideskirts.

Rather than asking me if I wanted to just return the kit and buy another one, he took it upon himself to trim it and make it fit.

He showed me how the fitment WAS, then showed me how it fits now.(No approval on my end)

Then, he reassured me he'd make it fit/mold it, etc.

He then made a new invoice which was now at $730.69. A $480 price hike from the original quote.

The invoice included:

"Front lip brackets for stability.
Rear lip brackets for stability.
Sideskirts, cut, fiberglass, and re-shape - 3 hours each.
4040 epoxy will be used to stabilize the sideskirt to vehicle.
Sideskirt may be removed if needed.
Work completed will not affect the fitment of OEM sideskirt."

I agreed, trusting him with my Z, that he would do his best possible work.

Wednesday comes, my car isn't ready.

He said he had food poisoning.

People get sick, that's life. I understood, and was told my car would be ready by Friday/Saturday 9/19 - 9/20.

Thursday, he told me via AIM he was stuck doing homework.

Still reassured my car would be ready by Friday/Saturday.

Again, start playing the waiting game.

I never rushed him. If anything, I thought if it took him a few more days to complete my car, it would give him a chance to do even better work. Great opportunity to take his time and make sure everything is good to go.

Friday comes, my car isn't ready.

Mike tells me I can come by and check out the progress.

I head over on Saturday 9/20 expecting my car to be in the final stages nearing completion.

When I arrive(around noon), my car was the same as when I saw it on Tuesday 9/18.

The sideskirts were still black, not prepped.

Nothing else had been done to my car.

I could tell the rear hadn't even been fitted on because my stock mud-guarts/valances were still in place. These NEED to be removed in order to install the rear lip.

The sideskirt had been dremmeled where it meets the door jamb, thus scratching the paint off at the corner.

Also, Mike attended a track event that same Saturday. He never once mentioned this to me.

What's he doing at a track event when my car needs to be completed? I am paying for this after all, aren't I?

Mad at the fact that my car wasn't even near completion, I play the waiting game once again.

On Monday, I ask him if I ever needed to go back to stock, if there would be any problems.

Monday, September 22, 2008
ii quinn (12:25:46 PM): yes of course
ii quinn (12:38:25 PM): but it wont be noticeable
rubicant1979 (12:38:26 PM): So, would I be able to get back to stock without any holes showing?
rubicant1979 (12:38:29 PM): I see.
ii quinn (12:38:41 PM): yup
ii quinn (12:38:48 PM): after u take off the lips, u can still sell
ii quinn (12:38:51 PM): so i made sure of it
rubicant1979 (12:38:58 PM): Cool
ii quinn (12:39:00 PM): so ur not stuck w/ holes and cant sell the car if needed
ii quinn (12:42:24 PM): ya, trust me, most places wouldnt even care about u like that... they will do the job, make it look bomb, when u say... ok mike take it off... theyw ill be like, i cant!
rubicant1979 (12:47:53 PM): hah
ii quinn (12:48:14 PM): im serious man, ur car is safe inside the shop right now and over the weekend
ii quinn (12:48:22 PM): O O O O
ii quinn (12:48:29 PM): ur car is super super super super low
ii quinn (12:48:36 PM): hehe
ii quinn (12:48:46 PM): looks hard tho
rubicant1979 (12:48:51 PM): Yeah, I will definitely have to raise it a bit.

Okay, I'm relieved.

I talk to him on Wednesday to see what progress has been done.

[CrimsonRockett]

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
rubicant1979 (1:08:13 PM): Hey Mike
rubicant1979 (1:08:22 PM): Got any pictures of the progress?
ii quinn (1:08:48 PM): yup hold
rubicant1979 (1:08:57 PM): Cool
ii quinn (1:11:24 PM): youll have to raise the car tonight, so i can finish the car, the jack does not go under the car at all
ii quinn (1:11:47 PM): i have to shoo tthe sides on the car, since we had to make sure it fits the way it fits right now
ii quinn (1:11:58 PM): let me show u how low the car is right now
rubicant1979 (1:12:35 PM): I see.
ii quinn (1:12:40 PM): if u cant raise it, its ok, i can make it work, it would be just a bit easier
ii quinn (1:12:49 PM): for me at least haha, if not, let me know, so ill jackstand the car haha
rubicant1979 (1:12:52 PM): Can't just drive up on a block of wood or something then jack it up?
ii quinn (1:13:00 PM): ya thats what i mean
rubicant1979 (1:13:34 PM): I think I have an idea of how low it is. I came by last Saturday to check it out.
ii quinn (1:13:40 PM): i test drove it around the complex, if i paint the sides now, ill scrape the under part of the sides all the time
ii quinn (1:13:45 PM): yup, see what i mean
ii quinn (1:13:47 PM): haha
rubicant1979 (1:13:49 PM): Yeah
ii quinn (1:13:57 PM): prettttty damn low!
ii quinn (1:14:09 PM): looks so sick tho... but to low i think
rubicant1979 (1:14:09 PM): Yeah it is. When do you think it'll be done?
rubicant1979 (1:14:12 PM): Yeah
ii quinn (1:14:40 PM): if u approve of me just doing it that way, on jackstands, picki t up tomorrow after work
ii quinn (1:14:48 PM): before the sun goes down, so u can see how the paint matches.
rubicant1979 (1:15:49 PM): That's impossible for me unless I get off work 2-3 hours early, heh
ii quinn (1:15:54 PM): IMG_2214.JPG
rubicant1979 (1:15:55 PM): Working in Burbank
ii quinn (1:16:03 PM): o ya
ii quinn (1:16:18 PM): **** it, ok, get it after work, itll match haha
rubicant1979 (1:16:24 PM): Can't take it off the car to paint?
ii quinn signed off at 1:18:24 PM
ii quinn signed on at 1:28:57 PM
ii quinn (1:31:29 PM): I had to use 4040, which is a super strong epoxy, to ensure fitment, quality, without having to mold the sides to the car.
ii quinn (1:32:35 PM): computer died
ii quinn (1:32:41 PM): stupid laptop
rubicant1979 (1:32:45 PM): Oh, so you did that after you test fitted them with the screws?
rubicant1979 (1:32:46 PM): Oh, I see.
ii quinn (1:32:49 PM): yup
rubicant1979 (1:33:19 PM): So, it safe to take the kit off in the future if I sell the car?
rubicant1979 (1:33:30 PM): it"s*
ii quinn signed off at 1:35:28 PM
ii quinn signed on at 1:44:18 PM
ii quinn (1:45:50 PM): k back, stupid comp turned off again
rubicant1979 (1:45:59 PM): np man
ii quinn (1:46:01 PM): gay ass ****
rubicant1979 (1:46:10 PM): I can probably fix it.
ii quinn (1:46:11 PM): but ya man, ok then come by after work, what time can u be here tomorrow ?
ii quinn (1:46:15 PM): cool cool
rubicant1979 (1:46:37 PM): I'm not sure. Maybe around 8 give or take half an hour.
rubicant1979 (1:46:44 PM): That's the earliest.
ii quinn (1:47:19 PM): wow
ii quinn (1:47:21 PM): haha
rubicant1979 (1:47:22 PM): I'll let you know for sure in a couple hours.
ii quinn (1:47:29 PM): ok cool, let me know
rubicant1979 (1:49:10 PM): Alright
ii quinn signed off at 3:25:25 PM
ii quinn signed on at 4:01:06 PM
ii quinn signed off at 4:29:35 PM
ii quinn signed on at 4:33:18 PM
ii quinn signed off at 4:53:35 PM
ii quinn signed on at 4:56:02 PM
rubicant1979 (4:57:25 PM): I can't make it until 7:30 the earliest tomorrow.
ii quinn (4:57:57 PM): ok
ii quinn (4:58:00 PM): thanks for the heads up
ii quinn (4:58:11 PM): if i lag, internet been trippn and comp been shuttn down
rubicant1979 (4:58:21 PM): Alright.
rubicant1979 (4:58:37 PM): I forgot, did you say the car will be done by tomorrow?
ii quinn (5:00:58 PM): haha, ya i said im shootn for it for tomorrow, right now im at the shop preppn and getn things ready so ya, worse case is tomorrow i have to buff
ii quinn signed off at 5:05:57 PM
ii quinn signed on at 5:25:16 PM
rubicant1979 (5:47:05 PM): Alright
ii quinn (6:02:51 PM): man, ur still at work
ii quinn (6:02:54 PM): just like me!!!
rubicant1979 (6:03:22 PM): hah, I've stayed till 9:30 before.
rubicant1979 (6:03:24 PM): For a week.
ii quinn (6:03:26 PM): haha
ii quinn (6:03:34 PM): tight tight, we gotta do what we gotta do right
ii quinn (6:03:43 PM): i have and will be here in and out til about 3am today
rubicant1979 (6:03:45 PM): Yeah, gotta make ends meet.
ii quinn (6:03:49 PM): to finish paintin ur stuff, and others stuff
rubicant1979 (6:03:49 PM): Damn
ii quinn (6:03:52 PM): EXACTLY!
ii quinn (6:03:55 PM): husslers haha
rubicant1979 (6:04:22 PM): You live close to the shop?
ii quinn (6:04:49 PM): ya, thats why i am doing all this upgrades and trying to take carew of my customers... who can say, he lives and works close
ii quinn (6:04:50 PM): haha
ii quinn (6:04:54 PM): i can ride a bike
ii quinn (6:04:55 PM): haha
rubicant1979 (6:04:58 PM): Nice
rubicant1979 (6:26:26 PM): Alright, see you tomorrow. Finally heading home.

Not even done yet...

Okay, I was now promised my car would be ready on Thursday 9/25.

Spoke to him Thursday morning.

Thursday, September 25, 2008
ii quinn (10:02:55 AM): good morning
rubicant1979 (10:16:56 AM): Morning Mike
rubicant1979 (10:17:03 AM): Did you end up staying really late?
ii quinn (10:17:19 AM): ya 2am, to finish a camry, then decided, ill sleep so i can be here early to do up your car
ii quinn (10:17:24 AM): instead of doing your car while im super tired
ii quinn (10:17:47 AM): in my line of work, **** ups in paint is not acceptable since it takes a lot of work to fix after haha
ii quinn (10:18:10 AM): so ya, right now im finish up the side skirts paint and the front, so i can slap the kit by 2pm
ii quinn (10:18:11 AM): -=o)
ii quinn (10:18:18 AM): ill show u pics, to entertain u
ii quinn (10:18:30 AM): so u can be working and think, 'YES! my cars done!"
rubicant1979 (10:18:47 AM): Cool man
rubicant1979 (10:18:51 AM): I really miss my car, hah
ii quinn (10:18:54 AM): haha
ii quinn (10:18:58 AM): its in good hands -=o)
ii quinn (10:19:13 AM): when i see u later, ull see it
rubicant1979 (10:19:14 AM): Cool, I like to hear that
rubicant1979 (10:19:19 AM): Alright
ii quinn (10:19:26 AM): i take care of it, as it was mine, and if you saw my s14, its nice and clean
rubicant1979 (10:19:35 AM): Yup
ii quinn signed off at 12:10:20 PM

Not done yet, huh?

I spoke to him on Friday...

Friday, September 26, 2008
ii quinn (12:41:43 PM): you what time u gettn out of work today!
rubicant1979 (12:42:28 PM): I have no idea man. It gets crazy here sometimes.
ii quinn (12:42:34 PM): hehe
ii quinn (12:42:36 PM): i can tell
rubicant1979 (12:42:36 PM): Gonna try for 6.
rubicant1979 (12:42:49 PM): Get to your shop by 7:30-8
ii quinn (12:42:52 PM): well car looks good, brb, going to install this junk, ur lips
rubicant1979 (12:42:59 PM): Cool
ii quinn signed off at 1:27:47 PM
ii quinn signed on at 2:21:18 PM
ii quinn signed off at 3:11:13 PM
ii quinn signed on at 4:10:16 PM
ii quinn (5:29:16 PM): hows work going foolio
rubicant1979 (5:54:42 PM): I passed my Microsoft test this morning. I think I am leaving at 6
rubicant1979 (6:00:53 PM): Yeah, leaving now.
rubicant1979 (6:01:02 PM): See you at the shop around 7:30 or 8.

My friend gives me a ride to his shop on Friday 9/26 at 8:30pm.

Mike's shop is closed up, and he's no where to be found.

My car was also locked inside, so I couldn't even see what had been done.

After several phone calls, it turns out he's at the airport picking somebody up.

Mike let me know he would be leaving from the airport around 10pm and will be there as soon as he possibly can.

A few phone calls later, it turns out it hadn't even been sprayed yet.

Did I hear correctly?

I've been waiting 1 week, 4 days, and it's not even sprayed yet?

GREAT.

I'm seriously pissed at this point.

He tells me he'll be at the shop by midnight and to come check out the car if i'd like.

I stay up until midnight, drive over...again...he's not there.

Speak with him over the phone one more time, he tells me the car will be ready for pick up before 10am.

I call him on Saturday 9/27 at 9am, my car isn't ready.

Apparently, he was just about to clear it and let it sit under the heat lamps to speed up the curing process. "Come by and pick it up later tonight around 7-8pm" is what I'm told.

My friend gives me a ride over to FINALLY pick up my car from his shop.

Still thinking, "It took him 12 days to complete this, maybe it's because he took his time on it to make sure everything was just right."

So totally wrong.

My car was filthy. Not to mention it was completely covered in overspray even though I was told the kit would be painted OFF the car.

The first thing I noticed, orange peel, and lots of it.

Second thing, wasn't I told there would be brackets made for stability?

The entire kit was drilled onto the car using wood/sheet metal screws and double sided tape(that was already included when I first purchased the kit.

After the car was rolled out of the shop, he pressure washed it.


*Updated pics 11-29-08 http://my350z.com/forum/lounge-off-t...uined-61.html*

*Updated pics 12-7-08 REPAIRS STARTED http://my350z.com/forum/lounge-off-t...uined-64.html*

[CrimsonRockett]

What's this?

Flaking paint already?





This happened as he was pressure washing it.

I don't see any special brackets?







Look clearly by the lower right corner of the license plate.

Why is it wavy like that?



Apparently, he drilled the kit onto the bumper, then bondo'd over the holes.

Wait, DRILLED into my bumpers?

What about going back to stock?

I was clearly told going back to stock wouldn't be a problem.

That's a MAJOR problem.

The sideskirts being DRILLED into my chassis makes that a problem.

The front lip being DRILLED into my bumper makes that a problem.

Wait, why is my body line off?



When I picked up my car, I was told he had to raise the door a little bit for clearance on the sideskirt.

Something I NEVER approved of.

Wait, what's this?



Is that a ****ing dent on my door?

I clearly remember bringing in my car WITHOUT a dent on my door.

It seems as if the door was dropped. Not only is dented, the paint is cracked right down the middle.





I don't see how this is oem fitment.











What's this?



My friend witnessed me barely scrape




It literally peeled right off. ****, rattle can withstands more than this garbage.

Why is there a gap where my door meets the fender?



I CLEARLY remember dropping off my car, unmolested.(I have never removed any body part on my Z.

Here's the rest of the damage we found today.

Is that rust? Why, yes. Yes it is.







Hinge that was moved.



We dropped the car off, stock. All tabs in place.





Runs...







Oh, nice. Overspray.



Wtf? This wasn't there when we dropped off the car.



Underneath the rear bumper.





Look at the stock bumper, then look at the lip kit.

There's NO clear on the lip kit underneath there.



Mmmm, orange peel.



Stock compared to painted lip.



More screws...



Body line screwed up.(Mike moved the doors...)



Ohhhh, very nice.



The kit on the ends is smooth to the touch. As in, NO PREP WORK WAS DONE.

Wait wait wait...what's this?



Is that WOOD?



I didn't know cars still used wood!

So much for flex additive...





Sparkly reflective tires are awesome!



Rear lip...



Just by looking at the sides and rear, you can easily tell they're not color matched.





Kit coming apart from the bumper.



Clear overspray. Who doesn't love overspray?



This is on the ENTIRE car by the way. Not just a little here and there.

I don't even want to know what the hell happened there...



So, more to come. I'm sure we'll find more stuff wrong with the car soon.

[marques1]

So, what point are you at now with him. I have learnt to never pay body shops **** until they finish the job completely to your liking. Most shops have very shady people working their or actually own the business. If they can't deal with me not paying them up front i give them the duece.

[CrimsonRockett]

There was no way in hell we were going to leave the car with Mike.

I'll let Brian(Rubicant on here, Serris on other forums) chime in.

It's his car.

[SilverZed]

Poor car....

Hope you get it sorted out...

[AlvinHuyN]

OMFG! You should sue his ass and his gay body shop. They ****ed up BAD and they know it...**** bro I'm so sorry to read about this. It makes me cringe just seeing the pictures....SUE THEM! And make sure no one else goes to their pathetic shop.

[Nforce1]

Wow... 6 year old did the work?

[marques1]

DAMN, AFTER SEEING ALL THOSE PICTURES I WOULD BE READY TO CURSE SOMEONE OUT. IM SO SORRY, HE F'D YOU CAR UP BAD. I CANNOT BELIEVE HE THOUGHT THIS WAS OK OR EVEN PRESENTABLE, WOW. I WOULD GET HIM TO PAY FOR YOU KIT GIVE YOUR MONEY BACK AND BOUNCE. IF HE IS NOT WILLING TO DO THIS I WOULD BRING HIM TO COURT. YOU WONT NEED A LAWYER MOST LIKELY BECAUSE THIS WILL BE A CIVIL CASE.

[35oZephyR]

OMG....i could have done a better job in my backyard.

[SuperBlack350z]

wow, that's horrible. I would let the BBB know about this. wood tapping screws, wood, overspray, messing up other body parts, that's just horrible.

in the line of body work, remember, there is no such thing as a good deal. If the body shop gives you a good deal, they will either lose money or do a bad job to compensate on the time lost. 250 for fit, prep and paint, that was a bit too good to be true.

Don't take this matter lightly, i would go back and handle this with the shop rather than giving the shop a bad name. They butchered that car to death.

[marques1]

superblack350z: Don't give the shop a bad name, lol. Did you see the job they did on his car. F that man go sue them or whatever that is horrible. They did absolutely nothing right. orange peel, fish eye, paint runs, not sanded properly, a million screw holes, wood, what the hell. suuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee please for the whole z community. If i got my **** out like that he wouldn't have a damn shop anymore. I know it probably wasnt intentional but the work is so bad it looks like it is which is horrible. I dont know how to paint and i bet i could do better than that with 13 days.



***************SUPERBLACK GO BUY A KIT AND ILL PAY FOR YOU TO GET IT PAINTED AT THAT SHOP, LOL*******************8

[sno]

I'd be pissed.

Wait, are those wood screws?

[sno]

Originally Posted by marques1

DAMN, AFTER SEEING ALL THOSE PICTURES I WOULD BE READY TO CURSE SOMEONE OUT. IM SO SORRY, HE F'D YOU CAR UP BAD. I CANNOT BELIEVE HE THOUGHT THIS WAS OK OR EVEN PRESENTABLE, WOW. I WOULD GET HIM TO PAY FOR YOU KIT GIVE YOUR MONEY BACK AND BOUNCE. IF HE IS NOT WILLING TO DO THIS I WOULD BRING HIM TO COURT. YOU WONT NEED A LAWYER MOST LIKELY BECAUSE THIS WILL BE A CIVIL CASE.

LOUD NOISES!!!

[photosonly]

wow.. speachless

[marques1]

sno: what do you mean loud noises!!

[SuperBlack350z]

Originally Posted by marques1

superblack350z: Don't give the shop a bad name, lol. Did you see the job they did on his car. F that man go sue them or whatever that is horrible. They did absolutely nothing right. orange peel, fish eye, paint runs, not sanded properly, a million screw holes, wood, what the hell. suuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee please for the whole z community. If i got my **** out like that he wouldn't have a damn shop anymore. I know it probably wasnt intentional but the work is so bad it looks like it is which is horrible. I dont know how to paint and i bet i could do better than that with 13 days.



***************SUPERBLACK GO BUY A KIT AND ILL PAY FOR YOU TO GET IT PAINTED AT THAT SHOP, LOL*******************8

whoa, calm the **** down there

i wasn't telling him to not give the shop a bad name. I meant I didn't want him to only do that, i want him to do even more since i feel he's taking the matter lightly. If it was me, i would already be at the shop, letting them know exactly what was going to happpen and what was going to be fixed immediately before worse things will happen.

[rubicant]

In case any of you are wondering, I got the lip kit because my stock OEM sideskirt was damaged. I think full kits are too aggressive and this one was subtle enough for me.

Believe me, I am pretty pissed off. I got the car like that on Saturday night and it is like a nightmare. I'd like to sue, but a lawyer told me that since I already paid the guy and signed off on the work, I can't? Like marques1 mentioned before, I can try to make a civil suit against this guy.

However, another lawyer (my cousin) told me that he knows an investigator at the Bureau of Automotive Repair and he's going to get him to start an investigation on Mike's shop. Worst case scenario: his shop gets closed down. Which is what I hope for since I am not the only one he has screwed over. Since we've gotten the word out on Monday, many have come forward with their experiences with Mike.

[sno]

Originally Posted by marques1

sno: what do you mean loud noises!!

Your post was in all caps.

[wazhucks]

wow whats sad is i live near there, im glad i didnt opt to go to that shop