Sounds completely fair and what I'm used to.. Thanks.

 

no no, that is true. I am speaking of just labor.

but Alberto's benchmark would be good too... possibly.

 

100 % for parts, labor when done. think about how many kids roll into shops waning FI setups and actually have the coin to do it. this makes sure the shop doesnt get screwed on parts, and the customer is already in 10k, might as well max out a credit card and follow through( and if you dont pay for labor they take a mechanics lean on it). Shops are small and do numerous cars ar a time, they are not multi million dollar corporations.

 

I always pay for parts and If I trust the vendor, I'll give more if they ask for it.

On a side note, I hired a contractor to build an iron fence with an electric gate for my front yard almost 6 months ago. He asked for 50% up front and told me it would take 6 to 8 weeks. So far all I have up are all the posts and a 4' section of the gate. I have to keep calling him and threathing him with everything from a lawsuit to just flat out beating his ****. Nothing is working. He does a section of the fence every week or so until I threaten him again. When he does finish, I am going to take my sweet **** time paying him back. I am thinking about paying him $100 a month, which would take 3 years to pay him off.

 

paid it all up front.. and then paid whatever additional after

 

I would have to be the shop owners 2nd cousin to do that I wouldn't want to give up that leverage if they go over time or cost promises.

 

I would NEVER pay up front. Have the shop produce a statment of work, both of you MUST sign it and pay for the job when the work is completed...

Too many bad experiences, don't learn the hard way...

 

Man.. i did 2 months research before i came up with a shop to do my work.. this is just turbo kit on stock block.. i found so many shops close to my house.. maybe 20 or so.. i came up with 1 shop that gave me enough confidence that they would do my work..

Julian: Hello
Me: Hi is this MRC
Julian: Yes how may i help you
Me: i was interesting in doing a Greddy TT Kit on stock motor what do you suggest to go with it..
Julian: << list of accesories to make the Greddy Kit safe>>
Me: Great.. how much will that cost
Julian: <<cost>>
Me: Great .. can i send you a cashiers check today?
Julian: huh?
Me: i will head to the bank right now

Sent check... never met julian till i dropped off my car.. car ran perfectly.. never had a problem.. he had great customer service.. he explained everything to me up front.. if there was potential problems he told me everything.. everything was great..

so when i decided to build my motor and get the usualy accessories to go with it.. i had no problem..

Me: i want to do a build
Julian: <<cost>>
Me: I am heading to the bank right now

1 month later...

Julian: the FCon is a great addition to your build
Me: I'm heading to the bank right now..

when you maintain that trust with your installer/tuner.. there is really no question if you will send them that type of money or not.. no questions asked.

Julian always made me feel comfortable ((no homo))

 

i agree.. and i disagree..

sometimes **** happens.. sometimes **** oges right..

i did the same exact thing with MRC that i did with my Bike Build..

My bike ended up with a shitty motor that never ran right.. a shady shop that had to end up refunding my labor and paying for another ship to try and fix it.. and after dumping $8000 in parts and labor .. the bike threw a rod, punched a hole in the block and i ended up selling it for $1500 to get rid of it..

$8000 build + $5000 bike - $1500 sale = owned

 

I say get a contract written up, work has to be done by a certain date or they start losing a percentage for every day its not done. I say paying up front for parts is fine, but get an estimate and make them stick to it.

 

just so you guys know.. Julian ALWAYS faxed me an estimate before i ever paid him.. everything was always backed up in writing.. incase that wasn't clear in my first post.. come to think of it.. i never did get an estimate from the first Bike shop.. hmmmm

 

balla!!!

 

You will be known to me as "Doug Guap" from now on.

 

cover the parts plus 25% of labor(got to pay workers)

 

That's awesome. Glad you were able to find a tuner you trust enough to do so.

 

wasn't really about the money.. i was just overly excited and couldn't wait to get it done.. kinda like a giggling school girl

 

**Slightly Off-topic**

This is exactly how the conversations between me and Adam go.

Adam: Hey, have you seen the <<enter really expensive, super ultra rare part that no one has yet with instructions in japanese>>? I think it would go sick with your car. You should get it.
Me: You really think so?
Adam: Yup, It's hot!
Me: Ok, I'll stop by with the money

 

+1... just make sure you have things in writing