So, we quoted out the build knowing what we know about these issues and basically painting a worst case scenario picture. I want to point out that when we provide quotes on engine failures we always try to provide the customer with the actuality they will likely be facing. We have been blessed to have lots of experience with these cars and very much know what can and can’t be salvaged in most failures. We also will not cut corners on what needs to be replaced. So if say a customer tells me he had very little oil pressure over a course of a couple drives I’m going to quote him with a new block and crank. If we get the car apart and the worst isn’t the case the resulting phone call is much better call than starting out with some low, unrealistic quote and then calling to let them know it’s gonna be 10k more than expected. Unfortunately these sales tactics are used all the time in this industry. A lot of the times it’s not even the shops fault or unethical, it’s simply a lack of experience and because of that the customer usually ends up with some nasty surprise instead of being prepared for the reality of the situation.
I never want the customer to pay for something or spend money they don’t need to. Anyone who has done business with me will tell you that I’m the first to say “no you don’t need that”, “no need to waste your money on that”. We give honest advice to enthusiasts regardless of profit margins or if there is a lost opportunity to make a couple hundred bucks. In my mind the long term effects of guiding someone down a proper path is much more rewarding. However, if a car has a major failure and needs a crank, block, timing components, oil cooler or any other necessary parts to ensure there isn’t another premature failure … I’m going to tell them up front!
With that all said, after Tommy’s failure the car went to a different shop to be pulled part. After assessing the damage when it was torn down he was informed that he indeed needed several new components that were going to add up to be far too close to our pricing to not have the experience and support that we offer. I was honestly very excited to get the call that he was pulling his disassembled car and sending it over to us.
The car came in boxes…literally, but that was no issue. After some dividing, organizing, and sorting she was labeled and divided into build bins just like we would disassemble one of our own builds.
