Things I am pondering today

[BluLightning]

Maybe he likes tomato juice

He is a fan of Bloody Marys.

[cstmwgn]

Maybe he likes tomato juice

[BluLightning]

I'm pondering why our dog feels the need to try and eradicate any skunk that comes into our yard. This is the fourth time, I think.

[corvettedad]

I’m starting to get the hang of this retirement thing, but it’s rough!

I feel your pain

[moparjim71]

I’m starting to get the hang of this retirement thing, but it’s rough!

[corvettedad]

It won't get any better! You need to retrieve it now and find someone else.

What he said.

[cstmwgn]

Fortunately I haven’t paid anything in advance, and I’m holding the parts myself until he says he’s ready to do my car next... does shop work after his regular job, which sometimes requires out of state travel (can confirm he does go to Minnesota a lot). Just can’t ever seem to get him to commit to when he can do it, or when he will be at the shop. The few times I’ve tried to set up a trip up there (GreenBay) he isn’t there, or not available those days...
I’m just very frustrated, so maybe venting more than anything.

It won't get any better! You need to retrieve it now and find someone else.

[Redline04]

My el camino never got painted because they put quarters and wheel wells on it and left part of the old wheel under there. The clear coat on the roof has come off and the paint is not too good either. Windshield not perfectly centered so trim won't fit. Filled in holes for trim above the tail lights. I don't think they are around anymore.

That’s a lot worse than what I’m frustrated with, at least so far... haven’t seen the car in a year though...

[stu yoakam]

My el camino never got painted because they put quarters and wheel wells on it and left part of the old wheel under there. The clear coat on the roof has come off and the paint is not too good either. Windshield not perfectly centered so trim won't fit. Filled in holes for trim above the tail lights. I don't think they are around anymore.

[67 Malibu]

... how do you handle a restoration shop that is difficult to get contact with? Elusive at best. Takes days to return messages, says will call in a day or two, then doesn’t respond again. Claims to be working out of state, rarely around the shop (his “part time job-hobby”). Supposed to be a great guy and awesome mechanic, but can’t get him to do the work or commit to a time frame... I’d just go get the car and give up on him, but he’s 3 hrs away, and I can never tell if he’s around, or not.

That's not a restoration shop. " Claims to be working out of state, rarely around the shop (his “part time job-hobby”)." Thats someone that wants to be a restoration shop but doesn't have the self-discipline to do the work. Especially if they have been paid anything up front. If he is really "a great guy", he will not have any problem with you picking up the car & moving on. If he owes you any money, get the car FIRST & then you can take him to court for that if you want to. Either way you will be a lot happier with the car safe & sound at home.

I went through that a couple of times with cars. I learned that it is very hard to get anyone that has another job to maintain any kind of a schedule on the car. One guy had my '57 for the better part of ten years just to put new rear quarters on. He had actually done the quarters & painted my '65 El Camino when he worked at a local body shop. Then he went to work for Duncan Aviation. In that ten years he had been promoted to supervisor of the paint shop. So he was busy & so was I. But I did know him to be a good guy. When I found a shop that would do the car he was actually relieved when I told him that I was going to take the car back & take it to them. Next time that you talk to him ask him point-blank how much he has done, what you owe him (if he has done anything), & tell him that you will come & get the car & pay him anything that you owe him. If he has actually done anything. Keep us posted on this one.

[MIKEE]

... how do you handle a restoration shop that is difficult to get contact with? Elusive at best. Takes days to return messages, says will call in a day or two, then doesn’t respond again. Claims to be working out of state, rarely around the shop (his “part time job-hobby”). Supposed to be a great guy and awesome mechanic, but can’t get him to do the work or commit to a time frame... I’d just go get the car and give up on him, but he’s 3 hrs away, and I can never tell if he’s around, or not.

Where is he located?

[cstmwgn]

I have been through a similar experience. My problem was I gave them a deposit up front which they spent and had to do other work to pay the bills. I think you need to have a serious talk with him. You need to explain to him that you will get the car if he can't be more responsive. You need to contact the local LEOs to find out what they will need to force open his shop for you to retrieve your property. It might be best to contact them first so you know what to tell him if/when you actually talk to him.

For me, once the tension are raised (verbal threats) it is time to get it back before any more bad things can happen.

[stu yoakam]

Got the bulb. Over paid at Oreilly's because they are the only ones in walking distance. I thought one was LED but its not. They are both halogen. Its the halo DRL that is LED on the car but only incandescent on this new housing. So now my car will look like it has a lazy eye or something. Maybe somebody will break the other one and they will even out. These bulbs are a PITA good thing the light comes off so easily. This is why we can't have nice things. Eight day vacation and no where to go. Plenty of chores to do like mowing after I tune up the mower and changing the oil in the truck and getting the 71 running again. Battery may or may not need charging. The focus battery is four years old so it may be on its last year. Its sideways and crammed under the cowl for no reason but to be difficult. IDK how it comes out of there.

[stu yoakam]

Re-read the ebay listing. It says takes an H7 bulb. Not the H11 that my car has. IDK if I can get away with just getting the H7 and going with it or not? Don't want to hurt the car. Says full refund if I pay the shipping but only if they sent the wrong part. Also don't want to shell out up to $600 for another light now that its too late to call insurance about it.

[cstmwgn]

Is "smuchbuckets" another name for politicians?