Less trustworthy in a weak economy? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Blackbirdws6 · 02-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Been thinking about this for a little bit. With the economy being bad, I am finding it harder to trust businesses that I am having a first time experience with. Don't get me wrong, they may be honest but I think the lack of business is making people just a bit more desperate to squeeze every last dollar out of a customer. I understand the theory but it does bother me.

This is not to say that certain places haven't always done this but I'm finding myself second guessing and being overall less comfortable when speaking to a saleperson or the like.

For instance, I just took one of my wheels from my bird to get reconditioned. Found a place that I had good ratings and within reasonable driving distance. I sent pictures of the damage which was pretty mild and I received a fair quote. Took the wheel there myself and all of a sudden I'm being told its going to be $45 to make it truly perfect. This kind of bothered me and I let them know this but not knowing exactly what is required to repair the wheel, I said sure. Overall, not sure if I'm being scammed just a little bit or it requires just more work to fix.

Anyone have a similar feeling or impression?

This kind of goes along the lines of companies actually doing well in this economy using the "bad economy" excuse to limit or get rid of bonuses or annual raises. I guarantee there are some companies doing this just to save a few extra bucks.

Tsar · 02-22-2009, 08:19 PM

one of the reasons I don't wanna fix my car in PA... at least in jersey I know the dude won't rip me off - at least he has never done so in the past

91DropTop · 02-22-2009, 08:20 PM

maybe seeing it in person was worse than the picture showed? maybe they gave you the best estimate based on a picture? how far off the origional price?

Tsar · 02-22-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91DropTop

maybe seeing it in person was worse than the picture showed? maybe they gave you the best estimate based on a picture? how far off the origional price?

45 more... it's in the original post.

NJ Torque · 02-22-2009, 08:29 PM

^I think $45 was the "new" price?

Tsar · 02-22-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ Torque

^I think $45 was the "new" price?

ahhh being a smart ass finally bites me in the ass...

91DropTop · 02-22-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsar

ahhh being a smart ass finally bites me in the ass...

FBODS4EVER · 02-22-2009, 09:14 PM

did it hurt?

Tsar · 02-22-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBODS4EVER

did it hurt?

When I fell from the heavens? Yes, yes it did.

jims69camaro · 02-22-2009, 10:12 PM

first time relationships are always difficult. repetition builds trust and you just don't have that with a 'new' company. not even being able to rely on someone else's word that the company is ok...if the price was $45, i don't think that's too bad but i don't know what damage there was to begin with. if the metal was torn, then that's structural and would cost more. if we are talking a refinishing, well, then that's a whole 'nother story.

it also depends on how they are fixing the wheel. didn't happen to see a tig welder in the place, did you? that would have allayed any fears i would have had with a broken wheel - well, at least they have the right equipment to fix it.

BonzoHansen · 02-22-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsar

When I fell from the heavens? Yes, yes it did.

Hold on, you can't make a statement like that without giving us time to prepare...

bubba428 · 02-22-2009, 10:15 PM

and the recovery

madness410 · 02-22-2009, 11:44 PM

so far i personally have not come across anything like this. but i believe people should be aware of it. crime levels have gone up due to unemployment rates, that's just crimes such as bank robberies, burglaries, etc. nobody thinks about the behind the scenes crimes, and you did a good job bringing it to peoples attention...including mine.

Blackbirdws6 · 02-23-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims69camaro

first time relationships are always difficult. repetition builds trust and you just don't have that with a 'new' company. not even being able to rely on someone else's word that the company is ok...if the price was $45, i don't think that's too bad but i don't know what damage there was to begin with. if the metal was torn, then that's structural and would cost more. if we are talking a refinishing, well, then that's a whole 'nother story.

it also depends on how they are fixing the wheel. didn't happen to see a tig welder in the place, did you? that would have allayed any fears i would have had with a broken wheel - well, at least they have the right equipment to fix it.

The price was not $45 but was in addition to my original quote. Again, its not too far off and was by no means double what was originally quoted so I'm not stressing very much at all. It has just been on my mind. The rim hit a pothole last year and the lip was bent a little bit. Most could not notice it but it bugged me to no end.

35thls1ss19 · 02-23-2009, 07:40 AM

where you go to get your wheel fixed? i have one that need to be fixed also! let me know how you make out. seems like a fair price, not sure what you needed done

Anti_Rice_Guy · 02-23-2009, 07:47 AM

For your car that never saw the road there CJ?

Blackbirdws6 · 02-23-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35thls1ss19

where you go to get your wheel fixed? i have one that need to be fixed also! let me know how you make out. seems like a fair price, not sure what you needed done

USA Wheels in Fairfield, NJ. I will let you know how it comes out when it's done which is supposed to be today.

sweetbmxrider · 02-23-2009, 03:36 PM

i have been doing business with new people and i have had that second thought in the back of my mind. still waiting on a couple transactions. its the times though.

35thls1ss19 · 02-24-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

For your car that never saw the road there CJ?

lol well one time it did see the road and my drag radial was a lil low on air the wheel didnt like the pot hole i hit

35thls1ss19 · 02-24-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

USA Wheels in Fairfield, NJ. I will let you know how it comes out when it's done which is supposed to be today.

thanks bud i will have to take a ride down with one of my wheels if ya like the way it come back. what did you need done?

Blackbirdws6 · 02-24-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35thls1ss19

thanks bud i will have to take a ride down with one of my wheels if ya like the way it come back. what did you need done?

I had the wheel lip repaired due to the very edge of the lip being bent towards the center of the wheel as well as the hoop being deformed a bit as well. It wasn't horrible but again, it drove me nuts when I would look at it. They said they were going to run a "program" on it to I guess resurface the wheel after it's built back up and then repolish the wheel.

The wheel is done but I'm going to pick it up on Saturday since I just don't have time to get it during the week.

Again, I'll let you know if I'm pleased with it.

35thls1ss19 · 02-24-2009, 08:12 PM

sounds good! thanks a lot hope it comes back good!

WildBillyT · 02-24-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Hold on, you can't make a statement like that without giving us time to prepare...

Cool, Bacon resistant waders!

Blackbird-

I agree, it's tough trusting business I haven't had experince with already. Part of me is apprehensive about them trying to rip me off or cut and run with my money. I was wrapped up in the Celebration Studios fiasco and that has left me a little bitter.

35thls1ss19 · 02-28-2009, 05:17 PM

any up date?

Blackbirdws6 · 02-28-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35thls1ss19

any up date?

Actually yes. Just got the wheel back and it looks perfect. I was very pleased with the work and there is absolutely no sign of damage or correction even being done on the wheel. This is the way it's supposed to be.

Now I just need to move into my new house (Mar. 21st), get the new rear installed and I'm good to go for now.