No customer satisfaction at Retro Customz

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I am a newbe to classic car restorations. Bought my son a Beetle whilst l was abroad and gave it to a family member to start the work only to be told that the money l gave upfront was finish with no explanation or invoices relating to it.

I then enlisted Retro Customz since they are a reputable business in car restoration. They knew about my first experience so l left the car there for them to do a detailed check to finish the project and give me a quote. The quote l received was high but l real**** on their expertise and professionalism to check and finish the car. We reached an agreement w r t payment etc. I gave a deposit and was suppose to give a second payment once the job was at a cerrain stage. Jan 2020 work was slow and they asked if l could make second payment to help them with running cost which l did in good faith.

Needless to say, work started but then Covid happened. Again l helped by paying more money in advance contrary to the agreement.l popped in occassionally to check on progress and make the guys attentive to what l was not happy with. Then suddenly 1 of the partners started hassling me for the balance, saying the car is finished. I went to check but was not happy with a number of things. I now know that they have never done a Beetle before - the car is put together but nothing is lined up; the gaps between doors and body varies from small to big. The boonet lid doesn't close properly. They couldn't figure out how to fit the overriders to the bumpers and l had to do it. The floorpan had to be welded up on 2 places - only 1 place was done but its of a quality that l (amateur) would produce but was well disguised by planting the floor back so one could not see the defects whilst the car was in the workshop. I pointed out to the partner that l am not happy as a customer and that l accommodated them by making unscheduled payments to come to their assistance. I said that l would not take the car until l am happy since it is my right as a customer and that it was a lot of money for the job. He then threatened me that if l do not fetch the car and pay the balance that he would charge storage etc. My son been a softy then said we must fetch the car instead....needless to say that when we got home l saw the poor welding (can see right through it). The running boards are fitted with huge gaps between it and the body as well as between it and the fenders.

I know have to pull out the new rooflinning cover in an attempt to cut out the rotten floor panels and replace it with new ones. The irony is l gave the new skins as it is called but was told that they will weld it up instead. OR l have to remove the shell from the floor pan to cut and weld in the new skins. This will cost another 5 to 8k......

The car is covered with a plastic l got from them and a car cover. A few days ago l took it off to change a flat and to check what would be best since l got advice form the club only to see that there are cracks in the paint already.....simply put if you are a novice beware everybody wants to take you for a ride. I trusted them to check out the car thoroughly and quote to finish it - now there is more work to be done with the possiblity of causing damage to the rest of the paint work. I am disappointed in my treatment as a client, in the workmanship l got in return for the money l paid.....poor service....if you are thinking about a classic restoration spread out your net to get numerous quotes etc. I would not go there again and l was hoping to build a good relationship since l have 2 more projects that need painting