[JSH]

What would you say to shop #1 after you took your car to them 5 or 6 times over six months complaining to them about your top expansion tank being empty after every drive, coolant spray around the engine compartment, they installed a new expansion tank that did not help the situation, losing a gallon of Stay Frosty ($35/gal) from your intercooler tank during every drive, returning home to find the back of your car covered with the liquid after every drive [I probably lost 10 gal. total], 30 seconds of rapid popping in your headers on every startup, yet they charged you thousands, but didn’t fix any of those.

You then take your car to shop #2, where you find the head gasket punched out between #6-8, the header main welds separating from both flanges, the top back intercooler tank weld split open, etc.

What would you say to shop #1 about all this?

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

A new shop solved my issue in one visit that you guys couldn’t find in 5-6, I not only won’t be using you guys in the future, but will be recommending other to NOT visit you either. Best of luck, and hope you find a way to better serve your customers.

[ZLRob]

Continue with your repairs as necessary, make sure the new shop thoroughly (and I mean thoroughly) documents their findings and takes photos of said damages in said areas and then take that paperwork and slap it down on the first shops counter. If they refuse to attempt to either refund you some or all of your money for your time and troubles then threaten to lawyer up and take them to small claims court. If they still refuse and want to play hardball then it's time to do what you must and make sure you do as much damage as possible to make it hurt for them. Everything, negative reviews on Google, yelp. Contact local news stations... Etc. All of this in addition to taking them to small claims court of course.

I would personally just let them know that we can move up in process of escalation if they want to refuse to play ball with you. Just tell them you can take as far as they are willing to let you take it.

Put the ball in their court and let the cards fold out as it may. Tact is the ability to send someone to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

You as the customer have so much power to make or break a business. Especially with today's access to technology and information. Take it to them!

[KingLT1]

More shops are incompetent than not these days. It's like the Wild west in the performance world.

Tell them they suck and you won't recommend them...then smear their name all over the internet. Because at the end of the day they are likely not going to make it right with you. I mean, I said it was likely hurt way back when you started the thread about losing coolant and I haven't even seen the car. Just using common knowledge that I guess ain't so common.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

More shops are incompetent than not these days. It's like the Wild west in the performance world.

Tell them they suck and you won't recommend them...then smear their name all over the internet. Because at the end of the day they are likely not going to make it right with you. I mean, I said it was likely hurt way back when you started the thread about losing coolant and I haven't even seen the car. Just using common knowledge that I guess ain't so common.

I agree here which is why I stick with Vengeance Racing. Their reputation is nearly impeccable, and I say nearly because I'm not aware of any bad experiences but it's impossible for me to say if there have ever been any. I have a local large performance shop that is literally 5 minutes from my house but I'm scared to use them because negative reviews are just too common for me to chance taking my car there. It's a shame because being 5 min away would be very convenient especially if I had an issue with the modifications.

[GreenZLE]

I dont let ANYONE check the machine work on ANYTHING!!! I do it myself 3 times, minimum.

[Camfab]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

More shops are incompetent than not these days. It's like the Wild west in the performance world.

Tell them they suck and you won't recommend them...then smear their name all over the internet. Because at the end of the day they are likely not going to make it right with you. I mean, I said it was likely hurt way back when you started the thread about losing coolant and I haven't even seen the car. Just using common knowledge that I guess ain't so common.

I Agee with your statement, except it's always been that way. Always, 70's, 80's, 90's.......... today.

[clg82]

From my experience (very recently) cut ties with shop #1. For me it was more of a headache and daily aggravating struggle dealing with trying to get the first shop I used to fix the mess they created then it was just to cut ties and move onto a new one. I wish I would have just given up on shop #1 sooner, for my sanity. If I were in your shoes, I'd leave them a bad review and move on not to deal with the headaches.

[Smokin19]

This is a headache no one would ever want. Having experienced the same many years ago I took it upon myself to throughly vett any shop I do business with. Today I have a shop that I trust completely and won't let anyone touch my car even for an oil change. Saying that any mistake can be made, it's how the shop handles their mistake. Good luck going forward.

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

I'll chime in, as I've had more than half my work done by performance shop. I selected Katech for several reasons. 1) Not because they were the best priced, 2) They had a very good reputation, 3) the work is done right, and 4) they were only 3 hours form where I live. Katech seems comparable to same level shops, price wise. But, for the most part, I drop my car off, they do the work, I pick my car up, and I drive it with no worries!

I know a local shop that has had a guys Z06 all spring and summer, just for CAM, heads and a few other power mods. Nothing over difficult, yet my friend hasn't had his car all this time. He's starting to worry and starting to press the shop. I have heard a lot of the local shops around me, are great and getting cars in the door, great a getting started on the builds, but no so great getting them finished and delivered. Good luck and I hope you get it worked out.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

More shops are incompetent than not these days. It's like the Wild west in the performance world.

Tell them they suck and you won't recommend them...then smear their name all over the internet. Because at the end of the day they are likely not going to make it right with you. I mean, I said it was likely hurt way back when you started the thread about losing coolant and I haven't even seen the car. Just using common knowledge that I guess ain't so common.

Yeah, my instincts told me that the only way pressure can enter the coolant system is from a cylinder, but the fix was so objectionable that I wouldn't accept the obvious. Shop #1 didn't mention this until they knew I was taking it to Shop #2. I have to assume they didn't want to tie up a shop slot with a two-month project.

Shop #1 is history now. As far as I can tell, Shop #2 has done everything right so far. We're now only waiting on new pushrods (0.0001 longer).

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

More shops are incompetent than not these days. It's like the Wild west in the performance world.

Tell them they suck and you won't recommend them...then smear their name all over the internet. Because at the end of the day they are likely not going to make it right with you. I mean, I said it was likely hurt way back when you started the thread about losing coolant and I haven't even seen the car. Just using common knowledge that I guess ain't so common.

Yeah shops messing up stuff is way too commonplace these days. Common sense definitely isn't too common anymore at all indeed. Sad but true. It's why I have opted to do almost all of my work on my own now unless it's stuff like exhaust work, because it's hard to trust any random stranger doing stuff. If I have to sublet work to be done by anyone other than myself I'm usually either watching or hanging around as they do what they do, keeping a loving eye on my stuff.

[kropscamaro16]

trying to find a good shop is like find a good lady its impossible lol

[Gone to the bowtie side]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

I agree here which is why I stick with Vengeance Racing. Their reputation is nearly impeccable, and I say nearly because I'm not aware of any bad experiences but it's impossible for me to say if there have ever been any. I have a local large performance shop that is literally 5 minutes from my house but I'm scared to use them because negative reviews are just too common for me to chance taking my car there. It's a shame because being 5 min away would be very convenient especially if I had an issue with the modifications.

I can't say enough good things about Ron Mowen with Vengeance.

A few years ago, I had them put a dual turbo setup on my LT1. The car was crashed by a red light runner when they were doing the final street tune for it.

He went to bat for me with his insurance company and got me full value for the car and also for them to pay for the work done.

I later got a 2023 ZL1 but if I ever have work done on this car, he will be the first to go to.