<VV> Prices / Shops / New Mechanics / Frugalities?

[PatioMatt at aol.com]

Someone said earlier:
 
 
When my friend Eric was running his Corvair shop in NC, he did  estimates for 
free.
(Which I got him to change eventually)
Each car that  came in got put up on the jack stands, and he would spend 2-3 
hours going  through the entire car, making a list of parts required.  He 
would then  sit down with the Clark's book and write up a parts estimate, and then 
 estimate his labor.  Didn't even include shop supplies like paint, oil,  
grease, varsol, etc. (for cars not getting a paint job there, just mech.  
restorations.)

I was there when several customers saw that it was going  to cost (in 1996 
prices)
6K for parts, 6-8K for labor.   After we  revived the frugal owner, they 
would leave--never to return.  


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Can you blame them?  Especially in 1996??  ONLY NAMES   bring that kind of $$$
 
When I purchased my 69 #5990...most estimated it would be $5,000.00  MINIMUM 
in Bodywork and paint to just get a "decent" street / "Show &  Shine" paint 
refurb.
 
So, I was able to purchase the $2500 advertised car easily for $800...  and 
then going to a "No-name" but  well known SoCal Corvair  P &  B Specialist.. 
$825 more!  We just don't advertise his name....per  his  request... He has way 
too much work....
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As far as Mechanical / Electrical repairs....even on the EAST RUST  Coast... 
you can buy NICE cars for that!  or less, even  today!
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As far as recruiting NEW YOUNG  blood for Vair mechs..... I know  of a guy 
who was OFFERED a job at $15 @ Hr. starting wage...with  training!  but required 
a move of 1,500 miles
 
He changes oil at WalMart instead for  close to Minimum wage...  after MOVING 
600 miles!
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As much as I respect Lew... and others....  some of us are just  SMARTER than 
others....IMO!!!
 
The ones that seem frugal... may not have been previously.... and have  
learned their lessons....


Matt  Nall
All Vairs!
_http://members.aol.com/patiomatt_ (http://members.aol.com/patiomatt) 
somewhere  between Sea Mountain and Coos Bay.  OR






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