I was also disturbed by your, and others, posting of facts about the past and complete unwillingness to completely forget any past wrongdoings the minute the company posted "under new management."
How does shit like $140K happen? Simple, happens at a lot of shops. Customer drops off car from out-of-state means infrequent visits, infrequent updates, little pressure on shop to get it done. Huge builds mean lots of parts coming in and out, lots of time on the car, lots of problems to run into, lots of reasons to put it on the back burner. Lots of shops are run by theives and general low-lives who at one point showed some talent in fabrication or tuning the ten minutes a week they weren't a drunk wifebeater. Lots of shops open up and close within a year for this BS - others have owners, employees, and lawyers who do a really great job of kissing ass and selling stories to string people along and they are still in business after twenty years - worked for such a company, thought it had an awesome reputation when I interviewed. After working there less than a year, left too much shady crap. Out of state cars sitting on "Death Row" some untouched in YEARS with $25,000+ builds partially paid for.
Can't work on your own car? Take it to a local, reputable shop who can provide references and is within easy driving distance. Put half cash down or full parts payment if you are buying them through them. Make it known up front you will be by often to check up on car, use the excuse you can't work on your own car but like to see the process. Keep your builds small money, quick in/out stuff. If you want a blower, fuel system, suspension, do one at a time in 3 appointments. Quick turnaround cars are a shop's and customer's best friend - easy, fast money, little BS. Schedule your appointments for downtime (winter) when there are less customers and the shop needs cashflow and has less racing obligations. As much fun and awesome unique custom one-off shit is, do the same bolt-on power upgrades everyone and their mom is doing - your shit will still be stupid fast, you'll just cut 90% of the parts fitment, waiting on custom parts, fabrication, cost, labor, delays out of the equation - you want one off-shit, buy a welder and learn yourself if you want it done this decade or write the shop a blank check with the orders no other car is to be touched for the entire time your vehicle is on the premises.
opcorn:
