SMC Discussion Areas

I bought a Ideal 55 Slider back in August, I found a restorer and sent it off on Aug 23.  His website says restorations generally take "12-16" weeks.  Its now been 22 weeks and I still don't have the machine.  I sent an email two weeks ago saying I wanted this machine by the Super Bowl and I got a response saying that I would have it by then.  Now a week ago I get an email stating that he may not be able to make this deadline.  What would you guys do?  At this point I am considering eating the down payment on the machine and cancelling the order because this whole experience is just putting a bad taste in my mouth.  I just feel like my machine isn't a priority and that he's putting more profitable work ahead of mine.

Mostly just venting but any advise would be great too.

That's why I never take a "dime" from a customer...til' the work is completed, period! I have the same issues sometimes. Custom work, work load, and other things that can't be seen, come up...that's all part of it. If I don't have your money, and you THINK I'm taking too long...come get it. That way, there's no hard feelings, due to cash down payment!  I don't have any idea who you're speaking of, but in my world,  antique refrigeration takes a back seat to my commercial customers...that's just the way it is. So, if who ever is working on the machine, has a "day" job...it just might take a little bit longer, that's all.  :smile:

Who did you send it to?

I waited two years once.

 I'll be honest I have people waiting , ( not yours)  But these people  all know that I have jobs in front  of their machine.
And yes I do take a down payment but if you were to come to my place or email me  and ask for your machine back and money,
not a problem.

   And Eric is right some of us do have a full time job to do that come first  because that pays the bills.
 and yes some jobs take longer , you find more wrong with it than what was first known ( more rust )
 or you can't find that part any where  or you have to make a part or several parts (like what I'm doing right
now on a Westy WD14)  

Give him a call ask if he has a minute  so you two can talk and ask whats going on with you machine , is there a problem
 and give him a chance to explain himself .

 If you want give me a call  .

I too have some clients waiting for restorations that normally would have been completed by now. My regular job has changed drastically (longer hours). I'm not happy about it but the work will be done asap.

     Sounds Like a Story I heard & Lived  Before .So Is this Restorer From the South East  Area ???

Bad deal on the delay. Any luck contacting by phone? Has he sent pics of what has been done so far?

If nothing has been done. I would want the deposit back and they pay shipping for the return.

Hope it is not in pieces. That is a whole nuther ballgame.

Good Luck and keep us posted!
Creighton
 

as stated by others, yes delays happen.. but that individual should at least communicate with you on what, why and when... and the when is sometimes hard, but to delay without reason is no acceptable..

I too have some machines that are taking longer, only because of problems like a compressor failing , or a peice of chrome not meeting my quality inspection, but those details are passed along to the customer and I have had no issues.

If you have questions about an certain restorer, contact one of us who do this as well, privatey and maybe some light can be shed, without plastering his name on the site..

Good luck!

Good point John ,His name does not to be put out here, it has happen before and it got ugly.  and yes contact one of us  John ,Rod (funtronics)  Curtis, Eric,
Terry or myself . :smile:

Glen aka Moondawg is the only restorer probably in the Country who is done before the deadline. That's only because he works his ass off. But, not at all unusual to have to wait for a machine, not a easy process.

I feel your pain.

One thing I have noticed in this hobby is that so many of us make a living on the side with our restorations.  I do not.  The reason I turn down offers(constantly) to restore stuff is that I can not dedicate the time to do it the way I do my own restorations.  I also don't want the hobby I love turn into "work". The good news is that the economy seems to be coming back due to the fact that the wait is so long to spend $5000-$6000 on a soda machine restoration.

I still think that the popularity of such shows as American Pickers and American Restorations, have made "cool finds" much harder to come by.  Everyone's square top is now worth $1500 or so the seller thinks it is.

The people who make money on restorations (and I do not begrudge them a bit) have benefited due to the shows popularity, but the true collectors have not.

Just my.02

Okay, thank you for the replies.  I mostly just wanted to vent my frustrations on the slider not being done.  It's hard to think I would have it by Thanksgiving and then not have it, and then think I'd have it by Christmas and not have it, and then to be told I'd have it by the end of the year and not have it.  Super Bowl is the next time I am having people over and since this is THE BEER DRINKING Holiday of the year I really wanted to be able to cool 75 beers!  Hopefully he will get it to be by then but if not I will take what you guys have told me into account.  I'd bring my Westy 78 home for the party if it wasn't such a pain in the arse.

He has sent me pictures and it is primed and all the body work is done so as of two weeks ago it needed paint and reassembly. 

thanks again...

There is a world of difference being told there is  wait, before dropping off the machine and being promised a delivery date that keeps gettng missed without acceptable reasons or the minimum contacting the customer.

I've missed deadlines  due to outside  factors, and did what it took to make things right  for our customer.

I have had three items at two restorations houses since 7/1/11 or earlier. They are all overdue by many months but there were unexpected delays. The challenge seems to be with the chrome work and paint work. Good chrome work takes time and most places are backed up. Good outside painters that are willing to take the time needed to complete a restoration are hard to find. My sense is that most painters want to paint cars, not old vending machines which adds another dimension.  The restoration houses should probably quote a best case/worst case scenario on when the work will be done and factor in all lead times and potential issues.

With that said, I'd rather wait a little longer and have world class, museum grade restorations than to have an Earl Sheib paint job or spray on chrome with sloppy mechanics. I'm glad that my machines are at places that won't cut corners to get the work done right and I'll wait a little longer under those circumstances. Hang in there.

Well said Roadman

I repair/restore the mechanical mechs, but that is all I do with regards to restorations. It is enough to keep me busy, but not interfere with daily life too much. Too many factors (for me) in restoring the whole machine for others - chrome work, body & paint - things I don't personally do and the quality is out of my control.

If the machine is mine to keep, then it is a different story. After doing the Westinghouse WB-60, I feel confident enough to tackle most any machine. Being the "foreman" for your restoration allows you to control the time frame better, but that is not to say you won't have setbacks. THE challenge (for me) is finding the right people to sub jobs out to - i.e. body & paint, chrome, refrigeration, etc. Thanks to this site, most of that is covered - painting being the only localized job. I hope to more machines soon - restoration of anything is a fun & rewarding project!

Any luck on getting your machine for the SuperBowl?