What would be fair to charge

[Brian41]

I towed in a customers 1970 AAR Cuda in November 2007 for a drive train rebuild including complete engine, trans, rear gear change and steering box repair. He gave me a $1000.00 deposit and we sent the trans to my trans buddy and got it done with a shift kit and 2400 stall converter. We disassemble engine for rebuild, bought exhaust system and some engine dressing parts that were not right on the car. At this time the customer owed $2798.28 so I asked for more money to continue with the project. Here we are 1 year later and he still owes $348.28 of the $2798.28. I have been trying to contact him for 2 weeks now via 4 different phone numbers and no response. I sent him an Email today telling him I am moving the car outside and have no interest in dealing with him anymore and feel he owes me something for the inside storage. I do not want to take this car from him as he bought it new in 1970 and it has to mean something to him. The reason I have patient with him is that he is in the service but stationed down south as he is an instructor of some kind but enough is enough. In my Email I told him $250.00 a month as the state allows me $10.00 a day for outside storage. What do you think would be fair.

Anybody interested in a 1970 AAR Cuda 340 6pack

 

[MarylandMark]

Registered mail so you know he gets it, then file on it. Sell it to me for cheap since I gave you the idea.

 

[Chris]

$250 a month is pretty high. I pay $25 a month for secure parking for my trailers and extra trucks.

If he bought the car new in '70 that would make him at least 60 years old- In the service? Is he a General officer?

If he's really in the service, you owe him every effort you can possibly make.

 

[glassdave]

thats fair but hey if you hafta take it its not like he hasnt been warned. Theres only so much you can do. I have a few cars like that in my possession that the customer has basically disappeared long ago, called and I get nothing and they dont even owe me money. Unfortunately its a stinkin corvair spyder and not an AAR Cuda .

honestly though, I would just exhaust every means possible to contact him, whatever numbers you have, maybe try and contact relatives if you know any. whatever it takes. From there start keeping track of storage, it is only fair. You have delt with the man, is he a reasonable person? not sure what storage is these days though.


Pretty sweet ride to, thats pretty cool to be the original owner. I'm sure he will want to square up with you. How could you not. What motor?

 

[yesrej]

i would say $50 a month reg. charge but you could do it for $25 a month. starting from last nov.

 

[Brian41]

$250 a month is pretty high. I pay $25 a month for secure parking for my trailers and extra trucks.

If he bought the car new in '70 that would make him at least 60 years old- In the service? Is he a General officer?

If he's really in the service, you owe him every effort you can possibly make.

He was retired from the service and when Iraq hit he was called back up as some kind of trainer and that is the only reason I have been patient for a year. This guy has a brand new $400,000.00 home and him and his wife drive BMW's so I did not think that money would be his problem. His wife seen 1 of the cars I restored at a car show and asked who did the work so the guy gave him my phone number. She called me and begged me to do the work as a surprise to her husband. I went over and inspected the car and gave her an estimate of the repairs and she could not afford it without her husband getting involved. He calls me and has me tow the car to the shop knowing what the cost were before we even started with a 4 month time frame to completion.

I have made every effort 2 of the numbers are cell phones his and his wifes and 1 is his house the other is his office with the army. I have left messages on all of them with no return calls. 3 months ago was the last monies I received with a promise of $500.00 every 2 weeks to get moving on the car. At that time I told him that he was going to have to pay storage if the monies did not continue and he agreed. This thing sat on one of my hoist for 10 months before we moved it to the back door. In my Email I gave him until Monday to respond or outside she goes.

 

[Brian41]

i would say $50 a month reg. charge but you could do it for $25 a month. starting from last nov.

If a customer asked me to store a car in my shop for a month I would not do it for less than $250.00 a month I need to make money with this space. I have an 8200 sq ft building and I have 7 of my own cars sitting outside. Not the boat it stays inside unless I am out abusing it.

 

[Chris]

Send a registered letter with return receipt. Tell him what he owes. If he signs for it and doesn't reply, the I'd definitely apply for a title on a mechanic's lien. But I'd just want to be sure he got the message.

They don't call up 60-year-olds and they don't have a pressing demand for training from guys out that long. My guess is he's doing a contractor job.

 

[BUIZILLA]

that's a 50-60k car done..... especially if it's original paint

so, i'll give ya 30k for it :drool5:

 

[viperfitness1]

i thought the market on muscle cars was worse than boats??? ill give you 5k max

 

[Lee]

Is it a real AAR? I'm curious about the lack of the factory side exit exhaust, but you mentioned exhaust work??? I'm not sure but from that picture there appears to be a
factory Chrysler Airtemp window decal on the right rear, AAR's were not offered with air conditioning but it also could be a replacement window from another car. Does it have the BS23J0BXXXXXX vin and the "Trans Am" fender tag?

 

[sellsman11]

Is it a real AAR? I'm curious about the lack of the factory side exit exhaust, but you mentioned exhaust work??? I'm not sure but from that picture there appears to be a
factory Chrysler Airtemp window decal on the right rear, AAR's were not offered with air conditioning but it also could be a replacement window from another car. Does it have the BS23J0BXXXXXX vin and the "Trans Am" fender tag?

Not gonna slide much past this group.....IMPRESSIVE!!:sifone:

 

[BUIZILLA]

I wouldn't condemn it for that decal... I had a 340 Duster brand new in 1970, no air, VS29HOB355542, and it had one AirTemp decal on the right rear window too.. luv them 340's.... i'd kill for a car like this again... :drool5:

 

[Lee]

I wouldn't condemn it for that decal... I had a 340 Duster brand new in 1970, no air, VS29HOB355542, and it had one AirTemp decal on the right rear window too.. luv them 340's.... i'd kill for a car like this again... :drool5:

Buizilla, Knowing the vin # from a car you bought 38 years ago is IMPRESSIVE :biggrinjester:
Absolutely not condemning it at all, I wish I had another one. It's just that there are many wannabe AAR imposter's out there that were replicated very well in the late 80's/early 90's

 

[MarylandMark]

Registered mail so you know he gets it, then file on it. Sell it to me for cheap since I gave you the idea.

Send a registered letter with return receipt. Tell him what he owes. If he signs for it and doesn't reply, the I'd definitely apply for a title on a mechanic's lien. But I'd just want to be sure he got the message.

You said what I said all fancy and stuff but forgot the sell it to MM cheap part...

 

[Trim'd Up]

I'll store it for ya! I'll even come and get it.

 

[MarylandMark]

This guy has a brand new $400,000.00 home and him and his wife drive BMW's so I did not think that money would be his problem.

Got that and have to make payments on $3K? Money very well could be the problem...

 

[rockfish71]

Maybe the man died and no one knows about the car and where it is.

 

[BBB725]

Not gonna slide much past this group.....IMPRESSIVE!!:sifone:

They all stayed at Holiday Inns:biggrinjester:

 

[ImaPoser]

Not gonna slide much past this group.....IMPRESSIVE!!:sifone:

Sure is!


I still have hopes of one day having my first lust car- a 1969 dodge dart GTS 340. I would almost rather have a clone so I don't feel bad beating it.