A part of doing business is giving the customer an expected delivery date on the work. If the shop cannot give you that then find another shop who can do that. An experienced shop knows how long it takes to do a certain job and how the work load schedule is going so can give you an expected time of delivery. Now sometimes there are difficulties such as taking the parts in and finding that they are cracked or otherwise defective which slows things down until good parts can be obtained.

Sam

 

Jeez, 2 months and nothing? I'd be heading over there and checking things out for sure. With the attitude the manager had, it sounds like he was either having an extremely bad day, in which case I would have expected him to call you back with an apology, or at least some information, or he has bigger problems than just a heavy work load. I.E. employee problems, or financial problems. In either case I would be worried that they were going to close, or someone had screwed things up on your stuff and he's avoiding you.

 

I try to turn around block machining, balancing, rod work with in 3 weeks its usually around 2 weeks. Mostly deal with new blocks and some times this time of year Dart get behind a couple of weeks.

I have one build I am waiting on a torque plate that is dragging on a little.

Builds right now are 3 months out.

 

Had my 390fe bottom end completely re-done. Four weeks turn around and Owner called to let me know progress each week.

 

When I ran the shop. Two weeks was usually target time on larger jobs. But, shirt happens. No excuse for hasseling a customer.... Any problems and shop should be on the customers phone, I can't see how some of these shops survive.

 

Ive had stuff back in a couple days and waited as long as 3 weeks.My last 2 machinists retired,,,,next time may be longer?

 

It always depend on the size of the shop and how busy they are. As others have said they should be able to give a reasonable estimate one how long it will take and how much it will cost. A wise shop will always prepare the customer for the worst case senareo. For basic work the shop I use tells me it will take a week and three days later I get a call telling me I can come get it.

 

If the story goes just as you told it.....I would be up there to get my stuff ASAP

 

Go get your stuff. Good machine shops are getting expensive and hard to find. Most shops find that kind of work takes too long and just isn't profitable so it gets pushed aside. The two shops near me are basically "don't call us, we'll call you."

If they do finish it check everything carefully with precision measuring tools before you assemble.

I was tired of waiting so I sent a set of heads to a distant shop, they turned them around in two weeks as promised for $425. After tolls and gas the cost was nearer to 500.00...for a basic valve job with out guides.

 

The shop I am talking about has been in business for over 50 years, my dad had engines built by them 40+years ago, same shop and from the looks, same equipment. It's a family business, two brothers that run it, and it appears they are tire of doing it. I had a SBC balanced and blue printed by them over 15 years ago, they did a wonderful job, I turned the motor hard many times with no issues. I got to thinking, maybe the delay is simply because I wanted to supply my own pistons. I know there is money made by the shop on parts mark up, but they want $235+tax for pistons I can buy all day long for $160 shipped. Is this a problem for most machine shops? All I was wanting done, Bore Block, Install Cam Bearings, Condition Rods, Install Pistons, Polish Crank, that's it. To be honest, I could take my parts to a machine shop about 80 miles from here, and even with the two trips of going there and back, it still would cost about the same. I think this shop looks at like, "We are the only local shop that can do all the machine work, and if you don't like it, go 80 miles to the next shop". That is exactly what has happened, all the racers have gone to the next shop 80 miles away.

I had a friend that races and builds engines for other people that was spending from 3k-5k a month for years with these guys, that went to the other shop.

 

I would go (physically) first of all and ask them and with a positive attitude when they expect to finish the job and ask them for a detailed work list and time frame. If indeed you detect that they don't really need the work, back your vehicle to the door load it up and cart it the 80 miles. You are already into the summer driving season in many places and may not make it if you continue with their attitude. Be professional and courteous - but don't take any sh#%, only your work. They are on the way to oblivion but don't know it yet. Just don't leave them with an engine when the key goes in the door lock their last time as you may never see those pieces again.

Dave W

 

Too long is too long! Too long with an attitude directed toward you is no good. When someone tells you one thing, 'two weeks', and they haven't contacted you after two months I would be concerned about what part of your original conversation with them was honest. Think about it, this guy(s) told you a couple of weeks to get back to you and now it is over 8 weeks - do you think he didn't know this when you dropped off the parts?

GO GET YOUR PARTS and take them somewhere else!!

 

My shop usually gets piece work like heads or crank done in 1-2 weeks. Much faster if I ask for a rush due to a deadline. If they can. But when they get super busy it can be out several added weeks.

Timeline aside I don't think I'd do business with someone that talked to a customer like that. As if he's doing you a favor taking your money. I'd rather wait 2X longer and deal with a shop that appreciates their customers than take that kind of crap from someone. Machines shops are not THAT short in supply.

 

I went last week to get my parts, and low and behold they were working on them. I spoke with the shop foreman, he said he was sorry, there were some personal issues he had been dealing with. He promised to get it done quickly and done right. We looked over the parts that he had done, the block, and rods dead on the money. They did a 383 SBC for me years ago was a screamer, ran it hard many times, never had a single problem. My wife went by there to take the pistons to install, she said he got right on it. I guess he is going to make good on the deal, he said cut me a deal on the final bill, for it taking so long, and being a jerk to me.

 

Glad all is ending well for you.

 

good news.If you take him a token gift when you pick things up,he will always remember you.Even if its just coffee and doughnuts for the shop,,,

 

My experience over the years is that many skilled folks in the trades are not very good at estimating how long a job will take. Ironically, it seems worse when they really understand the work, since they assume every job they have done before will go well and be finished quickly. However, it seldom works out that way. Sometimes machines break, people get sick, rework becomes more of a priority than new work, etc.

One sign of a good shop is a manager who understands how to estimate job times and work with the customers. The best method is to "under promise and over deliver". If its usually a 3 week job, manage/mitigate your schedule risk by telling the customer it will take 4 weeks, and then see how happy they are when its done at 3 1/2 weeks.

Bruce

 

Im with Vinnie; take a little of the money he knocked off your tab and grab a couple pizzas and some soda, or coffee and doughnuts. No hard feelings. Life does get in the way sometimes and he was man enough to admit his mistake.

 

I've found that a lot of shops focus on the technical side of the business, and neglect the business side. Your shop may do great work, but they're not paying attention to how to schedule and maintain production. It's a common problem. Most successfull shops I do business with have shop guys and a manager whose main responsibility is to keep the shop humming. The two skills of shop and management aren't the same. Just because you're a great cook doesn't mean you can run a restaurant. l