Reliable Repairer in Bucks!

[Bears Dad]

Hi all...

Long time no post - on the account that our lovely bus has been gathering dust at the back of a 'restorers' workshop since last December!!!

Needless to say we missed the cracking summer you guys enjoyed in yours.

The good news is that we were eventually able to retrieve it a few months ago and Stuart Munroe from Oil Droppers has brought it back to life.

I'll let Stuart tell the story as he has illustrated it so well. Please have a look at his blog, but I have to warn you, some of the images you might find distressing!

http://chequeredfrontvw.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/sean-lisas-early-baylow-light.html?spref=fb&m=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Merry Xmas everybody

 

[sacramentobay]

I have had dealings with the 'OilDroppers' workshp and have always found them very helpful and knowledgeable with very reasonable rates. They have carried out a few little jobs on my bay and I have it booked in again, in the new year to have a small hole in my battery tray welded up. I cannot fault them and I'd recommend them to anyone.

Merry Xmas everyone.

 

[ozziedog]

Hi there ,, is that the same Bears Dad that got me a ticket for an event somewhere a couple of years ago ??? Bus looks to be in good hands there now. I don`t think this is an isolated issue that you had with your bus and I don`t think it`s confined to old Vee Dubs either, it would seem that for whatever reason and the recession is one that I know of, a lot of peeps think they can just rip into people because they have a classic, others don`t seem to be as well rehearsed as they think they are and end up taking on things that they should maybe not be getting into. Changing an odd panel every now and then is one thing, but some good looking busses are hiding a horror story under that two year old paint job and `slight ' rust bubbles have a knack of being more oh soooooo much more. From all the stories I`ve heard of on here, if your bus is a two month or a three month job and it don`t look no where near finished in half to two thirds of the time quoted for the works then there may be trouble ahead and disappointment and frustration because your pride and joy is going to be pushed to the corner of the yard and worked on in their spare time which they don`t have because they`ve either priced it wrong or were not experienced enough to know what they had gotten into :msn4: But now that bus is looking like making an excellent recovery and you should be drinking with us this summer :mrgreen:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,Good luck dude :mrgreen:

 

[Bears Dad]

Hi Ozziedog...

I think you hit the nail on the head there!

Sadly these people do still exist - but within our not-so little community we can hopefully still clear of them and use recommended 'craftsmen'.

I believe reputation is key and finding Oil Droppers in Aylesbury has renewed my faith in the VW scene.

Look forward to those beers!

 

[Bears Dad]

... and as you were saying Ozziedog...

When I handed my bus over (along with £4k) on 8th Dec 2012 - I was told it would be all done - welding and respray by the end of March 2013.

This is my bus mid March - pushed to the back of the workshop gathering dust!

 

[Alpine Burt]

Shame to hear what happened to you. At least things are back on track for you. Keep us posted

 

[Graham L]

Glad you've got it sorted and it's looking good but surprised by the comment that you had to hand over £4k in advance?, I'm not aware of any restorer that would ask for that level of money in advance and we would only ask for funds once work had been done or parts purchased, seems an odd approach that would have raised alarm bells.

Is the original restorer you gave the bus to still trading out of interest?

 

[Bears Dad]

Hi Graham

I'd had a couple of quotes and they both wanted money upfront to cover materials and labour. Ironically I went with who I thought was the safer option because they imported lots of VWs from the states and seemed to know what they were talking about!

Lesson learned - NEVER hand over money upfront. As you say - any company worth their salt will bill you as they progress or when they've finished.

And yes - they're still trading. Apparently I owe them another £700!

 

[Oil Droppers]

Its excellent to read the support offered to Bearsdad regarding his bus, So many valid points made within those replys, I have to say as the one who had to put right what i can only describe as extremely poor workmanship (as i find Diabolical so difficult to spell) that the pictures on the blogg are a only a snap shot of the story and there are many more on the Oil Droppers facebook page that will give some sleepless nights, Its a shame that the very so called restoration buisness (and i use the term loosely) that agreed to under take this work, and left bear at a point of giving up completely is plying for work on this very forum.

Be aware folks!!