It does sound like maybe you've run into some bad luck and I am sorry for that, but you touch on something I want to bring up and see how everyone feels about it. And before I get goin here, this is nothing personal, so don't take it that way.
I am sure there are reputable shops in your area. Not saying you're not reputable......I don't know another way to put this, but how many honest customers are there out there? I mean, everybody wants a show quality paint job, tune up, engine, transmission or "whatever" kind of job on their car, but no one wants to pay the going rate. EVER.
Every single day at work I get "is that the best you can do?" And I mean on everything from a can of paint to a reman engine. No one in this hobby or business wants to pay the going rate. No one. It's as if everyone thinks mechanics, body guys and parts people should "take one for the team" simply because they think "that's how it should be". It's no wonder automotive businesses are going out left and right.
Do you have any idea how much money in materials it takes to do even a good quality driver job? I know you said you have money in paint. How much was it a gallon? 300 bucks? More? I've seen it as high as 1200 a gallon and more. Plus, prep materials aren't cheap. Not to mention paid labor and all the overhead involved with running a shop. How much do you think the electric bill is at a moderately sized body shop? 100 bucks a month?
Then, there's all of the taxes and fees they have to pay to the money grubbing local government entities and all of the fake EPA crap. Now, I'm not bein a smartass here, really. Honestly, how do you expect a body shop or any other automotive operation to stay in business just because you "want a good deal"? Or, do you even care about that?
It pisses me off to no end to hear people asking for a "good discount" and then see them drive away in their Escalade. Nobody seems to care about what happens to business. Just that they get a good deal. Let me pose this question. When you go grocery shopping, when you get to the checkout, can you negotiate the "best price"? Then why is it that everyone under the sun always, always expects people in the automotive industry......no matter WHAT part of the spectrum to drop prices or do the same quality work for a lesser price? I've never understood that.
Like I said, I'm not bein a smartass, just pointing out a fact that I've seen all my life and I think others will agree.
