For those that have recommended Williamson's Instruments

Well here is the skinny; I took the recommendation of another poster "itstom" and called 10 times a day. I think they finally were tired of hearing the phone ring, so he answered. They indeed are still in business, but I think he was a bit embarrassed to call me back after having the gauges for over 15 months. They did lose one of their graphic artists and are "behind schedule" on their projects. After not hearing from them for several months, and having left many messages, I thought I would never hear from them again and I could kiss the money and gauges goodbye. This may not be the case. While the story isn't over yet, as I don't have the gauges in hand, I will post back soon...if and when they are completed. Thanks for all the speedy replies and suggestions.
Frank
 
Looks to me like if you're the only guy in the world that provides a particular service and you have more work than you can keep up with and don't want to expand with more employees you can charge whatever you want on whatever terms you want and take as long as you want since there's no competition to try to do any better than. Customers are pretty much at your mercy. They either wait for you to do it or they don't get it done. Good old supply and demand market forces.
 
Ron rebuilt a SW mechanical water temp gauge for me. Wasn't more than a month or two. Very helpful and friendly on the phone. Works fine. Paid by credit card for work and shipping when completed. Price was less than a lot of other outfits. Heard other complaints about them on the barn, but I had a good experience.
 
ford38v8 said:
I find it hard to swallow that a reputuble businessman requires payment in full before work commences. Just as hard to believe is that this policy is acceptable to any but the young and naive.
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I agree wholeheartedly with Alan on this. This is another shining example of someone with a bunch of talent, who apparently decides to go into business, but posses's absolutely no business acumen and no ethics. A REPUTABLE business will not charge you until the item is ready to be shipped. Period!

As to the comment about buying stuff from another member, that is a different scenario altogether.
 
I had two clocks converted to quartz by them. Both did not take long, the prices were right and the clocks are still ticking (one after 7 or 8 years). Granted, they were probably easier to do than a restoration.

Paid by credit card (if I remember correctly) when they were done.
 
next time try ''Red Line Gauge works'' We have used them several times and have received beautiful work done in a timely fashion and at a reasonable price. They must be pretty decent, Jay Leno uses them too! they do repairs,restoration, modifications and custom work. 661-259-8891
 
Lots of low-value component restorers want money up front in case they get stiffed and get left holding the bag with only a core to profit from once their full restoration work is complete. There's a man in Punta Gorda FL. that does the same and I would as well.

Lonnie
 
Lonnie, I see your point, but respectfully submit that a deposit sent with the parts should provide a measure of confidence in the transaction.
 
Lonnie, how would the guy only have a core after he finished the restoration work? He would have your fully-restored piece. If you didn't want to pay to get it back, he could always sell it at full price, not core value.
 
I have used Abbott Instrument Restoration in the past with excellent results. Full service shop that restores to original as well as converting to modern internals, etc. My gauges have worked perfectly for over ten years. www.abbottinstrumentrestoration.com Located in Portland, OR... another option :)
 
klicker said:
Lonnie, how would the guy only have a core after he finished the restoration work? He would have your fully-restored piece. If you didn't want to pay to get it back, he could always sell it at full price, not core value.
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Oh, he has much more than a core! "x" amount of time and materials consumed for a planned "x" profit margin but now also has an abandoned core that can fully profit from. Problem is his business model is service - not sales. Now he has that jewel sitting on a shelf for how long?

Lonnie
 
have you EVER heard bad things about the guy in Punta Gorda, Fla? I have been well pleased with his service and have never had a time problem or for that matter any problem or I would be the first to discuss the problem with him and voice it on the ford barn
 
klicker said:
I have used Abbott Instrument Restoration in the past with excellent results. Full service shop that restores to original as well as converting to modern internals, etc. My gauges have worked perfectly for over ten years. www.abbottinstrumentrestoration.com Located in Portland, OR... another option :)
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I stopped by to talk to them on my way to the Turlock swapmeet. They are very nice people and a small operation offering personal service. They explained their process and showed me several pieces of the work in progress and completed that they were packing to ship and I would say they are top notch shop too. That being said , they are several months to a year out in backup to complete the work - but were sure to tell me that so there would be no surprise on the wait time.
 
I never pay in full until the work is done. I have a friend that works in an interior shop and they always put paid in full jobs on tbe back burner to finish jobs that are owed money first.
 
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