[DMCForum] Re: Rob Grady: This is my story & I'm sticking with it

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Welcome to the Forum, Rob. Somewhat ungainly beast, isn't it?

Trust me -- you got off lightly. I actually receive derogatory eMail
off Forum.

Opinions are like backsides: everybody has one, and everybody is sure
everybody else's stinks. Wouldn't it be an eye opener if NONE of us
were correct...

I doubt if any kibitizng in this group will ever show up as even a
blip on your business' radar. DeLorean Guru's are too rare and too
valuable. Watch the return addresses as future parts orders are
shipped -- some of them may go to the same people who were questioning
your shop (or culinary practices?). THAT'S the true measure of PJ
Grady's worth to the DeLo community. 

You might enjoy a non-DeLo friend's and my nickname for you: DeLorean
Will, nicknamed after Will Carter -- operator of a one man Volkwagen
repair shop in Arlington VA. Works on Bugs & Beetles exclusively. Was
doing so before any of us were born. Knows more about Doodlebugs than
is humanly possible. Attracts customers up and down the eastern
seaboard. Sound familiar?

Bill Robertson
#5939

>--- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "pjgrady2000" <pjgrady2000@xxxx> wrote:
> As most of you probably assume I don't usually bother with 
> monitoring the DMC Forum because I've been told it's mostly useless 
> chatter with relatively little good DeLorean related content. I see 
> now that it's unmoderated formula allows people to say whatever they 
> want without regard for the truth or even decency. Some of you need 
> to tone your language down...way down!
> 
> Having your name attached to fifty some odd posts feels kind of like 
> being in a room full of people cheering you but meanwhile knowing 
> that there are two or three assassins that have you in the sights of 
> their various implements of destruction. Discomforting to say the 
> least!
> 
> These posts gradually denigrated from what I may have done right or 
> wrong to some quasi pornographic "Backside to the Future", "Nipple 
> marks on my car", borderline porno chat room, all the while using my 
> name as the subject. Stop it! Walter you run this forum like Nero 
> ran the Coliseum. Thumbs up or thumbs down...to hell with right and 
> wrong.
> 
> I wish to thank all of the people who came to my company's defense 
> without me even knowing or soliciting any of it. The loyalty of some 
> of my customers (whom I consider friends as well) always astounds 
> me. My attorney asked me if I put some of you up to it I think he 
> was as amazed at your defense as I was. You people make running a 
> business worthwhile despite all the B.S.. A particular thanks to 
> Mark Levy, Shannon and James. James is not my wife though, she has 
> more DeLorean experience than he does :)
> 
> Due to time and space limitations I can only address the negative 
> comments since there were fortunately fewer of them. The posts I 
> feel obligated to answer start with Louie's response (#9357) to 
> Jeremiah's question about where to take his car "Houston or PJ 
> Grady".
> 
> Quote # 1
> 
> "A friend of mine who already had one of the nicest DeLoreans around 
> sent his to Grady about 2 years ago. He just wanted the car to be 
> gone over, and have the loose ends tied up. Almost a year later the 
> car came back with a $17k repair bill. Granted he's now got the 
> nicest DeLorean in the world (and I'm totally not kidding... his car 
> is amazing), but I still absolutely cannot fathom what could have 
> been done to that car to warrant such a repair bill. I am in no way 
> bashing Grady's... like I said, I feel they're the
> best in the business. My friend's car is a testament to that. But if 
> you want
> your car repaired in a more timely budget conscious way... I'd 
> consider Houston.
> They seem to be more about taking care of what the owner WANTS 
> instead of NEEDS.
> Just give this some thought before you go sending your car off."
> 
> I will admit Louie, we try to take care of a customers needs before 
> addressing their wants. Why install a suspension lowering kit the 
> customer wants while ignoring his bent trailing arm bolts that he 
> really needs! This car initially came in for a full inspection and 
> seven additional items. What our inspection revealed were fifty-nine 
> items on the checklist alone, both major and minor that he decided 
> to have repaired. This owner just had another "DeLorean Specialist" 
> perform thousands of dollars worth of work so he figured he had a 
> good car. Most of our work corrected poor or incomplete repairs and 
> many items overlooked by the previous mechanic. The owner (I assume 
> he wishes to remain anonymous?) approved all of these repairs and 
> the work was completed in 8 months (not almost a year). The work 
> included 127.7 hours of labor time, $7138.93 in parts, and $465.00 
> for powder coating miscellaneous parts(intake manifold, various 
> brackets, air screen etc.). We even boxed and shipped his used front 
> facia to the person he sold it to at no extra cost. We replaced his 
> original because it had an eyebrow or something wrong that wasn't to 
> his standards. We had to supply him with three new tail light lenses 
> before he found one acceptable to him. I think you'll find his car 
> at least the equal of a 65K DeLorean One car. But of course how 
> could this be worth 17K! By the way Louie we also fixed an idle 
> circuit problem. Maybe your car could use some time in our shop 
> because know one seems to be able to help you. But you never asked 
> our advice...leave it to the armchair experts I suppose. Your 
> assertion that he paid 1K to properly replace the door seals is 
> untrue and totally misleading. I'm not angry with you Louie as I 
> know you meant well but some of your comments are incorrect. I don't 
> owe this owner an apology for needing 8 months to complete the 
> repairs, I owe apologies to some of the other people for 
> occasionally allowing an impatient owner to force his way up our 
> waiting list but in the real world "the squeaky wheel gets the 
> grease". Restoration work is very hard to budget time for because 
> most owners don't know how much work their car needs and until we 
> physically inspect their car neither do we. We then try to fix 
> everything we can while trying to stick to what ever budget we are 
> allowed. Jeremiah's response shows the result of your good 
> intentions (#9386) Quote #2 "I completely understand where you're 
> coming from on this one, Louie. I thank you for your time and 
> consideration as to warning me what I could potentially have gotten 
> into. After careful consideration (some of which are still underway 
> and being made), I will probably be opting to do the work elsewhere."
> 
> Thanks Louie I may have just lost a job because of your comments.
> 
> The person I'm angry with is Mark (#9358) Quote 3 "I would like to 
> know what kind of repair shop would need almost a year to do a 
> complete once over on any car and fix any loose ends? I would think 
> it would take 1 month unless it needs a full restoration."
> 
> The answer to your question is a very busy shop that currently has 
> 28 DeLoreans in for various degrees of restoration. We would 
> probably have 60 in for work if I could accommodate all requests but 
> the ones in a hurry wind up some where else. Should I apologize 
> because our services are in demand?
> 
> Mark again (#9406)
> Quote # 4
> "I guess I am a jackass, since I delt with PJ Grady and it was a bad 
> experience.
> 
> If i am a jackass because my dealings with PJ Grady were not too 
> pleasant does that make you a PRICK?
> 
> My unrealistic experience was ordering parts, waiting for them to 
> come, having some hoses missing that i was not told were on 
> backorder, and having my car sit for an extra week because i was 
> told they were in stock.
> 
> Other wise i still deal with PJ Grady but i did have that one bad 
> experience so i guess i am a jackass you PRICK!
> 
> I will still buy parts from Grady when i need them if i cant get 
> them elsewhere.
> 
> Remember if you call people names without knowing the full detail, 
> expect to be called a name back."
> 
> And again (#9411) Quote #5
>  
> "No issues with Grady except for that part order. The reason i had 
> issues for that order is because i was moving out of my house and i 
> was expecting to have my car finished a 2 weeks before i moved not 
> one week before the move. So because of that fuck-up i had to move 
> during the day and put my car back together at night.
> 
> Hey James LaLonde said i was a jackass because i had a bad 
> experience with Grady, so if you have only one bad experience with 
> Grady James LaLonde calls you a jackass. I was just telling about my 
> one and only bad experience.
> 
> I was told all parts were in stock and on the way, i get the parts 
> and the silicone water pump hoses were missing, i called Grady and 
> they said they were on back order and they would be in the mail 
> soon. They next day shipped the parts when they came in.
> 
> One problem and your a jackass even though you still order parts 
> from Grady."
> 
> And again (#9414) Quote #6
> "the only fault that was mine is that i ordered the parts from 
> Grady, Grady said they were in stock and on the way.
> 
> What part of "in stock and on the way" dont you understand?
> 
> When you tell someone the parts are in stock and on the way that 
> doesnt mean i will send you what i have and you call me when the 
> parts arrive when you notice something missing, and when you find 
> out you are missing something call me and i will say they are on 
> back order and i will ship them out when i get them back in stock. 
> But this wasnt Gradys fault it must of been mine since i am not a 
> mind reader."
> 
> Your memory does not serve you well. Why do you find it necessary to 
> lie Mark? Honestly I think some of you have hidden agendas. While 
> you were opening your "lump of coal" (now why would someone give you 
> a lump of coal Mark? Were they returning a gift?) on Christmas day I 
> was at the shop pulling your parts invoices. All three of them. Your 
> first and technically only order was for a clutch slave and rebuilt 
> master cylinder. You returned the slave cylinder for credit along 
> with the master cylinder core. Our policy is full store credit on 
> returns or a twenty percent restock fee. Pretty standard business 
> practice. You placed two more orders to use up your credit.
> The next order was the one you alleged we "fucked up". Yes Debby 
> told you the parts were in stock because the parts in question 
> usually are. However, I immediately informed her that we were out of 
> the special clamps we use for the silicone hose kit, and according 
> to our phone records we called you back that same day to make you 
> aware of this problem. We then had the clamps blue labeled to our 
> shop and we then sent your entire order red label at the 3 day price 
> to get you the parts as soon as possible (it was 2 days later than 
> you had wanted it not a week).  We billed you ten dollars in freight 
> and absorbed about forty dollars in UPS charges to provide you this 
> level of service. We       can see you really appreciated it! All of 
> this for a whopping $86.23 order. Boy we really cleaned up on that 
> one! All of your three orders were shipped in three complete 
> shipments.
> In your next (and thankfully last) order again on store credit we 
> provided you two used door vents (p/n 100761) that were unavailable 
> from Houston at less than half of the current list price... Another 
> small favor that was completely lost on you. I'm so glad I bent over 
> backwards for such an appreciative customer. The only possible thing 
> that you could be mad about that I can imagine is because you lost 
> twenty dollars on your core return because the master cylinder 
> actuator rod clevis was worn. So I imagine you are angry because we 
> didn't give you the shaft :). With customers like you Mark Valuch 
> who needs enemies. As far as buying parts from us only if you "can't 
> find them elsewhere", it goes both ways. We'll only sell parts to 
> you when all of our other more reasonable customers stop buying from 
> us! So there. By the way I have full written documentation on all 
> part orders and UPS logs to document everything I've said. It's 
> available to any interested party.
> Mark you should be receiving a letter from my lawyer soon to explain 
> the error of your ways. Remember cyber space is like the written 
> word. Once its out there you can't take it back. But you could 
> apologize. If you can't muster that then you better close your pie 
> hole lest you find yourself in Federal Court. Walter should ban you 
> from this forum.
> 
> As for Robert's input (#9417) Quote # 7
> "Hey
> Not to beat a dead horse maybe if more people voiced their opinions 
> and Rob Grady reads this he could hire more people and get better 
> organized get jobs done faster get parts order right and call people 
> who are paying him with updates on their cars rather then calling 
> them back when he has time like he's doing you a favor.
> Maybe then we all would give him all our Delorean business and he 
> would be biggest Delorean repair shop in the US and Houston could be 
> the biggest parts dealer....
> But making excuses for him doesn't help anyone unless (James
> Lolonde) is really Robs Gradys wife
> Well would like see other opinions Rob Grady is still the best but 
> jobs could be done faster and better communication wouldn't mind 
> spending more money for good service."
> 
> I don't think I need to get better organized but I agree I do need 
> more people. Since several of you offered to do the work "cheaper" 
> than us why not apply for a position at a real restoration shop, PJ 
> Grady's. Our door is always open to qualified help but be aware I 
> can be a very demanding boss just ask my wife:). I have 23 years of 
> DeLorean experience, Debby (wife and office manager) has 10 years  
> and Pat (shop foreman/head mechanic) has 13 years. How many of you 
> feel qualified to join our staff? Please call us. Robert since you 
> suddenly stopped buying parts from us two years ago I have to ask 
> you why? Did I treat you like I was "doing you a favor"? I don't 
> think so.  We've never tried to be the biggest "DeLorean repair shop 
> in the U.S." only the best. If you people knew half of what I've 
> seen and heard over the years we may well have become the biggest. 
> But that's just my opinion. If I told you why I'd have to kill 
> you :). My family has been in the car business since 1914 and I plan 
> to be around (God willing) to see our 100th anniversary. Obviously 
> we'd never make it to that milestone if Louie, Mark V. & Robert were 
> our best customers. I won't forget the ones that really supported us 
> over the years.
> 
> And lastly...Walter (grand master of this Roman circus)(#9465) Quote 
> # 8 "And it is really amazing watching Rob eat steak. He totally 
> covered it with a layer of salt without even tasting it first. I 
> just kind of smirked because it reminded me of the urban legend of 
> some guy not getting hired because he salted his food before tasting 
> it. The company wouldn't hire this guy because he makes decisions 
> before having all the facts (i.e., salting his steak without knowing 
> if it needed salt or not.) And for the rest of the story: To my 
> amazement, Rob flipped his steak over and proceeded to cover the 
> other side with salt. Yuck! But I won't say that Rob is the 
> stereotype of the salt legend. He just likes a little steak with his 
> salt. That's all. ;-)"
> 
> Do people really care about my eating habits? Get a life. I started 
> my own DeLorean business because no one would hire me due to my 
> excessive salt intake. I'm a regular obsessive compulsive insurance 
> risk. Yeah that's it! Walter I don't use that much salt and the 
> other two people at the table didn't see me flip my steak. Maybe you 
> were seeing double at the time. It was a little early in the day to 
> have knocked back a few cool ones. You couldn't have kept up with 
> this Irishman anyway:) This may possibly be the longest post you'll 
> ever see but how else could I explain it all? The good news is you 
> won't hear from me again unless these attacks continue.
> Once again I wish to thank the vast majority of you for your support 
> and wish you all happy holidays (even the guy with the lump of 
> coal:) ).And please....keep it clean.
> 
> Seasons Greetings
> Robert Grady

---

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