Need Advice on Business Deal with a Friend ...

[andrew]

A semi-close friend (my wife works with his wife, and we get together several times each year - always have a great time) owns a body shop, and we had him do some work for us recently. 

My wife backed her 2006 Toyota Highlander into a half-down garage door (long story) and the garage door handle hit the brake light above the rear door.  He replaced the light and painted around the light.  He had to remove the rear glass to gain access to the light, so he glued that back on afterward and put a new rubber molding piece around the glass.

This guy couldn't be any nicer, and his family is great too ...  I think he gave me a break on the price, but I'm not sure.  Anyway, I'm not happy with the way it came out but I feel really funny about telling him.  He did the work himself, and I think he'd be insulted.  I found a few bubbles in the paint, the edge of paint along the light seems messed up, and the rubber molding around the window doesn't seem quite right in one corner.

No question that I'm really pickey, but I like to get new cars every 3 years and like to keep them perfect.  I've actually thought about taking it somewhere else to have it fixed up in order to save our friendship.

Any suggestions?

[Robmeister]

...I'm really pickey....I like to keep them perfect. 

Sheesh!....Kind of a tall order, eh?..... what a pain.

....I've actually thought about taking it somewhere else to have it fixed up in order to save our friendship.

That sounds like a good resolution to me.

[wpruitt]

I've never had good luck mixing friendship and business

[warhawk]

andrew.....your situation is the perfect example of NEVER combining business & friendship.  if u value your friendship than i would just take your wifey's toyota 2 another body shop & just learn from this experience.  i'm sure that u already know what 2 do.  anyways... keep us posted in your decision.

WARHAWK

[Tyler]

In situations like this, I like to play dumb.  Seriously, I've had a few of these situations, even lately with my contractor.  What I usually do is casually approach the person that did the work, BS with them a bit, and then sounding a misinformed as I can, I ask if "this" is supposed to turn out like it did.  I try to make sure not to sound like I'm accusing anyone of anything; just make it seem like I'm as dumb as rocks in this matter.  I know that it's not supposed to be like that, so I figure that if the person answers with a "yes, that's the normal outcome" then it's time for me to either find someone else to fix it, or start playing negotiation hard ball.  Though, this rarely happens.  Usually the person will say, "No, it shouldn't be like that.  We'll get it fixed for you."

[andrew]

That's brilliant, Tyler!  I don't see this guy often, though, so I can't bring it up in the course of normal discussion.  But, maybe we could invite them over for dinner, and casually bring it up ....    Thanks.

[Robmeister]

Nice one, Tyler!!!

[PigPen]

Good answer T, I would have to agree with ya. Being on the service side of the car business I deal with a few body shops. I would agree with Tyler's solution because most shops will warranty their work.