The Guild of Automotive Restorers

There is a least one documented incidence over 3 years ago of a client suing The Guild for poor quality workmanship, failure to provide the client with accurate information on the progress of the project, and failure to uphold the terms of the written estimate that The Guild's General Manager (no longer employed there) had provided. The written estimate was for approximately $15,000 based on a written list of items to repair, replace and/or refinish provided by the client. The final total was over $45,000 with no additional work being done, and many items not done, or done to a poor level of quality (even the person doing the final tune up left a dirty air filter in the vehicle). Thankfully the client was in constant communication via emails about status of the project, wherein the General Manager at the time kept stating in writing everything was progressing well, and no major issues were being uncovered. This documentation, along with pictures of all the work done provided a 3" three ring binder of evidence that was included in the Statement of Claim filed in the Barrie Small Claims Court. It took over 3 years for the case to come to court, and finally, because the client lost their job in the interim and had to take new employment in another province, the "Out of Court" settlement The Guild offered a few weeks before the trial date, was accepted. It should be stated that the General Manager whom the client was in constant contact with via emails during this project left the employment of The Guild without warning to the client just weeks before this project was completed, leaving new inexperienced and uninformed management to deal with this problem. The client was advised via their legal representative that The Guild communicated at the end of this legal process via their in-house legal staff that due to this case, they had made significant changes in their operations and procedures. However, the best advice to follow in any such business dealings with any business of this type, is to get a written estimate (no matter what they say about this being impossible to do - all the subject matter experts this client consulted with during this legal battle stated emphatically that they could all have easily provided written estimates for the kind of work performed, and could have easily completed the work to a good standard while keeping within the original estimate provided by The Guild), read all the fine print on all contracts you sign (even the faded and "grayed out" micro type on the back of any documents, invoices, etc.), and keep complete and accurate written records of all communications you have with any project manager you deal with (no matter who it is). Document everything associated with your business dealings. All evidence seems to point to that there was some very poor project management and equally poor general management at The Guild during the time of this project.

Love the show! True quality viewing! Would like to make your shop a destination next time visiting family across the border. Thank you

I love the show and will stop in if I'm ever in the area. I spent 20 yrs doing collision repair with a few restorations thrown in and the quality & craftsmanship done by you guys is just freaking amazing! I loved the Bugati build.

They deserve it you should be a good job those cars are warm i am a fam of yours i would like to work

Where did they find this spoonfed millionaire who has no respect for money---TV really shows you dont have to go to the circus to see the clowns--The Guild fits the bill---too bad good mechanics are associated with such idiotism