Old timer told me I was overthinking filler work on a '94 F-150

Guy rolled into my shop last spring with a beat up '94 F-150, wanted me to make the rocker panels look perfect. I spent like an hour sanding and priming, trying to get it glass smooth. He walked over, looked at it, and said 'son, it's a work truck not a museum piece, just slather the filler on and get it close.' Changed my whole approach to job quotes now. When someone brings an old truck I ask flat out if they want it pretty or functional. Anyone else deal with customers who don't match the job you're picturing?

2 comments

2 Comments

emmasmith7d ago

Son it's a work truck not a museum piece" is a good line but I'm calling bull on the whole story changing your business approach. One old guy says something and now you're asking every customer if they want pretty or functional? That's a pretty thin reason to redo how you quote jobs. Most people know what they're bringing in. If someone rolls up in a rusty '94 truck they probably ain't expecting showroom quality. You're acting like this was some revelation when it's just common sense. I'd bet money you were the one overthinking it, not the customer.

lily_schmidt537d ago

Most people know what they're bringing in." That's generous, most folk here have zero clue honestly.