61 Seat Belts Restoration
What might an average cost of restoration for a set of seat belts for a 61 Corvette, with someone like Charlie at Seatbeltsity? Thanks! Mark
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Really depends on what they need... did you ask him?
We've known Charlie for 15 years... we used to buy our Carlisle spot from him. Hard shell exterior guy but a hell of a good dude once you get to know him. -
Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
I sent Charlie my buckles and hamb bones. I am just looking for a price range from others. Thanks!Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Charlie offers a wide range of restoration services for belts. He restored a set for my 59 using some very nice original webbing he had, and he also made up a set of 64 look a likes with buckles I supplied (non original) that I use for drivers. He does great work and it really depends on what level of restoration you require. When comparing prices, it's important to compare apples to apples. He's a good guy, you will get what you pay for.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Yes, this is why I am trying to get a ball park figure. I get all kinds of references to Charlie; but it would be nice to get some average prices.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Call Charlie at 908.719.2354 and talk to him. Difficult to provide you with any kind of real estimate unless information provided as to level of restoration you want. Price depends directly on what you are having him do.
From experience I can tell you he'll work with you and provide you what you ask for. Just got back my seatbelts and they look brand new!Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
I have talked to Charlie; and my estimate seemed through the roof ( $1,750.00 ). He said that he was not going to work on my belts for a while. I called him back first thing the next day to and asked him to send my belts back. He said that he had gone to the plater to get my hambones done, had taken the buckles apart and had started the webbing ( I highly doubt that he started working on them, as he told me he was not going to get to them for a while ). He asked me how much I was going to pay him. I told him that I just wanted my buckles back. It cost me about $12.00 to ship him the buckles and he said that to get them back was going to cost me $50.00. Maybe this is just me; however, I had read all the glowing views on the Tech Board, and I thought that I might get a fair shake from this man. Instead, I feel that I was shaken down!Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Pay the $50.00, get your belts back, and chalk the cost up to your misunderstanding of the market rate for quality work.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
I did pay the $50.00! Does that also include a protection fee? The restoration also came without tags.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
The tags are no longer available in reproduction.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Mark, you may try Clete Marquardt 606-678-1239 after 6. EdComment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Thank you very much for the recommendation! Getting quality work at a market rate and being fleeced are two different scenarios.Comment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Mark, while I am not defending you or he, this seems like a big miscommunication. Charlie is a retired guy with various amount of free time and like many hobbyists turned entrepreneurs, I trust that when a free moment opened up, he took it and tried to get your work in progress. Give him a shout and try to get to mutual understanding.
DanComment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Dan:
I appreciate the comments! I am also a retired guy; and have spent most of my life in the business world. I was treated very unprofessional. There was no break down of what the cost would be. He told me that he had started working on the buckles; however, I received my buckles today and there was no evidence of work done on them. When I called back right away to get my buckles back he wanted me to pay him money (This was a sure shake down; and very unethical). He asked me what kind of car I had; and that is where he probably pulled the figure of $1750 out of his you know what. I gave him a shot because of the comments on the Tech Board; but it was obvious from my conversation with him that he was going to take advantage of me. Added to the insult, why $50.00 to get my buckles back. I was probably lucky not to take it worse in the shorts! The love fest can go on with the others happy with Charlie; however, I am one unhappy potential customer. I have dealt with many people in the business world, and I know pretty sure when I am being taken. You have a nice evening; and it is great to be alive!
Sincerely,
MarkComment
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Re: 61 Seat Belts Restoration
Sorry you had a bad experience.Comment
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