Disappointed with Carpet and Rag top

[Alexander C.]

So the supposedly well known and respected Corvette restoration shop in LA that I purchased my '56 from a few months ago did an install of a new soft top and carpet (well, they did the carpet and paid another shop to install the top). This is my first Corvette and I was VERY specific with them and adamant that the carpet and top be NCRS correct and I even insisted that they buy from Al Knoch. They told me they buy from a specific vendor and that Al Knoch is the provider of most which other resellers are seling anyway and that they assured me it would be NCRS correct when done. This was back at the end of July.

I have recently discovered that my carpet is not correct and it's bugging the hell out of me! My heel pad should be black and not red. I have a real black '56 with all red interior. They used carpet that has a red heel pad like a '56 with a red/beige interior. In addition, they did not glue it down very well and simply CUT the edges to fit along the side, seats, and rear. There is a nice stiched edging along the top under the dash as there should be but when I remove a seat, I can see where the carpet is simply CUT. From what I see of original cars, this is not correct.

Then the top. I asked for and paid them for a reproduction date coded window and correct label. The label looks correct on the face but does not have the round brown logo on the bottom of the label.

Being that this happened back in July but I just got smart enough to realize it in November, do I have any course of action that I could take do you think with the restoration shop? They are 100 miles away and no way I'm driving on the LA freeways in the car. Towing would be crazy expensive! Am I just out of luck?

Thanks!

[Dale C.]

Re: Disappointed with Carpet and Rag top

Alexander,

Dale

[Tom H.]

Re: Disappointed with Carpet and Rag top

I would contact them ASAP and make them aware of your discovery. If they indded install incorrect carpet, I would think they would at least provide you with new carpet, even if they had to ship it to you and you had to eat the labor provided by another shop.

As far as the top label, I'm not sure what to tell you there, but I would at least try to get correct carpet.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Disappointed with Carpet and Rag top

Alexander,
Post the name of the shop on this forum and save someone else the aggravation of having to go what you have just went through.
There is no law against telling the truth.

[Mark W.]

Re: Disappointed with Carpet and Rag top

Before posting their name and trashing this business, contact them first. Since you have not contacted them since you discovered the problem, it is only fair to give them a chance to make it right. If they don't, post their name with their response. If they do make it right and you are happy, also post their name so members know they are reputable. Mistakes happen, but it's what a business does to rectify a problem that makes their reputation.