[Healeys] What did I do wrong?

[Oudesluys]

Op 4-6-2012 13:40, Oudesluys schreef:
> Quite a few people here in the Netherlands have gone to Poland for 
> their cars to be restored. Within our Het Jensen Genootschap Holland, 
> the Dutch Jensen Club, several people took that road, however with 
> varying results. Bodywork in general was OK, with some fitting issues 
> but the finishing left a lot to be desired. Interior work was not the 
> strongest point, painting mediocre and there was little attention to 
> detail. Mechanical work was not carried out in these instances, so 
> there is no opinion about that.
> The knowledge is generally there but the standard of workmanship, or 
> what is acceptable, can be lower. As a client you have to travel 
> regularly, e.g. twice monthly, to the firm carrying out the work, 
> which will add considerably to the restoration costs if that is in 
> Poland or Hungary for that matter, so at the end of the day it is not 
> all that much cheaper than having a car restored locally which can be 
> monitored much easier.
> The hourly rates in NL are from about EUR60 for proper restorers, so 
> quite a difference, but if you have to travel to e.g. Hungary say once 
> a month that is at least another EUR1000-1500 a month.
>
> I suppose in time the good businesses will stand out from the rest, 
> like everywhere else in the world.
>
> Kees Oudesluijs
> NL
>
>
>
> Op 4-6-2012 13:05, Austin Healey schreef:
>> I understand this argument. To be honest I know what You are talking 
>> about. It is a legend that has some truth behind. Although there is a 
>> problem. I heard from different sources that the number of 
>> restorations done in the West is decreasing as with todays high 
>> hourly fees it is finantialy not rational to restore even a ar as 
>> valuable as a Healey in for example Switzerland. The labour itself 
>> can easily reach the value of the car. Add the parts, 2nd party jobs, 
>> restoration base etc.
>> Here in the former eastern base there is a quite a few skilled, 
>> highbrow language speaking restorers, who would be able to produce 
>> good quality, and would happily accept 20euros/hour, which may be 
>> lower than normal western fees. How can theese get connected?
>>
>> Gergo