And I hold Minnesotans in high regard

[jhenard]

Hope no one here has a car involved

http://www.startribune.com/local/99693089.html?page=1&c=y

Sad story for the car owners

[Jim_75Sahara]

It is risky running a small business. The auto repair shop I used to use went under because of embezzlement. Lots of cars were in limbo when that shop suddenly closed. I called to pick something up & had a long rambling talk w/the owner who was nearly in tears. It felt very weird, consoling him as he was about to lose it.

[02for2]

Well, to be fair, if you read the story, the shop relocated to MN from FL after filing for Bankruptcy in FL in '05.

But, there are lessons to be learned here. Never pay a lump sum to a shop, the temptation to use it other than on your car is too great. Instead, keep a running credit balance of a couple thousand with the shop and replenish it only when presented with proof of progress on the car, incl. receipts for parts, services and labor.

Also, you can get insurance to cover the car while it's being restored. Sure it's an added expense, but I bet the people who contracted work to Memory Lane Classics now wished they had.

This way, you limit your risk.

Cheers!