Untrustworthy behavior from a local custom shop?

Hey everyone! New here so idk if this topic has been covered before. I am looking to add a westcott design lift kit and some tires to my 23 sr5. Upon reaching out to a local shop I went back and forth a few times with someone from the company regarding what I’m looking for and eventually they send me an estimate and invoice me for the tires, westcott lift and wheel spacers. I say it looks good except for the added wheel spacers which I previously stated I’m not comfortable using and am assured that the spacer will be required to clear 35s on the stock TRD OR wheels without rubbing. So now with the company awaiting payment, I question the safety of the spacers and ask them approximately how long before we can get the work done because I need to plan my ride for work. My final email after they asked for payment was left unanswered entirely.

My questions are this-

Is this normal to pay ahead of time for materials when there isn’t even an attempt to set a date for the work to be completed?

Would you trust a shop that won’t answer an email addressing legitimate concerns before you shell out $3000 to them?

This shop gets good reviews, but my thinking is that if I give them the money, then find out we’re 6 months out from when they can schedule the work then I could have taken another route. But if I give them my money I’m screwed. Thanks I’m advance for your feedback I’m new to the whole truck mod scene and would appreciate your opinions. I apologize if there’s a better forum to post this under but I wasn’t sure

 

When in doubt opt out. This is a good place to ask thwre is alot of knowledgeable and helpful individuals here. Pre-Covid I would say scratch that, I'll go somewhere else but since then everything seems to be off, or is it just me?

3k is alot to drop and then get the run around especially when it's the daily driver. I would negotiate a deposit for ordering parts and when they arrive, set a date/time frame and pay the rest once work has concluded and you have inspected your vehicle. Nothing like paying in advance and getting work half assed.

Referencing email there are so many intricacies about it, no one really knows what's going on with the other side. I like to the business in person so I can get all my info and in writing. An email they may think you're playing games or pitting them with someone else, so they'll prioritize with the customer in front of them. Don't take it the wrong way I'm sure you want to move forward, just place yourselfnin the shop's shoes.

Reviews can be manipulated. Had a friend who owned a shoo long ago and would get his friends and family member to write positive reviews for his shop, as actual cuatomers often didn't. People only really review if they're extremely satisfied or had a negative outcome. Just my 2 cents here

Ultimately it's your vehicle and you will make the best choice for you. If the shop gives you doubts, go to another shop and see what they say. It's always good to shop around and see what the shop looks like, biits on the ground as they say. Work environment and customer service should be key. If the shop is full of cars at different stages then they may be slow, or over saturated with work, so it may be a while before you get your truck back. If the shop is empty maybe they're really good with quick turn around time, or they're not good and people evade them. Take the time to go look and make an informed decision and get your questions answered face to face.

Hope this helps. Welcome btw.

 

Don’t pay for work that isn’t performed. I wouldn’t pay for materials unless I personally ordered them and they were being delivered to my house

 

I'm guessing you mean wheel spacers, not suspension spacers? I'm dead set against suspension spacers-- good way to kill shocks. That said, I used to feel as you do about wheel spacers, but have learned that hub-centric spacers are ok-- just twice as many lugs to keep torqued just right.

Many of us run hub-centric wheel spacers, often the only way to get clearance for the wheels, tires you want to run. Bora or Spidertec are accepted good hub-centric spacers.

As for the email, I'd suggest you call to get answers to questions about components, then ask verbally for the work date. When you show up with your truck, ask them to put the due date on your paperwork that you sign authorizing work. If you consider the perspective of the guy at the shop scheduling work, he could figure you're shopping for estimate and not want to spend a lot of time if he'll never see you.

I don't know how to answer your questions about paying for the parts in advance. My mechanic doesn't ask me, but he's known me for decades. It's probably reasonable for a shop to Al's nowadays due to supply chain woes. Another option may be for you to ask if you can but everything yourself then deliver with the truck and pay only labor. This would save you paying markups for the shop to buy.

 

Pay with a credit card so you have consumer protection.

 

Welcome from NY.

I wouldn't pay in full. I would at the most charge 50% on my credit card. Make sure the wheel spacers are hub centric. Most people run Spidertrax spacers.

https://www.spidertrax.com/2022-Up-Toyota-Tundra-Wheel-Spacers?sc=2&category=29920

 

Why not order the parts yourself? Then pay for the install. I’ve dealt with many shops and owned a shop. It’s pretty standard to pay for the materials upfront and the labor after the job is done. Wheel spacers on hub centric are very safe but like anything need to be maintained as mentioned by @Sunnier

 

Some shops use the ol' "if you didn't order the parts through us we cannot do the work as we cannot guarantee everything" as a way to discourage that. I walk after that.

 

I would offer to do what @Jim LE 1301 stated and do half up front and the rest upon completion. If they don't go for it, walk away.

 

OP, you mentioned that the shop is local. Why not go to the shop? Deal with them face to face. Express any concerns you have. Never pay in full up front unless the parts are at the shop and install is scheduled in writing. A 50% deposit is fair if you have to wait for parts.

 

$hit like this is why I’m not modding my truck anymore. Got a flat repair yesterday and saw the tire tech tapping the wheel lock key on the rim to loosen the stuck lug.

 

Yeah, I hate it when they do that. My *dealership* will actually be installing my lift for this reason - they of course won't warranty the parts, but they DO warranty their install and the like. If a shop won't do the work for that reason I wouldn't trust them with any amount of money.

 

Hmm well its usually against the law to pay everything upfront before the work is done (in most states) but standard practice to ask for a deposit. As for needing spacers to clear 35s i do t believe you do on the new tundras as they were designed to be lifted and fit bigger tires without modifications. If your keeping stock wheels then maybe but im sure there are plenty of youtube videos out there by now that can touch up on that. Or maybe you can ask your local dealership that installs toyotas lift kit packages on the new tundras.

 

My buddy had his Tacoma lifted by the stealership and somehow he got quoted a reasonable rate. He did it so the factory warranty wouldn't be jeopardized. I had an aftermarket warranty that allowed me to go anywhere for a lift installation which was awesome imo

 

I would not be paying the shop up front. Buy the westcott lift and bring it to them. That what I did. My mechanic to do the westcott lift and alignment $500. It should not cost more than that. Unless a dealership is doing it. I checked with another lift place just to see what it would have been about 1000.00

 

It's not terrible. Lift installation, alignment, and oil change (and rotation) are going to be like $550 or so, I think. And yeah I want to make sure my factory warranty are intact (not counting the lift itself of course).

 

Lots of great responses here!! I appreciate your feedback. I think what I will do is buy everything myself and either try to take it to the dealership or a local mechanic I trust or do it myself. I know I can do it, just thought it’d be wise to have it done by a professional considering I’m not an expert. Would rather not find out just how much I don’t know with my truck in pieces in the driveway!!