Originally Posted by mcracecars

With all respect Brian, I have yet to find a professionally run chassis or engine shop that will finance a engine or car for anyone.
All the big ones require about 5,000 down to hold your spot on the waiting list to build you a car. When it is time to build they need about 50% (includes the original 5,000), another 25% at about the half way point and the balance when complete and ready to be delivered or picked up.
Extras and additions need to be paid up front.
This assures that the customer is serious and has the money for the project.
I for one will not start a big project without 50% down to start. I have seen other chassis shops over the years, before I started, take on a project, get a few bucks down , then the customer has no money to finish and the car sits in the guys shop for 3 years... not good at all.
Building these cars is expensive, 60,000 to over 100,000 is not uncommon, and it is kind of like building a house, the builder is not going to start unless he is sure you have the money. And draws are taken at certain points in the construction. This assures that the customer is going to do his part.
I am not going to finance 30,000 in parts and 6 months labor to have the cusomer change his mind in the end.
Now grant it, smaller projects like say, ladderbar/coilover installations, 6 point bars, 10 point cage, small repairs or updates do not need deposits, but them big ones, well the builders got to protect his butt...
I agree it is a shame what happened to some of these guys on here that pay a wack of money to some of these chassis shops, or engine shops and not get anything in return, but that is were research and customer referals come in. But some of these guys will go for the cheaper price and this is what happens. Maybe some of these guys are really crooks, or maybe just bad business men and are not making enough to pay the rent, I dont know.