2023 Mecum Kissimmee

[SS427]

Why are restoration shops being pointed out as the bad guys for making a living and "driving up the cost" of the hobby? I for one do not nor have I ever restored a car for a flipper. One who wants to "restore" the car simply to take it to the auction and flip it and make a ton of money. I only restored for the collectors of which few seldom ever complain about the cost and got what they paid for, their dream car. I am in this hobby for the love of it and certainly NOT the money as I for one have NEVER gotten rich restoring cars. I would also ask why it is ok for people to sell cars and make a nice profit but it is not ok for those that helped you get that profit? Many say they are using it for their investment but we cannot be part of their reason for making that profit on their investment? Those who say our prices are too high don't seem to have an issue being paid well for what they do for a living yet it is wrong that we do???? Building a home is certainly ridiculously costly but I do not hear some of you complaining about that every time you build another home. Many of you make as much or more per hour than I charge for my hourly shop rate (NOT what I get paid). My shop rate is 50% of what my local new car dealership charges but I am wrong? Wow! Sorry to vent on here but I for one have NEVER gotten rich from this livelihood but it is the one I chose and loved so I take it for what it gave me, just don't make US out to be the ones at fault.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by SS427

Why are restoration shops being pointed out as the bad guys for making a living and "driving up the cost" of the hobby? I for one do not nor have I ever restored a car for a flipper. One who wants to "restore" the car simply to take it to the auction and flip it and make a ton of money. I only restored for the collectors of which few seldom ever complain about the cost and got what they paid for, their dream car. I am in this hobby for the love of it and certainly NOT the money as I for one have NEVER gotten rich restoring cars. I would also ask why it is ok for people to sell cars and make a nice profit but it is not ok for those that helped you get that profit? Many say they are using it for their investment but we cannot be part of their reason for making that profit on their investment? Those who say our prices are too high don't seem to have an issue being paid well for what they do for a living yet it is wrong that we do???? Building a home is certainly ridiculously costly but I do not hear some of you complaining about that every time you build another home. Many of you make as much or more per hour than I charge for my hourly shop rate (NOT what I get paid). My shape rate is 50% of what my local new car dealership charges but I am wrong? Wow! Sorry to vent on here but I for one have NEVER gotten rich from this livelihood but it is the one I chose and loved so I take it for what it gave me, just don't make US out to be the ones at fault.

Vent away buddy. I am with you.

The biggest reason restoration is so expensive is because it is incredibly time consuming!!!!

Guessing your labor rate is on par with independent repair shops. Because of the high degree of skill, I would expect to pay higher rates.