Keatley's: Terrible Ted

Well, I'm still stunned.

What seemed like an easy, straightforward removal of vinyl stickers prior to full detail turned out into a nightmare.

I dropped off the car in the morning, requested if they could remove the stickers before doing the detail, Ted Ostroff assured me it would not be a problem but that it may take up to an hour or so just to remove it all, and that his hourly rate is $100.

I agreed.

An hour or so later, I get a foreboding call from Ted. He tries to explain to me that he somehow managed to quote, "create two spots" on the car because he wasn't aware that the entire car was clear bra'd. I told him only the front half was clear-bra'd and he said the two spots were on the front fenders.

I thought, "Oh, it's probably just a bubble or wrinkle in the clear bra from the heat gun."

My oh my, was I majorly wrong.

The two spots were actual holes in the clear bra. I arrive and saw the damage and was pretty disappointed. But what really stunned me was Ted's attitude and arm flailing that followed...

He was literally yelling at me and placing 100% of the blame on me for not disclosing that I had a clear bra on the car...I mean my God, is this your first ride in the rodeo? Can you not tell from handling dozens of high-end exotics what a clear bra is??? You're in the detailing business and you're blaming me for your screw up??? Why did you continue then when you realized there was a clear bra!!??!?

I was just stunned. His workers all thought it was his own incompetence but were too afraid to say anything in his presence. They whisper to me that it was a simple job, and they're not sure how this could have happened, we are so sorry.

HIS WORKERS WHO NEVER WORKED ON THE CAR APOLOGIZED, but Ted himself? Nada, no apology, no admission of wrong doing just a simple "F**k off and don't ever come back again."

I didn't even lose my temper or curse or yell during all this, and I get this sort of attitude? To think also that he is my neighbor at the Infinity...WOW, just WOW. After this he thinks I would even consider coming back? He must think I'm addicted to pain or something...

He even starts name dropping, I know so and so, who trained such and such. He can patch that up no problem BUUUUUT, here's the kicker, "Alwin you're going to have to pay for it."

WOW...

I was going to head out to Blackhawk tomorrow, but not even in the mood now or maybe I should and let the whole bay area see Ted's handiwork...there is even still glue residue from the removed decals that weren't cleaned up after-the-fact. My God...

Last time I was at Keatley's was with my MP4 and that was some time ago, and I thought they did a good job cleaning it up back then...my friends and neighbors all go there today and everything usually comes out fine.

Maybe its just the Ted's Midas touch lol. What a day, what a day.

I am still stunned...

iPhone pics of the damaged clear bra (one on each side of the car):
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/11768170134_fb656e8f39_h.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/11768169004_c9779fdb7f_h.jpg

 

It's going to have to be, and it's a custom 1-piece application that goes from left to right fender so... $$$.

lucky me!

 

He made no offer / attempt to make things right whatsoever.

Only name dropped and would put me in touch with so and so who trained so and so at Premier. Even that he said he was reluctant to do because quote, "I'm not going to put him through this circus act. He doesn't do petty jobs like this, but he's a friend so he will do me a solid."

WOW!

 

I think I'm going to put big fat decals near the damage for a week or so until the clear bra gets redone w the note "Courtesy of Keatley's Detail on Harrison" and park it in union square for all to see.

My insurance will handle making him pay for redoing the clear bra, and a good-hearted lawyer friend has even volunteered his services for free if it comes to that.

Just because I remained calm and polite does not mean I'm going to let some **** get away with it.

 

Hi guys,

Ted has come around in recent days, and he has offered to pay for the damaged clear bra. As I have told him via email & phone, this has been an awful mishap for both of us but it is now water under the bridge.

I hope nothing like this has to happen to anyone ever again and I'm pretty sure Ted will be extra careful from now on.

Hey, and now I don't have to worry about awkward elevator run-ins =) Thanks to those fchat fellas who gave Ted a few motivational nudges too, not sure what you said to him, but if not for you guys, I highly doubt either of us would have spoken to each other ever again.

 

They were temporary vinyl decals. no special or industrial grade adhesive or anything, just temporary stickers, easily removed with or without a heat gun, with the latter being much easier.