Some of you fellas may be in one of the Facebook groups where I initially posted photos of this, but didn't go into detail. Wanted to share my experience as well as get the name out there of the scumbag who's responsible.
Bought a new truck a few weeks ago. Decided I wanted to get PPF on the painted front bumper (my last truck had some rock chips - not horrendous, but wanted this truck protected while it was still new), as well as the rocker/fender in front of the rear wheels because it gets sand blasted over time from debris kicked up by the front wheels. Called around several shops I've used for tint before that I know and trust, but they were all booked out for 2 months. Normally I'd have waited, but I had a vacation trip to Florida coming up (am there now), and really wanted the protection before putting on nearly 2K highway miles. So I kept calling around.
Found this shop and reached out. Pro Finish Coating Solutions LLC
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The owner/operator, Andrew Augustine, was able to get me in a few days before my trip. Leaving the vehicle overnight was not feasible for me, so he accommodated my request to release the vehicle as soon as he was finished. I worked all night, then went to his shop, and waited there patiently for 5 hours while he did the job. His shop is clean and professional - not world class, but better than some places I've been. Up to this point, I had no reason to doubt his ability to do the job, and based on his few (but all very positive reviews), I trusted him.
Red flags I should have caught:
1. Few reviews, most of which were for paint correction and coatings... I think only 1 mentioned clear bra.
2. Business had only been registered for about 2 years. PPF (particularly bulk cut) is apparently an art that really takes time to master.
3. I told him I wanted computer cut film, but after arriving for my appointment, he informed me something happened and he would have to bulk cut it (which he said he was capable of).
4. Around the 3 hour mark he came into the waiting area to grab more film - said he had cut a piece too short. No big deal I thought. Turns out it was the bumper piece, the largest/most difficult part of the job.
5. Never offered to have me check out the job before leaving. Granted, not every place will do this, and it always felt a little rude to ask since you're essentially doubting their ability. I did jokingly say I hope it didn't give him too much trouble (since it took awhile and he had to cut more film) - he acted like everything was fine.
6. I didn't closely inspect the job before paying or leaving (I needlessly trusted everything went okay, and after being there for 5 hours, being awake all night, and my wife bugging when I'd be home, I just wanted to get out of there).
After getting home, I started to inspect the install. There were some air bubbles and wet areas under the film, but I figured this was normal since it was just installed and would fix itself as it dried out. But then I started to notice razor cut marks in the paint. The closer I looked, the more I saw. It became painfully obvious he had no real plan on how he was going to cut the film. There were cut marks on the fog light trim, air dam, different and different spots on the bumper and rear rockers/fenders. Remember how I mentioned he had to cut the bumper piece 2 times? That became obvious when I saw there were cut marks in close, but different, areas of the bumper. Then I started to notice the film itself just looked like crap. Lifting edges that were hidden underneath and behind the plastic trim, completely asymmetrical cuts on each side, and incomplete coverage. I was fuming.
New truck, just trying to get the thing protected before I go on a trip, and I end up worse off than had I just left everything alone and waited for a more reputable shop to do the work. So, I tried reaching out to him in the later hours of the evening. I was polite, clearly stated my concerns, and wanted to know how he could resolve it. Crickets... Tried calling him the next day, and he did not answer. Sent him a message on Facebook (where we had also communicated), and it's still unread. Gave it a few more days before I texted him (from a different phone) asking to schedule a new job. He immediately replied, so it's now obvious that this guy is trying to ghost me. I'm not sure how he thinks that's going to work out well for him or his business, but so far, that's the path he's on.
Until I get back from my vacation, I can't go to his shop (which is 45 minutes away from home, so that doesn't help either). I've already filed a dispute for the payment, and am considering legal action, but I have no idea if his LLC has insurance or assets to cover the damage. My insurance did say they would pay for the damage, but obviously I'd prefer not to file a claim. What a **** show.
Bought a new truck a few weeks ago. Decided I wanted to get PPF on the painted front bumper (my last truck had some rock chips - not horrendous, but wanted this truck protected while it was still new), as well as the rocker/fender in front of the rear wheels because it gets sand blasted over time from debris kicked up by the front wheels. Called around several shops I've used for tint before that I know and trust, but they were all booked out for 2 months. Normally I'd have waited, but I had a vacation trip to Florida coming up (am there now), and really wanted the protection before putting on nearly 2K highway miles. So I kept calling around.
Found this shop and reached out. Pro Finish Coating Solutions LLC
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Pro Finish Coating Solutions · 6671 Liberty Ct unit 1/a, Liberty Township, OH 45044
★★★★★ · Car detailing service
The owner/operator, Andrew Augustine, was able to get me in a few days before my trip. Leaving the vehicle overnight was not feasible for me, so he accommodated my request to release the vehicle as soon as he was finished. I worked all night, then went to his shop, and waited there patiently for 5 hours while he did the job. His shop is clean and professional - not world class, but better than some places I've been. Up to this point, I had no reason to doubt his ability to do the job, and based on his few (but all very positive reviews), I trusted him.
Red flags I should have caught:
1. Few reviews, most of which were for paint correction and coatings... I think only 1 mentioned clear bra.
2. Business had only been registered for about 2 years. PPF (particularly bulk cut) is apparently an art that really takes time to master.
3. I told him I wanted computer cut film, but after arriving for my appointment, he informed me something happened and he would have to bulk cut it (which he said he was capable of).
4. Around the 3 hour mark he came into the waiting area to grab more film - said he had cut a piece too short. No big deal I thought. Turns out it was the bumper piece, the largest/most difficult part of the job.
5. Never offered to have me check out the job before leaving. Granted, not every place will do this, and it always felt a little rude to ask since you're essentially doubting their ability. I did jokingly say I hope it didn't give him too much trouble (since it took awhile and he had to cut more film) - he acted like everything was fine.
6. I didn't closely inspect the job before paying or leaving (I needlessly trusted everything went okay, and after being there for 5 hours, being awake all night, and my wife bugging when I'd be home, I just wanted to get out of there).
After getting home, I started to inspect the install. There were some air bubbles and wet areas under the film, but I figured this was normal since it was just installed and would fix itself as it dried out. But then I started to notice razor cut marks in the paint. The closer I looked, the more I saw. It became painfully obvious he had no real plan on how he was going to cut the film. There were cut marks on the fog light trim, air dam, different and different spots on the bumper and rear rockers/fenders. Remember how I mentioned he had to cut the bumper piece 2 times? That became obvious when I saw there were cut marks in close, but different, areas of the bumper. Then I started to notice the film itself just looked like crap. Lifting edges that were hidden underneath and behind the plastic trim, completely asymmetrical cuts on each side, and incomplete coverage. I was fuming.
New truck, just trying to get the thing protected before I go on a trip, and I end up worse off than had I just left everything alone and waited for a more reputable shop to do the work. So, I tried reaching out to him in the later hours of the evening. I was polite, clearly stated my concerns, and wanted to know how he could resolve it. Crickets... Tried calling him the next day, and he did not answer. Sent him a message on Facebook (where we had also communicated), and it's still unread. Gave it a few more days before I texted him (from a different phone) asking to schedule a new job. He immediately replied, so it's now obvious that this guy is trying to ghost me. I'm not sure how he thinks that's going to work out well for him or his business, but so far, that's the path he's on.
Until I get back from my vacation, I can't go to his shop (which is 45 minutes away from home, so that doesn't help either). I've already filed a dispute for the payment, and am considering legal action, but I have no idea if his LLC has insurance or assets to cover the damage. My insurance did say they would pay for the damage, but obviously I'd prefer not to file a claim. What a **** show.
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