Two years ago I took my bolsters off of my 23' open boat along with a couple of square seat cushions and the leaning post cushion to Bakersfield Custom Landau. I spoke directly to the owner about the work before I did the work of taking my boat apart. He said" we do the best work, were professionals and have been doing this for years here in Bakersfield. We replace all of the old foam and rebuild or replace any of the wood backing as needed you will be very happy. We negotiated a price of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars cash. He wanted a lot more and I knew this was quite a chunk of change but I was convinced. I gave him a thousand dollars sight unseen for his work not wanting him to be out any money for ordering the material. After months my bolsters and seat were ready for pick up in September, the end of the Albacore run (if and when it happens). I needed my boat. I got my upholstery and gave them another one thousand dollars. I put my boat back together and noticed that the foam was not replaced, the crumbling and original foam was still being used. None of the wood backing that was completely shot was replaced and would not even support a screw driven into it.. I could not frigging believe it. I went back and told him and he said "we want you to be happy go use the boat and go fishing and when your done we will make everything to your approval" I used the boat three times and the winter was here. Being that the professional did not sand or put any kind of chafing layer over the backboards he stretched the new material over and into place, after three uses the material cut through in three places. The stitching was loose and inconsistent. everything was a bit off no matter what piece you looked at. It was a terrible, terrible job. I took it back to him like he said and told him I am not in that big of a hurry so he did nothing for six months, my boat was kept in pieces. I go to get my stuff back and it is warmed over crap. I talk to him on the phone and he starts backpedaling on what he said and what to he agreed . He did not fix anything. He spilled yellow paint or glue on one bolster and tore the vinyl, lost mounting pieces to other parts and the piece that cut through the first time is worse than when I got it the first time. His wife was treating me like a criminal and demanding the additional five hundred dollars and he says he is not going to lose any sleep over it I'll pay him or I wont. I sent him a letter outlining the discrepancies in the workmanship and pictures of the damage and he never returned an answer. I guess he collected his two thousand dollars for some of the crappiest work imaginable. I am so pissed I should take him to small claims. I can't take it back to him to fix. he already proved he has no right o touch anything of value that is mine. Beware, that who those people really are....If he was ever good, he is tired lazy and no longer a professional. Bad, bad, bad, bad....Anybody want to see the pictures? I sure have them.....and the receipts.... read more
