Project Frustration

[thenderson]

Has anyone here ever worked on a project Truck in Calgary?  What have you found?  Who did you go to to get advise, ideas or parts?  Iv been finding that it is very frustrating to work on a project in this City.  No one wants to give you advise and they just want to tell you that your ideas are wrong or dumb.  Iv found that businesses treat you like you were born yesterday.  You might get a bit of respect from them once they realize you know more and have done more reseach in the last year then they will ever do in their life time.  I have pretty much been forced to learn how to do everything myself.  Post here if you have had similar experiences or if you disagree with me all together.  Id like to know if I'm alone in this or If it is a ongoing problem in this City.  Thanks for listening to me rant.

[fug]

Not sure what you are driving at.... Alot of our guy's jeeps are never ending projects... some more major than others.  You have to build your rig the way you want it... if a shop isn't willing to sell you a part without grief why bother going there?  I have dealt with a bunch of different shops around .. all have their pro's and con's.  There are lots of decent guys in the shops around town if you take the time to get to know them a bit.  I think Calgary is one of the better places to build stuff and there's a ton of guys into the hobby here.

[thenderson]

I understand the idea behind off roading and building your rig.  And yes there are lots of guys into this hobby.  What I have noticed though is that if you are not there to drop $$$$ in the shop on a TJ or JK lift kit shops dont want to give you the time of day.  I also find that if you walk into a shop and the guys are willing to give you the time of day they want to teach you somthing.  Like I dont know a thing about 4x4s.  You ask a question and it seems like the battle of who knows more begins.  I havnt yet been able to talk to someone in any shop in Calgary and have a normal conversation without the other person starting to explain the basics of 4x4 building.  And thats just the service aspect.  Iv been able to get parts to my door faster and cheaper than shops can get them in stock.  Now that should not be the case.  Havn't these shops heard of wholesale pricing.  Why should be able to buy a part at retail price not retail plus the shops 15% mark up.   Im just fishing to see if anyone else has had the same experience as I have. 

[fug]

Ah ok... now I can see where you're coming from.  I have to agree with you on some of what you're saying for sure.  I will say that a couple of years ago I knew squat about jeeps but this club has some great guys who're willing to teach stuff and help you get to know the right guys at some of the local shops.   I really do think its this club thats helped me more than anything... hopefully you can hang out meet some of us, do some wheeling etc.

[thenderson]

Thats one thing I like about the forums.  There is an endless knowlage base.  I havn't been wheeling and wrenching long.  But I sure have learnd alot in the last 3years.  Im been through 3 rigs now.  All of witch Iv modded myself because I never had alot of money.  Now I have alittle more money and I thought Id try to get someone else to do the work and I cant get anyone I trust so now Im doing it myself again.  I do like it and I can save $$$$ doing it myself.  Ah who knows maybe Ill open up a shop some day and do it right.  It would be nice to get out with some local wheelers sometime.

[Fredduck]

I've always built my own rides, and I'm not braggin. I find a certain type of satisfaction building things my way, not like everybody elses ride.I was also too cheap to pay someone else to do what I thought I could myself, I have learned a great deal(patients not being one of them) doing this. I am in the middle of my first Jeep build, I have found that if you can wade through some of the CR@P on some of the forums (not this one) they are a better source of info then some of the guys in the shops. The guys on this forum are friendly, informitive and won't flame you for asking a dumb question. 
Do your own research, wrench your own nuts and be proud of what you have accomplished (new signature)(patent pending)

[Shearcon79]

I'm new to Build Your Own Adventure and the forums.  I am learning a lot in a short time and think this is a great bunch of people to learn from and hang with.  I just went on an Unofficial CJA trail ride yesterday and it was a blast. 
I have learned some good stuff from Brian Lawson at National 4wd and price wise he is good.