I dropped off a car car to get work performed almost 2 years ago, I gave the owner/mechanic $2000 as required deposit to start work on the car right away. However car just sat in a corner never being worked on, because of almost 2 years of neglect, the car's condition deteriorated greatly, and I was tired of waiting and decided to pick up the car with no worked having been performed the entire time it was there. Then owner said he couldn't refund me my money at the time due to his "computer needing to be repaired" (yeah right) this was weeks ago, on top of that he still has in possession of two very important and expensive parts, every time I've asked about meeting up to get my money and parts back he has some excuse and he's hardly ever at his own place of business. I'm tired of going around in circles with this guy, I have a repair order and an invoice for the work that was supposed to be performed and the deposit I gave him as well as tons of text messages between me and him showing giving me excuse after excuse for work not being performed or me not getting my money back. What can I do to get my parts and money back, and is it possible to get some sort of restitution for blatant neglect of the car?
Conned by local mechanic shop, What should I do?
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Youll have to sue and most likely wont be the 1st to get a money judgement against him that he ignores. Have a neighbor that for 5yrs has been dodging a 10k judgement that is now 22k, i dont see how he isnt in the county jail for contempt
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10,576 Posts
Log out and never come back
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21,809 Posts
Time to gather up all your paperwork, print out all correspondence, and go see a judge
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10,576 Posts
:smt115![]()
I hear ya, at the time I was working 6 days a week, and my project was just sitting and i had no time to do it and a lot of money, and was told about this guy, and at the time he seemed to be getting a lot of business and decent reviews, so I completely let myself get suckered in to giving him the car the money and the parts.
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469 Posts
I was somewhat in the same situation.Well known engine builder reff'd*to me from other racers I choose to have a engine built.Day of build sheet he asked of 3k down to begin the build..I had no problem with that down was given with a 2 to 3 weeks for completion of the build..It ended up being 3 1/2 months for the builder to complete the build..Rob Petter to pay Paul so to speak..
During my visit for the build sheet..Builder stated he dyno tunes all of his builds.In my thoughts the dyno tune was included in the total cost..
Day of dyno tune after all was said and done.He says $500.00 for the dyno pay me when you pick the motor up.I was like WTF you never informed me there would be a extra cost for the dyno tune sense you said you dyno tune all of your builds..IMO the builder should have informed me from the start a extra fee would be had for the dyno tune..
Moving forward I mounted the motor in my car..I had to upgrade my fuel system which I did before fire up..Motor was puffing smoke out of one exhaust tube on the first fire up.Then found the rear main seal was leaking keep in mind this was a fresh rebuilt 421 sbc.
Time and time again I texted/called him to his personal cell with vids of the oil pan full of oil and vid of the engine puffing smoke.No reply so what I did..
My cousin owns his law firm so we sent him a demand letter..
That opened his eyes in a hurry so he calls me..Bring the car or engine and I will fix the issues..I did so, just picked my car up last Saturday after being at his shop for over 2 months..During the 2 month wait after excuse after excuse.I said dude give me my money back and you can have your engine back..His reply your car will be ready on this day which it never was..
Now dig this I get the car home no longer puffing smoke but still has a main seal leak..After 7 + months from start until present dealing with this crook I did not call him once I noticed the leak was still present..
I have saved all of our texts/vids about this build from start until now..Plenty of evidence against him..My cousin who the atty I mentioned said even if we get a judgement doesnt mean he will pay..
Further more in the build sheet AFR heads were to be used on this engine.My headers require a straight plug head..He wanted to use a 220cc head said AFR doesnt make a straight plug head in a 220cc he went with RHS ANGLE PLUG heads..Which was BS AFR makles a straight plug 220cc head!!! My headers had to be modified to fit the angle plug RHS heads..Then do you think he adjusted the cost on the build sheet going from AFR head to a cheaper RHS head?
Just sharing my recent issues with a engine builder and lesson learned.
Good luck hope all works out for you...
During my visit for the build sheet..Builder stated he dyno tunes all of his builds.In my thoughts the dyno tune was included in the total cost..
Day of dyno tune after all was said and done.He says $500.00 for the dyno pay me when you pick the motor up.I was like WTF you never informed me there would be a extra cost for the dyno tune sense you said you dyno tune all of your builds..IMO the builder should have informed me from the start a extra fee would be had for the dyno tune..
Moving forward I mounted the motor in my car..I had to upgrade my fuel system which I did before fire up..Motor was puffing smoke out of one exhaust tube on the first fire up.Then found the rear main seal was leaking keep in mind this was a fresh rebuilt 421 sbc.
Time and time again I texted/called him to his personal cell with vids of the oil pan full of oil and vid of the engine puffing smoke.No reply so what I did..
My cousin owns his law firm so we sent him a demand letter..
That opened his eyes in a hurry so he calls me..Bring the car or engine and I will fix the issues..I did so, just picked my car up last Saturday after being at his shop for over 2 months..During the 2 month wait after excuse after excuse.I said dude give me my money back and you can have your engine back..His reply your car will be ready on this day which it never was..
Now dig this I get the car home no longer puffing smoke but still has a main seal leak..After 7 + months from start until present dealing with this crook I did not call him once I noticed the leak was still present..
I have saved all of our texts/vids about this build from start until now..Plenty of evidence against him..My cousin who the atty I mentioned said even if we get a judgement doesnt mean he will pay..
Further more in the build sheet AFR heads were to be used on this engine.My headers require a straight plug head..He wanted to use a 220cc head said AFR doesnt make a straight plug head in a 220cc he went with RHS ANGLE PLUG heads..Which was BS AFR makles a straight plug 220cc head!!! My headers had to be modified to fit the angle plug RHS heads..Then do you think he adjusted the cost on the build sheet going from AFR head to a cheaper RHS head?
Just sharing my recent issues with a engine builder and lesson learned.
Good luck hope all works out for you...
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2,442 Posts
I actually know a guy who did this. :-Daw They never knew who did it. A letter was dropped and said those who like to fuck people will have hell to pay for the customers you screwed. Good luck getting that business back. Sorry about your building burning down oh wait no I am not.
So you’re suggesting the OP burn the fellas shop down ? WOW![]()
Sounds like the asshole ive dealt with for 6 years and 2 builds
Last straw was yesterday, new builder this time with good reputation
The police won't be able to help you in this matter, as it is a civil matter. Start out by contacting the consumer affairs department of your state Attorney General's office. They may be able to put some pressure on the guy, BUT it will be a long process and there is no guarantee that you will get any satisfaction in this matter. Also make a complaint against the guy at the Better Business Bureau.
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