May have been ripped off by a auto machanic?

Question

On September 25th. I looked in the phone book for some repair to be done on my vehicle. My window would not let up or down. I found a mobile auto repair where they come to you. On the phone I let the man know I wanted it done asap. He made some calls then let me know how much it would be. On Sep. 26th. he came to my home and spent about 3 1/2 putting in a new motor. When he was done I could not go check the work while he was there because I have my own Daycare and I did not want to take the kids out in the parking lot. About 30minutes later the last child left. As soon as he was gone I went to check my window and to my amazement it still was not working. I called the mechanic right away, and he assured me that he would come back out the next day to fix the problem. He never showed. Later that week, he kept assuring me that he would come back. He will call me and tell me that he will be there, but to this day he has yet to show. I have already paid him. What should I do?

Answer 1

First thing I would do is go to your local chamber of commerce (if you are in a town of any size), - also I would suggest getting in touch with your local "better business bureau".



How was the bill paid? If it was a credit card, you have 30 days to "contest the charge", (in essence you can have your money returned). If it was by check, you have a valid recipt that it was in fact paid out, - this can be used in small claims court if you have to!



Also it is possible that you have some kind of "legal aid" (or get a lawyer if nescessary),-that will help you get a "not so nice" letter out to this person, and demand you money back, - -or "to small claims court he goes!" If this is a bad enough job, and entirely proveable,- if you get no results, go to the State Attoureny Genereal! If this guy is a really "rotten apple", - they may rake him over the coals pretty good!



The thing with people that don't really want to make their obligations "good" is that they think the amount is too small for you to really go to trouble to get it taken care of, -and if they just put you off long enough, you will give up! So make sure every bit of correspondence with him from here foreward, is doccumented (in case of court)... you can then show a "trend" -of lack of "good faith" in taking care of the problem.



I you do end up in court, - of course you are going to want to also "sue" for lawyers fees, court costs, and other expenses you have acquired in pursuit of getting your money back, - or getting the problem taken care of! - So you actually get your money back, (and not some token amount that makes it expensive to take to court in first place!)

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about how you were treated. Unfortunately this is quite often the case. Was the mobile repair guy affiliated with a company or was he on his own? If he was affiliated with a company I'd be calling his manager and anyone else I could get a number for. If he is on his own I would be calling every hour and bugging the ever-loving crap out of him. If there is an address for his business (since he was in the phone book there should be an address) I'd have a brother, father or friend show up at the address to demand that he fix the window or give back your money. Threaten to take him to court. Call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. But calling him constantly should do the trick. ADD HIS NAME AND NUMBER TO YOUR QUESTION AND WE'LL ALL CALL HIM!!!



If you used a credit card to pay him you can dispute the charge. If you wrote a check you can stop payment, call your bank immediately and see if it has cleared if not the can put an emergency stop on it.

Answer 3

Do a stop payment IMMEDIATELY on the check you paid him with, if you paid by check. That way, when he goes to cash that check, surprise! he won't be able to collect the $$$$$ when he didn't do the job. THEN he might be willing to get his *ss back over to your place to fix what he should have done in the first place.



If you paid some other way or if you know he already has the money and can't stop a check, then I would suggest letting him know that you are going to take him to small claims court if he does not contact you IMMEDIATELY and agree to finish the work for free right away. Give him a time frame, such as within the next 7 calendar days, and if he doesn't get the work finished to your satisfaction by the end of those days, tell him you are going to file suit against him.



Let him know that you are not one to put up with being ripped off or be pushed around. Once you mention small claims court and filing suit against him, he should take immediate action to satisfy your needs in getting it fixed unless he wants a really bad reputation around town, thus causing him to lose a huge, substantial amount of business. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

How did you pay? cash, check or charge. You can stop payment on a check, you can stop payment on a credit card, but you need to go to court if you paid by cash. Seek an attourney, 1st visits are free, then initiate a small claims court procedure. It will take time but in the end you will prevail. Make copies of all your receipts you got from this guy, including his advertisement in the phone book. Report him to the BBB as well. Hurt him where it hurts the most.............his pocket. Once word gets out about him, he will have trouble keeping his business afloat. Find out his location for his place of business, speak with him in person and demand the refund or else.

good luck

Answer 5

He came to you? Call the BBB, and the police department. File a report and have him arrested. Theft by false pretense. You paid him to do a service that was not done. That is a crime, especially if he has cashed your check. Or if you feel so inclined call him and let him know that you are going to report him unless he either A. refunds your money, or B. completes the repair as promised. These type of businesses have a lot more liabilities than if you are going to their shop.

Answer 6

You can call the BBB and report his business name and file a report. Sadly enough you will not get anything back. Just let it go and go see someone who is more qualified on a corporate level. I took my car to have a tune up and it cost me 500.00 and they said either pay or don't get your car. I felt scammed and couldn't do anything about it but, pay. Always take a male friend or family member when dealing with mechanics because it poses a threat to their con artist scamms. Sorry but, women like you and me learn the hard way.

Answer 7

first of all, the sensor you're finding at is a wide-unfold piece of junk, no longer the superb one on your automobile. The "bank1 sensor1" potential the pre-cat one on your automobile, in certainty, that's the main serious one, it has a significant result on how the automobile runs. the superb section from the OEM producer (Delphi) is approximately $60 in the event that they're getting it from a jobber. maximum shops do no longer desire to apply low-priced wide-unfold factors because of the fact there are too many comebacks. i do no longer comprehend what their retail value is, all shops mark up factors. something is tough artwork, oxygen sensors could be complicated to interchange and complicated to realize on some autos, it somewhat is why it truly is $two hundred. in case you do no longer in easy terms like the value, get an estimate someplace else. The diagnostic fee is customary and infrequently overcharging. in case you do no longer desire to pay those fees discover ways to do it your self. those people right here who save asserting "it truly is a ripoff" needless to say do no longer artwork as mechanics and actual do no longer run a employer, or they could comprehend extra effective. zxc090

Answer 8

report him to the better bussiness bureau and file a claim against him in small claims court. I do believe that you do have to give him the opportunity to correct his "error" but that varies per state. Send him a certified letter explaining the problem and asking for him to fix it.

Here is the link to the main page of the BBB, find your state to file a complaint.

http://www.bbb.org/

The department of consumer affairs or consumer protection agency in your state can give you info about how to get your car fixed. Here is a link for the one: http://www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/cars/autorepr.shtml

Good luck!

Answer 9

do your own car repair from now on, atleast the easy ones. YOU CANNOT TRUST MECHANICS, EVER, THEY ALWAYS RIP YOU OFF. Sorry but that is the truth. Especially since almost no one knows about cars.

Answer 10

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO??? maybe you could learn not to pay anyone for anything till you check it out. would you pay for a haircut and not look in the mirror...there ya go!!!

Answer 11

it's sad, but it happens, call your BBB, did you stop payment on the check :(

Answer 12

kiss your money goodbye.