Screwed?

outdoor.spec.ops · 03-17-2003, 10:56 AM

I was just wondering how many other IFISH members have tried to be kind, and friendly in the past with issues, and have gotten burned?

My most recent "screwing" is still ongoing. I took my truck to the shop almost 5 months ago, and it is still there. Hasn't moved an inch in almost 3 months, and the bill is paid up. I made the mistake of paying my bill, made the mistake of listening to excuses, and made the mistake of--well being a nice guy and offering to help work on MY truck that Im paying for, on my weekend. I went to the shop 4 times this weekend only to have him ditch out all 4 times. Not much else left to do, other than let it get ugly. The guy has had health problems, over the month of December, but how far would you fellow IFISHers let this go?
He has since closed his shop, but keeps saying he will fix the truck. If I could haul it out of there I would, but the place is locked up.

1pump · 03-17-2003, 01:06 PM

I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, but ya gotta draw the line somewhere, especially when it comes to your money.
OutdoorOps, I spent many years in the automotive aftermarket with repair shops as my customer base and I've seen this happen more than once. You might have to resort to legal action to get your truck back. If you're lucky, the threat of it might be enough to light a fire under his butt. I'm not talking about small claims court, but about reporting it stolen. It's faster and more effective, and you can take him to court later to try and recover some of your costs, but you probably just want to cut your losses at this point. It sucks to have to do that, especially if you're like me and hate to do that to people. I'm sure he had the best intentions, but you know what they say about that.
The Better Business Bureau says that auto repair generates more complaints than any other business. Small wonder.
Warning about paying for work up front- DON'T DO IT! Anybody that asks you to is probably broke with no working capital, not to mention shady, and the money will be spent long before the job is done. If they need collateral, they have your vehicle and it's not hard for them to take legal possession if you don't pay the bill.

Big Dog · 03-17-2003, 02:16 PM

I got screwed big time. I pick up a 21' Sea Ray for nothing. It was dry rotted front to back. Found a guy that would do the job, but needed $2000.00 up front for materials. Well the boat sat there for 1 1\2 years till I finally picked it up and had to do the job myself.

What really ticks me of is I can't even find the guy to get a judgement against him.

Live and Learn..

03-17-2003, 02:19 PM

I just had the opposite experience last week. My computer died and I had it in a shop for R&R. I told them I needed it back ASAP because I was using it to apply for a job. They got it back to me in four hours and didn't charge me anything for the work.

Thumper · 03-17-2003, 02:20 PM

Big Dog --- You didn't get screwed. You just failed to have the boat surveyed professionally, which is like buying a house without an appraisal. Costs about $75. Good investment, as you found out.

Snapset · 03-17-2003, 11:55 PM

I once made the mistake of paying for work before it was done. Had an experience similar to yours, and the job never got done. The guy that was supposed to do the work was a good friend at the time. Good Luck. Some of lifes lessons are learned the hard way.

Big Dog · 03-18-2003, 08:37 AM

I picked up a 21' Sea Ray with a new 350ci and rebuilt alpha one Mercruiser outdrive and a beautiful galvanized trailer for $400.00. The floor was ripped up and all the dry rot was exposed when I bought it.

I took it to this guy to have it FIXED.

I knew what I bought...