Not really credit related but here is my situation. I dropped off my car at a shop for some work to be done on it. The manager quoted me a price of $1550 and I gave them a deposit on my debit card of $200. I dropped off the car and they did the work on it. When I called to see what time I could pick it up, the owner said that I have a problem because he could only charge the balance of $1350 on my card and the Job cost $3000 because the manager told me incorrect prices. We went back and forth on the phone and this guy was a real jerk and just lied. I made the mistake of not getting anything in writing but I never signed anything either. The reason is that these guys have done work before and never given me a problem. He says I can have my car back when I pay the other half. In the meantime these guys have my car and even drive it around. I posted this here because you guys are some of the smartest people I know online! I feel like my car is being stolen from me. Any help would be great!!!!!!!!!!!
In most states (or it may be federal, I'm not sure) there is a law that if the repairs are over $50 (maybe $100, bit in any case you're over the amount) they MUST give you a quote IN WRITING before making repairs. Tell them you didn't get a written quote and that you didn't authorize that much money. You may want to check with the state Attorney General's office first to verify the law. As far as them driving it, if you have any proof of the mileage when you dropped it off and when you pick it up, threaten to file a small claims lawsuit against them. Ask the state AG about it, too.
I need to get my car back asap. This guy does not care about the small claims courts. Plus this will take too long. I will call the attroney general. This is a real nightmare!
IN CA and CO you MUST get an ESTIMATE in writing or by phone before work starts when it is a certain percentage (LIKE SAY 10%) above the ORIGINAL ESTIMATE THAT YOU WERE GIVEN AT THE TIME OF DROP-OFF...(UNLESS YOU WAIVE THAT RIGHT...LIKE I DO)...I SAY JUST FIX IT!!! L.O.F. TRANSMISSION SERVICE TIRE ROTATION TUNE-UP Say the original extimate was $200.00...if they had problems and you needed spark plug wires...they would have to call because it would exceed the price of $220.00 WHAT DID THEY DO THAT COST SO MUCH??? WHAT DID YOU ASK THEM TO DO??? DID THEY DO MORE THAN ASKED??? DID THEY TRY TO CALL YOU???
The car is worth more then the 3k. The problem is that this guy knows he is wrong, but he also knows he has me by the short hairs! Can I hire a repo man? I know this spunds crazy but I am ready to do it. I need to do something to get back my car NOW!!!!
Before you do much of anything I'd suggest talking to a lawyer. Otherwise, if you have a spare key, then you might be able to go to the shop at night and take the car back. Unless they lock it in the garage or something. Also, if you can't get your car back you might want to rent a car and charge the cost of the rental to the shop. I don't think there will be a really quick solution to this other than paying him the $3000 and then sueing him. Like I said, though, before you do anything I would talk to a lawyer. HTH, Brett
WOW!!! You did get ripped off. I can't believe these guys have the nerve to drive the car around. Do you see them driving it? If you do, the next time you see them driving it around I would call the cops and report the car as stolen! The spare key is a good idea also - I did that once with a car painting place. I was quoted one price, but then they tried to charge me alot more. I had a spare key and went to get my car. I dropped off the payment I was quoted and got my car back on my own. They never pursued anything against me, but I suppose they could have!
pay him the rest on your bank card, get your car back then call your bank and stop the transaction. Also keep in mind if you do not do this, he has your bank card number and might just start chargin you anyway. I would cancel the card or something. if he did not give you a quote on what work he did then get the cops to go down there with you to get your car and tell them he is holding it and has not done anything to your car yet or something like that.
Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas If you get the POLICE involved...DON'T LIE ABOUT IT...just tell them that you got no phone call telling you that the price will be DOUBLE before the work started or even when work was going on or even when the job was done!!!
Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas Get this....he only wants cash and won't let me put it on a card. I'm afraid that the cops won't want to get involved. When I has a similar situation 12 years ago they just said this is a matter for the courts..
Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas Disrergard my last post, Here is what I found out. I have a very good freind that owns a car repair shop, he said the only thing you can do is pay the bill and then take them to small claims court and report that business to the BBB. Sorry for the bad news just chalk this up as a learning experience and try to find a good mechanic next time. He also so next time you go for car repairs make sure the give you a estimate up front and tell them to call you if things change mabey even state in writing that you only authorize so much and if the number changes you have to be notified first, also have the shop checked out by the BBB to see if they have any negetive remarks. GOOD LUCK
Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas but I suppose they could have! breana902 ================ I know they could have:It's called theft. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """""""""```~~~```'""""""""" Talking About Others -------------------- young mother was riding the bus with her four year old boy when he suddenly blurted out so that everyone in the bus could hear, "Look mom, see that man's nose, it looks soooo funny!" The mother was quite embarrassed and scolded her son. Then she whispered to him that if there was something he wanted to say about someone then he had to wait until they got home or at least where nobody could hear them, so that nobody would be sad. A moment later the boy blurted out in the same loud voice, "Look mom, we've got to talk about that big fat lady when we get home!"
Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas I dropped off my car at a shop for some work to be done on it. Spyke ================= What kind of work?
Re: Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas Yes, but also inflating the repair cost way over the estimate - doing the work without approval at the inflated cost is also theft.
Re: Re: Re: I Got Ripped Off! Need Help...pleas He only wants cash so you can't reverse the credit card. What state are you in? There are many Deceptive Trade Practices laws and they do vary, but may come in handy.
Yes, but also inflating the repair cost way over the estimate - doing the work without approval at the inflated cost is also theft. breana902 ============= Very true but you can't take the law into your own hands to rectify it or you could find yourself in hot water.
If the charges are legitimate (go over the itemized bill in detail with them to make sure that they haven't inflated things incorrectly), then offer to work out a deal with them. They screwed up on the initial estimate, so if they aren't outright crooks, they should take some responsibility. Perhaps the parts should be on the bill at their cost, for example. Of they should reduce their rate. The idea isn't to make them take a bath on the deal, just to get them to share the responsibility. Now, if you can't pursue them legally, there are still some things that you may be able to do. You can certainly threaten to go after their reputation. Go after them on the internet, through the BBB, and any means available to you to do damage to their public image. If they know that you aren't simply going to be a dissatisfied customer, but instead a dissatisfied customer that will do everything in your power to drive customers away, they may be more willing to work out some deal. Are they really driving your car around? if so, I suspect that you could get the police involved. There is no way that that is legal unless they take actual ownership of the car (for not paying a bill), and there is specific legal process that has to be followed to do that.
