Getting car back from a non responsive shop

[70Uglybird]

Hi all...this is really embarrassing. I used to update my build thread and be excited about my 73 firebird but the guy that worked on it has sucked all joy from my thousands of $$'s spent.

Really long story short, the guy works out of his shop out his house (Now) and has had the car for almost a year for basically installing and auto wire kit. He told me was a two week job. I agreed to pay the rest of the agreed upon job done or not so money is not an issue. I haven't heard from him in over a month now. Sent multiple texts asking for my property back.

His shop/house is over two hour trip and over a month ago when I was able to get ahold of him to pick up the car. He has a big truck behind it and impossible to get out even.

I'm not sure what I can do here, I've talked to a police officer friend and there is ground to have it looked at but its kind of a weird situation. I am busy working and really can't get over there daily to see if I can catch him. But that is screwed up too and not really fair to his family. Any one else been here and have advice?

I probably have 25 to 30k into the car so its not something I can just walk away from or be "more patient" on.

Thanks.

[TheJDMan]

Texting and email is worthless, you need to talk to this guy face to face as soon as possible. Maybe take your LEO friend along with you and a trailer to haul the car on, but you need to make something happen.

[70Uglybird]

Yeah but other than stalking him outside his house I cant do much to make that confrontation happen. Its pretty messed up all the way around. Not to mention I'm trying to be unemotional about it.

[Build-It-Break-It]

I agree, contact your local police department and tell them your trying to retrieve your property from his house. Let them know he's non responsive to all your contact methods and you want to report it stolen and you want to pick it up. Bring all your registration etc.

In cases like this you can't worry about his family. At this point you've given him many opportunities to return your car but he hasn't.

Regardless of his personal situation you need your car back. You can call his local police department and report it stolen and give his address. Down side is when they get it they're going to take it to a tow yard until you pick it up. Fees will have to be paid.

[70Uglybird]

Good advice. The tow and fees will be fine to get car back. I'll call the police on Monday and see where it goes and report back. Hopefully he miraculously contacts me before that. No reason for any of this.

[Build-It-Break-It]

I wouldn't let him know of your plans. He might move your car to a different location to avoid jail time. Police departments are 24/7 I'd do it ASAP.

[dirty rick]

Does he have a signed (by you) work order? If he does there may be complications...

[minendrews68]

I agree with Steve, a face to face confirmation is the only way to do this. Doesn't mean you've got to be a butt, although you probably want to. but nice isn't working. Take your trailer and go get your car.

[70Uglybird]

No signed work order. Some emails etc. I've worked with him before got a bit flaky. I don't that he is doing anything melicious in his mind.

Two problems with just showing up. He isn't there and the month and half ago there was like 25 foot flatbed tow truck in op behind the bay. But yeah I guess I'll talk to police. I'm not in town at the moment. Then if they can't help just start showing up at his house until I catch him.

[andrewb70]

Go get your car!

Andrew

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

oh man I hate threads like this...


cavernous echo of what everyone said on here..

[minendrews68]

oh man I hate threads like this...


cavernous echo of what everyone said on here..

I agree, unfortunately way too often now days..

[all4sho]

that sucks, i hate hearing about this stuff

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

seriously.. that why I learned to do most of this stuff by myself man...

I know some folks on here just dont have the means or the youth but oooh weee.. these threads pop up more often than I would like to admit.

[bwarren]

Im curious where everyone feels this went off the tracks?? I was in a similar situation ~10 years ago, couldn't get my 68 camaro back for 2-3 months (virtually all summer). No one goes into a situation like this expecting it to blow up, but it happens (a lot).

[j-c-c]

My life lesson, and the way I deal with cars that are projects, i tell.agree with the shop, they are only allowed to an agreed amount of dollar work on the car until I inspect or OK additional progress, like $1-3K a pop, and I can remove car without notice during normal hours and all parts upon paying any balance up to the agreed upin portion. Worse case, I lose $1-3K. No headaches, All needs to be writing. If shop resists, go elsewhere. A plausible reason, is if needed, it shouldn't be, what ifthe guy has a sudden ugly divorce, you get run over by a train, and relatives want retrieve the car, etc

To the OP, if you are $30K in, get a lawyer, now, this could get complicated, your left yourself wide open, the law is not as fair and logcal as we would like. The LEO will kilely consider this a civil matter and will not touch. Again, ask me how i know.

Good Luck.

[csouth]

Go get your car!

Andrew

X2!!!! DO NOT announce that you are coming. Get the title to your car, local law enforcement and a trailer. It's quite obvious this guy will be full of excuses and is definitely trying to pull something.

You need to make arrangements with local law enforcement for them to come out with you to get your property. Isn't your 20-30k investment worth burning a couple vacation days to get your car back?

There's nothing like a knock from the police at 6am to ruin someones day.... Just my opinion.....

[Build-It-Break-It]

Im curious where everyone feels this went off the tracks?? I was in a similar situation

I think having no contract signed. Customer changing build plans. Builder taking on more work then they can do. Not turning away customers to avoid loosing potential money turing away said customers.

There needs to be things in writing once "x" is complete the builder gets "x" amount of money.

I took my mom's 2010 TSX to get front end damage repaired and they asked for zero money up front and when I found a flaw they kept the car and repaired it. I didn't pay a dime until it was complete. Some shops can't do this because miss trust from previous bad customers non payment or they have poor money management and can't afford the parts/material costs up front.

[j-c-c]

X2!!!! DO NOT announce that you are coming. Get the title to your car, local law enforcement and a trailer. It's quite obvious this guy will be full of excuses and is definitely trying to pull something.

You need to make arrangements with local law enforcement for them to come out with you to get your property. Isn't your 20-30k investment worth burning a couple vacation days to get your car back?

There's nothing like a knock from the police at 6am to ruin someones day.... Just my opinion.....

Ever tried that at say a legitimate dealership? Unless you cough up what "they" say they are owed, or you pre post a bond of double? the amount, the LEO you bring will escort you off the property for trespassing, with your title in hand. Of course if the guy is clueless, you might get lucky or he will get mad and pad the bill, you decide.

[dirty rick]

A legitimate dealership or shop will have a signed invoice which is a contract and has legal implications.