Being messed around, when to say enough is enough?
Discussion
I also struggle with putting my foot down but I like to think I would be putting him on notice that the car is being picked up in two weeks and the full amount will be paid if it is finished.
If it isn't finished , as someone else suggested then he will be paid the full amount minus whatever's it is going to cost to get it finished.
He will undoubtedly cut a few corners to give you a finished product but at least you get it back!
If it isn't finished , as someone else suggested then he will be paid the full amount minus whatever's it is going to cost to get it finished.
He will undoubtedly cut a few corners to give you a finished product but at least you get it back!
Taylor James said:
OP I have been in a very similar position to you. Like you I listened to all sorts of excuses, many of which were designed to play on any normal person's sympathies. Eventually I ran out of patience and became much more assertive with my demands. All that happened then was just enough work was done to appease me. Then it would stop and the cycle would begin again. I then began to find other customers who had been on the end of similar treatment. My concern began to grow that I would turn up one day to find the business closed and my car gone, or in so many pieces with parts missing that it would be beyond repair.
This is what is likely to happen to you. I strongly advise you to cut your losses and get the car out of there now. Forget legal action, just write the cost off to experience and get the car back so that you can regroup. Chances are that you will uncover all sorts of bodges when you do get it back but at least you will have it.
The end of my story was that I applied sufficient pressure to get the car back in running condition but with many bodges and a bent MOT. However, the garage is now closed, around 20 cars were repossessed, bailiffs in, etc and the proprietor has done a runner. I actually consider myself lucky.
Harden your heart and get the car recovered now. You will feel better once you've done it.
Fantastic post. The last sentence is the best advice the OP is going to get.This is what is likely to happen to you. I strongly advise you to cut your losses and get the car out of there now. Forget legal action, just write the cost off to experience and get the car back so that you can regroup. Chances are that you will uncover all sorts of bodges when you do get it back but at least you will have it.
The end of my story was that I applied sufficient pressure to get the car back in running condition but with many bodges and a bent MOT. However, the garage is now closed, around 20 cars were repossessed, bailiffs in, etc and the proprietor has done a runner. I actually consider myself lucky.
Harden your heart and get the car recovered now. You will feel better once you've done it.
Edited by Taylor James on Friday 22 March 19:55
To be blunt OP you're unable to communicate directly with the mechanic, having to go through an intermediary, and you think that's a tenable relationship?
You're in a state of denial and delusion to be brutally honest, you think that if he has it for a few more weeks that he'll suddenly come good and all will be right in the world. It won't.
Get your car back and take stock of the situation then, in the comfort of your home. You'll feel better once you've got it back in your possession.
Durzel said:
Get your car back and take stock of the situation then, in the comfort of your home. You'll feel better once you've got it back in your possession.
I fully agree, however the problem if he 'takes' the car without the garage's full consent, it is theft on the OP's part. (plenty of case law about this)monthefish said:
Durzel said:
Get your car back and take stock of the situation then, in the comfort of your home. You'll feel better once you've got it back in your possession.
I fully agree, however the problem if he 'takes' the car without the garage's full consent, it is theft on the OP's part. (plenty of case law about this)Bert
BertBert said:
monthefish said:
Durzel said:
Get your car back and take stock of the situation then, in the comfort of your home. You'll feel better once you've got it back in your possession.
I fully agree, however the problem if he 'takes' the car without the garage's full consent, it is theft on the OP's part. (plenty of case law about this)Bert
"It was on these facts that Mr Turner was found guilty of the theft of his own car. He was fined £200 with three months to pay or 12 months' imprisonment in default, and was ordered to pay £150 towards the prosecution costs.
It is therefore clearly an established point in English law that the ‘owner’ of a vehicle can commit theft if the vehicle is removed from your premises without your permission and without paying for the work you have undertaken."
https://retailmotorlaw.co.uk/index.php?option=com_...
ur-company&Itemid=78Have a quick google, there's loads more.
No-one is suggesting he breaks in and takes it back by force.
He needs to visit the garage, agree the value of the work done, pay up and remove the car immediately. No doubt some negotiation will be needed but provided the OP accepts he is likely to be taking a hit it shouldn't be that hard to resolve. He may also find the repairer is pleased to be shot of it.
He needs to visit the garage, agree the value of the work done, pay up and remove the car immediately. No doubt some negotiation will be needed but provided the OP accepts he is likely to be taking a hit it shouldn't be that hard to resolve. He may also find the repairer is pleased to be shot of it.
Edited by Taylor James on Monday 25th March 16:05
I had a similar issue with a Saab specialist in Tonbridge about 10 years ago. Took the car in for a clutch issue (that he misdiagnosed). After many broken promises and downright lies about when it would be ready, I got it back 3 months later with a huge bill, damaged paintwork, engine bay with surface rust because he had pressure washed it (why I have no idea), non working cruise control, a snapped bonnet release cable, and the same clutch issue that it went in to fix - realised it was still there before I even pulled off the forecourt.
He had a good reputation but as I realised afterwards, was absolutely hopeless at the organisational stuff. As a result he lied to cover his tracks. Shut up shop a while back I think.
He had a good reputation but as I realised afterwards, was absolutely hopeless at the organisational stuff. As a result he lied to cover his tracks. Shut up shop a while back I think.
As much as I hate to say it... you guys were right.
Several chats with the guy doing the work, zero change in behaviour, car still not done, in fact very little moved forward since I started this thread.
Monday I will be giving the final ultimatum:
1. Return the car fully working, all work done as agreed by the end of June = I pay whatever is due and go away happy (ish)
2. I pay for all work done so far and collect the car next week. I will then commission another specialist to verify the work done and complete the job, any costs incurred to correct any faults will be claimed back, via the courts if necessary.
Why does a hobby have to be so bloody taxing, I am fed up to the back teeth of dealing with the blasé attitude in this industry.
Several chats with the guy doing the work, zero change in behaviour, car still not done, in fact very little moved forward since I started this thread.
Monday I will be giving the final ultimatum:
1. Return the car fully working, all work done as agreed by the end of June = I pay whatever is due and go away happy (ish)
2. I pay for all work done so far and collect the car next week. I will then commission another specialist to verify the work done and complete the job, any costs incurred to correct any faults will be claimed back, via the courts if necessary.
Why does a hobby have to be so bloody taxing, I am fed up to the back teeth of dealing with the blasé attitude in this industry.
Edited by sl0wlane on Saturday 18th May 09:25
sl0wlane said:
As much as I hate to say it... you guys were right.
Several chats with the guy doing the work, zero change in behaviour, car still not done, in fact very little moved forward since I started this thread.
Monday I will be giving the final ultimatum:
1. Return the car fully working, all work done as agreed by the end of June = I pay whatever is due and go away happy (ish)
2. I pay for all work done so far and collect the car next week. I will then commission another specialist to verify the work done and complete the job, any costs incurred to correct any faults will be claimed back, via the courts if necessary.
Why does a hobby have to be so bloody taxing, I am fed up to the back teeth of dealing with this blasé attitude in this industry.
Stop prevaricating. He will do nothing. He does not want to do the work. Terminate the relationship and get your car back NOW.Several chats with the guy doing the work, zero change in behaviour, car still not done, in fact very little moved forward since I started this thread.
Monday I will be giving the final ultimatum:
1. Return the car fully working, all work done as agreed by the end of June = I pay whatever is due and go away happy (ish)
2. I pay for all work done so far and collect the car next week. I will then commission another specialist to verify the work done and complete the job, any costs incurred to correct any faults will be claimed back, via the courts if necessary.
Why does a hobby have to be so bloody taxing, I am fed up to the back teeth of dealing with this blasé attitude in this industry.
king b
The way it works if you are in dispute about a bill at a garage- you have to pay the bill to get your car back, as they are entitled to hold on to it until you do so. Then you can take him to court, small claims court up to £10,000, if you believe he has charged for more than he has actually done.
Ok, mind sadly made up, time to settle up and move on.
The work being done was designing, making and installing a complete wiring loom.
The loom needs to take into account:
Emtron KV8 ECU
AIM MXS dash
OBR CAN keypad
HP Electronik PDM
Wireless steering wheel control
Battery isolator
Electric water pump
Electric fire extinguisher
A very high count of sensors, just about everything has a sensor on it.
The car was completely stripped of the original loom, so requires a complete loom end to end, including lights, etc etc.
The 2nd part of the work is to get the above lot of electronics to talk to each other and map the car, I have a known good base map, all of the above componants are known to talk to each other - other cars have the same kit list and work.
The guy quoted 2 weeks (or approx £4K + parts) to do the whole lot including mapping.
With hindsight and having subsequently had quotes from others, I now know this is an optimistic estimate of the time it would take.
This isn’t about money for me, he was given the work over other choices because of the quick turn around promised, at the time the price appeared to be right, and to be honest it could have been higher, I just want the damn thing running.
So far the loom is around about 90% done, and looks to be done well...however I can’t know it’s done well until it’s all verified working, it could be pinned wrong, the circuits could be a mess, who knows until it actually works.
I’ll update this tomorrow with the outcome of the conversation.
The work being done was designing, making and installing a complete wiring loom.
The loom needs to take into account:
Emtron KV8 ECU
AIM MXS dash
OBR CAN keypad
HP Electronik PDM
Wireless steering wheel control
Battery isolator
Electric water pump
Electric fire extinguisher
A very high count of sensors, just about everything has a sensor on it.
The car was completely stripped of the original loom, so requires a complete loom end to end, including lights, etc etc.
The 2nd part of the work is to get the above lot of electronics to talk to each other and map the car, I have a known good base map, all of the above componants are known to talk to each other - other cars have the same kit list and work.
The guy quoted 2 weeks (or approx £4K + parts) to do the whole lot including mapping.
With hindsight and having subsequently had quotes from others, I now know this is an optimistic estimate of the time it would take.
This isn’t about money for me, he was given the work over other choices because of the quick turn around promised, at the time the price appeared to be right, and to be honest it could have been higher, I just want the damn thing running.
So far the loom is around about 90% done, and looks to be done well...however I can’t know it’s done well until it’s all verified working, it could be pinned wrong, the circuits could be a mess, who knows until it actually works.
I’ll update this tomorrow with the outcome of the conversation.
Edited by sl0wlane on Sunday 19th May 06:18
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