Is my old mum being ripped off here??
Discussion
Dracoro said:
No invoice = no payment.
Do you even have any evidence the mechanic has actually done any work? Surely this is borderline extortion or theft as he’s refusing to let the car be inspected or returned back to your mum.
I would set a deadline for an invoice and evidence of works done so far. If none forthcoming, then inform him legal proceedings will commence?
This. If he’s not prepared to produce a detailed invoice then he’s ripping you off. He’s clearly not very bright by threatening you with his barrister!Do you even have any evidence the mechanic has actually done any work? Surely this is borderline extortion or theft as he’s refusing to let the car be inspected or returned back to your mum.
I would set a deadline for an invoice and evidence of works done so far. If none forthcoming, then inform him legal proceedings will commence?
k are you on about?
Hoofy said:
I'm going to take a slightly different approach. I am guessing your mum isn't local or you'd have sorted it out. Is it worth peace of mind to just pay £800 to make sure this guy doesn't harrass your mum down the line?
I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
And this right here is why these dodgy scammers try it on in the first place. They always find at least one mug.I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
Chubbyross said:
Dracoro said:
No invoice = no payment.
Do you even have any evidence the mechanic has actually done any work? Surely this is borderline extortion or theft as he’s refusing to let the car be inspected or returned back to your mum.
I would set a deadline for an invoice and evidence of works done so far. If none forthcoming, then inform him legal proceedings will commence?
This. If he’s not prepared to produce a detailed invoice then he’s ripping you off. He’s clearly not very bright by threatening you with his barrister!Do you even have any evidence the mechanic has actually done any work? Surely this is borderline extortion or theft as he’s refusing to let the car be inspected or returned back to your mum.
I would set a deadline for an invoice and evidence of works done so far. If none forthcoming, then inform him legal proceedings will commence?
Bobberoo said:
Depending on what sort of person you are, personally I'd be asking for an itemised bill for all parts and labour so far, if they refuse then its straight to trading standards, but I'd be doing it face to face.
That would be my thinking too. If possible I'd go down and speak to them to ask what it is they've done for that £800 and without a proper quote. Sounds like the p*ss is being taken.
Ok I haven't worked Uk for years, so some one tell me if law has changed.
There could be Vat issues on the invoice if he raised a vat invoice and you dont pay, which he probably suspects, he could not reclaim the Vat on a bad debt. Ask him for a pro forna invoice.
If he rufuses to justify his claim that will all work to his disadvantage in a dispute he needs to prove the debt, tell him without justification he can't substantiate his claim and you are not considering it further.
If the car is only worth what you say, that would be my final position, except to say that as a jester of good will you are keaving him the car to scrap or brealk as he chooses.
Don't ignore it, inform him that your action is the result of his refusel.
There could be Vat issues on the invoice if he raised a vat invoice and you dont pay, which he probably suspects, he could not reclaim the Vat on a bad debt. Ask him for a pro forna invoice.
If he rufuses to justify his claim that will all work to his disadvantage in a dispute he needs to prove the debt, tell him without justification he can't substantiate his claim and you are not considering it further.
If the car is only worth what you say, that would be my final position, except to say that as a jester of good will you are keaving him the car to scrap or brealk as he chooses.
Don't ignore it, inform him that your action is the result of his refusel.
Thanks all. A bit more research shows that he's a one man band seemingly registered nowhere.
It's a 12 year old Chevrolet Spark by the way, my mum just liked it. I'll see her tomorrow, I'm not local, but I am minded to talk to her about just walking away. It makes sense that he can't complain about a bill not being paid where he will not give it prior to payment.
And my work colleague is happy to be the new keeper before he relocates back to Romania next Thursday. It doesn't sit well with me and definitely won't with mum but he clearly is trying to scam her and she can't afford to weigh out £800 for nothing
It's a 12 year old Chevrolet Spark by the way, my mum just liked it. I'll see her tomorrow, I'm not local, but I am minded to talk to her about just walking away. It makes sense that he can't complain about a bill not being paid where he will not give it prior to payment.
And my work colleague is happy to be the new keeper before he relocates back to Romania next Thursday. It doesn't sit well with me and definitely won't with mum but he clearly is trying to scam her and she can't afford to weigh out £800 for nothing
Sounds like a total scammer the more you've described it OP.
Could you not speak to him and see what the issue is. Surely it'd be better to get the car back and let him try and recover the bill? Which he won't as I doubt he has any proof of the work he's done. If he's not registered etc.
Where abouts you based OP?
Could you not speak to him and see what the issue is. Surely it'd be better to get the car back and let him try and recover the bill? Which he won't as I doubt he has any proof of the work he's done. If he's not registered etc.
Where abouts you based OP?
If he is failing to produce an invoice then there's no payment. So to me he seems that he's probably not paying his tax as well. So threaten all he wants but until the invoice is provided then don't pay. Police can be involved and can attend to get the car back.
End of the day there's no proof he's done any work or even looked at the car.
End of the day there's no proof he's done any work or even looked at the car.
Alex_225 said:
Sounds like a total scammer the more you've described it OP.
Could you not speak to him and see what the issue is. Surely it'd be better to get the car back and let him try and recover the bill? Which he won't as I doubt he has any proof of the work he's done. If he's not registered etc.
Where abouts you based OP?
where is she based? I am motor trade and would happily help? I am Durham/Newcastle based. Could you not speak to him and see what the issue is. Surely it'd be better to get the car back and let him try and recover the bill? Which he won't as I doubt he has any proof of the work he's done. If he's not registered etc.
Where abouts you based OP?
0ddball said:
Hoofy said:
I'm going to take a slightly different approach. I am guessing your mum isn't local or you'd have sorted it out. Is it worth peace of mind to just pay £800 to make sure this guy doesn't harrass your mum down the line?
I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
And this right here is why these dodgy scammers try it on in the first place. They always find at least one mug.I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
Hoofy said:
0ddball said:
Hoofy said:
I'm going to take a slightly different approach. I am guessing your mum isn't local or you'd have sorted it out. Is it worth peace of mind to just pay £800 to make sure this guy doesn't harrass your mum down the line?
I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
And this right here is why these dodgy scammers try it on in the first place. They always find at least one mug.I know it's a bit "PH" but £800 isn't that much in the greater scheme of things assuming she can afford it.
Otherwise if it's really not worth £800, just leave it there and ignore them. They'll sell it for scrap.
You need to nip in to the garage and ask what's going on, it's unlikely but possible that some wires have got crossed somewhere.
Ultimately the garage needs to invoice you for the work done if they want paying. If they can't/won't invoice then there's nothing to pay. No straight business would expect to be paid without an invoice. Unfortunately the bent ones are out there, I recently ended up in the middle of a situation where a garage had tried to rip a customer off and when she found out (from me) that they were hideously overcharging they stole parts out of the car before she had it collected. That situation ironically ended up costing me money despite being the one to try to help someone out of kindness.....
Anyway that's beside the point, nip along, have a chat, see what the issue is, are they con merchants like that engine repairers that were on watchdog years ago, or is it genuinely a case they have tried to mend it and there were further issues they could not have known about, decide which way to go, fix or dump it then depending if the garage is owed anything decide how or if you are paying them.
Ultimately the garage needs to invoice you for the work done if they want paying. If they can't/won't invoice then there's nothing to pay. No straight business would expect to be paid without an invoice. Unfortunately the bent ones are out there, I recently ended up in the middle of a situation where a garage had tried to rip a customer off and when she found out (from me) that they were hideously overcharging they stole parts out of the car before she had it collected. That situation ironically ended up costing me money despite being the one to try to help someone out of kindness.....
Anyway that's beside the point, nip along, have a chat, see what the issue is, are they con merchants like that engine repairers that were on watchdog years ago, or is it genuinely a case they have tried to mend it and there were further issues they could not have known about, decide which way to go, fix or dump it then depending if the garage is owed anything decide how or if you are paying them.
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