money owed to me by a local mechanic; what would you do?
Discussion
about a year ago I took an elderly range rover to my folks' local place for them to have a look at it and tell me what it would take to get it through an MOT.
Unsurprisingly the cost of repairs was not insignificant, so I left the car with them while I considered my options. During this time, a friend of one of the mechanics there saw it and offered to take it off my hands for a little more than scrap value, as he wanted to use whatever was salvageable to fix up his own elderly truck. Fair enough says I, and agree to handing over the keys for the princely sum of £150.
This is where the problems start; I did not speak to the guy myself and all dealings were done through mr mechanic at the garage, which also means that the money was passed from the new owner to the mechanic, who left it somewhere safe at the garage until I was next there.
So then some time later ago I go back and inquire as to the whereabouts of said money, to which I got the reply 'Oh, err well you hadn't come back for it so I took it home. I'll find it and drop it over to you on the weekend' (the mechanic lives local to me apparently)
this was 2 months ago. I've been back and asked after it a couple of times since, always to be told that he hasn't had a chance to sort it out yet, but he will do soon and then get in touch.
I was understanding initially as fair enough, I had left it a long time between selling the car and going in to track down the money, but I think 2 months is pushing it.
So... what would PH do?
Apart from the fact that it took place on his premises, the owner of the garage was not involved at all so I'm not sure it would be fair to trouble him over something he had nothing to do with? but I get the impression that I'm not going to get the money back from his employee.
Unsurprisingly the cost of repairs was not insignificant, so I left the car with them while I considered my options. During this time, a friend of one of the mechanics there saw it and offered to take it off my hands for a little more than scrap value, as he wanted to use whatever was salvageable to fix up his own elderly truck. Fair enough says I, and agree to handing over the keys for the princely sum of £150.
This is where the problems start; I did not speak to the guy myself and all dealings were done through mr mechanic at the garage, which also means that the money was passed from the new owner to the mechanic, who left it somewhere safe at the garage until I was next there.
So then some time later ago I go back and inquire as to the whereabouts of said money, to which I got the reply 'Oh, err well you hadn't come back for it so I took it home. I'll find it and drop it over to you on the weekend' (the mechanic lives local to me apparently)
this was 2 months ago. I've been back and asked after it a couple of times since, always to be told that he hasn't had a chance to sort it out yet, but he will do soon and then get in touch.
I was understanding initially as fair enough, I had left it a long time between selling the car and going in to track down the money, but I think 2 months is pushing it.
So... what would PH do?
Apart from the fact that it took place on his premises, the owner of the garage was not involved at all so I'm not sure it would be fair to trouble him over something he had nothing to do with? but I get the impression that I'm not going to get the money back from his employee.
I've done this several times:
1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
thanks for the replies gentlemen.
I have considered most of the things already mentioned, but it really seems a bit heavy handed to threaten him with legal action or call the police. If it had been a 4 figure amount then absolutely, but for so little (even if it's an important amount to me) it just seems petty.
I was thinking of speaking to the garage owner and seeing if instead of constantly chasing up the money, i could just get credit with the garage to do a bit of work on my car at some point?
I have considered most of the things already mentioned, but it really seems a bit heavy handed to threaten him with legal action or call the police. If it had been a 4 figure amount then absolutely, but for so little (even if it's an important amount to me) it just seems petty.
I was thinking of speaking to the garage owner and seeing if instead of constantly chasing up the money, i could just get credit with the garage to do a bit of work on my car at some point?
GoneAnon said:
you want to grass this guy to his boss, then have him work on your car - are you crazy?
Why not suggest the deal to the mechanic direct
Well I didn't mean go telling tales, I just thought it might be an easier solution for all involved. The only reason i would ask the boss about it is because the mechanic probably doesnt have the authority to give out workshop time at someone else's businessWhy not suggest the deal to the mechanic direct
mikefacel said:
I've done this several times:
1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
This, been way too long for any alternative.1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
Don't have anything more to do with the garage, no matter what the outcome, they'll find ways to do you over again after something like this.
FisiP1 said:
mikefacel said:
I've done this several times:
1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
This, been way too long for any alternative.1. Formal letter giving him 7 days to pay up or be taken to Small Claims Court. Head the letter with title "NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION" and explain the transaction and when and where it took place, plus your attempts to get the money.This almost always leads to payment in my experience. If you really want to piss him off you could also send his boss a copy as it was done on company premises and boss would not want reputation tarnished. Boss will make him pay it.
2. If no money received then begin claim via Small Claims Court and you will get your money - doesn't cost much (£15 IIRC).
HTH.
Don't have anything more to do with the garage, no matter what the outcome, they'll find ways to do you over again after something like this.
The guy is a shyster and is hoping you give up so he can keep the money he stole from you. Short of money? If someone stole your car directly by breaking into it and driving away, would you not want to report them to the police because they might be hard up?! Christ, it's been months, send a letter stating your intent to take him to small claims court and to be honest I think you're being kind to not try and charge interest/damages/costs.
And then never go back there again.
Most mechanics have a fair bit of cash on them because a LOT of people pay in cash - and a LOT of mechanics prefer to trade cars/parts etc. in cash too (avoids the gaze of the taxman).
So telling you "it's at home" is just
ery - hoping you'll not come back.
Go back and ask for it - if he says he's not got it, ask him how much he's got - take that and say you'll be back for the rest the next day and so on.
If he tells you to fk off - well you're on thin-ice a bit legally but you could start with whoever bought the Rangey because they've not paid you for it and it's their money he's lost - not yours.
He's had the money so long he thought it was his - he reckons you've waited so long you can afford to do without it - he's testing you...
So telling you "it's at home" is just
ery - hoping you'll not come back.Go back and ask for it - if he says he's not got it, ask him how much he's got - take that and say you'll be back for the rest the next day and so on.
If he tells you to f
k off - well you're on thin-ice a bit legally but you could start with whoever bought the Rangey because they've not paid you for it and it's their money he's lost - not yours.He's had the money so long he thought it was his - he reckons you've waited so long you can afford to do without it - he's testing you...
Edited by 405dogvan on Friday 25th January 01:15
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