What is reasonable?, I have been very patient Options

[keske968]

So here is the story *sigh* I bought a 914 with a "rebuilt" engine in it. Well the rebuild was not done propperly and low and behold it dies on me. I take it to a mechanic that is highly recommended by the local Porsche Club for aircooled engines and such. I tell him that I would like him to find out what is wrong (turns out it spun a bearing as it only had 2 of the 5 bearing dowles installed) and to fix it for me. This was in April of 2010. I wanted to drive teh car to my wedding in June and made him aware of this. I paid him $800 up front and then called or stopped by every week to see what kind of progress was being made. Let's just say that it was not ready in time for the wedding. Or even a year after that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) After he had the vehicle for a YEAR and three or four months my Dad and I collected the engine and have it rebuilt. We recently called him and told him that we will be picking up the rest of the parts and the car in a few day.

He respondes by telling me that he will get a bill together for me. Now to be fair he did purchase a new flywheel, new main bearings, and did take the engine apart. On the flip side I know that we will not get all the nuts and bolts etc. What is a reasonanble amount for this kind of work or rather the lack thereof? I do not want to run this guy through the mud (hence no name is given) but as I see it has has taken an engine apart, bought a flywheel, and some meain bearings and nothing else. To me this sounds like a small amount for $800.

So what would a reasonable person do in this case? I know I have been more than patient. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[BuddyV]

Sucky situation.

I have learned to pay with a credit card (Visa is best) just in case I need to dispute a charge from a vendor. I have not had to use this service, but few people understand that calling Visa to resolve a dispute AFTER you have paid a vendor could easily result in a refund to you by Visa.

I am not suggesting that we abuse this service, but it's helpful to know that using your credit card accomplishes a few things..... establishes the date money was paid & gives you a way to make a dispute without the need to argue with someone that you have lost all trust in.

I had a similar situation with a local garage last year that had just opened near my house. They offered to fix my 66 Dodge for a stated amount. When they could not fix the problem (they threw up their hands and admitted total confusion), they STILL wanted to charge me for the quoted amount!!!??? (no new parts were installed - just labor)

I argued for a short while, and then offered to pay them with my Visa card, without admitting resolution. They must have known that I would contest the charge because they handed me the keys and I was on my way (in a tow truck).

Good luck. And never pre-pay, unless it's a custom job.