What is reasonable?, I have been very patient Options

[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.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Ultimately, your gonna have to get the bill before deciding your course of action. If he actually did any work that was needed and done right, He deserves to be paid for it. Anything else is unacceptable. He shouldn't be able to charge for storage while he's still engauged in a customer relationship with you. Once the car is finished, he can charge for it.

[VaccaRabite]

I was in a similar situation with a gunsmith who was working on an 1872 rolling block of mine.

After 3 years and not returning phone calls I eventually had to drive over one day when I knew he would be there and corner him to get my rifle back. In my case there was no bill. The rifle was sitting right where I had left it three years earlier. The dude said that he had bought special tooling to work on the gun a year earlier, and I told him - politely - then he should have done the work I asked for when he bought the tooling. I walked out with my stuff, did not pay a dime.

Now, if the guy had done any work or bought the parts I wanted for the rifle, I would have gladly paid him for the labor and parts. But he had not touched it at all.

Now, of course, I just want to sell the rifle and put the money into my 914 or jeep...

Zach

[Drums66]

....Seems to be the common story? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yellowsleep[1].gif)
Now I KNOW WHY PEOPLE LEARN TO WORK ON THEM..THEMSELVES!
GOD FORTUNE BRO... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[bigkensteele]

....Seems to be the common story? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yellowsleep[1].gif)
Now I KNOW WHY PEOPLE LEARN TO WORK ON THEM..THEMSELVES!
GOD FORTUNE BRO... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

I agree! If you really love your 914 and plan to keep it for the long haul, you may as well plan on doing most if not all of the maintenance yourself. You will know the car better. You will know what it needs and when, and you will have a better understanding of how it works.

For major reconstruction, call in the experts like ScottyB (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif)

[rjames]

And for future reference. I would be concerned if I was asked to pay up front for work on your car. I can see it if there building a custom engine only, but not if they have your car. In my 30 years owning cars Ive never had to. beerchug.gif

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

As soon as you handed over your money to him you took away any incentive he would have had to do any work.

[keske968]

Well the car is back in my driveway. He did not charge me for storage. I paid him for the parts and removal of the engine and we parted ways. He stated that he was "Waiting for a block of uninterrupted time so he could knock it out all at once." Is there such a thing in the repair business unless you make it yourself? All in all I am happy to have the car back and seemingly no worse for the wear.

[smj]

Glad you got the car back, and that in the end all you lost was time and stress.

Could be worse. You could've had a shop return your 944S without oil, except for what was in the Accusump, and not realized until...

[mikea100]

I'm glad it worked out for you on good terms. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)