Advice needed regarding shady mechanic

[HushAnAlibi]

Hi all
so i hired a Mobil mechanic from cl to replace my rear rotors on my 2000 expy xlt. I was quoted $300.00 which included new front pads as well. When I went out to test drive it 1) He got very upset I wasnt trusting the work and wanted to drive it. 2) This sorry dude told me the work was more than planned and insisted on $600.00 via Venmo. When I got to look at the invoice and refused to sign it and asked for my keys to test drive it he yanked everything away and took my only set of keys and fob and drove off after I venmo only the $ 300.00 quoted. I immediatly stopped payment as he drove off and now im without keys and hes threatening to take my expy. I called the police and theres nothing they will do even as he yanked my keys and paperwork from my hands. I Don t know what to do as he keeps threatening to leave my expy on blocks and leave me stranded which I already am. any suggestions ?

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Peoples Court...

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[Dewey3]

In Washington, DC ... this would normally be a civil matter since there was an agreement. What the mechanic would do is keep possession of your car and attempt to file a mechanic's lien. However, if he did in fact snatch something from your hands (not doubting, but possession is important), then this becomes a robbery. While "possession is nine tenths of the law" is a very loosely used saying by many, it still has merit, meaning he would be the one to take you to court verses the other way around. The hardest part would be proof... proving that you were actually in possession of the keys and/or agreement for work to be performed and he snatched it/them from you.

 

[Sal Minella]

I have the buildings cameras as backup and he is still demanding payment which I will pay I'm just upset he was so out of line and rude which is leading to the fact he had no right to yank them from my hands. I am having a locksmith make me another set today and I will test drive it then pay tonight. I just feel he is way out of line and by overcharging me by $300.00 above estimate is crazy not to mention I just found out he's unlicensed and not a certified technician. If that matters besides I will only take it to a shop from now on. Thank you

 

[JExpedition07]

Brakes aren’t $600 from my trustworthy non dead beat mechanic with a shop and employees to pay. Always beware people like this, if he can’t keep the lights on in a shop it’s a red flag. Beware of deadbeats and Craigslist matter of fact.

I hate watching people do business with shady people. You aren’t saving over using a good business with a sign and people...my 2 cents.

 

[Hamfisted]

It's an expensive lesson learned. But also go to Craigslist review and leave feedback and warn others about this "mechanic" operating in your area.

 

[Trainmaster]

I don't know what kind of place you live in or what is tolerated out there. Here somebody stealing your keys and threatening to liberate you of your automobile would be arrested or beaten.

Even the most inept backwater police agency would never extend a "mechanics lien" protection to any unlicensed Craigslist practitioner.

Talk to the district attorney or county prosecutor first and then a criminal attorney. It would be a cold day in hell I would ever put up with anyone doing that to me.

This whole affair, as written is frankly quite hard to believe.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Nothing good can come from this, pay the guy and move on, lesson learned.

 

[Aspen03]

Change the ignition and door locks with the $600 instead of paying him and teach him the lesson. Did he even do the proper work? His behavior screams he's done this before. Let him know since he wants to act like a shady ***** you'll treat him like one too and see him in court.

I'm with the $600 is maybe what a legitimate shop would charge with pads and rotors on all 4 corners. $600 for a CL "mechanic" is a flat out robbery even if they don't steal your keys.

Anyone w a certification isn't working off of CL. That should be a given in case you think of looking for assistance in the future on anything else

Lesson learned and just pay him? That is exactly how crimes become even larger problems in the future when people get away with things they tend to go for a bigger haul the next time when there are 0 consequences the first time.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I have the buildings cameras as backup and he is still demanding payment which I will pay I'm just upset he was so out of line and rude which is leading to the fact he had no right to yank them from my hands. I am having a locksmith make me another set today and I will test drive it then pay tonight. I just feel he is way out of line and by overcharging me by $300.00 above estimate is crazy not to mention I just found out he's unlicensed and not a certified technician. If that matters besides I will only take it to a shop from now on. Thank you

In most states a mechanic needs to be licensed and needs to have provided an estimate signed by you before beginning the work. I don't think he has a case for a mechanics lien. If you didn't sign for the extra work, his having the paperwork is meaningless. He has to prove he had a $600 contract. He cannot.

What you have here is a craigslist crack head trying to extort money from you.

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[Machete]

Tell him you’ll pay in cash in person. Go to the barrio and offer the homies $500 for “support”. Let them get your keys back.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Have to agree with trainmaster, this is hard to believe that we have the whole story. This is only the OP sixth post and has not responded since.

 

[Trainmaster]

I think you are right Chris.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

The original post first says the mechanic still had the keys and then later says he ripped them form your hands. This little seemingly trivial piece of information does in fact make a difference as to whether this is civil or criminal.

As an aside, there's a lot of shady service people out there that will rip people off left and right knowing full well that these types of disputes are civil and the police won't lift a finger. My parents paid a guy $10k when they were having their home built and he flat out took off with the money and never did a thing. The police directed them to civil court, he never showed, a judgement was entered in their favor and 15 years later they still don't have a dime. When my mom randomly decided to look him up again a few years later, public records showed 20+ outstanding judgements against him. He just kept doing it because our justice system is f**ked.

 

[Sal Minella]

Thanks everyone
when I said he had keys in hand and he opened it up to put the crate of replaced parts in the rear I grabbed the keys from the tailgate and thats when he yanked them back. Fact is its not surprising the disbelievers will have their say and im fine with it all. Regardless I paid him the original estimate and the keys were returned to me today along with a verbal apology from his wife. Not surprised he wouldnt show face and I agree thats what I get for using someone without a shop and license etc. I love this expy and at 268,000 miles still running great without any major work done.
Thanks Everyone