| Author | Message | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 580 Registered: 11-2001 |
The shop dude must have done plenty of this kind of act before to do this type of action, and he probably is aware that most of his customers or past customers won't put the time and money to go after him. Lawyers cost money and most cases more than what it's worth. I would seek legal advice first then you could make your decision, if it was me I'd go after my own personal satisfaction and that is making the guy suffer more ways than one, I can't say what to do but if it's me paying you back hard it would be one of your worst part of your life you will never forget, I'm a person full of vengeance as I hate people who do bad things purposely to piss you off. Martin, you shouldn't have said to torch his shop, now that leaves that option off the list, he'll know what to do as my best recommendations are given. You might go to court with your expendable time a get your money back and a few bucks but for me that would not satisfy at all. | ||
| Jim Conforti (Lndshrk)
Junior Member Username: Lndshrk Post Number: 85 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tommy, I have only two words for you to depict this scoundrel: GATOR BAIT I need say no more, except that he's lucky it wasn't me, or he'd already be in the swamp. Jim Conforti | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 694 Registered: 11-2001 |
All I can say is, that this dude needs a good old fashion beat down. | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 927 Registered: 9-2001 |
Talk about "getting dragged through the mud." Sorry to see that happen to you, Doc. This mechanic must be a real dingus, I've never heard of a horror story such as this. If anything, contact the EPA fine for improper disposal of a car battery and hazardous waste. They love going after mechanical shops. Good job on taking photos, you will need them. Be sure to let us know the name of the shop as well. Some of us would like to know. | ||
| Tazio Nuvolari (Nuvolari)
Junior Member Username: Nuvolari Post Number: 219 Registered: 9-2002 |
Doc, Be nice to the guy, get him into your office, then give him a root canal to remember!!!! Good luck with the fight, no one deserves what you got. | ||
| Warren L. (Warren)
Junior Member Username: Warren Post Number: 215 Registered: 2-2002 |
There's always two sides to a story. But I've dealt with my share of people were just plain obnoxious for no reason at all. This case sounds ideal for People's court. Then you could embarass him on public tv and get the name of his shop out... I think that would be revenge enough. | ||
| Ryan550 (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 323 Registered: 3-2002 |
Dr Tommy: Don't let this SOB get away with it. You might not be the only person or the last to have to deal with a situation of this nature by this scumbag. Get the police report and a good little lawyer... Perhaps you could give him some free advertising in the local paper, comment, opinion section??? Some local TV stations have reporters who "fight" for consumers and solve their problems on the air. Might be a thought. Makes me want to fly down there are get him myself! Arrg!  Ryan | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 912 Registered: 10-2001 |
This is unbelievable!! It saddens me to see your belongings in the mud ! What will you do ? Keep up updated ! I want to know what will happen to such an ••••••• ! I hope you'll get reimbursed and get compensation for such a shameful behavior ! | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 345 Registered: 4-2003 |
Tommy, I am so sorry to see this. I do not know what goes through some peoples minds at times. As a cop I would have arrested him for destruction of property, littering, theft (How do you know everything of yours is there??) frailer to obtain proper insurance (May not be a law in AL), communicating threats, and being an assmunch. And no, it should not be too late to file a report. Make sure your friend that saw all this is with you when you do it. Oh, and unless you live in a VERY small town, you should be able to file the report 24/7. DrS | ||
| BILL CHIUSANO (My355)
Junior Member Username: My355 Post Number: 94 Registered: 3-2003 |
WOW... That is terrible!! Call a lawyer ASAP. My empathy and hope you can get the compensation you deserve. MY355 | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 77 Registered: 2-2002 |
That's horrible. If he has any funds, I'd see a lawyer. | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Junior Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 131 Registered: 3-2003 |
Is that a US number? It's missing a digit. And if it's a foreign number, country and city codes might help... | ||
| TR Heaven (Johndillinger)
Junior Member Username: Johndillinger Post Number: 112 Registered: 7-2002 |
i have a couple of friends in "Jersey" that can take care of the problem for you | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 414 Registered: 11-2002 |
One word: Assassin/Hitman Totally unacceptable - I would beat the living •••• out of him, without doubt. It's not even my car, and I get pissed of reading that and seeing the pictures. If you pay me a ticket I'll gladly come over there and help you •••• this guy up bad. Damn I'm mad on your behalf. PS: Here's my number, if you mean serious buisness with this guy. 40625784  | ||
| DHutchison (Hutch308)
Member Username: Hutch308 Post Number: 291 Registered: 1-2002 |
I agree with Art on not pushing this nut case over the edge, as he might do something more harmful. But it'd certainly be great to post this a-hole's phone ## on F-Chat. There are millions of public phones across the country, and most of us would scrounge up the spare change to make some calls to him. His phone would never stop ringing... Good luck with whatever happens! - Hutch | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1644 Registered: 6-2001 |
Doctor: I agree with the suit part. I would also add a cause of action in your complaint for intentional inflectional of mental distress. This guy is a head case. Fortunately for you, he just filed for bankruptcy, and he can't do it again for a few years, get the judgement, take away his earnings for the next few years. One point: some on this thread has suggested publicity, etc., making him angry. Don't do it. This guy has anger management problems, his world is collapsing, etc. If you push him too hard, god knows what his reaction will be. In San Francisco, about 10 years ago, a distraught defendant, went into the lawyer's office, and shot a bunch of people, many dead, many injuried. Art | ||
| David W Burnett Jr (Dbdreams)
Junior Member Username: Dbdreams Post Number: 77 Registered: 3-2003 |
Oh yeah, I forgot to metion like a couple of the other guys suggested, you should get "6 on your side". That could be a powerful tool. | ||
| David W Burnett Jr (Dbdreams)
Junior Member Username: Dbdreams Post Number: 76 Registered: 3-2003 |
Tommy, If he has temper problems, exploit them just make sure you have proof. You are right, family problems or not there is no excuse for what he did, dont let it slide. At this time I would not delay in obtaining a lawyer. I personally would like to know who this guy is. I certainly never want to do bussiness with him. It is probably not a good time to post his name here at this time but I would appreciate it if you would PM me. | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Junior Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 130 Registered: 3-2003 |
On the legal front, I would do the following: - Document history with car to show how much sentimental value it held for you - Itemize all transactions - File a police report - Take the police with you to look for any items leftover - spend as much time there as possible - Take as many pictures as you possibly can, of EVERYTHING (the car, your parts, the shop, etc., etc.) - See if you can dig up any pictures of your car's condition before this happened - Document history of your dealings with him - List all witnesses Hire the very best attorney you can and work with him to establish all claims you have. Publicize what happened in the media, and make sure you name his shop. After you have pulverized this f*cker in court, get a good book on how to get even, and work through it page by page. By the way, you do have a good alarm system at home, right? This guy doesn't sound too stable... | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1465 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>Believe it or not, one of my patients is married to the police chief in his town. << Well there ya go. Can't get much higher up the food chain than that...and I'll bet the Chief has a Mayor for a buddy...;-)...see, there's light at the end of the tunnel already ;-). >>is there a book on VW labor rates or something I can get my hands on? << Oh sure there are, several different ones. Aswell asTime/Labor Guides on CD as well. You probably don't need the whole book, just the relivant pages or chapters. One widely used reference is the Chiltons Mechanical Time/Labor Guide. Check with any VW Dealer, they might even have an old book they'd give you. If that doesn't work we'll get you whatever info you need. | ||
| David W Burnett Jr (Dbdreams)
Junior Member Username: Dbdreams Post Number: 75 Registered: 3-2003 |
Tommy, Great self restraint, I dont know how you are able to control yourself. I do believe that this guy was trying to antagonize you into acting foolishly. He knows he is responsible for what has happened and he most likely knows that you are emotionally attached to this car. If you had reacted like most lesser men then he would have a counter suit giving him something to bargain with. From what it sounds like he is going to try to get out of this without paying for what he is responsible for. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. Sue him and make him pay even if you dont get what you want at least you can let him get a taste of loosing some money. I would tape all phone conversations and any in person visits you should have a witness because from what it sounds like he might actually take a swing at you and then say you attacked him. It wouldn't hurt to have a small video camera hidden on your person to capture the whole thing. I think you can rent a "cap cam" at a local spy store. Let him dig his hole deeper, he doesn't sound too bright. I again commend you on practicing self restraint and highly suggest to continue to do so. Do not give him any ammunition. Now is not the time for that but I personally would not rule it out. Try to let the court system do all that it can. Dont let your good nature stand in the way of doing what you need to do to make him pay for his complete disrespect and disreguard for you and your property. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1147 Registered: 5-2001 |
He has always had a difficult time controlling his temper. Remember, his whole shop went under along with about 30 cars, most of which belonged to him including a couple of rare Alfa's. I have been told that he has a couple of other customers that are considering legal action against him and that he was even served two days ago by one of them. It's my understanding that he had to file bankruptcy just a few years ago because of another flood. I have also heard his personal life at home is not the best at this time. This is possibly why he behaved like that when I showed up yesterday. He is venting from a big tragedy and since he has reason to believe that I may see him in court, he was just that much angrier. That does not excuse this, though. He is a really bad person. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 802 Registered: 5-2002 |
Doc, I'm sorry you even had to go through that.. Why do people do the things they do.. For the time he had the car, how was your relationship with him then?? I can't believe that a person can just change over night.. I would try the small claims court thing if I were you.. He had no right to dump your things in the mud like that.. Right in front of you to top it off.. I guess he was lucky that you were a rational man, or he would have sued you for assult.. You have proven that you are better then most men, so the only way to get your piece is to settle it in court..... Good luck my friend | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1286 Registered: 10-2001 |
Doc, you can't let this slide, you MUST sue this guy. Even if you don't win, he'll have to take time off work, maybe hire a lawyer ect. Make him pay, one way or another. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1146 Registered: 5-2001 |
Believe it or not, one of my patients is married to the police chief in his town. I will contact her Mon. As a matter of fact, I do not think they like each other much. JRV - is there a book on VW labor rates or something I can get my hands on? I mean the kind that suggests the amount of time it should reasonably take to do each job? | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1464 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>Is it too late to file a police report? >> I think I'd start by calling friends until I found one that had some police or constable buddies (the higher up the food chain the better) . Then talk to the the friends police friend and see if you can get his advice & help. Being on the inside of a Boys Club would be 'very' helpful in a situation like this. Go with the police to the guys shop 1 more time in the guise of looking for missing parts...which is likely a reality anyway. Get all the rest of your parts back that you can and get the police to extract his Ins. info. , then call his landlord, or mortage holder for their Ins Co. name. Then next week file a claim thru a lawyer about the destruction of your property. Spending big money on an old car is no crime...I think the likelyhood of you getting $5K for damages is very possible. You likely will have some explaining to do for spending $2K to pull a VW Motor though. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1082 Registered: 12-2001 |
I would file a police report, along with the photos. I would also hire a local lawyer. The claim (aside from whatever dispute you may have as to his competency, and the delays associated with the promised repair of the car) is essentially that, while the car is in his possession, he must exercise a reasonable degree of care. The fact that he did not cause the flood probably does not matter for insurance purposes; if the car was in his possesssion when it was damaged, it is probably his responsibility. But, and here is where he is totally offbase: if he had a problem with you, and wanted you to pick up your car and parts, he did have a duty of care; dumping your stuff in a puddle is callous, and shows his utter indifference to things left in his care. So, i would get a lawyer to file suit, with pictures, and since the existence of the lawsuit is public fodder, make sure you have the local media cover this. (So long as you have a factual and legal basis for the suit, and are not initiating it soley to smear him in public, you do have the right, as does the media, to discuss the allegations of the suit in public). I would also contact your local TV consumer advocate; they like to do "in your face" confrontations with people like that. I think one of your motives, correct me if i am wrong, is to alert the public in your area to the risks associated with doing business with this guy. BTW, revenge is the best revenge. Regards. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1145 Registered: 5-2001 |
One other thing. I gathered all of my receipts from my restorations and modifications. They total over $9000. Why so much? I was doing it right. Paint from the bare metal up, leather interior, high performance engine/suspension. I love that car. My mom bought it for me when I was in high school when she really couldn't afford it but she knew I really wanted it. It was five years old then. I drove it to my senior prom, to college, dental school and my first job out of school and for five years after that. I just wanted to fix it like new and keep it forever. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1144 Registered: 5-2001 |
Is it too late to file a police report? This was less then 24 hours ago. What would my specific claim be? This may be a good start. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4661 Registered: 5-2001 |
$5K for small claims! Just to fukk with him and see him in court arguing that he is still owed money. I agree though you should have called the police. Call them now and see if you can file a report since you beieve he did not give you all parts back. Theft. Then file the complaint for work not performed, damage to your vehicle not due care, pain and suffering (although you will not get anything there) That p&s should only be to fill up the full $5K. If you can establish value at high enough to go just for value then leave the p&s. I mean who in his sane mind is putting $ 2,000 into a old VW? Answer: Someone who really has a personal bond with his car. Since you paid him that already (hopefully by check)you should have no problem establishing the value is higher than what the ins comp said. Then torch his shop! | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2001 |
Better Business Bureau will do no good as I know how they work as I've tried filing with them. Bureau of Automotive Repair would probably do better but also wondering, $2000 in repairs for a Scirocco that was flooded? the car should have been salvaged, you could have bought a better car for that much spent on repairs. I've been through a lot of **it before and even the pics won't do much as of proof in court unless you show the guy actually putting them in the mud puddle, but Allan is right, you should've called the police out or called and filed a complaint with the bureau. You should see what some people try to get away with when they have their cars worked on at my shop. Some people take advantages of the loopholes where if you don't display all registered certificates and you don't have them, they will bring their car which has an existing problem and sue you and make you pay for it, and guess what, you WILL have to pay for it, it's the Gov. LAW and it suc*s. So watch out for scumbags who do these things, I usually stay away from old cars, especially domestic cars as they are the ones with the most problems. You want to know about loopholes, this is America, and it's full of it, know it, learn it, live it... You can either be a victim or a survivalist, I've learned a few things in my life and it suc*s sometimes when it costs you to learn them... It's too bad Tommy and it's hard to get justice from what happened and if that ever happened to me I'm a person full of vengeance and would be a persons worst nightmare especially when I know where they live and work. I know the law and the law works for me... | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 499 Registered: 6-2002 |
First you should of had the police there to file a police report because he maliciously ruined your belongings. Without that, im afraid you S.O.L. | ||
| Alex Lee (Alxlee)
Junior Member Username: Alxlee Post Number: 111 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ouch! What kind of mechanic was this? Perhaps he's realized that he's completely done and wanted to go out with a big bang? Good luck with it all. Crazy! | ||
| Stephen S. Saia (Sssaia)
New member Username: Sssaia Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2003 |
Well, if he want's to be an ••••••• to you, be an ••••••• back to him. Sue him for everything you can get, sure, you're going down to his level, but how else will you get anything achieved if you let stuff like that go. If that doesn't work, just send some "friends" to "visit" him | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 274 Registered: 12-2001 |
Best bet is small claims court, it usually costs >$50 to file and the judges are usually a little more liberal/flexible when it comes to the law. If nothing else you should be able to get the 2k back. If Dumba$$ tries to argue that he should get to keep it for the work he's done(i.e. quantum meruit), remind the judge that only applies if he's conferred a benefit, which he clearly hasn't here. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1143 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have thought about the Better Business Bureau but I don't know much about them. I'll investigate that next week. The worst part is I am not sure If I got everything. He must have disassembled some things because KC and I were dragging our fingers thru the mud pulling individual screws and things up. I think I'm going to have to go back over there this weekend with a big magnet and go thru it one last time. I mean I have some bad experiences before but this beats everything. I am not kidding. | ||
| Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member Username: Teenferrarifan Post Number: 87 Registered: 2-2003 |
There is no excuse for that. Erik | ||
| Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 336 Registered: 5-2002 |
Doc, sorry to see you going through this kind of crap. I think some street justice needs to be dispensed here. Can a complaint be made through the better business bureau? | ||
| Robin Overcash (Robin)
Junior Member Username: Robin Post Number: 84 Registered: 1-2003 |
Forget about the lawyer, you need something better.. I'm sure some of the NY people here have some "connections"... Man that's just horrible. I've had some really crappy experiences with cars and repair shops, but that's just downright mean. -R | ||
| Kuzi (Kzma)
Junior Member Username: Kzma Post Number: 142 Registered: 3-2003 |
Holy s&%$#..............that should be the last straw.............take him to court and make him spend some money defending himself.............These pictures are self incriminating to that peace of work! Good luck, and get that mofo!! | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 626 Registered: 3-2002 |
This is completely unacceptable. I can't even imagine how you feel about this!!! FIND A RUTHLESS LAWYER WHO CAN SEND THIS CLOWN BACK TO THE BIG TOP (good thing you took pics) | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1142 Registered: 5-2001 |
Update on my flooded Scirocco: I got the car out of the guy's shop and have begun the cleaning process. It will survive but it will take some time. If you guys remember from my previous thread, The shop owner kept my car since Aug 2002 for a R&R of the motor. He was flooded two weeks ago and my car went under (totally) with everything else. When I asked him about his insurance he told me he was not responsible and there was nothing I could do about it. Keep in mind this is after paying him over $2000 for work that was never completed and waiting over 8 months since he first took possession. Anyway he, evidentially, "heard thru the grapevine" that I was considering consulting with an attorney to find out exactly what my rights are. He called me at my office yesterday and told me that I was "out of my fuc$%#g mind" (quote) if I thought he was going to pay me anything to help fix the damage and I had until 6:00 Fri to get the rest of my parts or he was going to dispose of them AND he was sending me a bill for any unpaid labor (weird, since I have given him over 2K so far and he never got the car anywhere near finished and I supplied all the parts). Well, I stopped by this afternoon to get my stuff. He told me to pull around back because he would "deposit" my belongings in the alley for me. He did. He brought them out to me and a buddy in a wheelbarrow and dumped them all in a mud puddle. I am not kidding. Threw them right in. It then began to rain while we spend 20 min fishing thru the mud for all of my things. By the way, I NEVER spoke unkindly to him at any point. I said or did nothing to provoke such childish behavior. This is the WHOLE story. I am leaving nothing out. I will never understand some people. Here are my parts:    |