Scammed by mechanic

[hulk161]

Whats up guys been a min since I posted. Wanted to get some feedback about a situation.

Back in November 2019 took my 2004 Denali with 159k at the time to a mechanic that was recommended by a co worker. I've dealt with him before and although his practices were strange example like pulling prices for work off the top of his head but I gave him the benefit of being 70 years old and him saying he's been a mechanic all his life credit. So I brought it in for the heat not blowing and a stability warning across the dash. I had brought it to him for that issue before and he told me that there was a issue with my traction control so he would take care of it. As time went on and the issues weren't getting fixed but I didn't bother him because luckily I have another truck so I called myself being patient. Come April he tells me all he's waiting for is a programming guy to program the computer and the stability issue should be resolved. Id call every weekend and he would give a excuse saying he's waiting on the guy, covid, parts delay due to covid the whole nine yards. At this point I'm pissed but he's got the truck and I don't want to make this a bigger issue. He then tells me that my brakes are bad all around but he'd done that back last summer so don't worry about it he'd take care of it. He then tells me that the exhaust system is corroded and ready to fall off and since its in the air do I want him to take care of it. I of course say yes. Every week he gave a excuse since the summer that the truck would be ready but no success. Finally yesterday I said this is enough and I called him straight out said enough is enough he replied well I'm under your steering wheel now and we should have the issue resolved. I told him straight out no thats it I'm coming to pick it up. So upon arriving the first thing I checked was the heat. The heat was blowing but only on defrost, the control module would not change to regular vents or floor. I told him and his response was well you need a new one. I told him well thats why I brought it to you. At that point I just wanted to get out of there. I looked at my current mileage and it's now at 172,642. When I bought it there was exactly 150k, I only use it for work and I live 13 mins from work. I gave it to him in November with 159k. He's driven it more than I have. At this point I'm more than pissed and definitely looking into taking this guy to court.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Can you prove what the mileage was when he took possession of it? Undeniable proof? Did you look at the exhaust that he supposedly replaced? You can tell just by looking at it. Pay him anything?
What did he say when you brought up the mileage discrepancy? That's unbelieveable--but totally believable. Unreal.

 

[hulk161]

Can you prove what the mileage was when he took possession of it? Undeniable proof? Did you look at the exhaust that he supposedly replaced? You can tell just by looking at it. Pay him anything?
What did he say when you brought up the mileage discrepancy? That's unbelieveable--but totally believable. Unreal.

My only proof is I got a oil change from jiffy lube on November 15th 2019. I took it to him at the end of November 2019. I plan on going to jiffy lube today and getting all my prior oil changes for proof of mileage plus getting one just to be safe. I have a prior receipt from him in August of 2019 with 150k miles as well. The exhaust he did show to me that it was eroding and basically just holding on. I did pay him for all the work he supposedly did. The traction control button does not even work now when I push it. I think he just disabled it trying to get the service stability warningbto go away. He was suppose to take care of the rear air and heat as well and that wasn't done. Its blowing air now but is just air no heat or not controllable. I already scheduled appointment at a more reputable mechanic on the 21st during my vacation to go thru what this guy did. No I haven't contacted him about the mileage because he's full of shit and really don't want to ever deal with the guy unless I have a good case to take him to court. Based off of what I researched I can sue him for work not done based off another mechanics opinion and I can get him on the mileage. I have to get a estimate from a car rental on how much the rate would be with the mileage he used

 

[Big Mama]

Go after him he’s doing this to others too.

 

[Scottydoggs]

wow, thats a hell of scam. guess he liked your truck for himself.

 

[Doubeleive]

so.... you left your truck with a shop for a year? you and tony must have the same mechanic

 

[PG01]

It needed brakes that he did last summer because he drove it for 30k.. hard
Got a receipt for the brakes he did last summer?

 

[OR VietVet]

What does the co worker say about his mechanic recommendation that he made to you, when you told him this long drawn out nightmare?

 

[Tonyrodz]

so.... you left your truck with a shop for a year? you and tony must have the same mechanic

Fortunately he didn't have mine for a year--felt like it tho.

 

[drakon543]

after a week i would have been driving by and pestering regularly. the year thing was entirely self inflicted and the work being done shouldn't have taken more than 2 months with the extended time frames of covid deliveries. i was ordering an exhaust system, carburetor and other parts for a 79 corvette earlier this year and nothing took longer than a week. patience is one thing letting this draw out for a year is just foolishness even if it was a friendly elderly old man. you easily could have gotten time frame estimates for the work he was doing for free from other legitimate shops that would have alerted you that something fishy was going on.

 

[Danny3737]

You took the words right out of my mouth

so.... you left your truck with a shop for a year? you and tony must have the same mechanic

 

[Danny3737]

I’d take him to court. Just make sure you take copies of all your communication with him. As far as the mileage goes, try to find something that can show your average yearly miles you drive. Oil change records and inspections are usually the best. Don’t feel too bad since I’m sure most people on here have experienced a shady mechanic who ripped them off or at least tried to. Too bad you can’t back charge him $.55 cents a mile for usage of your vehicle.

 

[Danny3737]

Just wondering since the mechanic has had possession of your vehicle for a year if you can get info off the DIC that shows anything like miles driven over a certain period of time, etc. If you can get any info like that, that would be the smoking gun to sue his ass.

 

[OR VietVet]

In the scheme of things, you helped with allowing him to have that vehicle for a year. You allowed it. No other way to say it. I doubt you have documented your conversations. Plus, you have to prove mileage when you gave the rig to him and that he put the miles on the rig and get a readout from DIC.

Last but not least, do you really want to tie up your time and money taking a 70 year old man to court? For all you know, he may have medical issues that prevent him from timely work and having cognizant thinking in his daily actions. I would just chalk it up to a learning experience and how to proceed from here is your call. You are going to have to show that the old guy was doing something illegal and have expert analysis on your behalf to back that up. Otherwise it is just your word against his and the fact you left the rig with him for a year is going to go against you. Plus, if you do all that and win, will he be able to pay you what the court may award you?

Maybe Judge Judy will pick this up and pay the both of you to appear on tv.

 

[Danny3737]

I would still take him to court if I had a good case. I’d never let someone’s age or health condition influence my decision. A crook is a crook, no matter how you slice it. I don’t think the victims that Madoff scammed have any sympathy for his declining health. Old Age and bad health is no excuse to rip someone off.

In the scheme of things, you helped with allowing him to have that vehicle for a year. You allowed it. No other way to say it. I doubt you have documented your conversations. Plus, you have to prove mileage when you gave the rig to him and that he put the miles on the rig and get a readout from DIC.

Last but not least, do you really want to tie up your time and money taking a 70 year old man to court? For all you know, he may have medical issues that prevent him from timely work and having cognizant thinking in his daily actions. I would just chalk it up to a learning experience and how to proceed from here is your call. You are going to have to show that the old guy was doing something illegal and have expert analysis on your behalf to back that up. Otherwise it is just your word against his and the fact you left the rig with him for a year is going to go against you. Plus, if you do all that and win, will he be able to pay you what the court may award you?

Maybe Judge Judy will pick this up and pay the both of you to appear on tv.

 

[Jason in DLH]

This is all quite interesting. I’m interested to see what the outcome is.

By the way...I think Judge Judy has retired, so unfortunately that won’t be a possibility. I think. Would make for a good show though!

Just curious if you have confronted him regarding the mileage (sorry if this has been discussed already).

 

[Jason in DLH]

Sorry...just read that you have not confronted him. I’m back on the same page now!

 

[OR VietVet]

I would still take him to court if I had a good case. I’d never let someone’s age or health condition influence my decision. A crook is a crook, no matter how you slice it. I don’t think the victims that Madoff scammed have any sympathy for his declining health. Old Age and bad health is no excuse to rip someone off.

This problem and Madoff's scam are two totally different scenarios. Again, I have no idea of the old guys cognizance. Proving it and proving if he meant to do all this delaying is something to consider. In the scheme of things, this is a PITA for OP but no where near the damage Madoff did.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

In the scheme of things, you helped with allowing him to have that vehicle for a year. You allowed it. No other way to say it. I doubt you have documented your conversations. Plus, you have to prove mileage when you gave the rig to him and that he put the miles on the rig and get a readout from DIC.

Last but not least, do you really want to tie up your time and money taking a 70 year old man to court? For all you know, he may have medical issues that prevent him from timely work and having cognizant thinking in his daily actions. I would just chalk it up to a learning experience and how to proceed from here is your call. You are going to have to show that the old guy was doing something illegal and have expert analysis on your behalf to back that up. Otherwise it is just your word against his and the fact you left the rig with him for a year is going to go against you. Plus, if you do all that and win, will he be able to pay you what the court may award you?

Maybe Judge Judy will pick this up and pay the both of you to appear on tv.

x2

From what has been offered and discussed so far, I don't believe that you have a case strong enough (concrete evidence and proof) for you to win in a court of law.

 

[ivin74]

so.... you left your truck with a shop for a year? you and tony must have the same mechanic

Lmfao, I agree