Fatt Toney
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Ohio
I hope I put this in the right column, really not sure. In November of last year, the engine on one of my cars locked up. My friend took it to a mechanic for me to get an estimate. This was a 2nd car of mine, that my friend was driving most of the time. The reason that the engine locked up was because of an oil change we had gotten from a quick change place, they didnt put new oil in it. Long story short, the Quick Change place settled with us for the price of a new engine. I get a hold of my friend to get the car, unbeknownst to me, it has been in this mechanics shop since December 2006. This mechanic wants to charge me $20 a day for storage (close to 2K total). However, in further researching, I find that this storage fee is disclosed on the work order and estimate, neither one of which my friend nor myself signed (I actually have copies of the unsigned forms). This rate and/or policy is not posted anywhere in this shop (I have pictures of such). This mechanic is saying its law that a storage fee is charged, but in researching Ohio Revised Code (http://onlinedocs.andersonpublishing.com/oh/lpExt.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=PORC) Im finding nothing on the topic, one way or the other. Can somebody please advise me on my legal rights in this situation. Can he charge this storage fee if it was never agreed to by myself nor the person that dropped off the vehicle, and it is posted nowhere in his business? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
I hope I put this in the right column, really not sure. In November of last year, the engine on one of my cars locked up. My friend took it to a mechanic for me to get an estimate. This was a 2nd car of mine, that my friend was driving most of the time. The reason that the engine locked up was because of an oil change we had gotten from a quick change place, they didnt put new oil in it. Long story short, the Quick Change place settled with us for the price of a new engine. I get a hold of my friend to get the car, unbeknownst to me, it has been in this mechanics shop since December 2006. This mechanic wants to charge me $20 a day for storage (close to 2K total). However, in further researching, I find that this storage fee is disclosed on the work order and estimate, neither one of which my friend nor myself signed (I actually have copies of the unsigned forms). This rate and/or policy is not posted anywhere in this shop (I have pictures of such). This mechanic is saying its law that a storage fee is charged, but in researching Ohio Revised Code (http://onlinedocs.andersonpublishing.com/oh/lpExt.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=PORC) Im finding nothing on the topic, one way or the other. Can somebody please advise me on my legal rights in this situation. Can he charge this storage fee if it was never agreed to by myself nor the person that dropped off the vehicle, and it is posted nowhere in his business? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.