What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan
I called a repairman to fix my hot tub because it had a leak. When he came out, he gave a quote of $250. I agreed to the cost and at his request gave a deposit of $105. When he had the parts to fix the leak, he came back and worked on the leak (so I thought). When he was done, he told me my balance was $302! I asked why since I assumed the balance would be $145 if the the job was quoted at $250. He went on to tell me that he re-built the motor too because it was going to go out in 2 days and he had to charge me at least $85 for the extra hour of labor. At this point none of his math is making sense but he was outside for about 3 hours. I can't say that he worked on the motor for sure. I didn't notice any issues with the motor before now. I only knew there was just the leak. I felt pressured to write a check to him for the full $302. I should have never done that. I should have written him a check for $150. I guess I fully expected him to speak to me before doing any extra work especially if it more than doubles my balance.
At this point, I am angry because I am sure I was taken advantage of but I don't want to act irrationally. So any advice, thoughts or opinions (good or bad) would be helpful. What I want to do is, stop payment on the $300 check and send him a money order for $150+ $25 (for any nsf fee he may get) with a letter stating that I authorized him to repair the leak based on the $250 quote. After thinking about it, if I take my vehicle to the shop to have the altenator fixed and the repairman fixes the transmission because he thinks it's bad, then that is his gift, not my obligation to pay. If it were, then the hot tub guy could have painted my deck then charged for that too. Silly me for giving him the check in the first place.
I realize he could take me to court. But would anyone else stop payment on this check or accept this expensive $150 lesson?
I called a repairman to fix my hot tub because it had a leak. When he came out, he gave a quote of $250. I agreed to the cost and at his request gave a deposit of $105. When he had the parts to fix the leak, he came back and worked on the leak (so I thought). When he was done, he told me my balance was $302! I asked why since I assumed the balance would be $145 if the the job was quoted at $250. He went on to tell me that he re-built the motor too because it was going to go out in 2 days and he had to charge me at least $85 for the extra hour of labor. At this point none of his math is making sense but he was outside for about 3 hours. I can't say that he worked on the motor for sure. I didn't notice any issues with the motor before now. I only knew there was just the leak. I felt pressured to write a check to him for the full $302. I should have never done that. I should have written him a check for $150. I guess I fully expected him to speak to me before doing any extra work especially if it more than doubles my balance.
At this point, I am angry because I am sure I was taken advantage of but I don't want to act irrationally. So any advice, thoughts or opinions (good or bad) would be helpful. What I want to do is, stop payment on the $300 check and send him a money order for $150+ $25 (for any nsf fee he may get) with a letter stating that I authorized him to repair the leak based on the $250 quote. After thinking about it, if I take my vehicle to the shop to have the altenator fixed and the repairman fixes the transmission because he thinks it's bad, then that is his gift, not my obligation to pay. If it were, then the hot tub guy could have painted my deck then charged for that too. Silly me for giving him the check in the first place.
I realize he could take me to court. But would anyone else stop payment on this check or accept this expensive $150 lesson?
