Auto Body Work Fraud

[stallardjw]

This is in the state of Pennsylvania.

Roughly a year ago my brother hired a man to do auto body work on his car. He's had the car for a year and done very little work on it while letting it sit outside causing even more damage to the body and letting the insurance and registation expire.

Pretty much all he did was sand down the paint. We contacted him many times about his progress and he made excuse after excuse saying it would be done soon.

We have a written agreement syaing that he would complete the work. (though its not noterized)

Recently he got kicked out of the garage he was using and left the car sitting on someone else property and then lost the key.

He contacted us saying that he didn't have the key but the owner of the property wanted the car moved or it would be towed away and basically said it's our problem now.

Today I paid an additional $175 to have it towed home and we still don't have the key.

Do we have any options?

 

[HighwayMan]

First of all, your brother let his own registration and insurance expire. How is that the fault of the body shop guy?

Shame on your brother for letting this go on for a year. Your brother can try taking this guy to small claims court but even if your brother wins, do you think he'll be able to collect even a dime? This is what happens when you hire a guy off the side of the road instead of a reputable body shop.

Seems like he got off cheap by only having to pay $175 plus the cost of getting a replacement key. It's always a good idea to have at least two sets of keys to your vehicle. It avoids issues like this.

 

[Shadowbunny]

This is in the state of Pennsylvania.

Roughly a year ago my brother hired a man to do auto body work on his car. He's had the car for a year and done very little work on it while letting it sit outside causing even more damage to the body and letting the insurance and registation expire.

Pretty much all he did was sand down the paint. We contacted him many times about his progress and he made excuse after excuse saying it would be done soon.

We have a written agreement syaing that he would complete the work. (though its not noterized)

Recently he got kicked out of the garage he was using and left the car sitting on someone else property and then lost the key.

He contacted us saying that he didn't have the key but the owner of the property wanted the car moved or it would be towed away and basically said it's our problem now.

Today I paid an additional $175 to have it towed home and we still don't have the key.

Do we have any options?

You say "we", but it sounds like the car is actually your brother's not yours. If that's the case, your brother's options are to take the body shop gentleman to small claims court for the cost of the tow, the key, and any damage you can prove. However, keep in mind it wasn't his obligation to keep up the registration nor insurance.