My car was stolen

[AndyBe]

What is the name of your state? New York

I had a 1999 Volks. Jetta, and it had broke down in Brooklyn, NY
So I took it to a mechanic in Brooklyn to get it repaired. I paid them $530 up front to get the job started the $530 was more then half of the total amount.
Now it took them almost a week to get it fixed. They called me and told me that the car was fixed and that I can pick it up, but it was too late in the day for me to make it over there and plus it was a weekend. So I told them that I will be in monday to pick it up, he said fine but they might charge me a storage fee. I said fine no problem. Monday comes and I call them first thing in the morning to let them know I was on my way. The guy picks up and he told me that my car was towed by the city because they left it parked on the street and I had a couple of overdue parking tickets. So I was like ok. I call the city to find out where they took my car. the city told me that they didnt have a record of it yet, and to call back in a day or so. So I did just that. I call the city and they have no record of it being towed. So I call the shop again and i made them check maybe they put it somewher and they didnt remember where. they said no that they were 100% sure it was towed.
so now I called the bank maybe i was behind on a payment and they picked it up. They never picked it up they never even knew it was in Brooklyn.
So its been almost 3 weeks I cant locate my car.
So I decided to go to the shop myself. I go over there and I showed the one of the guys the receipt and he tell me that they sold the car, because I never picked it up. BUT!!! they sold the car with my license plates still on the car.
Someone is driving my car with my license plates under my name.
I don't know what to do
Any advice will be very much appreciated

Thanks you,
Andy

 

[racer72]

Uhh, did calling the police ever occur to you?

 

[Bluff Man]

They cannot legally sell your car without a title, and it takes months to get a mechanics lein title in NY State, so something else is going on here. If they are a registered repair shop, write down their station # ( must be posted outside of shop by law ). Contact the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, they are the most effective agency for getting disputes resolved as they hold a repair stations license in their hands. I also suggest that you call police, they won't get your car back but you will have a written report that you may need for future litigation. If nothing else, report your plates lost to DMV or you could be responsible if there is an accident or violation. Suggest that as soon as you report the situation to police that you inform your insurance company in case you need to file a theft claim. Remember, Dept of Motor Vehicles is the only consumer agency that will get quick action.