Shifty Mechanic

[waylorn]

State: TN

I paid a mechanic 3200 dollars to do a motor and transmission swap on a 98 honda prelude. He has my car, 2 transmissions, and 2 motors. He has the key to the car. The car itself it at his grandpa's beside a fence covered in pine needles. It has been over a year and he wont answer calls or text. I am not sure what I can do or not do. But I want to do something. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ohiogal]

Send a demand letter saying if he doesn't fix it in the next 30 days, you will sue and then file a suit in small claims court.

 

[waylorn]

I do not have a address to contact him. I do know where his grandpa lives.

 

[HighwayMan]

You paid some guy (who you apparently don't even know very well) in full for work he didn't even start to do and he doesn't even have a place of business?

 

[waylorn]

Bad as I hate to say.. yep. There ya go.

 

[quincy]

State: TN

I paid a mechanic 3200 dollars to do a motor and transmission swap on a 98 honda prelude. He has my car, 2 transmissions, and 2 motors. He has the key to the car. The car itself it at his grandpa's beside a fence covered in pine needles. It has been over a year and he wont answer calls or text. I am not sure what I can do or not do. But I want to do something. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hire a tow truck and do as the repo folks do. Go get your car towed from grandpa's property. It's your car.

Once the car is back in your possession, you can sue the mechanic for the money you paid him that he didn't earn.

 

[waylorn]

What do I need to do this? I have never sued anyone.

 

[quincy]

What do I need to do this? I have never sued anyone.

Here are general guidelines for filing a lawsuit in General Sessions (small claims) Courts in Tennessee:

http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/sites/default/files/docs/final_guidelines_and_helpful_info_for_people_in_gen_sess_court_-_may_2013.pdf
Good luck.