what should i do(auto mechanic problem) (credit, buy, engine)

[jakkbox]

my dad 02 sienna and seems like oil is slowely going away
so i took to the mechanic who rent the grage at body shop.

later he called me and go pick up part at checkers(oil and other stuff i dont know) and saying will be done in 3days.

4th day we went there see, and saw engine part are took out. he was telling us we need pay him some money now or take the car. we got no choice since car is not drivable so we had pay him 300 with cash since he claim that he doesn't have bank account.

after 1week he called us go pick engine part that cleaned up by 3rd party.
and they billed us 380 and had to checkers to get some part he ordered. it cost me another 170+.

after 1week he came to my dad and ask another 80 dollar so he can buy some bolt. so he gave him 80 with cash again

we waited for 3weeks and still not done and found out he work at other place too.

we went his other work place ask when are you gonna finish it(we need car asap since my parents are sick have to ge see doctor regulary) but he harassed us like saying &*&***% since your guys bother me i wont do your car! and we told him we gonna file police report. and he told us "go head, i dont give a %@#.

the problem is we dont have any info about him only his first name and he is driving car w/o license plate so i coudn't get plate number.

any idea guys?
by the way english is my 2nd language
hope you guys understand what I mean.

[vtvette]

Holy cow!

First thing - did you ask for receipts each time you gave him cash?

[jakkbox]

no. no receipts. he doesn't have anything like that.

[justthe2ofus]

go to the owner of the body shop and find out who exactly this man is and where to find him.

[Nativechief]

Friend. I think that before you own a car here you need to learn our language and learn how our automobile service industry works, First you get an estimate in writing before you commit to the repair, Then you pay with a credit card . If the car is not fixed after you get it home you then can STOP THE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT. and the mechanic will have to fix the car or not be paid.Any honest mechanic will not insist on cash but accept a credit/debit card or check....You have been ripped off my friend.. In english that means "screwed"..sorry

[00molavi]

Originally Posted by Nativechief

Friend. I think that before you own a car here you need to learn our language and learn how our automobile service industry works, First you get an estimate in writing before you commit to the repair, Then you pay with a credit card . If the car is not fixed after you get it home you then can STOP THE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT. and the mechanic will have to fix the car or not be paid.Any honest mechanic will not insist on cash but accept a credit/debit card or check....You have been ripped off my friend.. In english that means "screwed"..sorry

I think one of the things you can not put a stop payment on with the credit card is car repairs. I guess so many did this because the car was not fixed to their liking that they did away with it.