Belt Auction

How much is too much? (MECHANIC DISPUTE)?

Okay, so I bought a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8 for a cheap $2,000 in February knowing there was an obvious engine knock. I took it to the garage where my brother sometimes works, hoping for a discount. They gave me an estimate of $1,000 and it sounded great, so I told them to proceed. At first it was a cylinder head, and when I found one for dirt cheap, it became another problem and NOT the head. Then so on and so on. In the beginning, we agreed that no matter what, I would pay him $500 for labor. I want to find the parts myself, since I have connections and can get discounts at Advanced Auto Parts. I had asked him for the names of the parts so I can go get them, and he gives me a run around, insults my intelligence, and says that's not how he works. Okayyyy. Well if he can get it done for a thousand, I don't care if he charges me $990 for labor and $10 for parts, just so long as it's done. Days passed, weeks passed. I drive by the shop and see that my Jeep is outside. I call and ask what's up, and he says that he found an engine for $350 and is waiting for it so he can take the good parts and make me a good engine. Sounds great! I asked that in the end, will I have a good, reliable Jeep..and he says no, he's just rigging it so it won't make noise and we can pass our problem off to someone else. Ugh, great? I pay him $750 for his labor and for most of the engine that he'll be buying. I didn't get a receipt, but I paid with a check so I have proof. More time passes and I call back, and in the conversation he tells me it's going to cost anywhere from $1,250 to over $2,000. In a nice tone, I say, "Well if we agreed on $500 labor and you're getting an engine for $350, how is it going to be anymore than $1,000?" He FLIPS. He freaks out and says that I know nothing about vehicles and I'm pretty much retarded, and I should take the Jeep elsewhere since I obviously don't trust him. Granted, maybe I should've, but I'd have to pay him for towing and then somehow get back the $750 I gave him, plus it's been 3 months! He may as well finish it, especially since my engine is in pieces on the floor of his shop. I figure if he takes the parts off of the new engine, he gets to keep the rest of the engine so that's even a bonus for him, so why is he being so shady? MORE TIME PASSES. I called a lawyer. They said that his estimate of $1,000 was an estimate, but when the work is finished he will have to give me a break down of the labor and parts costs. If he doesn't, I plan on taking him to court. It's been 5 months, now. I bought the Jeep so I could have fun in the summer, go to the drive-in, go fishing, and be able to take my baby places while my hub is at work with our other car. It's been 5 MONTHS. 1. Is there a limit on how much time a mechanic can take? 2. Is he ripping me off? Especially since as he says, he's just 'rigging it so that the noise will go away.' 3. I think that $500 in labor is fair, especially since he agreed on it, but I'd be willing to give even a little more since it sounds like he's building (or rigging?) an engine. But taking 5 months to fix it is a bit ridiculous, if you ask me. What do you think? 4. Am I entitled to a break down of costs? 5. What should I do? Help. :( Well haha, my hub is straight, lol. It's just he's very non-confrontational and would rather pay $2,500 than question anything. And yes, he is the father of the baby, and to the other poster - I can't file anything tomorrow cause July 1 is our baby's 1st birthday!! :) But I'm sure I'll be taking him to court, I just want to know what other people think or what the laws are so that when I do go, I know what I'm talking about and which way the judge may sway.

Public Comments

1. most states consumer laws state that the owner is entitled to a written estimate showing parts and labor for these repairs and that anything over 10% diff in the price is to be authorized// i am afraid you are not going to be kissed//get lawyer to make a move on him now. do it july 1 2009/sue for the truck and the cost of the repairs in small claims court
2. Is your husband the father of the baby? And is he heterosexual? I'm just wondering since you seem to wear the pants in this family. In my family, I would be handling all that.
3. You bought a Jeep worth $6,000 in good shape for $2,000 knowing the engine was toast. The first estimate was a grand, but then when it was torn down it became obvious it would need more. No, there is no limit as to how long a mechanic can take, especially if he is waiting for parts. If you don't like what you are getting, take it elsewhere. The problem when you bought it was the noise, if the noise goes away, he has fixed it. You may think $500 for labor is fair, but that doesn't make it fair. Fair is his labor rate time the number of hours he has worked on your engine. Frankly I'd suggest dropping in a rebuilt engine and be done with it. Yes, once he is finished and you pay the bill, you are entitled to a break down of costs if you so desire. And he did update his estimate per your own statement. Let me cut and paste..."...he tells me it's going to cost anywhere from $1,250 to over $2,000. " There's your updated estimate. Say "yes" or "no" to it, and be prepared to take it somewhere else if you say no.