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I've been cheated by my mechanic...


Midshipman

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Well, it's been awhile since I've posted... but I need some sympathy at the moment and I'm fuming.... so please bare with me.

 

My purchasing story can be found here , and thats a sad story in and of itself.

 

Anyway, I first purchased my car back in November... but she had car trouble and I had to leave her with a mechanic 1300 miles from my home. The mechanic and I had an understanding that he would rebuild the top of the engine, so it would run again, and since he would have it all winter... he would strip it down and put a new paintjob on it for me. (I'm terrible at paintwork)

 

Well, I was supposed to go down to South Carolina and pick my baby up on the First of March... but he called me and asked for more time. So we agreed I would retrieve my 70 Monte on the first of April.

 

I have been trying to call him for the last 3 weeks, and he has not answered his home number or his work number. His Work number is now the voicemail for some person I've never heard of and I've left 12 messages on his answering machine at home with no answer. So needless to say, I began to feel a little insecure about this situation.

 

So yesterday, without knowing what else to do (I mean, he suddenly stops talking to me when it comes time to pick up my car! And nobody has heard from or seen him!) so I called the county sherriff down there and asked them to drive by his house (I had his address from mailing him a check for the engine work) and see if he was alive and if my car was there.

 

Well this did indeed light a fire under his *** and he called me that afternoon SCREAMING obscenities at me over the phone... But what was I supposed to do?! I hadn't had him arrested, I'd just asked to have it checked out so I knew if he had skipped town or was lying in his house dead.

 

He told me that I can pick my car up on the First at 7pm, and I'd better be there or he's pushing it into the street and abandoning it. I felt a little bad for upsetting him so much, until I began to ask a few questions. Turns out the little ******* kept my car from November until April... and NEVER EVEN TOUCHED IT! He's pissed at me, and he never even did the work he was supposed to do... and now I've lost an entire four months and probably won't have this thing ready to cruise for the summer.

 

So now, I miss out on my last summer to just drive and cruise... because next year I'll be commissioned and serving with my shipmates onboard a Navy ship. So my baby will be put into storage or sold without me getting to truelly enjoy and/or bond with her.

 

Does anyone know of a good shop to do paint and minor bodywork in the Midwest? Preferably around Chicago or Indianapolis? I was really aching to cruise the country on my last summer of freedom... and although I can do enginework like a typical weekend warrior, paint and bodywork is beyond me. I always screw it up, and I'd prefer a professional looking job.

 

Thank you for listening to my rant... maybe I was out of line calling to have him checked up on... but I didn't really know the guy that well and if someone took your car and stopped talking to you, you'd be scared too! Especially when your entire savings are tied up in it.

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Sorry to hear about the sad story Billie, don't feel bad, that scum guy deserves more than a police visit for lying and cheating you.

If you have only light sanding Maaco & Earl Scheib can do an ok job, I wouldn't have them fix dents and so if you want a good job unless you know and have seen good jobs done by the specific shop you're going to.

Remember, life is short and you only live once so get that car ready and do some cruising... cool

Good luck

Dave

fgmcc

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He was pissed at you because you caught him in the process of being a total JERK. It is unfortunat that there are so many people like that (and worse) in the world.

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I don't know what he's so pissed about! He did'nt want to return your calls or get in contact with you, so what else are you suppose to think? I personally would have given a darn if it upset him or not! I'm with Sigster, go get it ASAP!!!! I don't know about armed but I'd have a couple guys there with me when I got it. Witnesses incase he does somrthing stupid, and he's already proved he stupid!

 

Jon.

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I know exactly how you feel. I gave my car to a piss-ant two years ago to restore for me, who promised it back to me in 3 months. The car sat and sat and sat until I really started to ride is tail about it. Worst part is that my dumb self paid him up front because I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like to owe anyone any money. I'm getting married in May and he has promised me that the car will be ready by then. He too is bad about not calling back and won't work on the car unless you go by the shop and demand that he get on it! Someone told me a long time ago that having a car rebuilt is the most aggravating hobbies you can get into for one reason: you are dealing with car people. Good luck man...

 

Edit: do take a friend with you or a fire arm. This guy sounds like he's begging to get pistol-whipped.

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I am with the rest of these guys go get the car.

Ask the local sheriff to send a deputy when you go get the car. explain the hostility you had with this jerk.

If you are near the St. Louis area I have a cousin who has a body shop here in Granite City IL. He does excellant work. He has done many restorations to classics. I am not going to tell you that he is cheap because he is not, He is resonable and does very good reputible work and you do get what you pay for.

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Tow that thing a few hundred miles south here to Fla, and between me and Grease, we will get it running for ya!

 

Jim

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Billie you have every right to be ticked off and to tell you the truth, I probably would have done the same thing if I didn't get any response from the jerk. Busmechanic is right, take the sheriff or one of his deputies with you to avoid any trouble.

 

If the body is in good enough shape, slap a cheap paint job on it so you can at least enjoy it over the summer or just drive her like she is once you get the motor fixed.

 

Good luck!

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Billie you have every right to be ticked off and to tell you the truth, I probably would have done the same thing if I didn't get any response from the jerk. Busmechanic is right, take the sheriff or one of his deputies with you to avoid any trouble.

 

If the body is in good enough shape, slap a cheap paint job on it so you can at least enjoy it over the summer or just drive her like she is once you get the motor fixed.

 

Good luck!

Well I would just slap a cheap paintjob on it... but I dont have the money to go throwing on a cheapo just to tear it off in a few months and start all over.

 

My funds are relatively limited as it is frown

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What a piece of $hit that [you said a naughty!]hole turned out to be!

Sorry to hear what happened to you!!!

When you go to pick your car up, you should DEFINATELY let the Sheriff know that you are going there. I'd also request an escort by the Sheriff's Dept., just in case the [you said a naughty!]hole decides to do something stupid.

Then let them throw his sorry [censored] in freakin' jail where it belongs... The lowlife that he is.

Good Luck To You,

Ben N

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Hey Middie, how bad is the body? Is it really gonna kill you to drive it for a bit once you get the mechanical side ready until you can save up money? In my over 20 year naval career, I have never seen the DOD make anyone sell their car when they got to the boat. Surely you aren't afraid of what your officer buddies will say? There is a Lt in my squadron that ownes the biggest pile of rust 70-something caddy you have ever seen, and frequently leaves it in the E-7 and up parking for extended periods of time. We complain, but nobody takes his commission away for driving it. A few of the JO's borrow it from time to time, if they need a beater or a car that will hold 10 people. In other words, keep the car, work on it when you can, drive it while the driving is good, and when you finally get your commission and go to your first duty station, put it in storage while underway and work on it when you are home. Chalk up your ordeal with the mechanic as lessons learned, go get your car, and move on. By the way, are you going to change your screen name when you get commissioned? lol

 

Jim

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Well Hello cBolt, wink

 

Yes, yes, and yes. The body is in pretty good shape, but the clearcoat (did they use Clearcoat on these?) is flaking off and it needs a new top desperatly.

 

You are correct, I can leave it as is and enjoy it like that. But I really had my hopes set on just cruising the country during my last summer before my commissioning. I was all set up to hit the drive-ins and car hops and enjoy the summer in style. That's a lot of fun if one's car drives smooth AND looks beautiful. smile

 

I'm just anxious to look cool, I suppose. I miss having my pristine 57 Chevy to tool around in... I sold her to buy this babydoll. Figured I could use a car that drove and handled better than my stock inline 6 chevrolet.

 

And I will be changing my name come commissioning... I was going to use my normal forum name, but it was taken! And in a stroke of sheer midnight-braindead-glee I just threw midshipman in there because I could. I may be stuck with it now, who knows! wink

 

And as for selling my car when commissioning comes, I may or may not. I do not want to, but it's a matter of storage. Do I really want her sitting in a lot while I'm gone... do I just loan it to my up-and-coming brother? Or should I just unload it and buy something more practical (READ: junker) that I wont worry about being vandalized or stolen while underway?

 

Everything is up in the air at this point (including my commission BTW, since it turns out that the accident I had on my way to buy this Monte is still giving me problems... the Doctors just finally diagnosed me with a slight fracture in my Hip thanks to that crazy nut back in November! And I haven't been able to walk without pain much less PT since the collision. And my LT is getting slightly aggitated since I have missed the last two PFA's.)

 

*EDIT: By the way cBolt, where are you serving? And congrats on your 20, I'm planning on being in for the long haul myself.

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Hey there Middie, I am currently attached to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Seven onboard Naval Air Station, Jacksonville Fl. Let me ask you this, would it be less prone to be vandalized or stolen if you had the cars body work done and the paint on it? Not likely, it would be more prone to be messed with. Most bases, if not ALL bases, have long-term storage lots for people in your predicament. I sure wouldn't "loan" it to my brother, nothing ever good comes from that. If you are anxious to look cool, well think how good it will feel if you wait and do it right, and don't rush it. See? I'm training you already! BTW, here is a quote for you to take with you for your "long haul" career; "Don't worry, be happy. A good CPO will save your *** every time."

 

Jim

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"Don't worry, be happy. A good CPO will save your *** every time."

Jim

Funny thing is, Jim... my Father tells me that every chance he gets :P . He was a Chief in 'Nam... and never misses a chance to let me know that CPO's run the Navy.

 

It;s pretty much engrained into my head. I wanted to enlist, but my father told me he'd kill me if I did that. wink So I geuss I'll "settle" for being one of those snot-nosed Ensigns. laugh

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Yes, yes, and yes. The body is in pretty good shape, but the clearcoat (did they use Clearcoat on these?) is flaking off and it needs a new top desperatly.

 

You are correct, I can leave it as is and enjoy it like that. But I really had my hopes set on just cruising the country during my last summer before my commissioning. I was all set up to hit the drive-ins and car hops and enjoy the summer in style. That's a lot of fun if one's car drives smooth AND looks beautiful. smile

 

I'm just anxious to look cool, I suppose. I miss having my pristine 57 Chevy to tool around in... I sold her to buy this babydoll. Figured I could use a car that drove and handled better than my stock inline 6 chevrolet.

There's nothing wrong with this idea - I did suggest the same if you couldn't put a cheap paint job on it right now. I drove mine around for over 4 months before putting it in the body shop (just went in 3/20/04). Your story did scare me a little bit as I started having daydreams [or should that be day-mares wink ] while reading your horrific story. Regardless of how your baby looks, she'll still turn a few heads I'm sure!! Good luck and let us know how things go with picking up your car!!

 

Cheers!

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As soon as the car was on the tow-truck, I would certainly be giving that jackass a piece of my mind and he would have to call the cops to get rid of me... eek

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tell ya what squid... since you are a "wanna be enlisted/ midshipmen i will make ya a deal you need a place to store it bring it on by my place i have a machine shed and a garage "and another 3 car garage as soon as i pay off all my bills" so now is the question when ya coming this a way ????? I can tear the engine down for ya while you are out at sea puking yur guts out from the waves lol laugh:P and a modest fee of $150 for the rebuild of the top end and you pay for parts and machine work "if required" does that sound good for ya? oh when you get here i will need your help moving a 71 shell laugh

 

alex

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tell ya what squid... since you are a "wanna be enlisted/ midshipmen i will make ya a deal you need a place to store it bring it on by my place i have a machine shed and a garage "and another 3 car garage as soon as i pay off all my bills" so now is the question when ya coming this a way ????? I can tear the engine down for ya while you are out at sea puking yur guts out from the waves lol laugh:P and a modest fee of $150 for the rebuild of the top end and you pay for parts and machine work "if required" does that sound good for ya? oh when you get here i will need your help moving a 71 shell laugh

 

alex

Well I allready payed him for the top-end rebuild... So I'm hoping he atleast did that and only procrastinated the paint and bodywork. If I get down there and find he completely screwed me over, I think I'll take you up on this!

 

But it doesn't sound like you have a paintbooth onhand... and I'm hoping all the girl needs is some minor rust repair, a strip, and a spray.

 

KLASSIK1 (Leo) has said he should have time to do some bodywork for me this summer... but I am still trying to figure out if I want to send my car all the way up into MI. :P (No offense, Leo) It will be a pain to get her up there, and a pain to get her back. Ideally I want a shop in or around Indy or Chicago. But price will be an issue, and Leo can probably break me a fair deal.

 

I don't know, I'm quite dazzled and befuddled at the moment. I could let it just be driven as is, but I'd like to just get this body taken care off before it turns into a rust-bucket like every other "decent" body car that enters the midwest's atmosphere.

 

P.S. If you have a paintshop Alex... you may be my new best friend! Where in IL are you?

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No paint booth on hand but i am a creative little goober. Right now i am working on my step dads gas tank for his motor cycle i will post pics up when its done. I also know where leo lives at i have been up there before for the mi meet and greet so if he needs me to run the car up there i can "yes i have a trailer as well it just needs some work on it" but i might need to rent a tow cart "tows with the front two wheels off the ground." and empty trailer is murder on the back

 

I am in bellflower illinois 61724

 

alex

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Too bad the car isn't here in Md, my brother in law and I could have done the engine repair and gotten it to a body shop to get the repairs and paint. If you are interested, we may still be able to help. Let me know, post here with your reply.

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