Surrey diesel mechanic dishonest scheme
 

Needing some advice for a friend on what he should do in this situation.


I have a friend who is a truck driver which his truck was broken down and wont start up in Surrey. He called a towing company to tow his truck to a mechanic to get it fix and the towing company recommend him to this diesel mechanic in Surrey. After being towed to the shop which the towing company recommended, there was a verbal agreement that the service being done will only be $1000 and under nothing more between both the driver and the diesel mechanic.

Few days later, the mechanic calls back my friend back saying the job is completed and the total cost of repair and service provided is $5000. My friend asked the mechanic to send a break down of everything he has done on the truck and he has yet to send anything to him. Also he will not be releasing the truck back to him if $5000 is not given. The diesel mechanic is brown for those who happen to care....


Is this some sorta Surrey diesel mechanic dishonest scheme/ scam? Should he report it to the police for fraudulent activity for them to investigate?

I got a feeling that if this isnt sort it out soon, the mechanic will sell the truck and leave to somewhere.

I'm not sure if a verbal agreement between a mechanic/shop owner and a customer will hold up in court. This is why they have repair orders when a vehicle is being maintained or repaired, so that there isn't a "misunderstanding" when it comes time to pay the bill.

Also, from my understanding, the shop cannot keep your vehicle if your friend refuses to pay or does not pay the "full amount". The shop has to release the vehicle, but they can put a mechanic's lien on it, though.

It boggles my mind that people STILL don't request written quotes from mechanics before work is performed on their cars. What is this magical "verbal agreement" people seem to always depend on?

Without any written agreement, couldn't you work it the other way and argue along the lines of "the mechanic is holding my property" kind of thing?

Verbal agreements do hold up in court if it seems reasonable, which this does

Should not have listened to the tow truck driver and went to a reputable mechanic shop. Sorry no idea as i have never been in that situation, but i would not go to a shop on some random drivers word.

brown? as in race? what's that gotta do with anything?

if he didn't wanna brown dude working on his rig, why'd he take it to his shop?

Verbal agreement, nothing signed, i would show up with $1000 in my pocket and collect my vehicle, if not i would phone the cops.

See the repair bill first before making judgement, Also if the truck is past its current inspection I believe the shop has to certify it with a new provincial inspection before allowing it back on the road.