My friend is going to small claims court in about three weeks and I am assisting him in organizing his paperwork and argument.
He was having work done to his vehicle at an Indianapolis car repair shop. There was a deposit put down for work to be completed, over the phone the proprietor of the repair shop agreed to get it running for $500 more than the deposit. When my friend came to pick up car, it was running in the shop and as he approached the owner became territorial, irate and his body language was threatening. He claimed they owed he owed not $500 more but $2000 more. His wife was afraid and they decided to pay the remaining bill.
The car broke down only 8 miles from the repair shop and had to be towed home. Upon inspecting the car, my friend found the terrible work that had been done to the car, lock washers missing, bolts missing, brand new radiator damaged, etc. He also found in the scribbled work order receipt that he was charged for parts he had provided and over charged for much of the labor and parts that were used on the car.
We have compared their labor hour charges to the 'Real Time Labor Guide' and there are various charges that exceed these labor estimates.
Is there anyone who has had experience trying to recoup costs from a mechanic through small claims court?
Are there any tips in organizing his argument that would allow us to win?
This specific auto shop has made other appearances in small claims due to their sub standard quality and has always had an attorney.
Thanks for your help in advance.
He was having work done to his vehicle at an Indianapolis car repair shop. There was a deposit put down for work to be completed, over the phone the proprietor of the repair shop agreed to get it running for $500 more than the deposit. When my friend came to pick up car, it was running in the shop and as he approached the owner became territorial, irate and his body language was threatening. He claimed they owed he owed not $500 more but $2000 more. His wife was afraid and they decided to pay the remaining bill.
The car broke down only 8 miles from the repair shop and had to be towed home. Upon inspecting the car, my friend found the terrible work that had been done to the car, lock washers missing, bolts missing, brand new radiator damaged, etc. He also found in the scribbled work order receipt that he was charged for parts he had provided and over charged for much of the labor and parts that were used on the car.
We have compared their labor hour charges to the 'Real Time Labor Guide' and there are various charges that exceed these labor estimates.
Is there anyone who has had experience trying to recoup costs from a mechanic through small claims court?
Are there any tips in organizing his argument that would allow us to win?
This specific auto shop has made other appearances in small claims due to their sub standard quality and has always had an attorney.
Thanks for your help in advance.