Started without oil.

[19Walt93]

I'd check with your states consumer protection folks, assuming you have one. They can sometimes make a call and get results.
Shops like that give the whole auto repair business a bad name.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yeah, you are getting railroaded.

 

[Dirtman]

Just to be clear... He originally quoted $1600 to rebuild the transmission, Which is work they never did, instead they stuck a junkyard transmission in. Then they ran your engine with no oil. Then said they don't want your credit card payment after you already paid it and instead want cash of $1800...

And in the end you have a junkyard trans a potentially damaged engine.

Am I missing anything?

I'd go get my truck, if they refuse to hand it over call the police. Tell the police the situation, that they failed to do the work, damaged the truck, and are now demanding cash after making a credit card payment, the police will almost always side with the owner and let you take the truck. Then you can take them to small claims court, and having a police incident report will probably help out.

 

[55trucker]

On Sunday you mentioned that you had paid the invoice with a credit card......did you get the customer copy of the finished work order & also the credit card ticker tape receipt? ..do you have those in your possession?

Having those would be proof enough to show a police officer you've paid in full for the work and have a formal complaint filed for a case of larceny.......

 

[09fx4guy]

The police may get involved, but they also may not. They may consider it "a civil matter". At this point, like others have said, make sure you have the itemized work order and credit card charge slip. Also call your credit card company and make sure that he actually did refund the charge.

If you do give him cash, make sure to get a receipt for it. He may possibly not refund the credit card, take your cash, and get paid twice. Then deny you gave him cash. I would not put anything past them.

 

[sgtsandman]

A cashiers check may be the way to go push comes to shove. It gives you an additional paper trail and the check is guaranteed. If he refuses payment, it’s on him.

 

[55trucker]

My position on the matter is....cash is the last thing you want to pay this individual with. Once he's got it, it's gone.

 

[Dirtman]

I wouldn't pay anything, a mechanic can put a lien against the title but they can't refuse to give you your truck back. Get the truck first, with police assistance if necessary then deal with money in court. Like said, you hand them cash and it's gone, but I wouldn't pay them in any means especially since you already tried to pay them and they said they now want cash. Tell them to pound sand and you'll see them in court.

 

[Ranger850]

Stay away from any business that has "Salvage" in the title, unless it's a junk yard.

 

[Dirtman]

In NJ anything that has "Salvage, Recycling, Disposal, Wrecking, or Removal" in the title simply means it's a mob run business...

 

[mikkelstuff]

Probably won't hurt to run it 60 sec or so without oil.

I knew a farmer years ago who would drain the oil out of his Cheby 6 on the dirt driveway and then drive it into his garage to refill the oil. This never seemed to hurt it.

 

[55trucker]

^ I wouldn't make that assumption.....

 

[Marlinmahi]

I got the 1600 refund and then paid him the 1800 in cash. Found a nice dent in the rear panel. Ran the truck the junk yard trans at least works. Dumped 5 qts of fluid out over 2 days from a cracked trans cooler line. The rubber one from the metal line to the cooler. I replaced it with fuel line as thats all i had. Do i need to pull it back off and use transmission line?

 

[sgtsandman]

The fuel should work just fine long term.

 

[Marlinmahi]

Thanks.