boat mechanic rip off

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jerry_sprague

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I recently purchase a boat for a bargain price but it was in need of repairs. The engine was over heating so I took it to a local boat mechanic. We waited nearly two months to have the repair after several phone calls and complaints we finally got our boat back. I paid the shop with my bank card and the work order/invoice was a mess to say the least. The parts break down and labor breakdown were cryptic at best. I went ahead and paid anyway, I was just happy to get my boat back.

The following day after about 20 minutes of operation the boat overheated severly and probably has serious engine damage as a result. I was very upset due to the fact I was stranded again in the middle of the lake with my family. I went home and stopped payment on my bankcard transaction. It was the weekend and the transaction was still pending.

The mechanic stated that I had a 90 day warranty( I had to ask first) but I lost trust with him and never want to go back to their place of business. I never signed any contract even though there was a place to sign on the invoice. I paid him $1556.00 to make the so call repair. Does he have the right to place a lien on my property even though my boat was never repaired and no contract signed?

Please advise.
 
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I recently purchase a boat for a bargain price but it was in need of repairs. The engine was over heating so I took it to a local boat mechanic. We waited nearly two months to have the repair after several phone calls and complaints we finally got our boat back. I paid the shop with my bank card and the work order/invoice was a mess to say the least. The parts break down and labor breakdown were cryptic at best. I went ahead and paid anyway, I was just happy to get my boat back.

The following day after about 20 minutes of operation the boat overheated severly and probably has serious engine damage as a result. I was very upset due to the fact I was stranded again in the middle of the lake with my family. I went home and stopped payment on my bankcard transaction. It was the weekend and the transaction was still pending.

The mechanic stated that I had a 90 day warranty( I had to ask first) but I lost trust with him and never want to go back to their place of business. I never signed any contract even though there was a place to sign on the invoice. Does he have the right to place a lien on my property even though my boat was never repaired and no contract signed?

Please advise.

You betcha he has a right to place a mechanic's lien against your property.
In Texas stopping payment on a purchase is illegal.
You might get a call or letter from law enforcement.
Depending on the amount in question, it might even be a felony!
You might want to speak with a local attorney tomorrow.

The work might not have been to your satisfaction, but he did something.
You paid him.
That was your mistake.

He can place a lien against your home, but he can't force its sale for satisfaction of the lien.
Texas is very debtor friendly.
He can't attach your wages, but he might be able to attach and levy against your bank account(s).

You might want to work out a compromise with him.
You could also pay him and bring suit against him in small claims court.

You will need a couple of other opinions from qualified boat mechanics to support your claim.

In the end, your boat might be a bucket of rusty bolts and unrepairable.
 
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