San Anonio, Texas
I recently allowed a local transmission shop to pick up my car (phonebook ad states free towing, free diagnosis, etc.) There wasn't a whole lot wrong with the tranny to begin with, however a day later I got a call from the sales manager stating they could not find out what was wrong with it unless they tore it apart, which I understand. After tear down the quote was over $3,000.00 for parts I know really didn't need to be replaced, because I went to a friend who works for GM and he diagnosed the electronics and found nothing wrong. We have gone back and forth on the pricing which he finally dropped about $1,500.00 so did the warranty. I told him the last price quote we talked about was still too high and I would pay him for half the work (removal and tear down)he had already done, he wouldn't accept the offer. A couple of days later, I got a voice mail from him stating "my car was ready and we'll work out the details". I was pretty angry that he had taken upon himself, without permission, to fix the transmission and now he said I cannot have my car back unless I pay him over $2,000.00 (which I cannot afford). I had never given him verbal authorization(which he said I did and I didn't) to proceed and I had never signed any kind of contract or document or anything giving him permission. I have heard different things from different people on what to do. This has been going on for 12 days and I know after 30 he has the right to file a mechanics lien. What rights do I have to get my car back? Is that considered theft for him to hold my car against authorization? Should I get the police involved? Some say to get the owner of the car involved. I understand he doesn't have a case because there is no written permission anywhere. I've only had the car about 7 months and it is still being financed (sold as is- no warranty). Please help!
I recently allowed a local transmission shop to pick up my car (phonebook ad states free towing, free diagnosis, etc.) There wasn't a whole lot wrong with the tranny to begin with, however a day later I got a call from the sales manager stating they could not find out what was wrong with it unless they tore it apart, which I understand. After tear down the quote was over $3,000.00 for parts I know really didn't need to be replaced, because I went to a friend who works for GM and he diagnosed the electronics and found nothing wrong. We have gone back and forth on the pricing which he finally dropped about $1,500.00 so did the warranty. I told him the last price quote we talked about was still too high and I would pay him for half the work (removal and tear down)he had already done, he wouldn't accept the offer. A couple of days later, I got a voice mail from him stating "my car was ready and we'll work out the details". I was pretty angry that he had taken upon himself, without permission, to fix the transmission and now he said I cannot have my car back unless I pay him over $2,000.00 (which I cannot afford). I had never given him verbal authorization(which he said I did and I didn't) to proceed and I had never signed any kind of contract or document or anything giving him permission. I have heard different things from different people on what to do. This has been going on for 12 days and I know after 30 he has the right to file a mechanics lien. What rights do I have to get my car back? Is that considered theft for him to hold my car against authorization? Should I get the police involved? Some say to get the owner of the car involved. I understand he doesn't have a case because there is no written permission anywhere. I've only had the car about 7 months and it is still being financed (sold as is- no warranty). Please help!
