What to do when a member wont come and pick up his car after its been worked on?

I have had a members car sitting here for about 3 months. It was a bit of a basket case it was delivered with dissasembled interior including dash and heater.

After waiting ages for some parts etc. I got it back together after having the dash out 3 times late December. Still sitting here.......................

I want to get paid and the car GONE. This is getting old quick.

How long is reasonable to wait before I do something to recover my costs?

Car is unregistered and seems to run OK.

 

How many times have you contacted this member and have you notified them that if they don't collect their car within X amount of time that you will be reimbursing yourself?

 

Been contacted numerous times. I havent set a deadline yet.

 

What I would do is contact them and inform them of a deadline and if it's not met then proceed with reimbursing yourself.

 

Give them 7 days to pay for and collect the car(otherwise you will sell it to recover your financial loss).
Don't forget to included 'Storage Fees'(which you are fully entitled to add).

 

I'm sure there is a correct legal procedure to be followed in such cases, in NSW we have the Dept of Fair Trading, there would be similar government departments in other States, contact them for advice.

 

They are forum members, so threaten to name and shame them [TIS] .
In the mean time you can post before and after pics on the forum to remind them :zlove:

 

Wont be naming and shaming anyone. What goes around comes around.

Its been so long now he probably would actually prefer the money. Obviously its not really needed.

Hopefully he will see the thread and sort it out. Will follow up what east coast zed suggested.

 

I believe if a customer has not paid for his car for being repaired (by a mechanic),you can put a lien on the car after 6 months. I'm pretty sure that law is here in australia but i cant find it in the legislation.

If it comes down to this, this is an option.

 

Give the guy a fair chance - point him to this post and give him a deadline - some people get paid forthninghtly so 14 days is better then 7 days

I agree - dont shame and name - doesnt do anything but invoke trouble

You want to keep friends as much as getting paid for the work, since word of mouth can travel and help you gain more business in the long term

 

I deal with this at work constantly. 50 days and its ours.

 

See below about your rights:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/motor-cars/maintenance-and-repairs/failing-to-collect-your-vehicle

"The business must tell the person who left the vehicle, part or other belongings with them, in writing, that it intends to dispose of these items if they are not collected. It must then keep the vehicle or items for 28 days.

If the business cannot contact the person who left it with them, before taking steps to dispose of the vehicle, they must wait a further:

60 days for a low-value vehicle (worth less than $1000)
180 days for a high-value vehicle (worth $1000 or more)."

 

This is the strangest thing I've ever heard.... I wonder why the owner won't come and get it? And newz just posted above this is a common occurence. WTF

What makes someone put a car into the shop to get fixed if they know they can't afford to pick it up when it's done?

Even stranger is that even if they were experiencing financial difficulties, i would think they would be in communication with the mechanic/ painter/ whatever proffessional they are dealing with to let them know whats up.

Maybe their could be a more serious problem like being locked up in jail or something?

 

Maybe they've just lost interest in the project. I've seen the car in question (I believe), it's looking pretty rough

 

Is it

really his /her car, maybe its hot and your holding the bag Besides that I'd wait for a little longer until contact is made. Selling someone else's property in parts or hole is frowned upon by the law, but ofcourse you can remove the parts you put into it.

 

And its perfectly fine if he follows the law. see my post above...

 

SMS received.

Lets hope this is sorted

 

Well you would hope that 6 months is too long for a car to be at a repair shop. NOT FOR SOME PEOPLE I FEAR.

The bloody thing is still here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am parking this out in the next street now. I have had it up to my ears.

Dont care what happens to the POS now.

 

I would of started this months ago, no excuse for no communication unless he is dead, in a coma, or discovered the "Castle Anthrax", anything else is just taking advantage.

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/busi...collected-goods/high-value-goods-and-vehicles

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I know EXACTLY how you feel man but be warned:

No mater how much of a pain in the ass the car &/or customer have been there will be very few people that will understand your side of the story.
Chucking it out on the street might get it out of your face BUT be careful about what the law says in regards to customers property in your care/possession.

I've been there done that & no mater how much you feel you have been shat on the type of person that does this sort of crap will always manage to deliver more, it's unbelievable the crap they will pull all the while honestly thinking they are doing nothing wrong.

I think I've posted this up here before but something I constantly have to remind myself to prevent this sort of crap is "no good deed goes unpunished"

Actually have a part from a certain American car lying around at the shop that owes my a fairly large lump of money - from November last year Threw in a bunch of free time on that job to help the guy out as well