In order to avoid hijacking Volshooter's thread, I'll share this here. Your input is appreciated.
Backgound: my Lady owns a couple of cars, one of them a 2008 Chevy Impala. It blew the intake manifold gasket, so we took to a mechanic, Joey, who has been good to me for over 20 years. He has always been honest, up front and not adverse to saving me money by letting me provide replacement parts and simply doing the labor. I have always trusted him. He operates a small shop, basically him and a couple of young grease monkeys who do oil changes, tune-ups, etc. He does all of the major work. Takes awhile, but his work has always been top notch.
So, he's got the Impala torn apart for an $900 estimated job, parts and labor included. Yesterday, I had a message on my phone from one of his workers to call him on his cell phone number rather than his shop number, so I did. An uncle of his answered and informed me that Joey passed away suddenly on Sunday. He said I had to get the Impala out of the shop by the end of the week and pay the outstanding balance of $500. Today, I stopped by the shop to check things out and make arrangements to have the car towed to another mechanic. Problem is, the motor looks like a gang of Vikings pillaged it. Top end completely dismantled, parts here, parts there, just a mess. His helpers are of no help whatsoever. No way to tell what's what. The uncle is demanding the $500 or he won't release the vehicle. The vehicle is useless without knowing what has been done and where the scattered parts are. On top of that, i'd have to pay another mechanic to start all over even if I could figure it all out. So, basically, i'm left with a pile of junk. I might be able to get $200 From the local Pick N Pull yard. And we had replaced the A/C compressor and the fuel pump within the last 8 months, so there's some good money put into it. Has just over 90k original miles on it.
I really don't know what recourse I have, if any. I know it's just money. I am sad that I lost a good friend and a trusted mechanic, and I feel bad for his family. At the same time, I am discouraged by the circumstances. I know that it's a $3000 vehicle at best, but neither mama nor I have an extra 3 grand laying around. Oh, well.
Any suggestions?
Backgound: my Lady owns a couple of cars, one of them a 2008 Chevy Impala. It blew the intake manifold gasket, so we took to a mechanic, Joey, who has been good to me for over 20 years. He has always been honest, up front and not adverse to saving me money by letting me provide replacement parts and simply doing the labor. I have always trusted him. He operates a small shop, basically him and a couple of young grease monkeys who do oil changes, tune-ups, etc. He does all of the major work. Takes awhile, but his work has always been top notch.
So, he's got the Impala torn apart for an $900 estimated job, parts and labor included. Yesterday, I had a message on my phone from one of his workers to call him on his cell phone number rather than his shop number, so I did. An uncle of his answered and informed me that Joey passed away suddenly on Sunday. He said I had to get the Impala out of the shop by the end of the week and pay the outstanding balance of $500. Today, I stopped by the shop to check things out and make arrangements to have the car towed to another mechanic. Problem is, the motor looks like a gang of Vikings pillaged it. Top end completely dismantled, parts here, parts there, just a mess. His helpers are of no help whatsoever. No way to tell what's what. The uncle is demanding the $500 or he won't release the vehicle. The vehicle is useless without knowing what has been done and where the scattered parts are. On top of that, i'd have to pay another mechanic to start all over even if I could figure it all out. So, basically, i'm left with a pile of junk. I might be able to get $200 From the local Pick N Pull yard. And we had replaced the A/C compressor and the fuel pump within the last 8 months, so there's some good money put into it. Has just over 90k original miles on it.
I really don't know what recourse I have, if any. I know it's just money. I am sad that I lost a good friend and a trusted mechanic, and I feel bad for his family. At the same time, I am discouraged by the circumstances. I know that it's a $3000 vehicle at best, but neither mama nor I have an extra 3 grand laying around. Oh, well.
Any suggestions?
It's one of those cases where the cost to recover will probably exceed the value of the property. 
