I have a customers car here that came as a rolling (painted shell, subframes barely bolted in) and seperate engine with boxes of parts that are either in a non servicable condition, or are non mini parts.
Anyways I spoke to him on tuesday last week to let him know where I was up to with the car and he was all excited, happy and couldnt wait to get the car back so thursday arvo once the car was completed and the invoice was completed I emailed it to him and tried to ring but he is now uncontactable......I have rung him once or twice everyday since thursday and his phone goes to message bank and I leave a message, I have also sent him text messages. I will be sending him a registered letter shortly with the invoice attached of which he will have to sign for.
Any ideas of what I should do....eg. have a "debt collector" visit, ring the rego authorities and find out who currently owns it...etc...etc...
It is currently unregistered.
Any information on how I should approach this would be apperciated.

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

If your a part of the VACC they have a structure to assist with debt recovery and what your right are on the vehicle etc etc... Good luck

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1964 Grp Nb Cooper S
1976 911 3.6 Circuit Car
1969 911T Grp Sb Historic Racer
2009 LC200 V8 TDI.... 660nm..
2011 Golf VI, TSI

If you still have his car he should be back eventually?
That's not as bad yet as if he were to take car home and not be contactable.

It is a bit of a rig-morole, but you can go through a legal process to have the car auctioned and you can (hopefully) recover your moneys from that - if the owner can be found, keep in mind that this will take about 3 - 6 months though, so if thats the way you need to go, then I would wait too long to get started with it.

If however he is just avoiding you, then a debt collector is the go. Be sure to claim all costs on top.

Well he has just contacted me and wants to talk about his "invoice" of which my reply was "there is nothing to talk about, I got it to the standard of which you wanted which is wiring in, engine running, steering, suspension sorted and brakes working, the only thing that needs to happen now is for you to pay for and then pick your car up" his reply cannot be repeated on this forum due to the language but he was not happy that I am not willing to negotiate the price even after I had given him an "estimate" on time and (new) parts prices but found some reco-ed parts cheaper to reduce the parts cost considerably for him.....some people are never happy.
I may advise other people in the trade of this persons attitude for when/if they have dealings with said person.
Thanks for the helpful info guys........

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

I would think that if it is only a week it may be a bit too soon to be getting worried. Registered letter is a good idea - I wouldn't be letting the car go until payment is cleared. I think you can't sell off the car to recover debts until a reasonable time has past say 6 months after he has been advised it is ready and the amount owed.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I can not believe how stupid some people are; He had estimated value at the beginning if you think it is not reasonable take it somewhere else. But if you leave the car there obviously you think it is a fair price so why argue the invoice now. Hope you sort him out ( I mean you get your full money)

You should advise him to come and pay for and collect his car, otherwise you'll start charging storage fees

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Scott , this is one of those things where opinions on a forum mean squat , you need some real legal advice (from a motor authority or fair trades department maybe , I'm not up on the victorian rules/versions) so you know you are in the right from the start . If you follow someones advice here , while they mean well , it may cost you in the end because you didn't do something in the right order and give the person the appropriate notice or information .

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I can completely understand where you are coming from Ian......I was sort of hoping that there maybe someone here that has legal background/knowledge but as "said person" has now contacted me and will be aranging a time to pay for and pick up his car shortly (otherwise it may have been taking a trip over the straight ), I have also contacted a few friends who will be hanging around when he comes to pay and pick up because I know he wont be alone

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It doesnt sound encouraging that you need mates there for the transaction? Not that you would ever be in the wrong for protecting yourself/assets. I would makesure that one of my mates had the videocamera on there phone rolling, that way if anything goes pearshaped, you can have evidence of innocence.

Purely my view. And I am in no way a violent person.

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ANY SEA ANY TIME

what was the difference in price between the estimate and the final cost?

and also was the customer informed and given a choice on items/labour which changed the final cost from the estimate?

Deleted my own post as I am sure someone on here will be able to give you better more legal advice.

yeh that's one thing that shits me off when people do that..

i'm sure ballistic has done right bye the guy & he is just trying to nab a deal.

but the others give everyone a bad name.