How should I deal with a tire shop that kept my car?

Question

My 1992 Ford Tempo got a flat front tire due to debris in the road. I put the spare on and brought the car to the nearest repair shop that could patch the flat. I was 50 miles from where I live.

The shop was closing before I could get back there, so I arranged for the repair guy to leave the keys in the car. When I went back to pick up the car, the keys were not left as arranged. I talked to repair guy on the phone (a friend of a friend had his phone number) and his boss said to keep the keys inside the shop so I could talk to the boss the next morning.

The repair shop boss thought the rear tires had too little tread and wanted to "discuss" tire replacement. This discussion was basically a high pressure sales tactic. In my opinion, the rear tires were fine as they passed the "penny test". The repair guy told me privately that his boss often does this, but had never kept a car overnight before.

I paid for the front tire patch and remounting when I dropped the car off, so essentially they kept my car hostage.

I needed to be home that night and was 50 miles away. I believe the repair shop owes me for mileage for my friend to pick me up, bring me back the next morning, and for our time. What do other people think?

Answer 1

report what happened to you to your local chamber of commerce and better business bureau, they will direct you to what action you can take.

Answer 2

I'd report him to the Better Business Bureau, and tell him I was going to do so. Then tell your friends to stay away from him. The mileage would probably be about $40, not worth the time or effort.

Answer 3

all tire shops will try to sell you tires even if you dont need them but you got your car back he didnt really hold your car hostage he was doin you a favor if he left the keys in it then you could have sued him if someone stole the car. i dont think he owes you anything why didnt you wait on the repair it shouldnt have taken longer than 30 minutes

Answer 4

I am also wondering if you might be able to file a police report and end up taking that claim to small claims court.  What he did was break a contract with you.  You paid for a particular service and part of that agreement was that he would leave the keys available to you.  Because he did not hold up his end of the agreement, it cost you time and money.

I would avoid bringing in what the repair guy said.  He was doing you a favor and the last thing you want to do is get him fired.  The facts of the case are enough and I assume a police report would help.  A repair shop can hold on to your car if you owe them money, but not if they want to sell you new tires the next morning.

I would get a police report tonight and bring it tomorrow when you talk with the boss.  Demand your money back for the repairs, demand he pay for mileage (figure out the cost of 200 miles worth of driving, since it's 50 miles both ways.  50x4 = 200).  Let him know that if he does not pay, you're willing to report him to the BBB, follow this up in small claims court, and press any charges that the police officers found.

I doubt you will be able to get anything legally for the time wasted unless it caused you or your friend to miss work.  If it did, figure that into the expenses as well.  

If he does pay, the only thing you will do is report him to the BBB with information that the conflict was resolved.  I would also check with the BBB to see if they have any claims against them and bring those up in the discussion.  Especially claims similar to what you are saying.

Matt

Answer 5

   Why didn't you just get back earlier to pick up the car. If someone would of stole your car cause the repair man left the keys in the car. Then you would be on here asking how to go about getting a new car. That's a pretty big liability issue on his part if he just leaves the keys to someones car sitting in the parking lot for anyone to help themselves to. If It was your shop would you do that.  You act as if he kept your car because he wanted to sell you tires. If you don't want them tell him no. I'm sure his shop closes the same time everyday.

   The fact is you wasn't there before the shop closed. How is that any ones problem other than yours.