Basically I have an old car. All estimates given were verbal. After everything, the total ended up being 6k of work. I can finance about 3, which leaves 3 for me to make cash. In the event that I cannot pay the bill, what will happen?
I assume my car will get repossessed by the mechanic and sold at auction, but how will this affect my credit? Will this affect my credit at all? Has anyone had a similar situation where they were able to settle on the final bill? Any insight is welcome and appreciated
I believe in most states, it’s the mechanics responsibility to give a written estimate, and it’s also state law in many states that the shop requires a signature before performing work. I’ve been a mechanic with my own business for over 40 years and it’s been a common practice for my business to do this.
Verbal authorization is allowed in some states. Written is always better. That still doesn’t stop a customer from being a scum bag and abandoning the vehicle after authorizing the repairs. If the work we are doing approaches the value of the vehicle we will get a 50% deposit on the repair. If the work is much less than the value of the vehicle, and the customer doesn’t pay, we put a lien on the vehicle and sell it and are allowed to keep the profit.