My transmission went out one night and I had my car towed to Dan's Auto Repair as I had used him in the past and they were fine. Dan called me a couple of days later to ask me which transmission I would like to use, a rebuilt transmission which was $1200 or a brand new one at $1400. My husband, my daughter and my best friend heard this conversation as I had put the call on speaker phone. I chose the $1200 one as I knew I did not have a lot of money to spend on this repair.
That was all that was said to me until I went to his place to check on why I hadn't received a total cost estimate and he had already done the repair and told me the cost was going to be $2300. I was shocked as I would not have allowed that much to be spent, as I knew I didn't have that much money with which to spend. I asked him about a payment plan, which I was allowed to do for the last repair, and he said no. I had to pay for all of it.
I left as I didn't have that much in my account. I came back to plead my case and offered 3 payments over a 6 week time period but I needed my car as that is how I make my money and he denied this as he was not going to let me have the car until it's totally paid for. In the course of this discussion, he had said I could pay him $1100 and drive off with the car to pay the rest later, at which point I said fine and handed him my card as I had that much in my account. He refused. I have paid him $550 to this point but nothing since as I feel he is blackmailing me into paying him almost double what was told it would cost over the phone. I looked at the invoice and the transmission part alone was $1450. According to Washington State Revised Code, he has violated RCW 46.71.015 Estimates: Invoices and Record keeping requirements:
"You are entitled to a written price estimate for the repairs you have authorized. You are also entitled to require the repair facility to obtain your oral or written authorization to exceed the written price estimate. Your signature or initials will indicate your selection."
Now, he wants to start charging me a storage fee for my car at $24 a day until I pay for everything. I am a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant and at this time, every week I do not have my car, I lose between $1500 and $2000 and he is not willing to let me pay in time nor the use of my car to make the money I need to pay him, or for rent, or for food. I am now in a desperate place. Please help.
