Unwanted Repairs.

[HypnoTECH03]

Hey Guys,

Quick Rundown on my issue.

My 01 AU2 Forte Falcon had a few issues like instrument cluster not working, major oil leak, unregistered ect..

My GF's Dad offered to help fix it, get it roadworthy again & get it back on the road.
So we did a swap his 86 Pulsar for my Falcon.
once or twice a week i get a phone call saying found 2nd hand parts for this & that yada yada......
all good and after about 9 days of no contact.. i get a call saying we have replaced this & that, total of about 5-6 different things in the engine.. inc timing chain (which was only 3 months old), water pump (5 months old), engine belt (3 1/2 months old), & much more
Cost so far is at $1080, & they still have not fixed the Oil Leak.. he is now taking it into ford to find out exactly where the problem is.. IF the Head needs taking off its going to have to be machined & put back on..
by the time all that is done total cost is $1800...

including parts that did not go towards roadworthy, interior trim on front doors, center console, front & rear lights (only had 1 that was shorting out).

now is there a NICE way to tell him i am not paying for repairs/parts that were not required in the first place.
i thought going to a friend i'd have less chance of being ripped off than a mechanic..
i would have been better off & possibly cheaper heading to a mechanic 7 weeks ago, had it fixed in a few days and done.. instead of 6-7 weeks off stuffing around & not bothering to properly diagnose the problem before starting repairs!!

i could just go around pick up the car as is (when he is not home) and not pay a cent... but im not that nasty, (as he has paid for all parts/repairs out of his own pocket) not a single repair has been officially authorised by myself for Ford or any other parties to undertake repairs.. he himself has signed & paid for it all..

Any thoughts on the Situation would be appreciated

Cheers Ash

[flappist]

Originally Posted by HypnoTECH03

Hey Guys,

Quick Rundown on my issue.

My 01 AU2 Forte Falcon had a few issues like instrument cluster not working, major oil leak, unregistered ect..

My GF's Dad offered to help fix it, get it roadworthy again & get it back on the road.
So we did a swap his 86 Pulsar for my Falcon.
once or twice a week i get a phone call saying found 2nd hand parts for this & that yada yada......
all good and after about 9 days of no contact.. i get a call saying we have replaced this & that, total of about 5-6 different things in the engine.. inc timing chain (which was only 3 months old), water pump (5 months old), engine belt (3 1/2 months old), & much more
Cost so far is at $1080, & they still have not fixed the Oil Leak.. he is now taking it into ford to find out exactly where the problem is.. IF the Head needs taking off its going to have to be machined & put back on..
by the time all that is done total cost is $1800...

including parts that did not go towards roadworthy, interior trim on front doors, center console, front & rear lights (only had 1 that was shorting out).

now is there a NICE way to tell him i am not paying for repairs/parts that were not required in the first place.
i thought going to a friend i'd have less chance of being ripped off than a mechanic..
i would have been better off & possibly cheaper heading to a mechanic 7 weeks ago, had it fixed in a few days and done.. instead of 6-7 weeks off stuffing around & not bothering to properly diagnose the problem before starting repairs!!

i could just go around pick up the car as is (when he is not home) and not pay a cent... but im not that nasty, (as he has paid for all parts/repairs out of his own pocket) not a single repair has been officially authorised by myself for Ford or any other parties to undertake repairs.. he himself has signed & paid for it all..

Any thoughts on the Situation would be appreciated

Cheers Ash

Mixing business and pleasure, you are in more poo that Flash Gordon.

When you agreed to have him fix it you entered into a contract for which you ARE liable. Apart from that GF's father is not someone to make an enemy of.

This will end in tears.....

[HypnoTECH03]

As there is no actual proof of me agreeing for him to fix it.

its just the fact he has gone out of his own way to purchase & install parts that were not necessary.

I'm More than happy to pay the Repairs that actually FIXED the car & get it Roadworthy. but not all the rest of the crap!

[Ozzyiceman]

Take the girlfriend hostage and negotiate a trade for your car!

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by Ozzyiceman

Take the girlfriend hostage and negotiate a trade for your car!

Lol, cant no longer together....
i thought off just driving the pulsar down dropping it off & picking up the Falcon as is and thats it (as i have a spare key),

I've moved houses so he doesnt know where i live :P..

But yeah. im not that nasty!

[kendallRTV]

This is the sort of thing that can drag on for ever and drag you down and into some bad placers and situations.

Just pay the money owed so far, take the car back and get on with your life, your better off away from an unethical idiot like him.

If you can’t get on with the parents and there knobs, your better off completely away from them and having no lingering connections.

I had an old GF I owed money to and the parents had a go at me for it, but as I said to them, I never said I would not pay and I did pay back every cent with interest, so now they can never walk around bad mouthing me for owning money because I payed it back. I have never herd from them again.

It may hurt to pay the money but in the long run its just money, but the grief and stress that can come from the situation is just not worth it.

What is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t pay the money, remember you have his car, he could report it stolen, it may not be completely a true thing for him to say to the police but its then up to you to defend yourself, do you see how bad this could get.

I feel your anger but the sooner you’re out of the situation the better.

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by kendallRTV

What is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t pay the money, remember you have his car, he could report it stolen, it may not be completely a true thing for him to say to the police but its then up to you to defend yourself, do you see how bad this could get.

I feel your anger but the sooner you’re out of the situation the better.

I could drop off the pulsar & pick up the falcon without him knowing.. THEN whats the worst that could happen??

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by flappist

When you agreed to have him fix it you entered into a contract for which you ARE liable. Apart from that GF's father is not someone to make an enemy of.

Enough with the business speak - people dont sign contracts in their backyards FFS.

I think the bloke probably thinks he is helping you out by replacing all of these things and by rights if youre getting all these parts replaced then you probably will get a good car out of it - but did you mention a budget or a 'stop if it gets to $x?

Oh and the 'dont **** off your GF's dad' advice is perfect too. Been there done that.

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Enough with the business speak - people don't sign contracts in their backyards FFS.

The problem with a verbal contract is that it if there is a dispute over the terms it may be difficult to prove its terms. People can forget, deliberately or accidentally, what they have agreed, and if there is no written record of contractual terms & no witnesses it could be 'your word against theirs'.

Obviously, the more valuable the goods or services in question, the more important it may be to have a written agreement.

I gave a list of repairs needed.. but that list is most likely long gone!

[flappist]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Enough with the business speak - people dont sign contracts in their backyards FFS.

I think the bloke probably thinks he is helping you out by replacing all of these things and by rights if youre getting all these parts replaced then you probably will get a good car out of it - but did you mention a budget or a 'stop if it gets to $x?

Oh and the 'dont **** off your GF's dad' advice is perfect too. Been there done that.

Yeh because the LAW does not apply to ordinary people does it?

[MYVYSS]

Tell him straight, pay for what has been done...or else..

He will do to you as you are doing to his daughter...without the kiss and cuddle before and or after.

[Scott]

I feel for you mate but you've painted yourself into a corner by mixing business with family.

This will end in tears.....

[Brazen]

Why dont you want to pay him? Not having a go, but he has spent the money on the parts for your car.

I guess put it another way, why should he bear the cost?

I say pay for it and think of it as a lesson learned in communicating exactly what you want done.

These things can ruin relationships, so I dont think its worth it in this case to take it much further.

Your girlfriend's dad has lent you his car and ran around getting parts and spending time fixing your car. The amount of money sounds like a bargain so far in what has been fixed. Try costing a new installed instrument cluster from Ford for example.

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Why dont you want to pay him? Not having a go, but he has spent the money on the parts for your car.

I guess put it another way, why should he bear the cost?

I say pay for it and think of it as a lesson learned in communicating exactly what you want done.

These things can ruin relationships, so I dont think its worth it in this case to take it much further.

Your girlfriend's dad has lent you his car and ran around getting parts and spending time fixing your car. The amount of money sounds like a bargain so far in what has been fixed. Try costing a new installed instrument cluster from Ford for example.

i managed a quote for a 2nd hand cluster which i could have installed myself (done it before) for only $100, he said he could do better. but instead of doing it himself he took it to someone to install it with $280 labor on top of cost!..

1. I did communicate exactly what i wanted done to the car. Fix the Oil Leak, Instrument cluster & replace all the Front Suspension Bushes (which thankfully don't need replacing), & new Drivers Seat Belt..

i had given him a list of everything i had already replaced and how old the parts were..

2. Me and the GF broke up only a week after he got the car.. (he knew it was going to happen anyways)
at this point he had already gutted the car, so i pertty much told him ill hold onto the Pulsar until its fixed.. (mind you i've paid the Rego on the Pulsar to keep driving it!)..

3. Like i said im happy to Pay for all the REQUIRED Costs, but none of the other stuff that did not need replacing.

Hypno

[sleek7]

The sooner you talk to him about the issue the better. Your going to have to come to some sort of agreement...But the sooner you let him know you dont want anything except for x and y changed the better.

[Peuty]

Is your missus hot? That would be the main determining factor on how to go about this.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Is he a certified mechanic? Agreed with flappist and MYVYSS, you're pretty much screwed if you want to get out of paying anything.

I commissioned my father recently to build me some furniture, and before anything began we outlined what costs were involved for material, labour and anything else that could need doing in the process.

We agreed if it went past a certain value he would consult me before proceeding, or if it looked like an alternative to something costing a fortune was available it would be discussed between the both of us.

My advice would be to pay up, or you may loose more than just your money...

In summary... THIS ->

Originally Posted by Peuty

Is your missus hot? That would be the main determining factor on how to go about this.

[buggo]

You had to pay rego for his car? And your no longer together? Sounds like he's taking you for a ride mate, you made his daughter sad, now he's gonna get you for it sort of thing.
If you have no other connections to this bloke, and after the cars done you have no intention of seeing either him or your old missus again, I'd be saying thanks for the help, but heres the keys to the pulsar, I'd like mine for the Falc, here's what I owe have a nice life.
IMO

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by buggo_gt

You had to pay rego for his car? And your no longer together? Sounds like he's taking you for a ride mate, you made his daughter sad, now he's gonna get you for it sort of thing.
If you have no other connections to this bloke, and after the cars done you have no intention of seeing either him or your old missus again, I'd be saying thanks for the help, but heres the keys to the pulsar, I'd like mine for the Falc, have a nice life.
IMO

yes well i would like mine at least drivable, but as we speak i heard my car is at ford & they have taken the head off :(... GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i told him a Budget of $1000 at most.. & he told me he was taking it to ford to have the heads checked.. i told him inform me before anything goes ahead and they have to take ff the head!!..

No calls i get told AFTER its taken off!!

[JaguarDave]

From what you said in your first post you agreed to him arranging to have the car put back to roadworthy condition. Did he indicate to you that he'd do all that on the cheap out of the goodness of his own heart or did you assume that?

Or is it simply that the terms of the "agreement" are now different because his daughter is no longer in your picture?

[ltd]

So what you're saying is that because you're no longer with his daughter you're going to welsh on someone who you happily agreed to fix it when you and his daughter where together?
This is the same man who has lent you his car and has seen past the fact that your relationship ended and is still trying to help; to show how to be honourable even in difficult circumstances?
My advice to you is to grow up, grow a pair and talk to the man. Ask him about what repairs were done, why and where to from here. Be a man about it and set targets/limits to the repairs and how long it should take, or whether you just pay him for his trouble and take the car back. If you intend not to pay him then at least have the balls to tell him now; don't allow him to keep putting money into it so you can disadvantage him further.

[HypnoTECH03]

FFS some of you aren't listening....
i never made the Ex sad, she moved on, he was glad cause he knew it wasn't going to last.. he expected it.

i got quotes on almost all parts required, & he said he could get them cheaper. so i went with it..



1. i gave him a list of repairs to be undertaken
2. i gave him a budget for repairs
3. i asked for him to contact me on everything that needed money spent on it (there were about 9-14 days where there was no contact as they were moving the garage which takes over a week just to set up, he told me there would be no working on the car at this time.)

now that i hear from him and the cost went from $400 to over $1000 in a matter of days.. i asked for what was done to it... & over the phone he gave me a list of stuff that was not required & i told him that...

example the Water pump was installed by my Dad & myself only a few months Prior, & same with the Timing Kit (Chain, Tensioner & Guides). My dad is an exc Mechanic.

I would have had my dad do the repairs but he hasn't been around...

8 months ago i got new tyres & got told the Bushes needed replacing Before Wheel Alignment.. but i held off.. now it gets taken to ford & they said they do not need replacing.. so he saved me there.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by HypnoTECH03

Quick Rundown on my issue.

No more girlfriend but still getting screwed. Yeah, that sums it up.

You've handed him a blank cheque, he's spending up. Why did it not occur to you that breaking up with the gf would not endear you to him?

[Crazy Dazz]

Trying to read between the lines here. It sounds like he assumes you are not knowledgeable and that he is doing you a big favour organising this **** for you?
Tell him that you’re embarrassed but are short of cash and would just like to pay him what you owe and get your car back.
Rightly or wrongly, he has done this on your behalf, and you will have to pay. End of story, lesson learnt.
And if you want the LEGAL gos: It is 99% certain that in these circumstances agency law would apply, meaning that he incurred the expenses on your behalf, and you are liable.

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Trying to read between the lines here. It sounds like he assumes you are not knowledgeable and that he is doing you a big favour organising this **** for you?

He knows i am knowledgeable, i've repaired most things myself on the car. but it got to the point i do not have the resources & tools for the job..

We got on very well because we had all the same interests with falcons..

& i even helped him in the past with his 2 Fairlane 500's, Lasers ect.
i never got paid for the work!

He has a Mate with a complete Workshop & friends in Ford. & said he can get all the work done cheap..

[HypnoTECH03]

Not at all, im not after a way to Stiff the guy.
i was just askin for advise on what to do about not wanting to pay for EVERYING. only what was ASKED....

[Windsor342ci]

Thats a pretty yuk situation your in mate.....
Honestly, cut your ties with him. Pay him the owing amount, say thanks for your help and move on... If he does ask why you going down this path just spin some crap and say its too hard to be apart of my exs family still or something along those lines. Though I think you paying the Pulsars rego in a bit of a poo go for yourself, I tend to believe that he is trying to help.

But like I said, pack it up and call it a day.....

[HypnoTECH03]

Originally Posted by ELIIXR8

I tend to believe that he is trying to help.

Yeah i know so do i, whats why i know its hard to tell him..

on numerous occasions he as rung me about a new Center console, and as he contacted me & i said yes get it it was good but as for the rest i've told him not to bother with the rest of the interior.. only Drivers Seat Belt (he buys 4 instead of 1) & Cluster

[Bobman]

Why didn't you just fix the problems yourself with your own Dad's help?

[WMD351]

Yep, just pay up and get out.
Like tearing of a bandaid, quick and clean. Won't hurt long and will be all over.