Got scammed today

[bazkook]

Sorry but I need to let some steam off or I will explode.

Rant Mode On:
I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before but I had a 78 Camaro project car that I was intending putting a 550 horse 388 in. However due to escalating costs,I was unable to finish. I allowed a guy I personally know fairly well to sell it for me. He runs Lovett Automotive in Sandersville,GA. The reason I'm giving the name of this shop so anyone who happens to deal with him knows now to avoid him.
Let me first begin with the engine in question. It was a very well built 388 Chevy stroker. Aluminum AFR heads,Scorpion roller rockers, a big Comps Cam, forged bottom end(crank,rods,pistons,etc.),and the list goes on and on. Anyhow I spent well over 6K on the build,which is cheap considering you're getting a 550 HP motor that could easily take a 200 or more shot of nitrous. The engine also had a built TH350 trans bolted to it but those are fairly cheap to build and are good anyway. I left the engine at the shop with specific instructions for the shop to call me if anyone made a reasonable offer,which in my opinion based on how much I spent, was around 4K-4.5K. Just to get some of the money out of it because I know you can't get all the money you spend in a motor back out of it.
Anyhoo,I get a call this morning informing me that my motor has been sold for the ridiculous price of only $2800,WITHOUT my approval!!! I call the shop up and tell them to give the buyer back his money and that I will never sell the engine that cheap. They inform me that since they have already written the receipt there is nothing they can do except try to give the guy his money back. But they point out that the guy will not want his money back in this case. I ask the secretary,which I also know very well, for the buyer's number so that I can contact him to inform him about what happened. They say they have his work number but they refuse to give it to me. Instead they tell me they will give my number to him and have him contact me. Low and behold,the guy never calls. I have no choice but to sell my 6K motor and $500 built tranny for a measly $3100!!! I am SUPER PISSED at the moment but holding back the language.
What really pisses me off is the fact that they went ahead and sold the motor WITHOUT MY APPROVAL beforehand!

Now the buyer wants to know what other parts I have for sale. If he wants to buy them,he will have to buy them on MY terms. I am NOT taking another huge loss.

Rant Mode Off

ETA:Forgot to mention I was going to use the money I received from selling the car and motor to buy my first GN but now it might be out of the question.

 

[RUQWKNF27]

Did you have anything signed from the shop showing that you needed to approve of the seeling price before this was sold? If I was you I would go down to the shop with the police and load the motor up and leave. Point being they were suppost to call and they didn't now you need to go get your stuff!!

 

[Turbo1dr]

Hate that happened. I don't trust anyone with my money or money that's tied up in material items.

 

[Studmonkey]

Doesn't sound right? Maybe he sold for more and is using your money to build his own car? Maybe a GN He will need the extra green:biggrin: Does not sound like you knew him that well At least you can build another SBC, they are cheap:tongue: Probably better off buying one already done! Them 3.8Turbo's cost way to much!

Good luck, a gun can solve a lot of problems quick. Remember to be real drunk first though!

 

[Pitbozz]

Any proof like another witness that can verify you said to contact you first before selling? Maybe hide a tape recorder in your pocket or record a phone conversation and get him to admit he knew to contact you first but didn't?

 

[87GNSteve]

Maybe the shop who sold it owes money or goods to the guy who bought your engine and now they are even!
Not trying to instigate, but alot of those shady fellows work like that.

 

[bazkook]

I did not have a written agreement,just a verbal one. I guess I'll have to eat the loss since the guy has already picked up the motor. I changed my mind on the tranny so at least I can sell that and get some money back.
The only other witnesses I have are my mother who has known the shop owner and his wife for many many years. Just goes to show you that you can't trust anyone.
I seriously doubt he's keeping some money for himself. I did agree to give him 10% of the selling price to pay for the time he kept the engine,which was several months.

 

[rtviper]

If you did not have a written agreement then how can he sell your motor? I assume you are thinking it was not in writing that he should call you about a potential sale so you have to let him sell it at any price. Well you didnt leave the motor there for him to sell. Tell him you want the motor back or you will report the motor stolen by him. How can he support a claim the motor was for sale if it was not in writing? It works both ways

 

[bazkook]

If you did not have a written agreement then how can he sell your motor? I assume you are thinking it was not in writing that he should call you about a potential sale so you have to let him sell it at any price. Well you didnt leave the motor there for him to sell. Tell him you want the motor back or you will report the motor stolen by him. How can he support a claim the motor was for sale if it was not in writing? It works both ways

It was a verbal agreement that the motor would be sold for no less than $4000 with the starting price being $4500. I left the motor for him to sell. In fact the shop owner came to my house to pick up the motor and took it back to his shop to sell it for me,which is what we agreed on in the first place. I seriously doubt I'll get the motor or the remaining asking price back since the money has been exchanged and the motor has been picked up.
Thanks for all your help guys but I'm tired of talking about the issue. Every minute I talk about it pisses me off more and more. I need to just let it go and if anyone ever asks I will tell them about the incident and to avoid the shop. I can't really go talking crap about his shop since he might sue for slander. Best to just be the better man and walk away.

 

[Pitbozz]

It was a verbal agreement that the motor would be sold for no less than $4000 with the starting price being $4500. I left the motor for him to sell. In fact the shop owner came to my house to pick up the motor and took it back to his shop to sell it for me,which is what we agreed on in the first place. I seriously doubt I'll get the motor or the remaining asking price back since the money has been exchanged and the motor has been picked up.
Thanks for all your help guys but I'm tired of talking about the issue. Every minute I talk about it pisses me off more and more. I need to just let it go and if anyone ever asks I will tell them about the incident and to avoid the shop. I can't really go talking crap about his shop since he might sue for slander. Best to just be the better man and walk away.

Your call dude. But for $1,700, I would damn sure be making it an issue.

 

[rtviper]

It is your call but if you really set a 4k price and told him to call you first then tell him to pay you the amount you expect or youll turn him in to the police. He doesnt care about lying about you telling him what to sell it for then why do you care if you take legal action?
Did anyone hear your oral agreement?
You can also take him to small claims court for the difference
I would just say return the motor or youll report it stolen. How does he show he was authorized to sell it?

 

[RobsIron]

2 words..

Molotov Cocktail.

 

[Junior Samples]

I know you said you were sick of talking about it..buttttt

you mentioned they sold it for 2800 or 3100? i didnt get that part... either way you said no less then 4grand and you would give them 10% which is 400 so if it was sold for 3100 you got 500 bucks comming

go down and flip the county court house a 20 spot for a small claims as posted above and at least get the 500 judgment.
Dont let em know your intentions..cause they already let you know theirs..just go one down and file a claim.
verbal agreement will stick

 

[GNVYUS 1]

If it's your motor and you didn't agree to the sale, then go get it and pay the shop for their time in helping you out. Done. The fact that they would not give you his contact info says a lot, shaddy.

If you let them get away with it they will do it to someone else. I would lose every cent of that motor sale to stop this type of BS from dishonest shops.

 

[chopped39]

Molotov Cocktail.

+1 And then a good azz kicking to finish it off. There is no such thing as slander it this situation the guy should have called you before selling it. I would report it stolen and tell the cops it was worth $8,000. screw the guy that bought it.He was rubbing it in when he called you for other parts. that is a ****ty way to do business. Word of mouth can ruin a shops reputation.

 

[1chance]

They just played you, good thing your a nice guy, dont trust to many more people. I will probaly have to race that same engine in the near future. V6s rule.

 

["Turbo-T"]

I'd make the shop pay the remaining amount, as far as slander w/o suit, couldn't you make a ton of business cards advertising their ****ty ways and post them everywhere? Or post on craigslist in the rant and raves section? Maybe you could report this to the local news station?

 

[usetaboost]

small claims court. A verbal agreement will hold up. Just make sure you write down everything you remember that was said and take receipts for the motor. Done deal.

 

[Epitome]

I can't think of any circumstance that would keep me from from taking him to small claims court.

 

[Junior Samples]

exactly..and since they came to HIS house and picked up the motor they cant say he left it.

Id dump out a shoe box full of receipts. I bet they sold it for 4500 or more and chinced him, figured they would toss him a bone and he'd go away