I took my boat to a local shop at the beginning of January for some work. I gave him some money(check)and an avenger boat that I had as a trade for services. He told me that it would take about two months to get everything done.Here we are in April and He hasnt even started. I told him that I just wanted my boats and my cash back. He now tells me that my boat is at his house and that someone dumped a load of stuff in front of his drive so he has to rent a tractor before he can bring my boat back to the shop! How do I get my boats and money back from this guy? I dont want to piss him off until I have both boats in my posession. Any advice? Experiences?

He just told me that he doesnt have the money that I gave him and that he doesnt have time to mess with any of it  and that I will simply have to wait. I am keeping track and saving the email conversations. He wont answer his phone. makes me real nervous as to the location of my boat!

well if you know his address I woud take some friends and move some stuff to get it from his house. Call the police tell them the story and provide them with your title and they will go with you to get your boat. I kinda went thru this with a jet ski some time ago. If the cops are not helpful it looks like small claims court is in your future. He is obviously hiding something. Good Luck

I'm IN. Letts go get your shit. Plan a day and whom ever wants to help show up. When the guy sees a bunch of us show up I am sure he will release what is yours. If we have to be at two places we can do it all at once. As far as your money, sorry to say even with small claims hard to collect. I say letts get your boats.

Wild Thing

i'm not in your area but others might be, so give up the name of the shop so others dont get burned

I second this.

countryboyaustin: State your situation and list the name of the shop and let people judge for themselves weather they want to use their services or not. I will not let a flame fest begin and wont tolerate suggestions of violence to resolve countryboyaustin's situation.

Lets keep this thread clean.

[edit]

YAAA, might as well just forget it. Nothing we can do.

Austin, what do you want us to do?? you are a grown man now just do the right thing and take appropriate measures to resolve your probs. Let us know what you do/did to take care of it so some of us may learn from the situation.

that being, said good luck and keep us posted.......
 remember you are on a public forum so what you say here can cause probs for you later. I will be looking forward to the progess on your situation.
ralph   .02

   I appreciate the advice from everyone. We had a long chat today and he told me that he would get the pile of dirt moved from his driveway and get my boat and money back to me on Friday. Minus 100.00 estimate fee(since I am no longer letting him do the work) .
  Am I out of line because I am taking the boat back because he told me at first that he could be done in two months and three months later his "probable" time line is two more months?
  Can anyone recomend someone who does engine/pump and or interior work in Texas?
I know that most of you are Cali boys but can we get any help out here? I hope that you know someone who knows someone!

No Way are you out of line. Get the money. Get your boat and go on down the road. Sounds like you?re on a good recovery. I hope it works out. Like the man said. Go to a couple different shops. See what their working on. Hell, go to an Exclusive Outboard shop and ask them to recommend someone to work on the pump. From there they should know a mech. Don?t pay chit upfront. Any reliable shop ant worried about getting paid. They have your boat. Get an estimate in writing with a time frame. A week late is not unreasonable. A month past that time is. Never say, ?I?m in no hurry.? Unless you?re really, really not. Tell them you?d like to have it tomorrow. They?ll get the idea. If their good they?ll want to please you so you?ll come back and tell everyone here about how happy you are. My motor guy would rather give me back all my money and leave a friend rather than an unhappy customer. There are guys out there like that. Just take your time a when it feels right then do it. Good Luck

Dang, I thought were going to woop ass too
Wild Thang

Gary Snow - 254-889-3336

He is the man in your neck of the woods. He is north of you but I would trust him with anything of mine.

Thanks to everyone for the concern and advice. I am also joining Texas hotboats  but I will continue to lurk here. I just need some peeps in my area to hang with on the water. The prop guys just dont get the jet thing!

AWESOME! My boat isnt going to be as bright and shiny as theirs but I love it!

Cant forget you guys!