Opinions/suggestions on what to do

[Beotch]

So some of you heard me venting in chat yesterday, but for the rest, here is the story of how a man is about to lose his balls.

So this guy my hubby works with at the bar (who owns a truck, mind you) wanted to borrow our tahoe to move something like 2 weeks ago; now, I didn't mind too too much (though I was still leery) the first time he borrowed it because we have 4 cars a 2 bikes so being down a vehicle didn't bother kill us.

So then Sunday night he calls and wants to borrow it again, and I said no, but Richard (being a nice guy, despite the fact he is a dick) told him ok, just have it back before lunch tomorrow (meaning Monday). So monday goes by, then Tuesday, and then into Wednesday and no Tahoe, and the guy stopped answering his cell phone. Well, everyone was telling me to report it stolen, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said I would wait till after work....

Well Richard got hold of the guy late yesterday afternoon and (pissed off) told him that we were going to come pick it up and to have it ready...instead of that, dude takes it back and leaves it parked nicely back in our driveway....wrecked and on an empty tank of gas.
Richard called him on it and the guy said "oh, I just took a turn too tight and nicked the running board. I will have one of my boys heat it up and straighten it back out for you when I get back into town".

Well, needless to say (since we are not stupid) it is not "just a running board"...he hit something large enough and hard enough that the running board is bent up into the body on the drivers side (dented in the body) and the underside is trashed, frame hit and everything. And we are talking a 4x4 Tahoe, not one of my lowered vehicles.

So.....I am beyond pissed. I don't think he just took a turn too tight, you don't just find rocks that do that sitting on a street somewhere. I am concerned about potential property damage somewhere that we could get in trouble for, and I don't even know where to begin finding out about that.
Furthermore, this was HIS deal and I do not want to put it through my insurance unless absolutely necessary, I want to make him pay to have it fixed at a body shop of my choosing (which may not be the cheapest one).
So, suggestions? Names of good body shops on the south end of town? A posse of people to assist me in the removal of his balls?

[mclarke]

damn! that sucks badly

[konichd]

Mel take it to KW One Stop

They are on South Sante Fe near Bellview. When my truck was almost totaled they did an awesome job and are pre-qualified by many insurance companies.

They are also 1 of 2 repair shops in Colorado with the "SHARK" frame alignment machine. They also provide and internet link so you can check on the status of you vehicle anytime. They also use PPG products and have a pretty new Down-Draft Paint booth.

[salsashark]

PM Butters, I hear he does great boday work and paint!!! :lol:




Actually I have no suggestions. Preferred Automotive on Jordan and Arapahoe Rd was the one place my family used to take their vehicles when my little sister was going through cars faster then some people go through underwear.

But, the last few years, their quality has taken a header

The last time my mother got her van back the work was substandard at best, body panels didn't line up, the interior had to be redone 3 times cause they kept trying to "fix" rather then replace.

Good luck though, and no I won't help your efforts to remove his balls... even if he does deserve it.

[UglyDogRacing]

Mel take it to KW One Stop

They are on South Sante Fe near Bellview. When my truck was almost totaled they did an awesome job and are pre-qualified by many insurance companies.

They are also 1 of 2 repair shops in Colorado with the "SHARK" frame alignment machine. They also provide and internet link so you can check on the status of you vehicle anytime. They also use PPG products and have a pretty new Down-Draft Paint booth.

http://www.kwsautobody.com/ They fixed my tailgate on my truck last year when a dumpster "ran into it". Mel, they give an MRA discount since the Applegate brothers work there.

[Sully]

I took my Eclipse and SUV to Southeast Autobody on County Line and Colorado Blvd... right next to the emissions place... they did a great job... 303-771-0440..

Good luck... oh and yeah.. remove his balls... after he pays for your vehicle repair, of course.. :twisted:

[McVaaahhh]

That is fooked up Mel. What an a$$! :guns:

Unfortunately, I've never required body work on a car so I don't have anything to suggest, but good-luck and take his a$$ to small-claims if you have to.

[Beotch]

Ok, so update (and more need for advice):
so we took it to a body shop to get an estimate (only one so far). The quoted over $1800 in damages starting with the front bumper and going back. So, apparently dude lied or something about taking a turn too fast (he still won't tell us where or any details) because whatever he hit, he went up and over with the front of the vehicle (and took out the underside). We have been having a hard time communicating with him (he won't answer calls most of the time) and when we called him yesterday to ask for his insurance information, he freaked out and said that all he did was bend the board a little and that if we messed up our own truck he isn't gonna pay for that. And he wants us to let his friend "just bolt on a new one" (in his garage from the sounds of it). I seriously don't know what to do...and I don't have $1800 to fix what someone else did to my truck. And since the damage is to the underside of the vehicle, I am not willing to just let someone fix it in their garage.

Has anyone had to deal with anything like this? I am so lost and stressed out on this one, and just feel crushed that we tried to help someone out and are getting screwed (again).

[konichd]

Where did you take it Mel?

Get a police report about the incident and serve the guy in small claims court. :)

[McVaaahhh]

That's about all you can do is threaten to take him to court.

[Lee]

Beotch,

Anyone feel free to correct me on this.

I believe Colorado law now requires ALL accidents to be reported to law enforcement and an accident report to be filed within 3 days.

If he filed a report, you should be able to obtain it.

If he didn't file a report, you and your husband might have some leverage with the guy; he's left himself open to a law enforcement issue.

I hope this ends well for you.

Lee

[Beotch]

DK, we took it to Marin autobody so far...we have both been working so much lately that it is hard to get it somewhere to leave it (and Marin is right by our house). I plan to get at least one other quote on it.
As for report, I am guessing that he didn't file one, but he won't even tell us when or where it happened...all he says is that he took a turn too fast and that he will take care of it (well, till he found out what the quote was). I am just sick over this whole situation though (on top of all the rest of the turmoil going on in my life). I really don't want to bail dude out (and have the black mark against us) by filing through my insurance company either.

[Suki]

he obviously didn't give a rats ass when he borrowed the tahoe from "friends" and then trashed it so who gives a fauck about him? call the cops on his ass, he knows damn well what he did and how it happened, he just doesn't want to pay up now. if what lee says is true call and find out if a report was made and if not then sick the cops on him!

[sprtbkbabe]

Where did you take it Mel?

Get a police report about the incident and serve the guy in small claims court. :)

:imwithstupid:

Nip it in the bud, is my motto. Tell him he has this weekend to get you the money or you will be filing in Small claims court ASAP Tuesday morning.

[konichd]

You should have reported it stolen when it wasn't back sunday! That would have been a strong case against the guy.

Get a police report and take a lot of pictures to back up your estimate. It would also help if you had recent pictures to show that there wasn't any prior damage before you let this guy borrow it. :dunno:

Also like Lee said you might be able to pin it on him for not reporting it. What if this guy hit and run somebody? Tell the Police your concerned it looks suspicious and you definately don't want to be on the hook for anything this guy might have done. I'm guessing if you express this concern the police will take his information and question him accordingly. This might be the best route to take?

Mail the guy a copy of the police report, pictures, and estimates and see what happens.

[~Barn~]

I suggest you continue to dilly-dally.

[BenDover]

PM Butters, I hear he does great boday work and paint!!! :lol:



:lol: :lol:

I suggest you continue to dilly-dally.

:lol:



Seriously, file a police report, and go straight down to the small claims court and file there. Get a judgement on him and then you have him by the balls.

Sadly, you are going to have to make the claim through your insurance and then try add that to the judgement.

[Marauder]

As far as the ball-removal goes, I assume that someone who borrows a vehicle, returns it damaged with no fuel, AND doesn't tell you the truth about what happened doesn't have balls to begin with...

Sorry about the Taco, Mel Mel...

[RYBO]

My advice:

File a police report now. Not tomorrow, not after the weekend, NOW. Let the offending person know that it has been filed and let the police come out and observe the vehicle and document the damage. Let him know he has a specific amount of time to pay for the damages (get three estimates, average them together for a fair amount) or you will file a small claims charge against him. When he doesn't pay, file the charge.

At the end of it all let him know that he is unwelcome in your home, life etc. (not before the issue is financially resolved)

It sucks to have to go through the process, but if it were me this guy has run out of second (and third and fourth) chances to make it right. If he isn't going to make it right out of any sense of decency, then you are left with is to allow the legal system to work.

S

[Beotch]

Well.....partially good note (I suppose):
I phoned my insurance company and they stated that if we had willingly allowed the guy to take the vehicle, it would go against our record as an at fault accident and our rates (on several cars and bikes) would be adversly affected.
I also phoned and spoke to the Douglas County sherrif (who was really nice actually) and explained the whole story to them. He told me that the minute the vehicle wasn't back if there was a set time/day it was supposed to be returned, it is considered to be stolen, and can still be reported as such even if we have since gotten it back. If the vehicle was damaged (more than $500) while it was "stolen" it makes it a pretty hefty felony, as well as such things as not reporting an accident, etc. So....
Yeah....I kinda (even though I want nothing to do with the guy after this) would feel bad for getting felony charges against him...my husband did manage to get hold of the guy today and started to tell him we were going to pursue other means, but he (still) wants us to call his friend to work on the damages. I will not allow this to be fixed in someones garage, but I guess the guy works for Auto Image in Parker, so as long as the work is being done through there where I can be sure it is supervised, etc., I will allow him to have that avenue of escape on this whole matter.

So....(because I am a silly girl and should just be done with this instead of being nice like I am) has anyone worked with Auto Image? Good/bad/anything on this company? They have 5 locations, so they seem to be a large company.

[Suki]

mel, the guy is gonna dik ya in the ass with no lube, seriously.

he took the tahoe, trashed it, then didn't return calls until messages were left to report it stolen, then it just appears in the driveway, filthy, no gas, and damaged... now, why the hell would you have any heart towards him having a felony when he had no heart in borrowing your vehicle and returning it the way he got it?

and even if you do take it to that place, is it going to be done efficiently? are they just going to repair what the jackass says/thinks the damage is or actually repair it ALL. also, is it going to be done at the shop and on record, so that you'll have a receipt of the work done?

[Beotch]

Oh, if it goes anywhere, it is getting done to my specs, on record, under supervision, with receipts and my seeing the parts replaced, etc. I will give him the chance to suggest a shop, but the work is still being done the way I want it being done. Oh, and the shop is going to be made well aware that payment is due from someone else and they can not withhold my vehicle if dude doesn't pay them. We still need to call the guy at the body shop and find out what's up.
This is all assuming I find the shop suitable....

[R1chie]

I feel for you Mel and you have a right to be mad but if you don't do what the Sheriff told you to do, you will be seriously screwed. He did not care that he kept your Tahoe for days, he did not care that he wrecked it, he did not care to even leave gas in it. He probably went 4 wheeling with it and still didn't care. People like him needs felony charges so they don't do it again to someone else. Without the law chasing him, he does not care and you will probably end up your insurance covering it and you having a vehicle that is never the same. With this kind of hurt that he has done to you, file the report and with a felony charge, he will plea it down and part of the plea may be that he pay you $25 per month until restitution is paid. Sorry to say but that is often happens. It happens with friends that care, this guy doesn't care and really does not have to do much to get away with it. I agree with Barn :shock: you should continue to dilly dally.

[R1chie]

One more thing, years ago a neighbor hit my truck parked on the street. I seen him do it and so did a witness. He said he had no drivers license and if I called the police HE would go to jail. He told me he would pay. I waited a week and he said he doesn't remember there was no damage. I called the police for a report and they said it was too late. I end up paying for it myself. If you dilly dally as I did, you may end up in the same position. No matter what happens, I hope you get compensated, but if you do not take legal action now I seriously doubt it. Good luck.

[Suki]

it's now 3:40 pm mel, do you know where your police report is?

caaaaaaall da police damnit! gaaah, fauck!

[Lucky]

Ask to borrow his truck and wreck it! :idea:

[AirAssault]

Ask to borrow his truck and wreck it! :idea: :lol:

Call the coppers on his butt.

[NZ Darren]

2 choices
1. Let him continue to screw you around while he is laughing behind your back.

2. Call the cops and have the scumbag arrested and get your money back from taking him to court.

Not a difficult decision

[TONI]

Mel, I hate to make you feel worse but since you called your insurance company and told them about an even hypothetical inncodent they can still put it on your claims report, showing that your vehicle was in an accident, even though you did not file a claim and they did not pay anything out. Since this is what I do everyday, I thought that I would give you a heads up, you might want to double check with your agent to make sure this didn't happen. You don't want this to raise your rate since you didn't get a pay out from them.

Sorry about the bad luck

[Mac020]

Uh... Does he have insurance?

[jplracing]

Mel,

Without reading everyone's post I would say file a police report.

Even if you have gotten the truck back, it would still be considered a stolen vehicle.

The other point is that if he just didn't "hit something" and actually hit somebody.....you don't want anyone coming back too you for damages, medical bills etc....

You need to do this as soon as possible

Joe


PS I am sure you can find a few guys to though a blanket party on this guy

[Toe Dragger]

You are going to get screwed...I guarantee it 100%.

I have been in this situation before and if you don't enforce his ass...he ain't gonna want to lay down $1800 out of the kindness of his heart...which he obviously doesn't have.

He isn't sorry about screwing up your nice truck, don't be sorry about screwing up his life.

You are allowing yourself to be made a victim in this situation. When you get screwed, it will not be his fault, it will be your own.

[rforsythe]

This is still being debated?! :wtf:

Mel, please ... take sec, and listen to yourself. This guy screwed you over and you are taking his word that his "buddy at a shop in Parker" will fix "all" the damage? Uhh, under supervision? :lol: Unless you can sit there with the damage estimate from other body shops and watch them replace every damaged part, you're going to continue to get screwed. Nevermind the liability for someone else potentially getting hurt, which could come back on you since you're not filing a police report. I know you want to be nice, but is even the potential for putting your family into financial ruin for YEARS even worth this much discussion? Seriously? This isn't just about a car anymore.

If he wants to make it right without a police report, tell him he has 48 hours to come up with the money. Take it to another shop he isn't affiliated with (i.e. where he won't have the potential to screw you over even more), and make sure he puts that money down -- in cash, for the full amount of the estimate -- before the work even begins. If he doesn't, you file the report to protect yourself, and he deals with the consequences of his actions. My guess is he'll find the cash if he knows that's coming.

Also not to question your knowledge about vehicles, but you had no idea there was so much damaged on the Tahoe until you took it to a shop - so are you really going to know if his buddy's shop is legit and not just duct taping shit back together to get it out of there? Do not take it to his buddy's shop unless you like taking it up the ass. Can't make it any clearer than that.

[SS929]

Make sure that any shop you go to is ICAR certified. That would be most shops that are preffered by insurance companies. I can't remember all the body shop certs, but ICAR is a big one. I turn wrenchs, and the last place I worked was a Cadillac/Chevy Dealer, the body shop there was slammed all the time, it was preffered by geico, state farm, all state, progressive ect... The certs of the techs are very important, thats not to say that people that aren't certified aren't skill, or even more skilled that some that are. However, you'll have less hassle with them in the long run.