kabura

I got into an accident in the winter (I was the only one involved) which I did not claim to the insurance for fear of rising rates. A few weeks ago I ran into a body specialist working on the side in which he agreed to fix my damage for the flat rate of 600 bucks. He fixed it halfway (reshaped my door and put body filler in) and then said since we were running out of daylight that he would fix the rest (sanding and then painting) for another time at my convenience. You know where this is heading. The stupid thing I did was give him the money up front, and now he has been avoiding my calls and making all sorts of excuses to not finish the job.

I want to confront him to get at least some of my money back somehow, but I don't know how to go about doing that. I do have his phone number and a youtube video (he posts on youtube). I'm hoping that someone here recognizes him or at least can give me ideas on what I should do next.

Here is some helpful info:
Name: Paul La Soprano
Cell: 773-440-6759
Mug: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8si30RbfEcM

XIEmperorIX

iTrader: (2)

ever consider taking him to small claims court? not sure how that really works but it's something that comes to my mind..you didn't happen to get anything in writing did you?

kabura

No, I didn't get anything in writing. It was all verbal. What charges could I take him on?

XIEmperorIX

iTrader: (2)

Well you gave him money to do a job..he did half the job took the money and ran..so he essentially stole from you (in a manner of speaking)

again I don't know much about this sorta thing but it's worth a shot!

HATEnFATE

A verbal agreement is still a legal contract.

Take him to court for failure to fufill his part of the contract.

ShaffNasty

I think a brick through his car window is repayment enough...

HATEnFATE

^^
No. Then you have to worry about police because that's vandalism.

ShaffNasty

F-the police... Its only a crime if you get caught...

XIEmperorIX

iTrader: (2)

yeah and if he gets caught he'll be out a hell of a lot more than just $600...

kabura

Yeah, tomorrow I'm going to sand all the paint filler down and readjust the door cuz its starting to stick. I'm gonna give this guy a call and threaten him about small claims court if he doesnt give some of my money back.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Be careful, the idiot thinks he's Tony Soprano.

stillettoDSM

Where'd this happen? What area?

kabura

This was all by Diversey and Central. I had him do the body work on my uncle's driveway.

stillettoDSM

Wanna' try and get him to meet somewhere? I can BS him into thinking I need some work done, and when he gets there, it would be you..

stillettoDSM

But then again.. how would I say I heard of him? Haha'..

kabura

haha, hey i'm down with that. just say that you had heard from a friend who heard it from his friend.

xseveredveganx

^^x2. Friend of a friend said he did good work for an economical price.

Hey, maybe he's doing one of his gypsy Soprano's spin offs. You could just tell him that you'd be more than happy to receive some gypsy tears so you don't get the Aids.

pyroman131

Well, you could try to take him to small claims court anyway, but the fact that you have NOTHING IN WRITING really wanes your side. Chances are your case will be dismissed. For one thing, you committed insurance fraud by not reporting your problem to your insurance company, which would have taken care of your car for you. And another thing is that this guy sounds like a professional at what he does, and I don't mean in taking care of his customers (after all, you are in Chicago). Sounds to me like he is one crafty SOB who knows how to stiff customers out of their money. My advice is to threaten him with the police or legal action, and maybe you can get him to finish the job and this time, get a notarized written contract. You're SO much better off with one.

Also, kabura, ensure that you do not harass this person repeatedly, because if you do bring him to court, he might countersue with charges of harassment and things of that nature. You never want to take physical proceedings against someone, especially when it involves a brick through a window.

That never holds up in court, especially small claims. After all, there is no proof of a contract whatsoever. Or proof of kabura even paying the guy for the job. With no proof, it's very hard to convince a judge. After all, how will the judge know that the job was $600? But even if kabura did win the small claims by some miracle, then the guy would probably still stiff him on his winnings. That's why, if you're ever going to court, make sure that your settlement is over $5,000, that way you can take it to a real court with a lawyer who can act on your behalf.

rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

It's not insurance fraud to NOT have your insurance fix something you broke on your own car. That's your choice, hence your ability to adjust your deductible...

pyroman131

He did not break his car. He said that he got into an accident. Not reporting an accident is illegal and is insurance fraud. At least in Florida it is that way. I'm not sure about other states, but an auto accident is an auto accident and must be reported. If both parties in the accident agree to not report it, then more power to you. But you're still violating the law. I have outlined the OP's post below:

Regardless of the fact that there is only one person involved in the accident, you are still obligated to report it to the authorities. When I spun out my old 94 Camaro into a tree, I still had to report it, even though there were only minor scratches on my bumper. But the choice, of course, remains with kabura.