1. Is the shop a legitimate business? (Registered repair shop or 3 guys working out of a garage). 2. Do you have any documentation stating the work to be done for a certain price?
It's sad to say but what your describing sounds like a con that is all too common for military personnel. Unscrupulous business owners (con-artists) think because your in the military and that you will not be there (Georgia) forever, you make an easy mark. The game is get your money up front and delay, delay, delay then lie, lie, lie until you deploy or change duty station.
I'm not an expert, rather a former Marine that has seen this con go down a time or five. If I was to suggest a course of action I would recommend you collect any and all documentation that you have. Write yourself a story (type-it-out) as to your interactions with this buisness starting with day one an ending with today. Finally I would go see base legal and tell them your issue, they will not be able to help rather they will point you in the direction of a good (trustworthy) local attorney that can help you. Nine out of ten times when an attorney calls a shop that is defrauding a service member they get the message and make good. As for your case, I would ask for your money back less "documented" labor and parts. I'm willing to bet he has not ordered a single thing, therefore he will have no labor other than teardown. This guy has shown you that you DO NOT want him building your engine. Good luck man and I truly hope this is not the case however it reads rather suspicious from things you have said.
I would not have your Dad and his friends help, direct confrontation will lead to further issues... Besides solider, handle yours... you know better than most there is a time to fight and a time to use your brain judo and tap this MF out.
That's funny that you say this. It is three guys working out of a garage, but it's a large, six car garage that's gated. He's got a lot of cars out there and they've done work for me in the past. They're constantly doing work on different vehicles. He bought all the parts (I've seen them), but checking it out today after two weekends of him claiming he's worked on it, all I saw was the crank shaft was installed into the block. Not really two weekends worth of work, is it? Not to mention he says he won't work on weekdays because people bother him all the time and he doesn't get time to focus on the engine. I have a receipt listing every part I've purchased, with labor costs and cost of the engine block. I've seen everything I've paid for but he's being soooo slow. The idea of him delaying and lying until I PCS or deploy scares the [censored] out of me. I need to get my car out of there and I think we're just going to go and get it with a flat bed. I'll talk to legal though and see what they think for sure. Both are viable options and I'll examine and weigh both.
Thanks everyone for supporting me through this! Let's see where this goes.
UPDATE: I've consulted with Legal Assistance on post and gotten an appointment to sit down with the JAG Officer. They think it's possible for me to take this to a small claim's court if it comes down to any damages, missing parts, or failure to follow through. We're picking up the car on Thursday. The local Sheriff here said to give them a call if there's any problems retrieving the car. Going to get with the towing company and get the car, engine, and parts to another shop. These are the guys I'm bringing my stuff to: http://dillonrodsandclassics.com/ . The guy there seems pretty straight so we'll see how this goes. He said with all the parts and motor they could have it done in two weeks, and he seems pretty supportive of what's going on.
Thanks again for all the backup guys! I know we all love our cars and I wanted you all to know that this bird will fly again! I'll have pictures when it's back on the road and this trouble is behind me.
