Mechanic refused to return old parts

[AnnaTee]

Hello!
I reluctantly asked a mechanic for some help with my bus and made sure they knew that if any old parts were taken off that I wanted them returned to me so I could rebuild them later or just keep them as mementos etc. When I picked up my bus the mechanic claimed to have thrown out my parts. What should I do? How should I feel? I can't get my parts back!

[Glenn]

Take them to small claims court.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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[Buggeee]

I suppose it depends on what the parts are, but life is short. Enjoy the bus.
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[Glenn]

If the mechanic replaced an original Solex carb and Bosch distributor with Chinese crap, those original parts have value can be rebuilt and put back on the engine.

Over the years, mechanical tossed away millions of good rebuildable carbs and distributors because it was easier to just swap in a new part. But at least, 30 years ago, the replacement parts were of decent quality, unlike now.

And don't get me started on all those that tossed the thermostat and flaps... because you don't need them
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

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[ComfortablyNumb]

California, where I was hatched and spent 40 some odd years, has a Bureau of Automotive Repair (https://www.bar.ca.gov/) You might check with them.

[wcfvw69]

What parts did you request to have back? What did they install?
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[heimlich]

How important are the parts to you? Sometimes life is too precious to trouble yourself.
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[BarryL]

One thing that comes to mind is did they really replace those things? They can't show you the parts because they are still on the bus.

[Lind]

At my shop, we keep all the old parts to show the customer when they pick up their car. They are welcome to keep them if they want to, but virtually all just have us throw them away or recycle them. Many don't even want to see the parts, they just pay the bill and drive their car away.
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[AnnaTee]

They swapped out my old parts for cheap new parts, some weren't even on the work order. Half of the parts that were replaced were faulty and instantly needed fixing, including a fuel leak from a brand-new fuel tank. I have before and after photos and I know exactly what was swapped out. I'm in shock at what they did. This is a bus that my dad worked on, and his mom drove.

[Abscate]

Then you move on, find a new mechanic, or do it yourself.

The value of your old parts is scrap metal, less than the the filing fees in Court

Scrap metal, filings, there is some good material there.
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[BarryL]

[AnnaTee]

[AnnaTee]

[Glenn]

Care the name the shop so others can be warned?
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[ComfortablyNumb]

Maybe this will help.

Years ago, my father took his truck in to have it smog checked (a California thing coming to a state near you sooner or later). While he was waiting another customer who had just left returned and said his check engine light had come on. The service guy said they would check it out. Came back in bit and said it was his disgronificator. and for x amount they could fix it. Guy has them do it and leaves. My father gets his truck back and his check engine light comes on. He pops the hood and looks around. He finds a paper clip jammed into something. Check engine light goes out when he pulls out the paper clip He thinks to himself what a bunch of crooks they are and goes on his way. I asked if he reported them to the BAR. He said he didn't want to take the time or trouble. Now myself, I would have because they are going to keep on doing it until someone who catches on reports them.

Later, after we took over care for him (he had Alzheimer's) I was having his 1956 Ford F-100 restored. (I'll include the backstory of the truck at the end of the post for those who might be interested.) When I took the seat out, I discovered under a black seat cover the original seat fabric was still there, which I thought was kind of cool and would make interesting wall art. When I took the seat into the upholstery shop, I also took the original seat fabric to show them how I wanted the new seat stitched up and made it very clear I wanted it back. When I went to pick up the finished seat the shop owner was beaming and proud of how the seat had turned out, which was very good. When I asked for the original seat, he stammered that they had thrown it out. We went to the dumpster and found a couple of pieces of it; they had taken it apart when they were making it and tossed it as they went. I kept my composure, but did express my disappointment. I paid him for his work and didn't pursue any action because the seat only had sentimental value, and nothing was bringing it back.

What I'm offering with those stories is that only you can decide what you want to do, and you don't need validation. Weigh it out and do what you think is right. Best to you in whatever you choose to do.

Okay, backstory on the truck. In October of 1955 my father was working after school bagging groceries. He wanted to buy one of the 1956 pickups that had just come out. The bank told him that because of his age, his parents would have to co-sing the loan. He asked his mother, who told him to forget about it, there was no way on God's green earth it was going to happen. He then asked his father, who told him to give him a couple of days to think about it. My grandfather came back and told him that he would co-sign the loan on one condition, if he missed the first payment, or the last payment, he was to hand over the keys. My father said that was kind of harsh, he was just working part-time after school. My grandfather said that was the offer, take or leave it. My father asked for a couple of days to think about it, then went and asked his older sister, who was working full-time, if she would help him out if he got into a jam. She said yes, he told her not to say anything and went and told my grandfather he was on. My grandmother was ready to kill my grandfather, but my grandfather thought he was going to get a new pickup half paid for. My father never missed a payment or had to ask for help from his sister. He also never got rid of the truck; it was his daily driver into the 1980's. In 1957 he drove my pregnant mother to the hospital and brought me home in that truck, which is sitting in one of my outbuildings. It's too bad he wanted a Ford and not a Splittie!

[Malokin Martin]

What.
Parts.
?

[Stocknazi]

[finster]

[RLFD213]

What parts were replaced? If it’s things like brakes and spindles, etc if they’re in good condition they probably kept them and then sold them to another customer. I know a few shops that do this. But they do it after the work is done and customer accepts the car back and refuses to takes their old parts back.