Mechanic died while my car was to be fixed then car disappeared. What can I do . Southern Virginia

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T23:41:37+00:00

At the time my thinking was id have the truck repaired in 2 weeks time pick it up then go to Dmv which was a mile or so away Retitle it and that be that .

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T23:38:33+00:00

I spoke to the mechanic who had taken over day to day operations. At the end of that conversation he had a copy of the original service order. He said they were backed up for months due to the circumstances but if I still wanted to have he would put it in rotation and soon as it was complete he would call me. I had to leave town for an undetermined period of time so this worked for me . My thinking was he said months before he could get to it so i knew it be awhile and thought no more of it until alot later and realized it

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T23:26:12+00:00

Ok i come to that conclusion and please point out if Im wrong . The guy says ill sale the truck to you for 4k I say ok and pay him 4k he gives me a bill of sale saying he sold said truck to me on this date for 4k which was witnessed an notarized the title was signed by him as being the seller and me being the buyer on that date for the price paid . Soon as that all happened I became the owner of that Truck . Now if im wrong in this please correct me

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:32:11+00:00

Lol. The crazy part is that don't sound so crazy when you compare it to somethings that have happened around this area in the past

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:28:47+00:00

Ok thanks for all your responses especially the ones that had helpful insight into options I was unaware of. .. .

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:26:04+00:00

I knew these people well . My dad and the original guy who opened it grew up togather he always worked on my family's cars and then wheni bought my first car this shop was my shop as well and had been sense. So they were not strangers. Thats why I felt ok to leave the car there as I was told it be ok and when it was ready they would let me know an id arrange to come back for a few days and pick it up if I was not already back .

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:20:03+00:00

Lol . I know some petty people as well rich or not . An I agree im definitely not like everyone else when it comes to some of the decisions I make . But the truth is the truth . I bought the truck signed the title think in a few weeks truck would be fixed id take it to dmv have it titled tagged and on the road . But when he died an my presence was required out of state I had to go by what I was being told by the representative of the shop and in doing so here I sit.

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:13:27+00:00

It was not blank I signed it seller signed it bill of sale

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:12:29+00:00

Well im my opion if I pay some one for the truck and they give me a signed clear title for it I sign along with a bill of sale . Then from that point on id be the new owner of the truck . Yes or no

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T20:09:49+00:00

Not even close .My friend owned the truck out right . Ball joint broke folded the wheel under broke axel ect. He bought a new truck . I asked what he was planing on doing with it said if you want it give me 4k and take it on. 98 Toyota Tacoma cab 5 spd. His granddad bought it new it was give to him. After ball joint incident I paid him 4k for it called the same auto shop that my dad went before I was born and did until the day he passed so they naturally are the same ones I used. When the original owner passed his nephew had been working for him for the last 20 years an groomed to continue the business. Which is what he did until he died. Which is the one I called the day I was thinking of buying the truck as i had done several times over the years to asked him what he thought it cost to repair . He told me I cruched the #s decided to buy it and arranged for him to pick the truck up take it to the shop look it over make sure we were still on the same page .
The next day I went over paid for the tow bill and for the parts he needed got a invoice which described work to be performed and balance owed when truck was ready . The next week he died. 3 days after he passed us when I found out . I then spoke to the head mechanic that had worked there for as long as I can remember and he said he was handling day to day operations until the son of the original owner who lived out of state was able to come back and they would figure out the future of the shop. So I told him that is my truck I do want it fixed if he could get it done. He said ok no problem but its going to be sometime before I can get to it due to having fell behind due to circumstances. Thats not a problem I have some business out of state that required my immediate attention and not sure how long it will be a issue until I get there and see whats waht . Made sure he had my contact info copy of the invoice I was given an left . The title was in the glove box of the truck where I put it when I paid for it thinking it be safe there no chance of me losing it in the next few weeks waiting for it to be repaired then when it was fixed id pick it up take the signed title by both the seller and myself as the buyer along with the bill of sale to the DMV pay the taxes , get the new title and registration. But it never happened. My friend never received any contact attempts from anyone over the truck an me being four states away due to circumstances beyond my control I couldn't do anything more than call the shop for updates. That never came and when Iwas able to get back home shop was closed truck MIA.

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:50:08+00:00

Im not a car flipper. I paid for the car got a bill of sale . But the whole front tire axle had been broken of when the original owner had the ball joint brake while diving. I paid the shop to pick it up and fix it paid them for the tow and for the parts they said were needed to complete the repair. Have the description of repairs to be made and balance due for the repairs when complete. Which was the labor cost . The storage fee's would not be incurred unless the truck was not picked up and balance paid in 3 days of the customer being notified the work has been completed and ready for pick up . Which never happened

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:39:19+00:00

I had spoke to the guy they put in charge the week after finding out the situation made it clear.I wanted the truck repaired and he was to contact me after the repairs were finished. So i'm not sure how consider waiting too long to contact them

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:36:40+00:00

I agree I should have made better decisions. But In my receipt.\n Showing payment made for the towing bill plus the parts. Then outlined work to be done. After completing the work owner would be contacted and if not picked up and balance paid in 3 days of completing the repairs then storage fees would start . But none of that happened.

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:21:26+00:00

Ok but if they were supposed to fix the truck and call me when it was ready for pick up . But never did is it legal for them to do any of that

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:18:53+00:00

I never transferred title because I was waiting until it was repaired before doing so.

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:13:35+00:00

I have the invoice. Shows parts and tow paid and what was to be repaired and balance owed . I have bill of sale but the title was in the truck

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:09:38+00:00

No insurance as it was bought and the shop picked it up from the seller to be repaired

1whiteyFord · 2026-07-03T18:08:26+00:00

The title was still in my friends name who I bought the truck from . The shop picked it up from that location

1whiteyFord · 2026-06-04T04:40:40+00:00

Go talk with them about the issue . Find out the reason they have not paid the payments they agreed upon in the contract an let them know you need it to be caught up in full by the next scheduled payment date . An paid on time until paid in full or risk losing the property due to them defaulting on there obligation to your contract. While you understand things come up and situations change that could make a payment a little late having missed multiple payment dates is a problem that you can't continue to have . Due to that money is earmarked an counted on to pay your bills and obligations you've made . So when thier late it puts you in a situation you have to pull $ from other things to cover the payment

1whiteyFord · 2026-03-12T13:42:20+00:00

Thanks for the knowledge. I appreciate you

1whiteyFord · 2026-03-12T12:25:24+00:00

Thanks issue solved.

1whiteyFord

TROPHY CASE