I paid to have my lawn mower fixed, both running and the mower belt put on.?

Question

I paid $50 for him to take it home to work on it.  He came with recommendations from a mutual friend.  It's been a month, and he finally called and said he needed a part, which I had to order, and came in last Monday.  I called and informed him, took it too him, and he said he needed $80 for work on it, as he'd installed a spindle on the mower.  He brought it to the house, and asked for another $89.  He assured me it'd run and work.  All the gasoline had been drained out.  It got to the house with a dangerous fuel line leak, which he told me what to buy and how to fix it, which I did before I started it.  I made one pass around the lawn, and it isn't mowing correctly (the middle of the deck isn't cutting), and the belt seems so loose it won't turn now (possibly the spindles he supposedly replaced).  I parked it, and called him, and went to move the mower inside and it wouldn't start.  I'm furious!  Now, it looks like he didn't replace the 2 spindles he said he did.  Has he broken a theft law of any type because of fraud that could be prosecuted criminally, or is it simply a civil matter?

? · Answer

Sounds like a case of fraud and breach of contract.  If I was in your position I would take him through the small claims court.  If the court decides it is a fraud case then you will be informed by the court.  As the mower wasn't fixed properly you do have rights so go for it.  This case should be pursued on principle and because you have paid this man to do a job and he hasn't done it.

sciencegravy · Answer

You can sue him in small claims court if he doesn't make good on it.

$220 is actually not a terribly expensive lesson to learn that when you hire "some guy", even if it's on the recommendation of a buddy, you risk them being incompetent or unethical.  (Actually you risk that even when you go to a legit company, but often you have more recourse when it's a legitimate business).

What you would sue him for is breach of contract.  The contract was verbal, but it was a contract.  You paid him to fix your mower, and it's not fixed.  And possibly worse.  it's the kind of case that ends up on shows like "Judge Judy" all the time.

I paid to have my lawn mower fixed, both running and the mower belt put on.?

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