Or was the mechanic?

[catcurl]

Contacted a specialist mechanic this morning to enquire about a job over the next few weeks, surprisingly he could come to me within the hour. Alarm bells should perhaps have rang but has some good reviews online etc. The particular service be provides he comes to customers.

We agreed on £135 in advance. He said that either bank transfer or cash was fine. All good.

After he was finished, I asked for his bank details to send on the money. He said he had the bank details and would like to be paid there and there. I had presumed most services are happy and prefer to send an invoice but said this was fine.

I tried to add him as a new payee, but do this so infrequently, I forgot the password needed for this and inserted it wrongly several times, the panic didn't help!

I said to him that I would get cash, but would need my husband to bring this, who was a five minute run away with the baby. Out in running buggy, so could get to me quickly not so much vice versa if that makes sense.

Honestly, I never carry my Debit card (use contact less on my phone!) and explained that my husband could go to the nearby cash machine and bring along.

At this point, his tone became hostile, trying initially to go to the cash machine with me, then asking me where I lived and if I could not get cash there, and insinuating we would both go.

All whilst shaking his head and saying 'this is very strange' and putting my car key from the ignition into his pocket.

He seemed to lessen slightly when he heard me phoning my husband and explaining the honest situation to him as well, with the agreement that he would be five minutes.

My husband was along after a very difficult five minutes, and I still feel a bit upset about it all.

I appreciate that he wants to be paid, I would too. But I was taken back by the aggressive tone, the immediate assumption I was trying not to pay, all whilst I tried to explain it was an honest error and trying to arrange a swift solution.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Unfortunately he's probably had a few bad experiences with people not paying and was expecting you to be a non payer. I once filled up with petrol and then realised I didn't have my purse (pre smart phone days) and the petrol station owner went nuts at me and was threatening to call the police, which in the end I told her to do. I realised when I got home that my purse was in the glove box but I'd been so flustered by her anger I hadn't realised at the time, thankfully she wasn't on duty when I went back to pay.

No doubt he’s been dicked about before and heard plenty of excuses, he wasn’t to know that you were above board. Don’t blame him, blame the twats that have tried to screw him previously.

To him it will have understandably looked like you were trying to avoid paying. He did the work you should have been ready to pay.

I think he was out of order, and my husband is a tradesman.

i also don’t like that he put your car key in his pocket when he thought you weren’t going to pay

i also don’t like that he put your car key in his pocket when he thought you weren’t going to pay

Why on earth not? He’s not going to release the car until the bill is paid.

He's probably had bad experiences in the past with people not paying.

I find it a bit strange that you were not expecting to have to pay him there and then, and were not prepared to do that.

Were you expecting to be able to have the work done and then go home and pay him?

Based on what you said, you actually sound dodgy. Maybe he wasn't being aggressive, rather he just wanted to be paid for the completed work?

He has no right to withhold someone’s car until they pay him.

You knew the price in advance, didn’t get the cash out, didn’t take your debit card with you and don’t know your log in details for paying by bank transfer.
No wonder he was angry and thought you weren’t going to pay. You sound a mess.

Lol! He has EVERY right to do that.

If you went to a garage to collect your car, they won’t give it to you until you pay the bill. Same thing. If she doesn’t like it, she can call the police and explain why she didn’t come prepared to pay.

I think the guy could have been more understanding especially when everyone is under pressure when a client can’t remember a password and he’s waiting to be paid.

I had the locksmith come by and I had to add him as a new payee in then realised I needed to transfer money first. So did that and then then type in the payee details. All easy on the app but for some strange reason the guy seemed edgy when I asked him to repeat the payee details. I felt like telling him to relax he certainly added to the stressful atmosphere.

I'd probably have thought you were trying to get away without paying too tbh.

Of course he can. Do you know many garages that let you drive off and send you an invoice later? You might get it with your local garage you have used for years. But a mobile mechanic having done work, especially where it reads it wasn't even at the OP's house., not a chance.

if the police were called, he would be told to hand those keys over and that it’s a matter for him to pursue the money at a later time.

in my line of work, we deal with trades frequently throwing their weight around and frightening customers (usually female ones) when they haven’t got instant payment on them (they could pay that day, but not that instant) and have dealt with tradesmen who refuse to leave people’s property until they have been paid.

its illegal and bloody well not on!

If he did the job, he needs paying. Team mechanic here.

Incorrect. The tradesman initiates his right of lien.

Bloody hell, you wouldn't go to tesco without payment means. Same with a restaurant, concert, or anything else. Then expect to get a bill later to pay. What planet are some people on.

No sure why you think it’s illegal. It’s an absolute right to retain a vehicle until the bill is paid in full or a dispute over payment has been resolved.

You need to make sure you have means to pay. If you can't work your phone then you need a debit card. How embarrassing having to ask your husband to bring you cash are you not allowed access to cash or something?

All whilst shaking his head and saying 'this is very strange'

Well it is

Agreed. It is very strange for an adult to have neither their debit card nor their online banking details.

It’s not strange for someone to not have instant payment on them.

we deal with trades all the time who go into peoples houses, they often can’t pay instantly, they get an invoice requesting payment within 14 days.

its no big deal, 99% of customers who can’t pay straightaway will do so within a few days.

do you lot get paid straightaway for each day that you work? No, you have to wait till the end of the month to be paid for what you have worked.

I think any tradesman who acts up about not being paid on the spot is a dick.

@Ivehearditbothways I don't think it is

I only have my card on my phone as does my dad, and my starling account needs a password to add a new payee. I've put the wrong password in before because I've been flustered and there are so many bloody passwords to remember

Once I stood at the cash machine (before Apple Pay) and completely blanked. Couldn't remember my PIN for love or money. It happens

Yep he'll have been dicked about prior. I assume in the earlier conversation he mentioned payment upon completion.