DR DELP & SCAN MAN

I have gone to this mechanic for many years, other than a couple times that I felt I was overcharged, I always believed that the work done to all of my vehicles was done very well so I never complained. Never complained when I was charged nearly $80 for an oil change or anything. But when I went to have my timing belt and water pump replaced was when I changed my mind about the ethics of this company. Before bringing it in, I was told that the cost of the work would be $500, I had been quoted elsewhere for $875, of course knowing this mechanic, I jumped at that deal because I knew it would be done righ and it was almost half the cost. I did not sign anything, for four days after my car was dropped off, I did not hear from him. On the fourth day I was getting a little antsy, I am a single parent and I had to have a vehicle to be able to go places with my daughter, such as the grocery store and also to work. The mechanic was so nice to deliver my car to me himself at my home after four days, but when he returned my vehicle to me, he told me that I owed him an extra $600 dollars for parts and labor because the job was more extensive than he expected! Bringing my total to $1100, without my even knowing it! Had I known that it was more extensive of a job, and he had called me to let me know, I would have had the vehicle and it's parts towed to a place that was only going to charge $875 for the job. I was infuriated that I was not told about extensive work needing to be done to my car and that my bill was now twice as much as agreed upon. I felt completely taken advantage of and ripped off. I told him that I didn't have another $600 to give him, which was very much true. He told me I could pay him back. I even investigated Colorado law to be sure that was he just did was legal, and it wasn't. I spoke with a lawyer, who told me I should sue him. In the end I decided against it, because I'm not one to do that to a person. We all struggle, but I was still very upset by the whole situation. I ended up calling him a few days later and let him know how I felt about it and he ended up working with me on the price, we agreed on my quote from another mechanic: $875 for the entire job. But I still didn't have that extra $375 to give him, so I'm working on paying that back. He calls, texts, and comes to my place of work and asks me for money every week or two, and it's so stressful. I just feel ripped off and treated unfairly by the whole scenario. I will say that he is a good mechanic, he does great work, and my car has never had an issue from anything he has ever done to my cars. But, make sure that you stand your ground and don't allow yourself to be financially ripped off by this man. Sign an agreement on price before any work is done, and make sure to tell him to call you if any extra work needs to be done to get permission first.