We all know that a trip to the mechanic’s can end up costing a pretty penny. In fact, it might be a few hundred pennies, but that doesn’t mean that the outcome isn’t worth it.
A video posted to TikTok shows what some mechanics experience when their clients see what needs to be fixed versus the cost of fixing it. This mechanic was replacing a woman’s brake pads, but she didn’t seem convinced that the job was worth $500.
In fact, she thought that the entire fix was actually pretty simple. However, this must have angered the mechanic, as he offered to stop what he was doing and leave if she really thought that way.
From the way the woman was behaving, it might have been a good thing that the mechanic left when he did.
Customer Found a Cheaper Mechanic, but There Was One Big Problem
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@ishmaelmechanic #mobilemechanic #ishmaelmechanic #mechanicsoftiktok #mechanic ♬ original sound – TheHonestMechanic
The video starts with the mechanic’s point of view as he explains that the client asked for him to diagnose the problem, give her an estimate, and start the job. However, after the job was already finished, the client called back and told him that she was going to pick up her car early because she found someone to do it cheaper.
Of course, the woman wasn’t very happy about the fact that the job was already finished, and quite literally thought it was as simple as reversing the job. She didn’t even seem to acknowledge the fairness of the situation and the fact that she did not want to pay him.
It almost seems as though there likely wasn’t a second mechanic to begin with. Throughout the rest of the video, the mechanic explains that there are different laws put in place so that people can’t do this sort of thing to mechanics.
Fortunately, when the woman arrived, the mechanic agreed to just give her the car back, though it is unclear if he is expected to pursue the financial damages as a result of everything.
Commenters Say the Customer Picked the Wrong Person to Test
The vast majority of commenters sided with the mechanic, with many arguing that once work has been completed, customers can’t simply decide they no longer want to pay. The term “mechanic’s lien” came up repeatedly, as viewers pointed out that repair shops often have legal protections allowing them to keep a vehicle until the bill has been settled.
Others said they would’ve handled the situation even more dramatically. One of the most-liked comments joked, “I would have left it disassembled!” while another wrote, “I’ll just take my parts back and leave the car on blocks.”
Several people shared stories of dealing with similar customers, including one mechanic who claimed they documented the situation with police, filed a lien, and ultimately won in court along with reimbursement for legal fees.
A number of viewers also suspected the customer knew exactly what they were doing. One commenter suggested the cancellation was intentional, writing, “This was a scam. She knew how long to wait before calling you to ‘cancel.'” Others called it a textbook case of theft of service and encouraged the mechanic to involve law enforcement or pursue legal action if necessary.