Strange texting experience…

[JaxDad]

I called a local business to have some cosmetic work done on my car. We agreed I would bring it in on Friday afternoon at 2. He then asked me to text him my name and email address, so he could send an invoice for a down payment, which I did.

About an hour later he texted back, “What day and time did you want the appointment?”

I responded, “We discussed this Friday at 2 pm.”

He immediately called and said he couldn’t do business with me. I was confused and assumed it was because of my particular car model, so I asked something to that affect. He said it was because of the tone of my text. I was even more confused and told him I certainly didn’t mean any offense. He read my text back with heavy emphasis on the word “discussed.” I said I could see how the text could be interpreted that way, but I assured him I absolutely did not mean it that way when I sent it. He was very upset—his voice was even shaky. I apologized that he was offended and said it was okay if he didn’t want to do business with me. I understood. He seemed to finally believe me and also apologized, adding that he is a one person business and works hard to respect his customers’ schedules. It was very strange (at least to me), but still plan to bring my car to him.

 

[brockash]

I called a local business to have some cosmetic work done on my car. We agreed I would bring it in on Friday afternoon at 2. He then asked me to text him my name and email address, so he could send an invoice for a down payment, which I did.

About an hour later he texted back, “What day and time did you want the appointment?”

I responded, “We discussed this Friday at 2 pm.”

He immediately called and said he couldn’t do business with me. I was confused and assumed it was because of my particular car model, so I asked something to that affect. He said it was because of the tone of my text. I was even more confused and told him I certainly didn’t mean any offense. He read my text back with heavy emphasis on the word “discussed.” I said I could see how the text could be interpreted that way, but I assured him I absolutely did not mean it that way when I sent it. He was very upset—his voice was even shaky. I apologized that he was offended and said it was okay if he didn’t want to do business with me. I understood. He seemed to finally believe me and also apologized, adding that he is a one person business and works hard to respect his customers’ schedules. It was very strange (at least to me), but still plan to bring my car to him.

I definitely wouldn't take him my car. He just showed you so many huge red flags. I feel like you're just asking for trouble if you take him your car. At the very least he is unprofessional and probably not mentally stsble. Stay far away.

 

[Christine]

He sounds very fragile.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I would call the credit card company too.
He wanted your personal info … and then almost threatened you …
And you feel safe leaving your car with this business ?

 

[JaxDad]

I definitely wouldn't take him my car. He just showed you so many huge red flags. I feel like you're just asking for trouble if you take him your car. At the very least he is unprofessional and probably not mentally stsble. Stay far away.

I had similar thoughts. He gets great reviews, including recommendations from a couple friends, so I’m inclined to chalk it up to him just having a really bad day. Maybe?

 

[JaxDad]

I would call the credit card company too.
He wanted your personal info … and then almost threatened you …
And you feel safe leaving your car with this business ?

I haven’t made a payment yet. The email he sent later came through a common third party invoicing app.

 

[Living42Day]

Yeesh, I wouldn't be taking my car there. I thought this was going to end with you getting scammed for your info because it was odd that he texted after having talked with you.

 

[Rogue1677x]

While I agree tone is hard to read in text, that's taking it really far on his end. I would go to someone else, regardless of great reviews that this guy may have gotten in the past.

 

[tvguy]

Well, texts, e-mails and posts on places like the DIS board can me taken the wrong way. They don't convey body language and tone of voice. Which is why I try to have every exchange that is important face to face.

 

[tvguy]

I would call the credit card company too.
He wanted your personal info … and then almost threatened you …
And you feel safe leaving your car with this business ?

What credit card company? He just wanted to send an invoice, not take payment, via text.

 

[nw6675]

Strange to call a potential customer out like that. If you have other feasible options, I would definitely go elsewhere.

 

[_19disnA]

Very strange. Since he is the one who said he couldn't do business with you, I would take him up on that and find somewhere else to get your car repaired. Someone who gets so upset over the use of the word 'discussed' isn't someone I want working my car.

 

[auntfrannie]

Sounds like you dodged a bullet!

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I definitely wouldn't take him my car. He just showed you so many huge red flags. I feel like you're just asking for trouble if you take him your car. At the very least he is unprofessional and probably not mentally stsble. Stay far away.

Unless, he is the auto equivalent of Picasso, i would find another shop, clearly, he is having other issues
why is he a one man shop? Scared the help off? Or the customers and cant afford help

 

[disneychrista]

I can see how he would take offense to what you said. But unless he is swimming in business, I think it was a little odd that he went to "no soup for you."

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Do NOT take your car to this individual. Who gets offended at your text? It was innocuous. You don't want this person working on something that's going to keep you safe. Find another mechanic or go to the dealer if you have to. Just avoid this creep like the plague.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Yeah....I wouldn't let that guy near my car. I wouldn't go near him at all for that matter.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I’ve had two strange text experiences with service providers before.

The first was when I was looking for a vet to treat one of my fish. I found an aquatic vet who offered home visits. I contacted her to set up an appointment. She responded that evening to say she was out of town but would be happy to see him the following week. I said that was fine, gave her a brief overview of what was going on and asked if I should restart his medication while awaiting the appointment the following week. She responded three days later, after 11pm, to say she could come over on Tuesday. No other follow up to my previous text/questions. I responded immediately and told her Tuesday was fine and gave her my address. Another day went by before she contacted me again around midnight saying she wouldn’t travel that far. (I was 20 minutes from her office, which I don’t consider far for a traveling vet.) I said okay and asked if she knew of any other aquatic vets in the area. (I was already on the hunt for another vet.) Two days later she texted me, again late at night, and said “I can come tomorrow, I would estimate around $350.” I told her no thanks, that I had already scheduled an appointment with a different vet. One year and three months later, she texted me out of the blue saying she’d been out of town for the past year and wanted to know if I still needed help with my fish.

This happened two and a half years ago. I googled her just now before typing this and her social media was active and normal seeming before suddenly going silent about four months before I got involved with her, and all the posts and reviews since that time are either spam or people warning of poor quality care, inability to get diagnostic results, and lies and other bizarre behavior on her part. Fortunately, I was able to get some sage advice from another aquatic vet ($60) and a local hobbyist (free) and my little fish friend is still alive and well today.

The other incident was not nearly as strange and involved getting an estimate for some yard renovation work. The contractor and I messaged back and forth and agreed on a time and date for him to come take a look and give an estimate. He was a no-show. He messaged the following day with some excuse that I just didn’t buy, so I declined to work with him. Over the past two years, I’ve seen his name come up at least a half dozen times on Nextdoor as people complain that he swindled them out of money without completing the work.

Listen to your gut. If something seems off, it’s because it is.

 

[prairie_girl]

I definitely wouldn't take him my car. He just showed you so many huge red flags. I feel like you're just asking for trouble if you take him your car. At the very least he is unprofessional and probably not mentally stsble. Stay far away.

Not mentally stable? That’s a huge leap..

The guy is probably super stressed, considering he said it’s a one man show. I’d cut him some slack and would still get the work done.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would call the credit card company too.
He wanted your personal info … and then almost threatened you …
And you feel safe leaving your car with this business ?

no he wanted the same information he'd probably ask for over the phone. Sounds like the guy was just up and up on how things are done these days...which is by text. Just tonight we had to call AAA for a tow and it was completely automated by text..like they texted my husband a link to do it all.

I agree that the guy sounds probably stressed and would make me second guess giving my car to them if for no other reason than could he actually get it looked at or would he get overwhelmed, plus I wouldn't like the interaction that ensued.