So I sent a message to Andy (I always copy John as well) asking for another update yesterday. He, of course, didn't respond to me. A few minutes later I got a text from John with a forwarded message from Andy saying he was in the process of putting the top back on and that it would be ready tomorrow (today). I was getting into my truck to head home from work when I got that one. So I decided to drive by his shop to see if I could get in.
I pulled in and actually parked at the business next to his. I sent Andy another text saying I'd like to come by and see the car since he was at the shop. No response. At this point I see a large mechanics truck pulling out of the storage facility part of his shop. I back out of my parking spot and drive over to him. I was able to get him to talk to me and asked if he knew if Andy was inside. He told me he was. I thanked him and then parked in a spot in front of his shop. I sent another text to Andy telling him I was there.
A minute later he responds that he is not there. That he is picking up parts. I respond that his buddy just told me he was in there. A minute later another guy pulls up in a Jeep to go into the storage area. I asked him if he knew if Andy was inside. He said he just talked to him and he was inside. He then told me the lock to the gate was broken and that a locksmith was on his way. I guess he assumed I was trying to get into the storage area. I sent another message to Andy saying I just talked to another guy who said he was inside the shop. I asked him again to let me see the car. Nothing.
A few minutes later a black nissan pickup pulls in and parks. I recognize this truck as the one that Carl and I saw a while back. That time he pulled in to the parking lot, saw us and stopped, then made a phone call and then turned around and left. We were mad that we didn't try to talk to that guy then. So this time when I saw him I jumped out of my truck as he was unlocking the front door. I tried to just follow him into the shop, but he quickly pulled the door closed behind him. As it was closing I said I need to see Andy. I told him my car was inside and I needed to see it. He said he would go in and talk to Andy then come get me. He closed the door, leaving me out. I got back in the truck.
A minute later the locksmith showed up and tried to get into the shop. I rolled my window down to tell him they wont let me in so they probably won't let him in either. He walked over to me to start a conversation. My phone started ringing. It was Andy. He was mad! He just start going off on me. I quickly put the phone on speaker so the locksmith could hear it too. I wish I could have recorded that phone call. The look on the locksmith's face was priceless. He was pretty surprised with all the F bombs and other names Andy was calling me. Once he saw me laughing a bit he also started laughing. We just listened. I kept my cool. No need not to. Once he wrapped up I just told him I'd like to see the car. He refused. I said just to let me see it for 30 seconds so I can tell John it's still there. He told me it will be done tomorrow (today) and I can see it then. I told him it's illegal to refuse to allow a customer to see his car. He asked if I was going to call the cops. I told him I didn't want to.
He then said by 3:30 tomorrow (today) he would have it done and will send a walk around video to John and then discuss the bill with him. After that I can pick it up.
He hung up on me and then right away the locksmiths phone rang. It was Andy calling him. He walked over and got back in his truck and just sat there. We both sat in our trucks for about 10 minutes. I realized that Andy wasn't going to work with the locksmith until I left. So I did.
I noticed he has a brand new sign in the window of the front door saying the "owner is always armed" and "nothing inside is worth dying for". I don't know if that is just a scare tactic or if he is really carrying now. I'm about as non confrontational as they come, and can't imagine needing to be worried about a gun issue tonight. (And no, I don't even own a gun.) I also know that there will be a conversation about money with John tonight that I'm sure will get ugly. But I have got to get that car out of there. I know I can make an appointment with the local PD and have an officer go with me. Is that over the top? Maybe I'm making too big a deal of all this?
Andy kept saying the car has to go today as he has more cars coming in. I wish so much that I could find out who those new customers are and warn them. I don't consider myself vingful, but I really feel like I need to take steps to shut him down. To prevent this mess from happening to someone else.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's update. I'm sure it will be exciting!
Edit: I forgot to mention, in our phone call last night, he said the only reason the car won't be done today is if his mother dies!