Riding lawnmower RUINED by a moron

Ok how do you know it fouled the spark plugs? Did you try to start it without checking the oil level? If so that is unfortunately probably going to land on your feet not his. Next question - WHY did you pay him in advance? Lawn mower engines are not that technically advanced and are usually pretty easy to repair. It sounds like the majority of it could be cleaned up with soap and water and replace the air filter - and spark plug if it really was fouled out. Sorry to rain on your anger at him but you really have to check it out before you start it yourself after seeing the mess he left. Are you sure he was completed with the work?

OKay I asked my dh and he says your lawn mower should NOT hold more than 2 quarts of oil. So if they put more than that in there they overfilled and oiling the spark plugs. He says drain the oil and put new in it. Your best bet in put 2 new spark plugs. Check to make sure they hooked up the battery correctly. Red to positive and black to negative. Your filter should air out and be fine. If you have any questions lmk.

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Originally Posted by SLance68

Ok how do you know it fouled the spark plugs? Did you try to start it without checking the oil level? If so that is unfortunately probably going to land on your feet not his. Next question - WHY did you pay him in advance? Lawn mower engines are not that technically advanced and are usually pretty easy to repair. It sounds like the majority of it could be cleaned up with soap and water and replace the air filter - and spark plug if it really was fouled out. Sorry to rain on your anger at him but you really have to check it out before you start it yourself after seeing the mess he left. Are you sure he was completed with the work?

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I never tried to start it as there was a large amount of oil and gas spilled inside the engine, you could see it/smell it, it was literally all over the engine. I paid him in advance because he was supposed to tune it up and do an oil change and sharpen the blade, he was down on his luck so I paid in in advance, which included money for the oil/gas he needed to service it. I tried calling him and he is not returning my calls, I left 3 messages that were polite and wanted to give him an oppertunity to make it right. Finally when he did not answer I put a stop payment on the check

you shouldn't have to go and fix your lawnmower, put new spark plugs in it, drain the oil etc..... that's what you paid someone else to do for you. That was his job, not yours.
I know it costs money to put a stop payment on a check, so I hope you didn't loose out on too much $$ for all of this.

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Originally Posted by jasmine

you shouldn't have to go and fix your lawnmower, put new spark plugs in it, drain the oil etc..... that's what you paid someone else to do for you. That was his job, not yours.
I know it costs money to put a stop payment on a check, so I hope you didn't loose out on too much $$ for all of this.

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Stop payment fee was $25, and in order to get it fixed I had to have someone pick it up as I don't have a pickup truck, I told them to document whatever they found in writing. They guy still hasn't returned my call, and I have called twice more.

How much was the tune up? (you gave him)

I would call your friend, his dad.

wow I hope you are able to get it sorted out

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Originally Posted by iluvmybaby

I paid via check, I will cancel it first thing tomorrow morning, if he hasnt already cashed it yet

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Doesn't matter if he cashed it or not. All you need to go is issue a stop payment on the check. It will probably cost you @ $30 to put a stop payment but is well worth it.

Take pictures & document EVERYTHING! You can then take him to small claims court for damages.

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sunniekiss
Doesn't matter if he cashed it or not. All you need to go is issue a stop payment on the check. It will probably cost you @ $30 to put a stop payment but is well worth it.
Take pictures & document EVERYTHING! You can then take him to small claims court for damages.

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I stopped payment and it was $25 @ my bank. I have taken pictures. I have called the father and left a voice mail to call me. The father is very mechanically inclined so if he can fix it I will let him do so and call it even. If not, I am going to have to persue small claims court for the value of getting it fixed.

did he cash the check or were you able to stop it so he couldnt?