Repair Shop Holding My Car Hostage - What Can I Do?

I dropped off my car on June 10th for some body repairs and paint that was supposed to have taken 2 weeks, and it is still not finished almost 2 months later.

The owner of this shop has continually promised to have the car ready in a few days. We have resorted to dropping in on the shop to see whether there has been any progress on the car. Sometimes someone is there during business hours, sometimes no one is there. The phone goes unanswered more often than not, and it's nearly impossible to get a straight answer about the status of your repair.

Now I am unable to reach anyone at this business by phone or in person, and my car is locked inside their facility unfinished.

Does anyone have any ideas of what to do? Can I report my vehicle as stolen because I am unable to retrieve it?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

UPDATE: I went back to the shop today and found out the owner is in jail for drug charges, which is why I can't reach him. We contacted the police and they're going to help us get the car out of his garage. Thanks to all who answered...what a mess!

I would contact a lawyer. It sounds like the body shop is in trouble. You may have to take them to court to get your car back. I would also report them to the BBB and the state attorney generals office.

I would recommend talking to your local police department and see what they have to say. They can get your car back for you. You should probably report the garage for insurance fraud too. This can be done at your DMV office.

Talk to a law enforcement officer about it. Your DMV may want to hear from you also due to the problems arising from insurance fraud.

Get in touch with the Better Business Bureau at:
http://www.bbb.org

Next get in touch with the Attorney Generals office and see what they say.

Good luck with getting your car back.

report it stolen and report them to the better busines Biro

Contact the police.

Better than doing nothing, right?