Merritt's Garage Billy Merritt THIS GARAGE HELD MY CAR HOSTAGE THEN STOLE IT! Coosawhatchie, South Carolina

I was visiting family in North and South Carolina over the 4th of July weekend with my 10 year old daughter.  I had to cut my visit short, as my 17 year old son was being admitted to the hospital the following morning.

My car died at exit 33 off of I-95, it was leaking anti-freeze quicker than I could put it back in.  Still, I got back on the expressway, praying for the best.  I made it to mile marker #31. I saw the sign for Merritt's garage. By then my car was on the side of I-95 and I thought that sign was an omen.  It was, a very bad one!

Billy Merritt came and towed my car. His garage is a total pig sty.  There was not one single lift in the floor, filth every where, I wouldn't even let my daughter sit on the furniture in the office. 

Mr. Merritt came in and said, "good news and bad news".  It's only the water pump, but he had to order the part, which wouldn't be in until the following day. I had to be back home early the next day.

I asked him his price.  He hedged, said he didn't know how much the water pump cost until it came in. I asked, a ballpark figure, he just walked away, shaking his head. I told him to call me in the morning with a total, I'd make a decision then as to when I'd come for the car and if I'd have him do the work.  Monday, July 11th, he phoned me. Said he had done the work already.  It was $550.00! I said I didn't authorize or sign anything for him to do the work. He said, "well it's done maam". I was appalled.  I didn't have that kind of money and no car to make the trip back up there with. I asked if he could wait 3 weeks to a month for me to come up with some money. He said fine.

I got notice in the mail 2 weeks later. They took me to court for abandoning my car. I was not to contact them, the courts or go up and claim my car.  Ultimately, they accrued my charges up to $4110.00, including $25.00 a day storage and all of his legal fees. For a car that may be worth $700.00.

Billy Merritt, now wants to sell me back my car for $2000.00!

Highway Robbery at it's finest!