Action 9 confronts online mechanic

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — A Winter Springs woman thought she could save money hiring a mobile mechanic to fix her car. Instead, she feels like she was taken for more than $1,300, and other consumers who found the mechanic on Craigslist tell the same story.

The ad offers certified mechanics at the best price, but after spending nearly $1,300, Glenda Griffin claims she was taken for a ride by Mike Blair, who she says arrived in a Volkswagen mechanic's uniform.

"I'm so angry. I think he should be stopped. That's my goal," said Griffin.

Griffin said she paid Blair to fix her BMW and replace a water pump and head gasket, but the car still had big problems.

Griffin then had it towed to a traditional repair shop for inspection.

"He looked at everything on our car and nothing was touched. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, done," said Griffin.

Action 9's Todd Ulrich stepped in and confronted Blair.

"Hey, Mike, Todd Ulrich from Channel 9. (Griffin) said you took $1,300 and didn't replace the parts."

"Nope," said Blair.

Blair said all the parts were replaced but there were other problems Griffin didn't pay him to fix.

Two other customers had similar stories.

"I found other complaints online about you," said Ulrich.

"Well, then why have I never been taken to court? I don't understand this," said Blair.

Action 9 didn't find any civil lawsuits, but Blair has been in a courtroom. He was found guilty of dealing in stolen property, burglary and issuing worthless checks.

Car repair companies need to be licensed in Florida.

"Can you show me your registration number?" asked Ulrich.

"I don't have it on me," said Blair.

"You're supposed to have it on the receipt. Can you show me?" asked Ulrich.

Action 9 also asked for names of satisfied customers, but there was no response.

According to the Division of Consumer Services, Blair is not registered to repair cars as Florida requires.

Griffin filed a complaint with that agency hoping to force a refund.

"I just don't want him to do it to anybody else," said Griffin.

WFTV