After a Dishonest Mechanic Rips Off His Grandfather, He Hatched a Cunning Plan and Now Owns the Business.
The Original Poster (OP) tells the story of their grandfather’s quest for justice when a trusted mechanic cheats him. As this true story unfolds, the grandfather’s ingenious move concludes with him acquiring ownership of the mechanic’s garage.
The Immigrant Beginning
The story begins in the late 1880s with OP’s family immigrating to America and settling down as farmers in Nebraska. After 80 years of farming, the OP’s Great Grandma made a surprising decision to sell off the entire farm and divide the money among her three sons. This unexpected twist in the family’s history marks the beginning of a tale filled with twists and turns.
Legacy of the Matriarch
In 1969, Great Grandma passed away, and her three sons received their inheritance. OP’s grandpa, one of the sons, chose to let his share of the money sit idle until after his retirement from the military.
The Veteran Returns Home
In 1971, OP’s grandpa returned to Nebraska from his second and final deployment in Vietnam. After retiring from 22 years of service, he began to establish a concrete business using his inheritance. However, his old Chevy truck posed a challenge; its engine had blown up, creating a new obstacle to his plans.
The Broken Trust
Amidst his busy schedule, OP’s grandpa bought a new engine for his truck and asked the only garage in town to install it. Trusting the mechanic, he never considered double-checking the work. However, this trust would soon be betrayed, leading to the next significant turn of events.
The Engine Swap
OP’s grandpa was busy at his new concrete business when he noticed something strange during his truck’s first oil change. The engine he had bought wasn’t the one installed in his truck. As OP’s Grandma used to say, this discovery “p***** him off to high heaven.”
Confronting Earl
Angry, OP’s grandpa confronted the garage owner, Earl, who denied any wrongdoing. Earl argued, “It shouldn’t have taken him four months to bring the issue up.” But he refused to correct his mistake, leading OP’s grandpa to declare, “You’re going to pay for this.”
Searching for Justice
In this small town, a man’s word was his worth. Thus, OP’s grandpa sought justice by investigating the ownership of the garage. Discovering it was actually owned by an old family friend, Harold, the plot began to thicken.
The Unpaid Rent
OP’s grandpa visited Harold and discovered that Earl was leasing the business and hadn’t been paying his rent for two months. Harold confessed, “Nah, I sure don’t” to having a written lease with Earl. Sensing an opportunity, OP’s grandpa asked, “What if I bought the gas station/garage from you?”
The Proposition
Harold was skeptical of OP’s grandpa’s sudden interest in the garage but found the offer tempting as it wasn’t currently producing any income. OP’s grandpa made a strong case, given Earl’s non-payment of rent and Harold’s apparent lack of interest in being a landlord. He also mentioned his son “needed something to do.”
The Agreement
After explaining the engine swap issue, OP’s grandpa and Harold agreed on a price for the garage. Harold sold the garage along with all the tools and equipment he had accumulated over the years that Earl was using. Now, the grandpa had an unexpected new business.
The Surprise Ownership
A few days later, OP’s grandpa paid Harold in full, becoming the new owner of both the gas station and adjoined mechanics shop. Sensing that Earl wouldn’t take this news lightly, he sought backup from a high school friend who also happened to be the local sheriff. A showdown was about to take place.
The Ousting of Earl
OP’s grandpa and the sheriff visited the garage to confront Earl. Earl, taken aback by their unexpected visit, vehemently insisted, “I didn’t cheat you!” Yet, the grandpa, holding up the title deed, responded: “I’m not here about my truck; I’m here to fire you.”
Earl’s Disbelief
Confusion washed over Earl as he learned about the sale. He protested, “You can’t fire me! I own this business.” However, the sheriff swiftly debunked his claim, asking for a lease that Earl could not produce, thus solidifying Earl’s fate.
Sheriff’s Final Word
The sheriff, equally enjoying the moment, informed Earl that he had no rights to the garage without a lease. Furious and defeated, Earl packed his tools and left the garage that was no longer his. The garage’s ownership had taken a complete twist.
A Family Enterprise
After Earl’s departure, OP’s grandpa hired a trusted mechanic to work in the garage. His wife and daughter took over running the gas station, and his son worked there after school. This family enterprise marked a new chapter in their lives.
A Rewarding Endeavor
The family ran the garage successfully for 25 years. The grandpa’s keen sense of justice and clever business acumen turned an act of deception into a rewarding family endeavor. The garage was eventually sold, closing a remarkable chapter in their family history.
Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?
The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:
Forum Responded
One reader said, “This is like when Warren Buffet bought a company just to fire the guy who s***** him.”
Another responder wrote: “I live in a small town, and you can’t deal dirty like that with people, especially locals. That kind of information will spread like wildfire.”
A different person states, “So, did Grandpa find the motor he bought?”
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on their actions?
What would you have done in this situation?
This story is inspired by this thread.
More From Top Dollar
A woman and her fiancé must flee their hometown to escape the relentless wrath of her mother-in-law, who refuses to accept their relationship. As the MIL is being considered for a prestigious promotion at the university where she teaches, an unexpected email triggers a series of revelations that threaten to bring her dark secrets to light.
More From Top Dollar
A woman endures the relentless abuse of her micromanaging superior, ultimately leading to a mental breakdown and a dramatic resignation. However, fate takes an unexpected turn as an old colleague offers her a Chief of Staff position, placing her two levels above her former tormentor and setting the stage for a climactic confrontation and the sweetest revenge.
More From Top Dollar
In a battle against a deceitful Homeowner’s Association (HOA), the Original Poster’s (OP)’s mother discovers the shocking truth behind the organization’s practices, leading her to take extraordinary measures to protect her community.
Standing Up to a Crooked HOA, She Dismantles Their Web of Lies and Reclaims Her Neighborhood.
More From Top Dollar
Wild jobs that pay way more than they ought to.
13 Useless Jobs That Pay Too Much and Should Be Eliminated
Alexander Veros
Alex is a writer for Top Dollar Investor, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and business stories. Alex has started several online businesses and is a blogger who loves providing quality content to help others. He is passionate about affiliate marketing, finance, and cryptocurrency.
