Rookie Mistake...

i hope it all works out for you

sounds like you did all you should have, with the exception of showing up unannounced
hopefully he wont make it worse by having the car disappear, were you able to see it when you tried to get it?

did you ever put his name out here so we know who not to deal with?
Nope. Motherfucker was hiding at home. Shop was locked up.Total Ponzi.