#31
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If there's paperwork signed a demand can be issued, right?
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#32
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Assuming he's the only customer, I agree with you. Two customers and that's 10 seconds and an entirely different scenario.
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#33
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Do builders put deposits in escrow?
I bet very few do, and the money's spent to either pay the rent or to fund current operations. Then, when for whatever reason the frame can't be built on schedule, there's no money left to return. The builder's too embarrassed to admit that to the customer, plus he's hoping to eventually get the frame built, so he keeps trying to stretch things out longer and longer. Eventually the builder just shuts down communications and hopes the problem goes away. |
#34
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Sound business practice would be to put the deposit in escrow, but I'm afraid your scenario is probably pretty common. We've been in this scenario before with certain builders who have vanished from the stage. Exeunt, pursued by mob.
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#35
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You're dealing with theft by deception if you want to get to the root of your issue with your builder. Was there an agreement in place when you placed your deposit? A string of emails certainly helps but an agreement would be more meaningful to you moving forward. Don't throw away any receipts for your parts either.
With the builder having your parts however, I can see where you're stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. It's one thing to lose a $500 deposit, but add in the value of the parts and I can see where you can easily be out another $1,000 or more. Any chance that you might have friends in your old town that would be willing to collect your parts for you? If so, give the builder a call and let him know that a friend of yours is going to stop by and pick up your parts. Ask about a convenient date and time and "oh by the way, could you have my refund check ready too? Better yet, here's my PayPal address so you can gift my refund today. I'm sure that you feel bad about this whole mess so let's get this behind us and move on with life. I do have to say however that you're not giving me many options and I really don't appreciate how I've been treated or understand why. What if somebody treated one of your family members this way? I think that you'd be very upset. I really don't want to have to go to the local magistrate and make this any more difficult that it needs to be, but I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to have my property returned to me as I've worked very hard to be able to pay for this bike. I know you understand that and I'm giving you the chance to do the right thing." Best of luck to you...put your emotions to the side and be relentless as you didn't place yourself in this position, he did and he's responsible for his own actions. |
#36
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If you want to keep records for dealing with this, you could probably record your phone call pretty easily so that you do have a record of it, and can cite it in the future.
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#37
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Except that I believe recording phone calls as a private citizen is illegal unless you have the consent of all parties.
Maybe a demand letter from an attorney would get things moving if the other options people have suggested don't work. BK
__________________
HED Wheel afficianado Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter. |
#38
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I'd out him immediately - I'd have done it a long time ago. It accomplishes two things. First, it MIGHT get your process moving, maybe he'd actually get to work on a frame (doubt it at this point), but at least maybe you'd get your parts back? Deposit is probably shot.
But even if you assume your parts and deposit are gone for good, think of it as a public service. How would you feel if you didn't out him and heard this same story from two or three other forumites in the coming months who started an ill-fated process with this builder because you hadn't outed him? If you can't get any results for yourself, you might be able to save other people around here from suffering through the same experience. I wouldn't do it out of spite, but on the off-chance you'll get something back as a result and to definitely give fair warning to others here who might be thinking about using this person... -Ray
__________________
Don't buy upgrades - ride up grades |
#39
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is the builder still taking new orders and deposits?
that would be HIGHLY disingenuous if the OP's account of events is accurate, and little better than fraudulent trading imho. |
#40
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Someone said it best above - give him or her a call to discuss - you can accomplish a lot more with the spoken word than with e-mail in this situation.
If no satisfaction then, I agree with a short deadline to name names. It's not 'outing' -that has a negative connotation on your part implying that you're exposing something private and personal to be mean-spirited. If you were having the same problem with Trek or Specialized, no one would say you were 'outing' them. It would be a community service to the members here and likely save others the same aggravation. I think framebuilders are admirable craftsmen, but there's nothing sacred about the profession that should prevent public knowledge of a bad deal. Bad doctors, clergy, etc. are and should be exposed. Nothing different here. I type all this knowing that there's two sides to every story. We are assuming the OP has held up his end as a client. At this point, also e-mail the builder with a link to this thread. BTW, some framebuilders that I know of escrow. Others use serial payments to cover cash flow as the project moves along. These are the ones that I and friends have dealt with. Nice, even-tempered discussion here. Good to see. Good luck. |
#41
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Quote:
If this was any other service you were having provided, oh like a kitchen remodel would you be so patient? I wouldn't be. |
#42
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Quote:
__________________
Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo |
#43
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Quote:
__________________
chasing waddy |
#44
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This varies by State.
__________________
Atmsao (according to my semi anonymous opinion) |
#45
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Since this a 650 bike, I'm envisioning an instagram feed full of a bearded dude preening over cups of coffee and that sort of thing
When email and calls fail... How about a post on his social media along the lines of, "glad you have the time to live such a full life, how's my stuff coming along"? My comment would be more direct, but you get the drift |
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