Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 08:53:55 -0500
Reply-To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Honest mechanics, etc. NVC
In-Reply-To: <de48c0be0708081727m71ed47a3heffed5c393b54e93@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
My Ex's father ran into a guy sort of like this. He had sold a Syncro on
Ebay for cheap ($2000) it was in great shape (I scolded him severely for
selling it so cheap). Sold it to a guy who uses them for base camps for a
white water rafting outfit. He even delivered the van to the guy from
Michigan to Virginia. All appear well until sometime later he received
lawsuit papers in the mail. The guy had taken pictures of the bad spots
on his other various Syncro's (those that were the same color) and calimed
they were the one from this EBay purchase. Long story short Ex's dad lost
settlement and ended up having to pay this guy - and didn't get the van
back. The guy called him afterward and came right out and admitted he had
screwed him - said he does it all the time.
I know this lacks in details because I really don't remember exactly how it
went but you get the idea. Sounds like he is cut from the same cloth as the
guy mentioned below.
On 8/8/07, mordo <helmut.blong@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Wow. DId this client once live in Connecticut? I'm sure I've done business
> with him. Sad but true - I've met a few like this. They have more money
> thatn they could ever hope to spend or give away but they delight in
> screwing whomever they can. Weird.
>
> ciao,
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net>
> Date: Aug 8, 2007 11:46 AM
> Subject: Honest mechanics, etc. NVC
> To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>
> Asking for partial payment up front as a mechanic: Probably a bit
> strange,
> unless you live somewhere where there is no lien law. After all, you do
> have the vehicle as security. Or if a large expenditure is anticipated
> for
> a major component that must be obtained before work can begin..crate
> motor,
> etc.
> The signed contract-thing..that is the most odious part of a job, for me.
> I love working, building something really right and pleasing the customer,
> surprising them by the quality and speed, etc etc. I hate dealing with
> bids, estimates, payment schedules, permits, licenses, bonds..on and
> on...But..the integrity of some of my customers finally taught me that
> having everything pre-discussed, agreed upon and if the work is more than
> I
> can stand to give away..I try to get a contract in writing.
> Even that sometimes is not enough for some bad customers.
> I had a custom home customer who's house I did for "X-dollars per square
> foot"..Signed a contract, we did the work, he was happy until time for the
> final payment. He then said.."I am not paying. See my lawyer" Huh? I
> asked what was wrong, he said "Nothing. Love the house, but it is just
> business" Huh?
> He explained that he didn't get wealthy without playing all the angles,
> without being a 'good businessman'. He said it was good business practice
> that he made everyone sue for their final payments, saying he usually came
> out ahead because most people didn't want to spend the money getting an
> attorney to collect, so they settled for a lesser sum! Dickwad! Of
> course,
> he was right, I did settle for less than was due because I had to pay off
> my
> men, the subs and the lumberyard, etc. and I didn't want to get into a
> court
> battle because I was on to the next house...
> But...he sold that house the next year for a tidy profit and was wanting
> to build another one...Except when he put the plans out for bid, nobody
> would touch it! Word was out about this particular slime ball... He
> then
> moved on from Jackson Hole to Bozeman, Mt....where he found another
> contractor to screw, I am sure..
> Luckily, that was the worst..but I have had other 'sharpies' try to
> weasle a bit of extra..on the "Just Business" excuse...
> Sorry for the off topic..
> Don Hanson
>
>
> --
> mordo
> 1990 Carat
>
--
Thanks,
Jeff
90' Carat (Grover)
86' (We call this one Parts)
85' GL (Preparing for reanimation)
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