Well, looks like I might wind up being the victim of a smear campaign.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #20 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 08:35 pm »

Quote

Especially when going up against class act like yourself. I know I speak for many people on Audio Circle, I'm a lifelong customer. Keep making products on the same quality level you are now, and I will never buy another speaker from anybody else. Period.

Thank you Patrick.

I tried Ebay's buyer protection program but fell through the loop holes of things that they can help with. Ebay's Joe Henson from Auction Insurance Agency was very helpful and contacted the seller several time regarding this, but couldn't help with this case.

They could have helped me out if I would have kept the car and never gotten a title, or if the body damage exceeded $1,000. In this case it is likely that it would have as it was beat all over, but I also would have had to trailer the car to at least two auto body repair shops for estimates. I would also have to prove that was not normal wear and tare issues but the result of some type of damage from an accident or something.

arthurs · « **Reply #21 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 08:42 pm »

Bummer Danny, sorry to hear about this.....people can suck sometimes....

decal · « **Reply #22 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 09:27 pm »

You should have never agreed to do anything this scumbag suggested.Now you have a less legal leverage and as you've found out,probably none thru ebay.Always think before you act,if you don't understand the process,find someone that can explain it to you.While it's clear,from your side of the story,that you were wronged,you have to take some of the blame for handling your end in a reckless manner.I'm not saying this to belittle you or anything like that and surely not to say the scumbag seller is not to blame.I wish you all the best as you try to reconcile this matter.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:02 pm »

Danny:
Sorry to hear about your bad dealings on ebay. Take my word for it IMHO ebay and paypal SUCK!!! when it comes to settling a dispute. I try not to do business with either of them. Sometimes our hands are tied and we have to do so. Ever try and talk to a human being at paypal? I don't think there is such a thing. Don't let it bother you. Our circle knows that you are a fine and outstanding person.

Charlie

Niteshade · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:31 pm »

This happens to all of us from time to time. It happened to me as well with an Isuzu Trooper last month. Had to drive it straight to the junk yard. At least I received $310.00 for my trouble.

The person I purchased it from said his brother would fix the problems...well, it never happened.

Before purchasing it I asked if there were any major problems with it. The answer was no. It looked and drove great- but the frame was rotten and not worth repairing. I didn't notice it until I started cleaning the frame.

Here's the scoop:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&ref=search&gid=187031801231

Niteshade · « **Reply #25 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:38 pm »

Note: After close inspection of the Ebay photo, the hood does not look original and it's not seated properly. It looks like the car was in a front-end collision. The frame was probably torqued, but that is impossible to see form the photos.

bummrush · « **Reply #26 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:54 pm »

Any kind of claim made should cover you just from point of item received ,not as item described.

Duke · « **Reply #27 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:55 pm »

Subscribed.

Danny if you see evidence of this guy making negative posts about you or your business somewhere, please post a notification here so we can respond to him.

In my limited experience most such threats never materialize, but if this one does we'd hate to miss out.

Thanks.

bummrush · « **Reply #28 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 10:57 pm »

go to the ebay ad and find send seller a message

rsa · « **Reply #29 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 11:18 pm »

IIWM, I'd spend a couple of hundred dollars and have an attorney write him a letter.

Couple of interesting general reads:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/opinion/26dowd.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/25/AR2009082502544.html

laserman · « **Reply #30 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 11:27 pm »

Quote from: Duke on 12 Jul 2010, 10:55 pm

Subscribed.

Danny if you see evidence of this guy making negative posts about you or your business somewhere, please post a notification here so we can respond to him.

In my limited experience most such threats never materialize, but if this one does we'd hate to miss out.

Thanks.

+1

Danny,
You know I loath people who scam other people....if mutha trucker tries to mess with you, I'll definitely enter the ring with you.

persisting1 · « **Reply #31 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 11:47 pm »

Quote

IIWM, I'd spend a couple of hundred dollars and have an attorney write him a letter.

I agree. Get a lawyer and let them handle it.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #32 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 12:34 am »

Quote from: laserman on 12 Jul 2010, 11:27 pm

+1

Danny,
You know I loath people who scam other people....if mutha trucker tries to mess with you, I'll definitely enter the ring with you.

Ditto! I have made life uncomfortable for some on-line scammers before and I'll gladly do it again. Too bad I don't live in San Antonio anymore.

Daedalus Audio · « **Reply #33 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 12:34 am »

Danny, sorry to hear this, but unfortunately it happens. I wouldn't worry too much.

about 12 years ago I had the customer from hell, probably this guys cousin. anyhow he was in LA and when I did my exhibit at the NAMM show he started papering the show with posters with my picture defaming me. it was hilarious, he barely made it out of there in one piece, he was lucky the cops escorted him because there were several people ready to take him out. it all happened so fast I never got to see him, though I had a few lawyers come to the booth offering to prosecute him for free! bottom line everyone knows you're a good guy and he'll only make himself look like a jerk.

best,
lou

jules · « **Reply #34 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 01:03 am »

Good grief, the seller has a 75% positive feedback rating on ebay!!! I have never seen such a low rating.

Danny, you've got more important and more positive matters to deal with. Call it a loss and move on. If ebay won't come to the party here [and in my experience they're pretty good at this sort of thing, so long as it falls within their guidelines] you'd be wasting your money and mind on legal help.

Smear Campaign? No way it will make any impression even if he tries.

Sorry to hear you were stung.

Jules

Hank · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 Jul 2010, 12:51 pm »

Whoa! I just read this Danny - wish you would have called me when you found this "great" deal. I would have been happy to take a personal look at it, and then would have told you what condition it was in. Rule of thumb when buying a used vehicle: EVERY time, pay a reputable shop (not an individual) to go over the vehicle and provide you with a list of defects and needed service/repairs. Last time I did that for a vehicle one of my kids was interested in, the $90 fee produced quite a serious list of problems, so I avoided that purchase.
There is a Smart Car dealer in Round Rock - same group as the Hyundai dealer where I bought my new Genesis Coupe. I wonder if they have any used ones.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 Jul 2010, 01:28 pm »

Quote from: Hank on 14 Jul 2010, 12:51 pm

Whoa! I just read this Danny - wish you would have called me when you found this "great" deal. I would have been happy to take a personal look at it, and then would have told you what condition it was in. Rule of thumb when buying a used vehicle: EVERY time, pay a reputable shop (not an individual) to go over the vehicle and provide you with a list of defects and needed service/repairs. Last time I did that for a vehicle one of my kids was interested in, the $90 fee produced quite a serious list of problems, so I avoided that purchase.
There is a Smart Car dealer in Round Rock - same group as the Hyundai dealer where I bought my new Genesis Coupe. I wonder if they have any used ones.

Danny,

Hank is absolutely right about this. Whether the car is 80 grand or 3 grand, it needs to get a clean Lemon guarantee from a third party. Be that as it may, I feel really bad for you, and if you find any bashing of GR Research's business policies, please post us a link so we can respond in your defense.

Anand.

brother love · « **Reply #37 on:** 14 Jul 2010, 02:34 pm »

Quote from: jules on 13 Jul 2010, 01:03 am

Danny, you've got more important and more positive matters to deal with. Call it a loss and move on. If ebay won't come to the party here [and in my experience they're pretty good at this sort of thing, so long as it falls within their guidelines] you'd be wasting your money and mind on legal help...

Jules

Jules is right. I'll add that there are way to many vindictive, vengeful crazies out there. If you escalate things, he may back off OR he may take it further. Just not worth it in my book. If it isn't too bad a monetary hit, take your lumps & chalk it up to lessons learned.

JackD201 · « **Reply #38 on:** 14 Jul 2010, 02:54 pm »

Danny,

Contrary to popular belief, good guys don't finish last. You're a good guy. Don't lose any sleep over this. You and your business will be fine.

Jack

navi · « **Reply #39 on:** 14 Jul 2010, 03:10 pm »

YoU HAVE ELECTRIC CARS IN THE US!!!!?!?!? AWESOME!!!

the dealer had a 75% pos feedback rating i'm surprised anyone would buy from him.