Beware: Con man rips off shop

[Joe Marconi]

Here’s a true story from a few years back worth mentioning:

 

A man walked into a local shop asking for a few small services, nothing big. He said he was new in the town and wanted to start a relationship with a repair shop. When the car was ready, the man paid cash for the services and he went on his way. A few weeks later, he came back asking for a set of wipers, a bottle of washer fluid and check the tire pressure. He also paid cash for the wipers and fluid.

 

The man came in a few more times to price tires and brakes. Each time he would spend time speaking to the shop owner, becoming real friendly. A week went by and the man came in to make an appointment for the 4 tires, alignment and brake work.

 

When the car was done, the man told the shop owner to please lock up the car, he would pick it up after hours and he would be by in the morning to give him the cash.

 

And guess what happened? Yup, you guessed it. The man was never to be found again. The address was false, the name false and the phone disconnected.

 

I don’t know what made me think of this today, but I thought I would share it.

[phynny]

I thought that happened to me today! Except he paid 2k of a 4200 bill for a jasper motor and install. I was leaving anyway and I followed him and he didn't go "test drive" it as he stated. HMO believe he saw me and returned to the shop to pay...

[Gonzo]

Years ago... and I mean "years" ago. I had a job come in from a sod company. I was to rewire their very large flat bed truck and get all the lights working. The bill was large. I think it was a little over a grand. It was in the winter time when work was slow and I was thankful to have such a large job to do.

A guy came in paid for half of the job with cash and the other half with a company check. The check was worthless. I tried to call, but the guy on the other end of the phone denied even writing a check. I could hear in the background of the phone the actual guy I talked to at the shop. These two guys were working up a scheme to keep me from collecting. I even went down to their business and ask for my money. No luck.

I ended seeking legal advice. Here's what I was told. "If you except even one thin dime for your services that's all you get. Anything written on paper (unless it's a certified money order --- which can also be faked) is entirely worthless. They do not have to honor it at ALL. Since you took cash for partial payment in the courts eyes you've have been paid."

Needless to say I was pissed.

I ended up going down to their warehouse area (an outside covered storage area next to their office) and "borrowed" a few rolls of sod. LOL

The place is still in business and they never asked for their sod back.

 

There's crooks everywhere.....

[phynny]

Lol Gonzo! That must be a state law and a horrible one at that.

[Jeff]

In nearly 10 years in business I have had 3 bad checks. 2 I collected, one left the state. In Florida if you write a bad check you will go to jail!