The new stiff your mechanic thread....

[doc_m]

I would think that Jason is a well respected member of this forum that has contributed alot on and off the forums, many people travel hours to get to someone like him so distance means nothing. And as he stated in the first post they were new people looking to get work done and probably have not much of an idea who he is, and more than likely done this to any mechanic.

 

[ymz]

...many others who are not professional mechanics...

I think you should change that to "full time mechanics"...

Anyone who receives money on a fairly regular basis for performing mechanical work on cars is a professional mechanic...

Getting back to the original thread... since bouncing cheques is against the law, aren't there also processes whereby any reasonable expense incurred in the collection of the funds owed can be recovered from the person responsible for the theft ???

Yuri.

PS: and as far as needing to write cheques goes... I was once 600 miles away from home and needed an emergency timing belt replacement - on a weekend... fortunately, the renowned Guru who rescued me happened to have a timing belt kit in stock, and did accept my out-of-state cheque...

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

There are two kind of robbers (thieves) in the world: professionals and amateurs. Pros rob houses that have something worth stealing i.e. safes and jewelry etc, i.e. in wealthy neighborhoods. Amateurs are just looking for some quick cash, be it for a drug habit or whatever.

When I hear a noise in the middle of the night, I'm not weighing the options of whether they're trying to take my wallet or harm my wife or toddler. I punch the code on my gunsafe next my bed, take a walk with Mr. Remington, and if the guy made it through a window or door I put a nice pattern in his chest and let the court sort out the details.

Any questions?

 

[tditom]

...Any questions?

lol. get over yourself, Dirty Harry.

 

[y2kbird]

Jason and others should post his terms as cash discount 2% already factored into all prices or credit card. Better for the buyer AND seller in my book. Because a documented blunder where the seller won't take care of the buyer can result in a chargeback. Not that Jason would have to worry there, Except for a dishonest customer who makes some story up to try to screw him.

The google checkout thing has worked for me, no terminal cost, no monthly cost. I was already paying 1.5-1.9% for Visa/MC/Discover (Swiped was lower than mail order/phone order), however they would end up raping me every month on my bill, I'd get charged an EXTRA 2-3% if the card happened to be a debit visa, a rewards card, or a company/commercial credit card, even if it didn't have a company name listed on the card. I've done close to $500k in credit card transactions with google, which saved our business $10-15,000. Now CardService international and Sams Payment Service are actually calling noticing the lost sales. too bad.

I'll have referal links available for anyone who wants to try it later this week (had to fill out an application to get approved for the referal side). BUT here is the good news.. Anyone who signs up gets free zero credit card processing costs until the end of 2007. From what I read the referral program nets me 0.5% of every transaction, and google is paying, not jason or the other merchant. I'm sure the source of the referral $$ is listed on the statements, and provided there is a way I can track it, I don't need the extra 0.5% so I will donate what I receive back to TDIclub.

Every time I've gotten a bad check I've sent a certified letter out that same day I get notice from my bank. The buyer has 10 days to pay in full, in cash, plus my bank fee, or else I stop off at the district justice and the Commonwealth of PA goes after the buyer. I have had customers put in jail, and I've always get paid in the end (though one guy pays $2.16 a month, I think it comes out of his jail pay--sad really). One guy was nabbed coming through customs into a US airport, and it turned out he owed me $3k for a bad check so off to prison it was. Two of the folks that have gone to jail were seen back at our shop buying more items (with cash) months or years later.

 

[TDIJetta99]

 

[greengeeker]

I think maybe we should take up a collection and help jason out some.

You'd probably be more successful at raising funds with a GTG. $10-20 at the door, so to speak,

 

[Sooch]

I agree. Been stiffed, take it up with the police. Why wait. Currently a moderator, keep your opinions to yourself, or you can never appear impartial.

TDIClub is turning into a forum for high schoolers I fear. My car is faster, my attitude is better...everyone take a step back and have a cookie.

 

[Number6]

Why wait? Well, Jason's whole strategy here is to hold the consequence of being outed up to them and give them incentive to pay now. If they've read about doctor_boost, for instance, or much of this thread, they know they are in for a hard time, as well as, perhaps, legal action. This may work, and if so, it will work faster than a typical legal process.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

TDIClub is turning into a forum for high schoolers I fear. My car is faster, my attitude is better...everyone take a step back and have a cookie.

I hate to burst your bubble, but this is nothing new. The same stuff happened back in 2000. There are just more people now. Why do you think there are so few original members who post?

 

[Dreamsinger]

You have my condolences. When I find a mechanic that knows his stuff and treats me right I treat them like gold. I recently scored a '92 Mercedes turbodiesel that turned out to need some work. My local diesel "expert" was going to charge an obscene amount of monet and take a week longer to do the job than a guy I was lucky enough to find, Mike Glosser of GP motors. Mike was a journeyman MB mech at some very high profile dealerships before he went indy. He did it faster, cheaper and more accurately than the local jackass. Finding a good mech is a rare gift; screwing them over is an invitation to bad karma.

 

[robzuk]

I hate to burst your bubble, but this is nothing new. The same stuff happened back in 2000. There are just more people now. Why do you think there are so few original members who post?

It's not only here, it's all over the net. I've sold my Samurais because of this very reason, the dynamic has changed 180 degrees from where it was when I started out.

As for shooting someone, sit down and think about that for a moment. It's a hell of a lot more difficult to do than you think. In a moment of passion, you can do some horrendous things to your fellow man. Take it from a former Army Ranger who lives with a hell of a lot of psychological issues everyday from things I've done. I will say that if you break into my home, there will be only 1 story told at the scene, mine. Think before you act is all I'm saying. I hope that none of you will never have to take another life for love, money or for your country.

Jason, it's time to out the perps, you're not doing anyone, especially yourself any favors keeping it private. There are a few stores here that scan bad check, blow them up and post them in the from window of their shops. Good luck getting some form of absolution in this.

 

[tditom]

It's not only here, it's all over the net. I've sold my Samurais because of this very reason, the dynamic has changed 180 degrees from where it was when I started out.
...

sorry to go off topic, but let me get this straight:
you sold your vehicle because people on an internet forum are acting immaturely?

Jason- I'm sorry for any contributions I've made to putting this thread on a tangent, and for any childish attacks you have been subject too by a certain troll. It may or may not do any good to "out" the bad guys at this point, as they may just never post under that name again. If you out them, though, perhaps we can flood their email addresses (if provided) with a host of condemnations. Good luck, and I hope you get your money back and don't ever need to experience this again.

 

[VelvetFoot]

It might be brands, not necessarily totally cost. When we got a BMW in 2002, I couldn't find a BMW site that was near as good as Fred's. The forums I did find were populated mostly by younger guys with disposable income (as far as I could tell). Of course the car hasn't needed much since it has only 20,000 miles on it while the Bug now has 201,000!

 

[jollyGreenGiant]

Just wanted to say that TDIClub is a fantastic resource and generally just plain rocks. I have met many great folks through it and am grateful to everyone for putting together such a fine community.

In life there are always postives and negatives about everything. Frank, to be quite honest I see you being the one usually adding the quick rush to judgements, politics and otherwise clique type behavior in many of these otherwise fine threads, I'm just saying it like I see it. You have valid points many times but do come off rather defensive right off the bat, state your case and move on without making a such a scene and the Yin will balance with the Yang. Sheesh.

"Snip, snap, snout.
This tale's told out."

Give Jason his greenbacks too whoever you are!

 

[Kayakkermit]

While never having met you, Jason, you have an excellent reputation on this forum and I respect the work that you do, and you for doing it at the rates you do it for.
I don't recall whether last years fiasco was ever taken care of, but I can't recall reading a good completion to that story, and I certainly hope that this episode is resolved both quickly and satisfactorily.
Best Regards

 

[jasonTDI]

On to what has now become a side note: Jason, how much did those checks come up to?

I think maybe we should take up a collection and help jason out some. obviously, we probably can't reimburse him 100%. But someone here has mentioned more than a few times that this is a community. In a community, neighbors help each other out when things go awry. I've never brought my car to Jason but I've benefitted from his knowlege and his advice, both to others and advice given directly to me. Afterall, we are our brothers' keepers.

That's not necessary but I appreciate the thought. I'll get it back one way or another. 2 people have called me today and said they will fix it. Guess they saw the thread I linked to them That accounts for 3/4 of the loss.

Got another one today though....Credit card check......grrrrrr.

 

[doc_m]

holy smokes that sucks, I know a shop up here does mechanic liens on cars if the car is not paid in full.... not to sure what all that entails but coulc be an option.

 

[jasonTDI]

Why wait? Well, Jason's whole strategy here is to hold the consequence of being outed up to them and give them incentive to pay now. If they've read about doctor_boost, for instance, or much of this thread, they know they are in for a hard time, as well as, perhaps, legal action. This may work, and if so, it will work faster than a typical legal process.

Exactly.

 

[jasonTDI]

sorry to go off topic, but let me get this straight:
you sold your vehicle because people on an internet forum are acting immaturely?

Jason- I'm sorry for any contributions I've made to putting this thread on a tangent, and for any childish attacks you have been subject too by a certain troll. It may or may not do any good to "out" the bad guys at this point, as they may just never post under that name again. If you out them, though, perhaps we can flood their email addresses (if provided) with a host of condemnations. Good luck, and I hope you get your money back and don't ever need to experience this again.

Appreciate that.

2 more days for the last one.....

 

[meganuke]

Sorry to hear about this Jason.

To those who think Jason has an attitude problem, consider this: he has plenty of customers lined up and doesn't need to come here to drum up business. Yet he is still here, offering free advice to those who have a problem with their car. He could easily withhold his advice and recommend they bring the car by for him to fix, yet he doesn't. He is a knowledgable, honest mechanic which is quite a rare thing these days. We are blessed with a handful of them here on TDIClub (Chill, Paramedick, Herm, just to name a few). Put yourself in their shoes for a minute before you post accusatory or inflammatory statements about their business practices.

 

[tdidieselbobny]

Sorry to hear about this Jason.

To those who think Jason has an attitude problem, consider this: he has plenty of customers lined up and doesn't need to come here to drum up business. Yet he is still here, offering free advice to those who have a problem with their car. He could easily withhold his advice and recommend they bring the car by for him to fix, yet he doesn't. He is a knowledgable, honest mechanic which is quite a rare thing these days. We are blessed with a handful of them here on TDIClub (Chill, Paramedick, Herm, just to name a few). Put yourself in their shoes for a minute before you post accusatory or inflammatory statements about their business practices.

And from what I read here on posts and the one time I met you in Dec. in CT, we can add you to the list.

 

[Actualsizeaudio]

Jason is doing this as a side "unofficial" business I believe. Cash only is really the best bet for that type of work since you really have no good way to deal any other way.

This is a good point, though I want to point out one thing. There is no such thing as an "unofficial business". As soon as someone pays you for your services, it is a business, as long as you make more than $600 gross receipts a year. It all has to get reported, so there is never really a reason not to accept checks except for the fear of getting ripped off. As far as that is concerned, there are safeguards against this happening, like making a photocopy of the driver's licence, and calling the authorities when checks bounce.

Now, I am a small biz owner that submits invoices, and MOST of the time they get paid (though too often within 90 days as opposed to 30). I have had a few dead beat clients, which is the same as a bad check in my opinion. Luckily for me my wife's law firm gives them a call and that usually helps . Do you have any lawyer friends? Sometimes they can be just as scary as the police.

 

[mrchill]

Be serious

First of all, this is about people who commited larceny by check, not about a personality flaw. Is anyone here INCLUDING MYSELF perfect? I think not! Dont we all have personality quirks? Dont we all have bad days? Give it a rest. This is getting ridiculous!

Frank, if you have a sense that Jason is being a bit over the top, deal with it by pm. There is no need to hijack (yes you did hijack) his thread to argue. You are old enough to know better than that. Whatever we all think of one another, we shuld at least be mature enough to deal with it as adults in a way that is befitting. It is out of place to start these issues in a thread. This thread was started by Jason to let the club know what happens sometimes. Many good points were raised and helpful info brought foward. Let it remain so. Dont reduce this thread to a petty childish name-calling war.

Jason. I am glad the people made good. You are correct, many times it is as simple as an oversight, or a bank error. We are all human. It is good of you to wait and give them time to redeem themselves. It is far too easy to accuse and play "holier than thou", but much more difficult to show understanding and give the benefit of the doubt.....especially when you have been burned before.

Please folks, this is an excellent resource for so many, myself included. Dont dilute it with foolishness. Many people come here for advice and general info. If they see that this is how we behave, ESPECIALLY VETERANS, we may lose them entirely. Who are ANY OF US to deprive someone of this site by our personal actions? Let us continue to behave in a way that is befitting.

Nothing wrong with a little fun, nothing wrong with opinions, but show the good judgement to know when to hold your tongue, and if necessary, deal with that individual on a one to one basis, unless as has been seen before, that individual is a threat to the site and the folks on it.

Many folks on this site have problems with others, yet they do not post any bad or childish things about them. Believe it or not, we are all human. We cannot ALL get along but we try and thats all we can do.

I apologize for hijacking and saying all this which is clearly not related to the thread, but I felt it was getting out of hand.

 

[horrorxgirl]

Damn Jason, sorry to hear that. Maybe it's time to move to a 'cash only' setup (Edit: WHOOPS - see you already made the change!). If one or more don't make good on their check it's time to contact the bad check division of their local DA's office and file your complaint. That should quickly get their attention.

Good luck!

and i know that here (a county here anyways) takes bad check writing very very seriously... a friend of a friend is about to have a warrent issued for her arrest for a bad check (it was like a 3dollar check) ...

 

[robzuk]

sorry to go off topic, but let me get this straight:
you sold your vehicle because people on an internet forum are acting immaturely?

I sold the vehicles because they're starting to show their age, Jap sheetmetal and Northeast winters aren't the best combo, lol. I've grown tired of pulling transmissions and transfer cases apart every 2 years to replace bearings. And I'm kinda likin' the 40+ mpg running down the highway like one of Custer's men who just got his hair lifted! My wife just got an 88 Scirocco 16v and it's taking up my time as well as lifting. Playing in the rocks just isn't where we are right now. Might go back some day, but not anytime soon.

 

[Dimitri16V]

When I hear a noise in the middle of the night, I'm not weighing the options of whether they're trying to take my wallet or harm my wife or toddler. I punch the code on my gunsafe next my bed, take a walk with Mr. Remington, and if the guy made it through a window or door I put a nice pattern in his chest and let the court sort out the details.

Any questions?

and drag his body within the house and wait for him to expire before calling the cops...

 

[BKmetz]

Jason sent me a PM. The last check has cleared.

.