I recently had an experience that burst my bubble when it comes to a train shop owner that I’ve been doing business with for several years. The guy lied to one of my friends about some work that needed to be done on a couple of his engines just so he could charge him for “ghost work”!.
I wonder how much of this kind of thing goes on ?..
I’ve got a good mind to call the Better Business Bureau on the guy.
He won’t ever work on any of my stuff again!.
trainluver1
This isn’t the same hobby shop owner that you’re referring to in the ‘was it shoplifting’ post, is it?
If it is… then I DEFINITELY wouldn’t pay for the item. LOL
Yes jshrade. It is the same guy. As a matter of fact, I started to mention it in the shoplifting topic, but it made for such a good topic on its own I thought I’d save it.
Thanks for your comment, but I’ve always been compelled to be as honest as possible, yet I do realize there is a such thing as being too honest… The point is, I refuse to lower myself to his level by stealing from him. I just wanted to see what you folks thought.
trainluver1
If you dislike this shop owner, don’t do business at his store.
That’s easy to say, but the problem is the guy has a really good variety of stock, and I can run down and pick up an item I need in a couple of hours where as it might take a couple of weeks if I were to order it…
No joke. If I had the money to buy him out and take over the store I’d do so yesterday!.
trainluver1
I say keep doing business with him, but be on alert, and for one … don’t pay for the item you got for free by accident. Until you mentioned his dishonesty, I would have told you to go back and pay him for the uncharged item.
You got the free gift and your friend has just payed for it in getting ripped off… All is equal in the Karma pool…
Uh I forgot to mention, if Mom and/or Pop are crooks, screw them too.
Although I heartily disapprove of such actions as charging for ‘ghost work’, I don’t have a lot of sympathy of people who get taken this way. My future mother-in-law was quoted an outrageous price to do some work on her car, which didn’t even have a hint of a miss, but at least she had enough sense to ask someone with some knowledge before she just forked over the dough.
What I said on the shoplifitng thread still applies.
If he is of bad character, must you be as well?
If you can prove that the man was charging for unnecessary work, file the complaint with the BBB, then call the police and file a complaint there. If you CAN’T prove it, then neither of them will pay much attention to you anyway. In any case, even though it may be an inconvenience for you, if you believe the guy to be dishonest, shop somewhere else. Don’t let him profit off of you.
If the quote for “ghost work” is that obvious, why not call him on it by taking the loco’s in and saying you got a 2nd opinion and want to discuss the best way forward. Give him a chance to back down?
Sam:
I’ve misplaced your e-mail address so I couldn’t ask this question privately.
Since we are in the same area, please e-mail me with the shop name so I know who to watch out for. This type of practice makes me sick.
Have a good day
Bob
Very well said! Pay the man.
REX [^]
I agree with this approach in general, but you can still purchase items for sale if that is your only outlet. Just don’t have any extended dealings with him because of his business practices.
Either do business with they guy or don’t.
Keep the product without paying for it if you want to.
These are your decisions based upon how you live your life. In any decision, both actions have consequences. In either way you decide, you’ll either learn from it or you won’t.
When it comes up again, you’ll either do the same thing or something different. It’s just life and you have to live it.
trainluver1, you just went up several points in my respect for you! I try not to do business with people and companies that rip off the customer even if they are cheaper than the competition. There are some major chain stores that fall into this catagory as well as some “Mom and Pop” businesses.
“We must become the change we wi***o see in the world”
Whew. That must be a shop of horrors. (based on the movie with the man eating flower)
Are you SURE you cannot get this product anywhere else?
I would like to know who it is also…i live near you and may have the same dealing with this guy…I have an idea who it is, but would like your side of the story with the vendor’s name…please email me at bayouman1@hotmail.com thanks, chuck
In all due respect, I don’t think it would be right to give out the train shop owner’s name or business name. What took place was between he and my buddy who’s not mechanically inclined and didn’t realize he was being lied to until I told him. Of course he was extremely angry and wanted to go back and have words with the guy, but I talked him out of it and suggested he take his engines elsewhere from now on to be worked on. Let’s just say that it was a wake up call that not all shop owners are honest, and if in doubt to always get a second opinion…
trainluver1
Quote"The guy lied to one of my friends about some work that needed to be done on a couple of his engines just so he could charge him for “ghost work”!.
Somewhat accusitory - and in the old west was called ‘shooting from the hip’.
The ONLY protection anyone has for ‘REPAIR WORK’ of any kind - automobile - TV - house repair’s - is an itemized 2nd quote. I suggest ‘your friend’ get one.
Good Goobly! Trainluver, with all due respect…One of the things that, IMHO, we should do for our fellow modelers is TO WARN them about hobbyshops that engage in unethical or shady dealings!!! Teffy lives in the area and made a legitimate request of you. If you don’t want to post it here, why not zip him an e-mail.
Are you worried about a slander lawsuit? You’re only passing on info, not going out of your way to destroy a business.
Believe me, I work to be a decent person but if I discover a hobby shop that engages
in underhanded dealing…This Forum will be the first place I will post it on!
I’m sure you’ve likely seen my post on Hobby Circle more than once.
Well, it’s your decision but frankly it leaves me baffled…