...otherwise known as "__Z__" on 600rr.net.
...otherwise known as "zmds18" on cbrforums.
First and foremost, I hope this is within 'legality' of this forum. I am in need of help as I don't want to resort to the worst case scenario; legal, (out of principle). Long story short, I had some work that was contracted with Zack, (with documentation through Facebook chat) where he claimed to be able to take on a job: installation/wiring of projector retrofits w/halos/HIDs. I chose him due to the fact that he has pretty good feedback on cbrforums and has several claims that show he may know what he's doing. I paid him via Paypal with two transactions, (foolishly as a gift, thinking I'd save him a few dollars out of kindness). One transaction was for the parts $200, and one transaction $100, a few days later for labor.
That weekend, I rode out 2.5hrs, (each way) only to find out that while 'installing' the parts he ended up shorting out my HID ballast; he had a test battery laying REAL close to the area he was working at and the dangling wire touched the positive lead, (although he claimed "...it was a crappy kit" and would get a replacement under warranty). Now, if you do this as a side job and have claimed to do several jobs, wouldn't you buy a part that you know has tested to be good? Strange. He told me to come back the following week, (another 5hr trip, gas, etc) and he'd finish up the work. I left that night, (8hrs later) with halos as DRL's and NO LIGHTS WHATSOEVER and told him to expedite the part due to the fact this is my only means of transportation and can't ride without lights at night. Zack agreed to have the company over-night the part come Monday. Now, to make matters worse, on the ride back home, my mirror flew off because of his negligence of tightening down the bolts, my right side fairing nearly fell off, (held on by ONE bolt and my hand for the remainder of the ride causing a small section of the fairing near the bolt that was holding it on, to crack), and the rest of my fairings being loosely held on causing HORRIBLE fitment of everything, (gaps everywhere). Sent him pics of all damage once I reached hom, and he said "..how about I just return your money?" Well obviously at that point I had paid him for a job that I clearly wasn't comfortable taking on so I just said let's just finish the job for which I paid him to complete.
Now fast forward Monday, he avoided any means of communication until forcefully caught online and claimed the part wont be in till Friday -great there goes night classes that week. I then patiently waited till Thursday night and then text him asking him what time I should be there Friday, he said come exactly at 5pm as he had plans afterwards. Friday morning, I text to confirm before making the trip and sure enough, he made another excuse stating the part wasn't there and wouldn't be till Saturday, hmm maybe those aforementioned personal Friday evening plans for kicked in? When pressed a little harder, he said fine just come "ill run to the post office and get it" (Sound fishy? How can you run to the post office and get the part if you claimed earlier the part wasn't going to be in till Saturday?)
Anyways, I make the trip out, (out $100 for labor, $80 in fuel for an EXTRA unnecessary trip, $50 for a used new mirror, a rashed upper cowl due to the mirror flinging off, a cracked fairing, plus the hassle of a non-working bike per our agreement). I get there, he tears apart the bike while I sit patiently letting him do his job. Everything is complete, he turns on the lights and for a second it works, and then BAM same thing HID's no longer work, only the lo-beam works off the high beam handlebar switch. He tells me that this is the best he can do, he'll give me the contact info for the company who sells this HID kit, (blaming it on the HID kit TWICE) and for me to redo the work once I get the kit in. THEN, when I asked him to at least aim the projector correctly, he couldn't even do that properly and the light now is cocked down and to the left.
Now explain this to me, I paid for work, install went incorrectly due to installer incompetence, apparently the HID kit went bad TWICE, I am out of ALL the aforementioned costs ^^, I have to redo the work that he claimed he knew and could take on no problem, avoids all means of communication and claims "...go ahead slander my name on the forums, I don't care I'm done working on bikes" via text as well as Facebook status, and refuses to give me my money back, (taking a hit even at the asking of $200 in refunds).
What do you guys suggest? I never knew he'd turn out to be a crook and leave me stranded with a bike that is improperly working. Had he told me he didn't feel comfortable working on my bike, I would've EASILY understood and would've paid a shop to do it right the first time around. He showed ZERO signs and utmost confidence in being able to complete the job as requested and paid for. So here I am trying to figure out what I can do before going legal, (only out of principle; I know it doesn't make sense financially for me, but its the wrong thing for him to do and get away with).
ps. he's blocked me on Facebook, doesn't return phone calls or text messages. I have been extremely patient and civil and never threatened him a single bit, but I'm to a point where I'm dealing with a CHILD who refuses to man up to his mistake. I want to take him to small claims court, and if I do I am going to throw the book at him -cost of mirror, new upper cowl, right side fairing, new headlamps he opened and didn't properly seal, travel costs, as well as court fees. How likely am I to win the case if I take this step? Any lawyers on here?
...otherwise known as "zmds18" on cbrforums.
First and foremost, I hope this is within 'legality' of this forum. I am in need of help as I don't want to resort to the worst case scenario; legal, (out of principle). Long story short, I had some work that was contracted with Zack, (with documentation through Facebook chat) where he claimed to be able to take on a job: installation/wiring of projector retrofits w/halos/HIDs. I chose him due to the fact that he has pretty good feedback on cbrforums and has several claims that show he may know what he's doing. I paid him via Paypal with two transactions, (foolishly as a gift, thinking I'd save him a few dollars out of kindness). One transaction was for the parts $200, and one transaction $100, a few days later for labor.
That weekend, I rode out 2.5hrs, (each way) only to find out that while 'installing' the parts he ended up shorting out my HID ballast; he had a test battery laying REAL close to the area he was working at and the dangling wire touched the positive lead, (although he claimed "...it was a crappy kit" and would get a replacement under warranty). Now, if you do this as a side job and have claimed to do several jobs, wouldn't you buy a part that you know has tested to be good? Strange. He told me to come back the following week, (another 5hr trip, gas, etc) and he'd finish up the work. I left that night, (8hrs later) with halos as DRL's and NO LIGHTS WHATSOEVER and told him to expedite the part due to the fact this is my only means of transportation and can't ride without lights at night. Zack agreed to have the company over-night the part come Monday. Now, to make matters worse, on the ride back home, my mirror flew off because of his negligence of tightening down the bolts, my right side fairing nearly fell off, (held on by ONE bolt and my hand for the remainder of the ride causing a small section of the fairing near the bolt that was holding it on, to crack), and the rest of my fairings being loosely held on causing HORRIBLE fitment of everything, (gaps everywhere). Sent him pics of all damage once I reached hom, and he said "..how about I just return your money?" Well obviously at that point I had paid him for a job that I clearly wasn't comfortable taking on so I just said let's just finish the job for which I paid him to complete.
Now fast forward Monday, he avoided any means of communication until forcefully caught online and claimed the part wont be in till Friday -great there goes night classes that week. I then patiently waited till Thursday night and then text him asking him what time I should be there Friday, he said come exactly at 5pm as he had plans afterwards. Friday morning, I text to confirm before making the trip and sure enough, he made another excuse stating the part wasn't there and wouldn't be till Saturday, hmm maybe those aforementioned personal Friday evening plans for kicked in? When pressed a little harder, he said fine just come "ill run to the post office and get it" (Sound fishy? How can you run to the post office and get the part if you claimed earlier the part wasn't going to be in till Saturday?)
Anyways, I make the trip out, (out $100 for labor, $80 in fuel for an EXTRA unnecessary trip, $50 for a used new mirror, a rashed upper cowl due to the mirror flinging off, a cracked fairing, plus the hassle of a non-working bike per our agreement). I get there, he tears apart the bike while I sit patiently letting him do his job. Everything is complete, he turns on the lights and for a second it works, and then BAM same thing HID's no longer work, only the lo-beam works off the high beam handlebar switch. He tells me that this is the best he can do, he'll give me the contact info for the company who sells this HID kit, (blaming it on the HID kit TWICE) and for me to redo the work once I get the kit in. THEN, when I asked him to at least aim the projector correctly, he couldn't even do that properly and the light now is cocked down and to the left.
Now explain this to me, I paid for work, install went incorrectly due to installer incompetence, apparently the HID kit went bad TWICE, I am out of ALL the aforementioned costs ^^, I have to redo the work that he claimed he knew and could take on no problem, avoids all means of communication and claims "...go ahead slander my name on the forums, I don't care I'm done working on bikes" via text as well as Facebook status, and refuses to give me my money back, (taking a hit even at the asking of $200 in refunds).
What do you guys suggest? I never knew he'd turn out to be a crook and leave me stranded with a bike that is improperly working. Had he told me he didn't feel comfortable working on my bike, I would've EASILY understood and would've paid a shop to do it right the first time around. He showed ZERO signs and utmost confidence in being able to complete the job as requested and paid for. So here I am trying to figure out what I can do before going legal, (only out of principle; I know it doesn't make sense financially for me, but its the wrong thing for him to do and get away with).
ps. he's blocked me on Facebook, doesn't return phone calls or text messages. I have been extremely patient and civil and never threatened him a single bit, but I'm to a point where I'm dealing with a CHILD who refuses to man up to his mistake. I want to take him to small claims court, and if I do I am going to throw the book at him -cost of mirror, new upper cowl, right side fairing, new headlamps he opened and didn't properly seal, travel costs, as well as court fees. How likely am I to win the case if I take this step? Any lawyers on here?
