I Learned from my mistake

copperjewel · « **on:** June 07, 2005, 05:59:12 PM »

:evil: In Nov 2003 I found a 2110 on the samba and a set of carbs. The deal was made and the items shipped. When the engine got here the first thing Josh noticed was the case was not a "new AS41 case" and the gears were not "straight cut." At this point I told Josh to split the case. Well it was not a Demello crank, the bearings were used etc,etc,etc. To sum it up, the only thing factual from the ad is the fact that it was an engine!

I contacted the person and he said the was just relaying what the components were from the person he purchased the engine from. He decided to go stock was the reason he did not use the engine. Well, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. A deal was struck that I would ship the engine back and he would fix it up to meet the ad. The engine was shipped and we told the seller to take his time that I was not in a rush to get the engine back We decided to go with a 2276 since a new case was being purchased. So in March 2004 we went to Pro Flow and purchased the pistons,cam,lifters,rods and shipped them to the seller. In November 04 we got the engine back.

Once again, not a new case but the gears looked right. On June 2, 2005 I ordered all the items to get the engine installed. Josh said he had a bad feeling about the engine. So I told him to split the case and check it all out. Once again, used bearings, the case had been butchered inside. I am not an engine builder, but I could do a hell of a neater job. The bearings on the rods were used too!!!! I am not sure on the crankif it is a demello or not. It has stroker on it in yellow writing, and some stamps. All our parts were used, thank God. Well this time I got pictures and am posting them. I gave the seller the benefit of the doubt the first time and still got screwed over. I have learned the hard way. I will use the people locally that I used the first 2 times.

I did not want to post anything to hurt this person the first time because he agreed to make thing right. That did not happen, so I do not want any of you to get burned. So basicallyI lost $2100.00 on this transaction.

If any of you want to see the pictures, email me at : blairjohn@bellsouth.net and I will send them to you.

Here is the seller

Shain Bowker
Grants Pass, Oregon 97527

Zen · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2005, 11:24:34 PM »

:shock: I'm not an "engine builder" either, but I don't think I could hack one up like that if tried! 95% of the folks I've ever delt with over the internet were honest and I wouldn't have a problem dealing with them again . . . but that other 5% are basically crooks. It makes it hard to trust anyone you don't really know.

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2005, 08:40:48 AM »

Well, I don`t know how some people sleep at night. I wonder if the seller and "builder" is one in the same ? Their names and the photos should be plastered all over every VW site out there. I don`t know what you could do but lick your wounds and move on, but I would find losing $2100 very hard to get over. Like you said , try to have your work done by someone you can trust and close by. At least you could get your hands around his neck if things don`t right. I think I would be real close to jumping on a airplane. Damn !!!!!
:evil: :evil: :evil:

copperjewel · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2005, 09:11:40 AM »

The builder and the seller are the same. He seemed to be a very nice person on the phone and was nothing but cooperative in making the matter right. I wish I still had the orignal ad, but I lost the copy. Also the first case was CRACKED!! I made 30 photos and kept all the parts from the engine this time. You should see them, you would faint! The case was filthy inside and outside. I even let him keep the old parts out of the engine. I figured he could sell them and get the money etc, to buy the "new case.' Guess that is what I get for thinking :roll:

I have posted this on The Samba, STF, German Addiction and here. As I said, I did not want to hurt this persons ability to earn a living etc, and when he seemed to want to make things right, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But at the same time I know what happened to me and I dont want anyone else to have the same problem.The price covered shipping to me the first time, I paid to ship it back and then split the shipping back to me. I must be the most gullible person in Georgia. You would think with almost 20 years law enforcement experience I would be wiser than that.

This was one costly learning experience. But I will use people I know from now on for sure.

vwherb · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2005, 09:35:46 AM »

I would post it anywhere and everywhere I possible could to try my best to stop this a**#%le from ever selling anything else VW related. We don't need scum like this invading our hobby. :evil:

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2005, 10:11:42 AM »

No , I don`t think you are gulible , just Southern. We expect to be treated right. Where a hand shake means somthing or when somebody tells us something, you can belive it. I was a VW tech for 40+ years and you can belive me when I tell you it takes ten times the effort to try to put the "weenie" to somebody than just doing the job right. I hired a guy who moved down here from Ohio whose mission in life was to "Rip" customers off. I finely caught him in the act after a couple of engine "comebacks". He thought he was helping me make more money by using old parts over again. He didn`t understand why I was upset.
I wonder what would happen if some of your law enforcement buddys out there paid this dude a vist. You know how you guys stick together. Maybe nothing will happen, but you might scare the crap out of him. :twisted: :twisted:

copperjewel · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2005, 07:37:22 PM »

:oops: I stand corrected on the money lost. The engine was 2100 and the carbs and intakes were 500. I got good carbs and intakes in the deal. Had them cleaned and rebuilt at Pro Flow. For the 2100 I did get good heads, and valve covers, and a learning experience

.

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2005, 08:51:10 AM »

Well ! After looking at the rest of the photos Im at a complete loss for words if you can belive that. I think its time to "Lock & Load" don`t you think ? All together now. 1- 2-3 Can we say FRAUD ? :evil:

vwherb · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2005, 07:54:05 PM »

I expressed my thoughts last night on the phone. Go to the FBI. I think there would be a couple of federal statutes that have been ripped wide open. :twisted:

copperjewel · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2005, 05:51:40 AM »

:evil: My usual easy going demeanor is steadily slipping. Each time I go to the basement and see that piece of crap case sitting on the floor and the bags with the used bearings on the bench, my blood pressure goes up. Then to top things off, Fed-Ex is making regular stops. Got the Berg fan, the 3.5 qt oil sump, all the tins, the doghouse, the 2100# Kennedy clutch kit, the chrome alternator kit, the billet stuff, the headers and exhaust should be here next week. And no engine to put the stuff on. Oh well, Steve will be back at Pro Flow this week. Time to do what I should have done in the first place.

Herb, I'm making some calls and calling in some favors (you know what I mean) from lawyers I've helped out and I will talk with the feds on the matter. Might not be able to do a thing, but I'll check anyway. Wonder if Judge Larry Joe would take this case?? LOL

copperjewel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2005, 08:26:02 PM »

:evil: Well, Josh carried the supposed "Demello Crank" to Steve at Pro Flo last week to let his expert eyes look at it. Why did it not surprise me when he said it is just a "reground crank".

Oh well, "live and learn" is the applicable motto here. I had Steve order me a crank today, new lightened flywheel, all the bearings, (I'm actually using NEW ONES and I'm not an engine builder, and the rest of the goodies needed to get the 2276 put together. Called A-1 today and the exhaust and muffler go out to be ceramic coated Monday. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the week. If all goes well I hope the 67 is back on the road by the end of this month at the latest.

copperjewel · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2007, 09:53:36 AM »

:evil: :evil:
Well my posting this on the Samba paid off. I got information that a gentleman out west who got ripped off by this same guy. It seems Mr. Bowker has a scam going where he offers to "Build Your Bus" for you. The only problem is he can not do any of the work and subs out all the work. The bus in this deal turned out to be a "piece of crap" according to this person.

This really ticks me off because 99.99% of the folks in the VW world are great folks. This does not include VWoA. But that .01% mess over folks and get away with it most of the time. I know too much time has passed for me to get any $$$ back, but I think a little more research and I may just be able to do some posting to bring more attention to this guy.

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2007, 10:40:04 AM »

It seems to me that this guy is getting away with interstate Fraud and you still can't do anything about it ?? All you people that "got had" need to muster together and go after this clown big time. dig,dig.dig until you can put him in jail. :evil:

« **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2007, 07:07:47 AM »

not only am i into bugs i also work at a harley shop and own 5 bikes. u get to meet the nicest people at bike rallies. i may b able to help change his mind.

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Topic: I Learned from my mistake (Read 4383 times)

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