Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner ... UPDATE 07/15 : MGB & GT Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner ... UPDATE 07/15 #1
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: July 10, 2012 09:47PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,236

UPDATE: I found out this mess happened 'cos Augustin asked the shop to try install the w'screen assy and had to do a bit of persuading; they weren't willing. So it's not a matter after all of going after the shop. He has another w'screen frame, temporarily misplaced during his home remodeling, and can get the glass easy enough. He's very touched by your offers of help but wants to pursue this on his own when he's recuperated.

Augustin's wife and I both had to scold him Fri when I found him at home tearing the front end down on his red B driver, in the street eye rolling smiley

- he's not following the "get-better first" plan; loves tinkering w his B's too much!

Some of you may remember the story I posted last winter how I met an elderly Haitian man close by me with 2 1977 B's - 1 driver and 1 basket case. I hadn't heard from Augustin Senecharles for months (pic 1, w/ his nice driver he smuggled out of Haiti in 2002). Found out he was ill, had prostate surgery, is recovering well thumbs up

But his PO - murdered '77 B project (pic 2, my house today) has incurred a tragedy; he got it running, installed a new dash and took it to an upholstery shop where they did an OK, kinda cute (cheap) job (pic 3). But they cracked the w'screen, more than 5 cracks, installing it, botched the job beyond belief (frame damage, bottom seal burnt in 2 places eye popping smiley

), and claim they aren't responsible! (pic 4)

Augustin's English is hard to understand - IDK yet why that shop took that stand, but he has no insurance and is now out of funds. All I could make out is after an extended battle w/ that shop his wife told him to let it be, for fear he'd have a stroke. I just wish I could help - he's pretty skilled but I wouldnt wish a w'screen replace on him. I'll report more as I find out.

Please everyone, positive thoughts to Augustin that he be able to work this out.

~ Marco and Viajero ~

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2012 02:43PM by forestghost07.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #2
Dave Braun Minnesota, USA 1952 MG TD "Tommy" 1970 MG MGB "Maggie" 1974 Triumph Spitfire 1500 "Sammy"	Posted: July 10, 2012 10:00PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 1,987

That's the worst windshield install I've ever seen. Good luck. Perhaps you can enlist the BBB.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #3
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: July 10, 2012 10:04PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,236

If I can get Augustin to pursue the matter I'll sure help him that way thanks Dave!

~ Marco and Viajero ~

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #4
29desoto Wayne Sanders Outside Otis, OR - in the woods!, USA 1965 MG MGB V6 Conversion "Tubby" 1977 MG MGB "Ole Yeller" 1979 MG MGB "Kermit" 1984 Chevrolet Corvette "The Green Weenie" 1994 Chevrolet S10 "Lil Red"	Posted: July 10, 2012 10:18PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 6,030

Good Lord. Botched is a kind word. How did they ever get the top to latch?

Maybe that's how the glass broke.

Wayne Sanders
Rose Lodge, OR

"I don't care to belong to any club that accepts people like me"-joined Willamette Valley Club in 2011

77 MGB - Four tone paint - some kind of electronic ignition - hood props - cheap tires - new springs all around - mixture of poly and rubber bushings - original exhaust - fuzzy seatcovers - stereo out of old F150 pickup - virtually no rust - right front wrecked and semi well repaired - just about right for me!

78 MGB - Done right by a good PO, and I only bought it. Tell Jim how nice it is. But I did put in a Datsun 5 speed.

79/65 MGB - Tubby - Carmine Red - V-6 - T-5
Going to do this one more right, less rat rod!

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #5
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: July 10, 2012 10:56PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,926

yeah marco, that's the guy i was asking about.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #6
trmgb todd martinez littleton,co, USA 1975 MG MGB MkIII 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4WD	Posted: July 10, 2012 11:44PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,138

I think I would find a lawyer and have them right a letter. The right letterhead can be very powerful

72 engine, hif carbs, black od, rest of car stock

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #7
The old NZMGBs Paul WIERINGA Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand	Posted: July 11, 2012 12:13AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 455

Bastards!!
Paul

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #8
JohnTF John F Northeastern Ohio, USA 1970 MG MGB 1970 MG MGB	Posted: July 11, 2012 02:54AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 843

If he is old enough, or even now, Legal Aid can be a great friend.

When they take your car, they are responsible.

Can be a hard fight, I have had shops damage my car, and even a car wash ruined the clear coat, and I did not fight enough, but my body shop guy helped me out. Oh, and a body shop sent my car out for a new vinyl top, the top company left a bunch of new holes -- flooded the trunk when I was out of town, I eventually recovered the damages for all the stuff I had been moving that was destroyed--

The fight can wear you out, but I think Legal Aid will take this-- they work a lot with immigrants, my friend was the local head, and while they help particularly low income and immigrants, regardless of income, at a certain age they help you as well.

Judge Judy would rip them a new one. ;-) I think they are plainly lying to him, Local media also might well help, the picture really tells it all and the public eye on them can really put the heat on.

Regards, John

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2012 11:18AM by JohnTF.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #9
the omega man phil wilkins staffordshire, United Kingdom 1973 MG MGB GT	Posted: July 11, 2012 03:05AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,693

So he paid them money before seeing his car? Dangerous.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #10
melbaver Chris Howells Broadwater NSW, Australia 1968 MG MGB "Moneypit" 1996 Jeep Cherokee "Shopping Trolley"	Posted: July 11, 2012 03:15AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 4,956

Tell him to get well first, I'm sure from all of us. Then plot revenge.

Chris Howells

1968 MGB Purchased already dis-assembled which is why I'm often ignorant about what some parts are, and even more ignorant of where they go.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #11
twigworker Jack Austin Blowing Rock, NC, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:12AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 20,753

Positively? I would positively find someone named Vinnie down there in Miami and pay him to visit said rip off shop.

Need a name? I am sure that we can come up with one.

Not making light of the situation, but I am just sayin'....

Jack

---------------------------------------------------- Services to Interesting British Automobiles-- www.jackscars.net ----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------I like to think that I don't service automobiles so much as I provide entertainment, fulfill dreams and revive wonderful memories --------------

I am in the northwestern North Carolina mountains, right up against the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lawn chairs are in the shop and always time to talk. Drop in any time.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #12
biglawndog Scott Thomas Coconut Creek, Fl, USA 1979 MG MGB	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:21AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 141

Marco,
Try to get the media involved, bad publicity can do wonders for motivation. Doesn't one of the news stations have a guy that does just this of thing? Make a call to the shop and let them know that you are helping him out and that there will be a reporter or two knocking on their door. Keep us posted

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #13
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:38AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,926

the truth is there is very little marco can do. he wasn't wronged. the haitian needs to stir the pot but with his bad health and poor english (and probably spanish) it is unlikely he will do so. i think in the end the shop will get away with this.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #14
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:45AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,721

I like the seats.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #15
JackMG Jack Lindler Greenville,SC, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:51AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 14,866

Haitians speak a brand of French called Creole. Not Spanish.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #16
twigworker Jack Austin Blowing Rock, NC, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 07:00AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 20,753

I think that Scott has something there.

If you personally go and have a chat, no phone calls, with the TV station I'll bet there will be some interest on their part.

It sounds like a perfect two minute feature to me. Elderly minority, speaking poor English and in poor health just trying to live out something on his bucket list wronged by an idiot rip off vendor.

Now that's something that the media could get their teeth into. smiling smiley

Good on you BTW Marco. Lots of folks wouldn't give this a second thought, but the softy that you are can make this right.

Jack

---------------------------------------------------- Services to Interesting British Automobiles-- www.jackscars.net ----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------I like to think that I don't service automobiles so much as I provide entertainment, fulfill dreams and revive wonderful memories --------------

I am in the northwestern North Carolina mountains, right up against the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lawn chairs are in the shop and always time to talk. Drop in any time.

How to advertise on this website

Jacks Cars - Services To Interesting British Automobiles Over 40 years of caring and capable services to British cars and their owners. For help or advice please call 828-295-0224, email to jackscars@charter.net or go to www.jackscars.net.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #17
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 07:05AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,926

In reply to # 2117027 by JackMG Haitians speak a brand of French called Creole. Not Spanish.

that's why i said he probably speaks very poor spanish.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #18
ironpony Dan Howland Minnesota, USA 1977 MG MGB	Posted: July 11, 2012 07:14AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 866

Hate to bring this up. But, maybe the shop see him as an illegal and is taking advantage of his status to avoid paying for their bad work. Just a thought and I hope I am wrong.

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #19
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: July 11, 2012 07:17AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,236

Thanks everyone; I'll be relaying your help to Augustin (he's not the least computer-literate). Rust-free aside, his green B was in horrible shape and he's performed a miracle on it, only to have this giant setback - he needs to sell it. (I believe it IS solid and rot-free, will investigate) Media attention is a great idea; there's enough Haitian newspapers and radio stations here.

Augustin's owned the maroon B since new (originally Damask); he's still devoted smiling smiley

~ Marco and Viajero ~

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Re: Very Sad - I feel Awful For This B Owner #20
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: July 11, 2012 07:25AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,236

In reply to # 2117045 by ironpony Hate to bring this up. But, maybe the shop see him as an illegal and is taking advantage of his status to avoid paying for their bad work. Just a thought and I hope I am wrong.

Hi Dan, naah its a Haitian shop and these rude, aggressive, self-righteous ppl normally stick together to the point they've almost taken over Miami (and we let them angry smiley

). Augustin is an exception - he's a gentleman (former history teacher)

~ Marco and Viajero ~

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