Scam alert on a Mr. Carpenter

I bought something from Ebay from the same user.

The transaction went fine, but the used part was mis-represented. Actually, it was more like caveat emptor. The problem was that I asked a question earlier specifically about the part under the assumption that the part was good. He replied, knowing how I intended using the part and never indicated the part was broken. It was a used part, but he knew how I wanted to use it.

When I received the part, it was not usable (mounting on one side was broken, it cannot be put on a car). While I never specifically asked if it was broken, his ad also never stated it wasnt unusable.

I will not buy from him again.

I did NOT write a negative review for fear of "retalliation". I have a 100% buyers rating and he "withholds feedback until you leave feedback" which is one of the negatives about Ebay.

Again, I will NOT buy from him again, I cannot recommend. And of course, I've learned my lesson to ask very specific questions prior to bidding/purchase.

James in Denver

 

I am about to enter into a $165K work order with Mr. Carpenter. After reading your complaint about his character, I have second thoughts on sending him an $85K deposit. Does anyone else had any bad experience with this gentleman? Your response will be greatly appreciated.

 

Same. I bought a nice looking tach, great condition.....that didn't work when it arrived. Before that I bought my GTO valance and bumper from him. I paid and it took months finally after I informed him I planned to file a small claims on "x" date, the parts arrive just in time. It be fair the part were good, although now exactly what I expected (they were gto copies and not 308 bolt-on gto look alike like I thought) and the price was very good. If I even need a replacement I might buy from him again but it would be though and escrow service or no deal.

The AZ company was Italian design which he sold to Butch Hooper who was a great guy to deal with. Butch has since re-sold it. Nick is buying his GTO stuff from Jim I guess these days.

 

I suggest you break the order down more than that and list specific deliverables before each payment.....and make sure you see the parts and work at each step before writing the next check. I don't think he mean to steal, but just doesn't plan his time very well, he does nice work....when he finally does it.

 

Jim built 308s into 288 GTO replicas and 308 race cars

Do your research before signing

 

None of my business, but what would you be doing with this guy for $165K? 288 GTO recreation...? He was know for in this in the past....good and bad...

Either way, I've never personally dealt w/ JC, but in my 8 years here on F-chat, his name has not been highly regarded.

I did deal w/ Butch Hooper personaly several times.... who bought Jim's business at some point in the 90's...great/freindly/helpfull guy. JC OTOH, has had mixed reviews over the years.

I would find it kind of "poetic" justice in some regard if JC (knowing only the reputation) would lose a possible $165K job over a bad deal on a spoiler.....yet in some sense that shows the true character of the man. I (attempt) to treat everyone the same wether it's a $5 job or a $50K job...but thats just me =)

Best of luck.

Make it out for the the BRIC @ Road America this July and see what the fun is all about (citing your previous thread about a private track/development in SE WI)

SA

 

I buy a lot on eBay but have learned to avoid:

Anyone with less that 99.2 feedback
'Super sellers' with over 10,000 transactions

The latter will never give you proper communication and the former have demonstrated their style.

 

Bob, did you try GT Car Parts?

 

Doubt he'll read the chat and change.......

Any guy who doesn't treat a $450 deal the same as a $165K deal is someone w/o scrupples IMO

I personally went to a client today and cleared $11.50 for 1.5 hours of work simply because I support him and his business as he has supported me/my business in the past, so .....

I'm probably/obviously stupid, but Karma is a great thing =)

 

not to mention good brats.........

 

I purchased about $5K worth parts from Mr. Carpenter about four years ago, and he failed to delivered on two of them (oil cooler duct and front turn signal len). After months of e-mails and phone calls, I gave up and will not do business with him again!

BTW, Nick's Forza Ferrari is doing business with him on the 288 GTO retro thing. Working through Nick may help with this matter. A couple months ago I spoke with Nick about Jim Carpenter and he is in regular contact with him and he gave me his phone number and address. I cannot believe that Nick would drag his business down with someone like this!

 

Butch dealt with him all along too. The key was Butch wouldn't sell or take a deposit for a part that he didn't have in stock. I forget what I wanted, but told me his supplier can be slow and he would let me know when he had more in stock.

There have been numerous threads on him if you do a search....I remember he actually posted to one of them no long back.

 

I suspect he does treat a $450 deal the same as a $165k deal

 

Great to hear it worked out for you.

Good luck installing it and don't forget the pictures.

 

I think you are correct

 

IMHO, if you can afford to spend $165K on any kind of work on any car, you can afford to hop on a plane and visit his shop in person before handing over a deposit. And $85K sounds like a huge amount for a deposit, no matter what he's doing, unless that includes the purchase of the car that is being worked on. And then, I would want to be there in person for the purchase, inspect the car before handing over a penny, and get the title in hand. I would also want a well-drafted contract with benchmarks, payments based on performance and defined deliverables at various stages. Plus, I'd go out there an check on the progress of the work periodically. And for a job that big, I might even demand that he post a performance and payment bond as well as provide proof of insurance, and other financial information. Heck, run a D&B on the guy and his business, and get a banking reference. If he's reluctant to give you sufficient information to do even that, I'd seriously consider looking elsewhere. There are a lot of really good shops out there with excellent reputations, you don't need to give your money to someone with a questionable background.

I don't know this guy, and know nothing about him. But unless you are a very trusting soul who is willing to simply fork over money on a promise, I'd seriously want to check the guy out, see his shop, and keep a very close rein on what he is doing, contractually and through constant monitoring of the work.

 

Quick search of FChat revealed these prior threads:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155518&highlight=Jim+Carpenter
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6773&highlight=jim+carpenter
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6995&highlight=jim+carpenter
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6995&highlight=race308

Wish I had seen these.

EDIT: Looks like he subscribed once to reply to one negative post. Username only had one post. That doesnt mean he couldnt subscribe under different names unless Rob uses some sort of IP blocking.

James in Denver

 

It was not just $165K. I had multiple orders which would easily surpass the $3 million mark, and that is being super conservative. I do realize there are always two sides of the story, but as it stands now, Jim has a great deal of explaining to do.

Gustan

 

OH BOY! NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR JIM

 

I have no time to babysit and fly and check on the work. The reason I am paying a premium is so I have a professional manage the process of the end product. I really wanted him to build a 250 GTO recreation but wanted to start with a 288 GTO. I own a lot of exotic and luxury cars and never owned nor did ever wanted to own one but decided to experiment with Jim Carpenter. He seemed like a super nice guy and extremely knowledgeable and was a referral from a local auto broker who has dealt with him. I deal with many national vendors and reputable subcontractors in my business and the ones that are reputable are the ones that do not ask for any money up front. You need to be careful with people that ask for money up front. The only time I pay people a deposit is when I know its a start up company and they are busting ass to make ends meet (my heroes in life).

Gustan

 

Bob,

Sorry to hear this. I bought parts from him before and didn't have any problems. I bought the back half of the spare tire surround and it was exactly as described. It was such a big item I asked if I could pick it up since Olympia is only a few miles away. He agreed and I picked it up at his wifes antique shop downtown. I didn't meet him but his wife was very friendly and courteous.

I had no idea he was "that" Jim though. I have heard of him before and it makes sense now that the name and 308 user name are tied together.

Glad to hear you were able to find what you needed elsewhere!