Horrible Experience with Norwood Autocraft! Beware of Bob Norwood

Houses are different. It's really escrow money that lives under a long practiced and form agreement. If a buyer can't at least put up earnest money something is not right. Deposits on personal property are subject to the UCC. But it's still clear. I think the better practice is to do what most people have suggested just return the money alright Otherwise you can pay us lawyers. I hate paying lawyers.

 

Every property I have purchased over the last 13 years here in Australia, I have laid down a $500 deposit.

I call the agent, place down a $500 deposit. *They always ask for more to show that "I am serious about buying the property"*

I always give em $500, if they don't like that then I walk. Of course they always take my $500 deposit.

I then make arrangements for the electrical, building and pest inspections to be done and then I fly away and see the property in person. If it all checks out then it's done, contract signed and money paid. I have purchased every single property that I have placed a deposit on, I have never wasted anyone's time before.

The last property I bought in April 2011 cost me $800K. Again, I gave $500 but the agent asked for $150,000. lol

Kept hounding me for it too. I kept refusing saying $500 was more than enough for me to secure the property until I had the electrical, pest and building inspections done. This takes around two weeks total.

Once they were done and came back all good, I asked for the contract to be sent out. Was that simple.

I never flew done to inspect this one, life was too busy back then. But I walked through the property a few years later and was very happy with the purchase I made.

I think taking a deposit for a house or car is important as it secures the deal for the buyer until inspections are made in person and if the buyer refuses to buy or changes their mind then give the deposit should be given back.

Just my thoughts on this.

 

"Horrible Experience with Norwood Autocraft! Beware of Bob Norwood"

You could not have written this title better if you wanted optimise this thread's prominence on Google (SEO). It mentions two highly linked terms (Norwood Autocraft, Bob Norwood) within nine words.

 

One of the few freedoms that running your own business gives you is setting your own hours.
If you want to work 7 days a week fine. 18 hour days ? Knock yourself out.
See if the owner of Dallas Ferrari will meet you on Sunday to close a deal on a $100K car.

I'm a fan of Bob's work but after if it was me I'd just refund the deposit just to be done with it.

 

This thread makes fascinating reading!

A master class in how to damage your carefully established reputation in one easy step. In the immortal words of Derek Trotter "what a plonker!"

 

Actually, my husband was in the car industry for almost twenty years, and while the owners might not have been meeting people on Sundays (as dealerships are much bigger than an independent shop), they absolutely had employees meeting customers on Sundays, and for sales/services on cars worth less than 100k. And he only dealt with luxury lines.

If Bob didn't want to agree to a Sunday, no one forced him to. As far as I know, the word "no" is still allowed in anyone's vocabulary.

 

But Bob's exercising his right to say "no" - People are saying he should refund the $2k and Bob say's: No!"

I agree though, no one forced Bob to meeting prospective buyers on a Sunday, and in the automotive game, you have to accept that sometimes these things happen (prospective buyers not turning up), and just let it go.

There are a couple of things that I struggle to understand with all of this:

1) It is pretty much accepted on both sides (at least by Bob's minion in this thread), that there was a misunderstanding created by the wording of the original advert concerning the wheels, and that the prospective buyer was not happy with the solution eventually offered, so why not simply accept that the deal wasn't going to work out and refund the deposit?

2) Both Bob Norwood and his minion on here have basically implied that $2K is a piffling amount to them that is of no real importance, so again, why not simply return it?

3) The car in question has since been sold for the amount originally asked for, so it's not as though a sale has been lost due to the OP, so where's Bob Norwood's loss? - A Sunday waiting for a buyer to show up? What did he do, sit at his desk the whole day twiddling his thumbs?

I think people are overestimating the damage that this whole situation will actually do to Bob Norwood's business TBH. Yes a handful of people might be put off doing business with him, but I highly doubt it will damage his business to any major degree.

Saying that though, Bob would have come out of this with a lot more respect from everyone if he'd simply stated that, although he doesn't believe he has to return the deposit, he would do it anyway and chalk it up to experience.

 

Schulz, did you mean to say that this car was a 308 that was dismantled and used to help create the 288 GTO? I'm not sure how this car could have been used to help create the F40. The progression went 308 - 288 GTO - GTO Evoluzione - F40. The 288 GTO itself - or more specifically, the GTO Evoluzione, was used to create the F40. At least that is my understanding. I would like to hear more details about this car...






I can't believe that BN still has not returned the OP's deposit. Clearly, the agreement did not state that the deposit was nonrefundable. It makes little difference whether the erroneously described parts (in this case, the wheels) were discovered by the OP upon an in-person inspection or a closer inspection/examination of on-line pictures. BN needs to refund the deposit IMHO, and fast.

I'd be very leery of doing business with BN after reading this thread. I'm not sure what is worse in this situation: the fact that BN is improperly pocketing the deposit monies or the arrogance and obvious disdain BN (and his employee) have displayed for a potential customer.

Whenever I deal with deposits, either as a buyer or a seller, I always make sure that the terms are spelled out clearly in writing before any money changes hands. There is nothing wrong with nonrefundable deposits but the terms must be clearly stated in writing. Although, none of that really applies here as there was a gross misrepresentation of the item in this case so even if the terms called for a nonrefundable deposit in this case, the seller should still be refunding this deposit.

 

I'm not sure about this - I think the impact could be substantial but difficult to quantify.

If a car is sold but sits in inventory while untold people dismiss in consideration of the seller's reputation, it is still "sold", of course. But it could have been sold quicker, allowing another vehicle to enter the inventory in its place, etc.

For repairs and restoration, the shop may remain busy. But who's to say the number of potential clients who decide to take their business elsewhere? A lack of growth is more difficult to notice than a dropoff in revenue.

The world served by BN is small, but the dollar amount per customer is high. When people part with a lot of cash, they like to do due diligence (and the current Google search-ability of BN is terrible) and consider their options.

No one is "the only game in town" when the "town" is anywhere in trucking distance.

 

Mr Norwood and his minions, what a bounce of clowns! Zero credibility left. Igonorant *******s...! Will never do business with them and will make sure this thread spreads thru Europe as well.

Skickat från min SM-G928F via Tapatalk

 

15 pages! WOW!

 

The owner of Algar Ferrari and his minions met plenty of folks on Sundays back when I was doing business with them. I don't know about the present owner, but I betcha Francis and the gang would still gladly meet you on a Sunday if it meant delivering to you a $100K car, and you couldn't make it on a regular work day.

Bob Segal, who was the owner at Algar when I bought my Dino, called me, chased me down actually, one evening when my Dino first appeared at his shop, despite having at least a half dozen other potential buyers, because he had, "promised me first crack at any Dinos that came in." This despite never having bought ANYTHING from them, and after a maybe 30 minute conversation with him on his showroom floor a few days prior. I hadn't bought a thing (not even a hat) prior to my purchase of 04798 for a whopping $42K including tax.

I've met customers at my place on holidays to help them pick up orders for a few thousand dollars, because, as the owner, I felt it was important to do. Cost me a few hours, earned me customers for life.

Everyone sets their own standards.

 

Not sure why the above ^^ would raise any red flags. (Rolls eyes).
Probably a good reason for Norwood to stay silent.

 

All this leads to another question .. How is it that BN has the blessing of Ferrari and sell him these parts directly from Prototype vehicles? It has always been my understanding that the factory despises this type of action and go out of their way to deal a legal smack down of individuals creating replicas for resale, especially 288 GTO.
Would think that Ferrari would find pleasure in this thread.

 

I AM SO GLAD THAT PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT BOB NORWOOD. IT IS SO SHOCKING ABOUT THE CONDUCT HE IS SHOWING AT THIS STAGE IN HIS LIFE.IT IS SO MINDBLOWING HE WOULD ACTUALLY PUT SOMEONE UP TO POSTING AN ADD WHEN REALLY HE IS HIDING BEHIND THIS WHOLE SITUATION. DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS LEGEND. PEOPLE CHANGE . IT IS SO SAD.

IF YOU VALUE YOUR FERARRI DO NOT LET BOB NORWOOD TOUCH IT-HE WILL PUT FAKE PARTS ON IT AND LIE TO YOU

IT IS SAD TO SAY THIS THAT BOB NORWOOD IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE AND MISLEADING THEM-AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING UP TO HIM AND BELIEVING HIM-AND WHAT HE DID RIPPING THAT MAN OFF 2000 IS SO WRONG. THIS IS SO SAD ABOUT BOB NORWOOD

 

Do you have a source for this? I think it's fair that we be objective, so people can make their own decisions. If I missed something earlier in the thread I apologize. But maybe this is just a summary of your conclusions---if so that's fair. Bill

 

Why do you have to put every letter in capital, there is no need to shout!

 

Sorry, you just joined, make 3 posts all the same, no specifics, no profile info = no cred.

 

Schulz308 - given all that has transpired here over 15 pages and counting...

Please give us an update on your Paypal request to have your money returned.

And, of course, if you hear anything from BN and company.

TIA

 

Quoted from another thread.

Was he referring to Norwood not having the money to complete?

Or was this car on consignment?

 

+1000. (And don't forget the inability to use proper case.)

 

The uppercase letters obviously denote anger. Red, are you a previously burned customer of BN's or an ex employee with an ax to grind? Perhaps you are a competitor taking advantage of this ugly situation...

 

Or just a troll?

Some pretty serious allegations here - use of fake parts, lying, etc. - can you substantiate? If "no" do you have the number of a good lawyer (you may need it)?

 

An obvious ax to grind, my guess is a fired floor sweeper or knob polisher.