ClassicCar

Sharing here so maybe I can save somebody else a bit of grief:

I am being ripped off by this wonderful guy, Dale Spencer. He insisted on advance money order payment for a deck lid, then stalled for 5 weeks, got abusive when questioned, and is still hanging onto my money. I'm not the first person to prepay Dale for parts and then get hung out to dry, as I saw on another forum. Whats worse than the money is the time I have lost with my car in the shop. When you consider how he handles himself- would ANYONE turn a car over to this imbecile for restoration? Can you imagine what a nightmare that would be? Want to see how it goes with this guy? here's our conversation:


I purchased a deck lid for my 70 LeMans, online from a guy who sells GTO parts (Dale Spencer).  He seemed to be a legitimate business, with a website and everything. Here is the summary of a really enjoyable process:   BTW these are not edited, just the exact emails in their entirety.


On Jan 12, 2012, at 2:42 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
I have one out there , very clean , no rust but has the lock hole messed up , easy fix if you have body man skills $150

me: OK I will take it!  how do I pay you?

On Jan 12, 2012, at 6:39 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
no paypal on deliveries and dont haul parts on mans word , doesnt seem to mean much now a days . Thanks anyways

me: I can pay you cash if you like when you're here - I will be out of town Jan 17-22nd though.  Or I can paypal you in advance.

On Jan 12, 2012, at 8:22 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
Yea just seems everytime I bring parts that are not paid guys dont get off the couch at 9pm when i come through and its cold etc , you know what i mean , if i have your money you will be johnny on the spot when i call . Dale Spencer PO box 27 Taylor WI 54659 my cell is 608-864-0304 will send some pics tomarrow so we are on the same page

me:  No problem.  I can get a postal money order for you - just didn't know if you preferred to be paid in advance.   $150 postal money order for Dale Spencer,  give me a heads-up a few days before you will be able to deliver so I can make sure I will be free.  Anytime before Jan 17 or after Jan 22 and I will be here.   If you need to call, my cell is 515 208 2581.

I sent the money order the next day.  
(no delivery and no word from him for weeks)  

…..

me:   To: "Dale Spencer" <dale@gtoman.com>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: 1970-72 LeMans/GTO Rust-Free Deck Lid

Hi Dale.  Any idea when you will be passing through with the deck lid?  My body guys are working quite rapidly on the car and we are going to need it soon.  Thanks!

Dale Spencer:   Feb 6:  >>  be early next week if all goes ok  

(Again, no word or delivery from him for ten days, so I email him  again on Feb 16th)  

Feb 16th:  me:   Hi Dale-  

OK, the body shop called me today and wants to know where is this deck lid I promised them.   You've had my money for a month and I need to get my hands on that deck lid in the next week or find one elsewhere.  I can appreciate your thoughts on people not coming out to pick up parts when they have no skin in the game,  however when I pay a man in advance for something I ask the same consideration in return.  

I think I have been reasonably patient on this-  if you can deliver or get it shipped here by thursday of next week,  I am OK with that.  If you can't, I need a refund and I will source another deck lid elsewhere.    Can you deliver the part?   Please let me know.  

Thank you- 

Randy Norian
515 208 2581

On Feb 16, 2012, at 3:12 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
I have a super clean 1 from new mexico 400 dollars I could deliver it

me:  What happened to the $150 deck lid I already bought?  

On Feb 16, 2012, at 3:26 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
That 1 is in my shed go to you Why are you asking for another 1
 

me:  Dale, I'm confused.   I only need one deck lid.
This one:  
 >>you wrote:
I have one out there , very clean , no rust but has the lock hole messed up , easy fix if you have body man skills  $150<<

I paid you for that deck lid back in January, $150, by postal money order as you specified. 
All I need is for that $150 deck lid to be delivered by Thursday of next week.  
So when you said  this:
>>I have a super clean 1 from new mexico 400 dollars I could deliver it<<
I have no idea what you are talking about.   I'm not asking for second deck lid-   I just need the one I already bought, and I need it soon.  The body shop is waiting on it.  
Randy

On Feb 16, 2012, at 3:42 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
I talk to 20 to 30 people a day So I can't keep track of those who is like what When I am checking email on my phone out west If you want the 1 with the punched out lock it yours

me:  I understand that you must be busy with many clients-  that's why I included our past conversation in my email.   I know the one with the punched out lock is mine,  because I already agreed to take it and already paid for it last month.    We have discussed delivery several times.     At first it was mid-January, but I guess you were not able to make it for some reason- although you did not communicate anything to me other than not delivering it.     On Feb 6th you said "early next week"   which would have been this past week.   I have not heard from you, so I have just been waiting around for the phone to ring or something.   

The only question is, when will I have this deck lid in my hands so I can deliver it to the body shop?   Can you give me a delivery date so that I can plan for it.   I need to have it by next Thursday.  
Thank you
Randy Norian

On Feb 16, 2012, at 4:25 PM, Dale Spencer wrote:
About I just send you your money back

me:  In each of these emails I have asked "when can you deliver the deck lid?"     And so far you have done everything but give me an answer...  Just tell me when you can deliver it, that is why I bought it from you.    You made a big deal about other people's integrity, it would be great if you deliver the part that you promised and demanded advance payment for.   
Thank you
Randy N

… (no response form Dale)

me:  Subject: Re: 1970-72 LeMans/GTO Rust-Free Deck Lid
Another option is to deliver the hood.  Are you saying you can't or won't deliver it?  All I am asking for is a delivery date.  


Dale: Feb 26: just got home from my trip , can ship it anytime you want to pay for the shipping , you didnt want to pay for it or would have sent it out a day or two after I got the payment (note: he never offered to ship it, just said he would deliver it. Shipping was never discussed)


me: How much to ship to des moines?   I was perfectly happy to wait a week or two or three until you were passing through to deliver.  But I am to the point where the shop needs it ASAP.
We can fix my existing deck lid,  but for 150 it made sense if yours was available. If its going to cost me much more than 150 in shipping, I'd be to the point where these guys can fix mine.
So if you would give me a shipping cost, I will know what to do next.
Thank you,
Randy N

On Feb 28, 2012, at 10:25 AM, Dale Spencer <dale@gtoman.com> wrote:
shipping will be around $75-100 , will be down that way in 2 weeks or less , would have been there 3 weeks ago but had a couple dealers buy huge loads as im selling out and that changed everything , $150 versas $15000 , guess you know the rest of the story

me: Let's ship it- i need to get ship info from the shop.  If you want to give me a total when you ship it, I will send you payment when I have confirmation of shipping.  Will that work for you?

Dale: no , payment before it ships or will never see the money , you all ready have an attitude

me: I have an attitude?  No, more accurately I am getting the feeling I am being scammed.

Ship it freight collect.  I will have to pay to receive the part.  Then you are guaranteed payment and I am sure you will ship it.  Based on my experience so far, paying you in advance is not working out well for me.

Is that acceptable?    I will pay $100 freight collect to have it shipped, and I will pick it up from the freight yard.  I would need to know that is at the carriers within a few days.
RN

Dale: I dont need to scam you for 4 150 , will just send you a refund buddy , find you rust free lid some place else for the price i sold it to you for , send your mailing info , done with your bullshit

me: Agreed.  And I have had enough of your stalling.   Refund to

Randy Norian
4316 Pleasant street
Des moines, Iowa 50312

Dale: oh yea , if you think that is stalling , will show you stalling .

me: Dale, I expected nothing less.
I will be sure to share this great buying experience with the gang at pontiacforums.com, pontiaczone.com and gtoforum.com
Thanks again!
RN

Dale: please do , Im tired of you cocksuckers , hense the reason for selling out . Anyone that has their shit together knows me so your BS wont matter to me whatso ever .


I just called him, and said "are you going to send me my money, or not?" and got a bunch of profanity and he hung up. So... and now he won't answer his phone.