American Stitches burnt me!

[spddmnjay]

Well, I've officially been burnt!! :censored:

I sent my OEM GTS steering wheel, with only 1800 miles (brand new) and shifter boot to American Stitches (http://www.american-stitches.com/) to have them recover them with a more exotic type of leather. The website looked very legit and I even spoke with the owners on the phone before I sent them the wheel. I just found out that the company went bankrupt and my steering wheel and shift boot are gone!!

Apparently the company is operating under an new name Craft Customs same web address (http://www.american-stitches.com/). I received the following reply from Carter the owner...Carter was the owner of the previous company American Stitches.

" Unfortunately, I was never able to gain access back to the warehouse where everything was stored as the bank has taken that over and all the assets associated with the business are gone. Carter" :censored: :censored: :censored:

Carter has offered me no solutions!!! This goes to prove that not all companies advertising on-line can be trusted...regardless if I spoke to them or not. Needless to say I am now in need of a new steering wheel and shift boot.

Any way, just thought I would make everyone aware of this so they don't get burnt by this company.

Jason

[spddmnjay]

Carter, the owner, personal email is [email protected]

I've sent him an email with the link to this thread. Enjoy Carter!

[XcYZ]

Damn, that really sucks. Sorry to hear about that.

[spddmnjay]

I honestly don't expect to get anything back. This is just a great learning lesson on my part. Apparently Carter knows nothing of my steering wheel or shifter boot being received. Go figure :willy:

Here is Carters latest email to me:

"I agree that this is unacceptable, but completely out of my control. I have never persoanally seen your steering wheel or gear boot, and new nothing of it until you contacted me after the business was already closed. I had hoped to do you a personal favor, and thought they would give me access back into the warehouse, at which time I would have searched for your parts, but they didn't. I am sorry and American Stitches is officially gone. Sincerely,Carter"

I am located in Canada and unable to do anything. I am very pleased with the support from the members and thats all I can ask for. :thumbsup:

Cheers
Jason

[CraigMorrison]

Hey man, sorry to hear about this. We had American Stitches do a wheel for us a few years ago, and the work was top notch, and they had great customer service.

Unfortunately, there are no options when the bank steps in. When its locked down, its locked down, and the bank gets usually liquidates everything and the biggest bills get paid first. We've had dealings with companies that have gone bankrupt somewhere along the way, and its a nightmare that doesn't end well. That response you got from Carter is about it, even if he could get your wheel, he could probably get nailed for theft - the bank now owns it.

Your best bet would be to try to get in touch with the bank and see what they could do for you.

[spddmnjay]

Here is an email that I just sent Carter:

"Carter...this is in your control! I specifically spoke to John and we discussed plans for my steering wheel and shifter boot. I suggest you call him and he will tell you that it was received. Although John might not give a !@#$% and I'll still be out my steering wheel and shifter boot. Ask yourself this, why would someone from Canada be contacting you about a steering wheel that was sent to you???? I followed the written directions on American Stitches website on how to ship the item and return address, etc. I did everything as per your companies instructions!!!

I would like to think that you can make this correct but it appears that you are simply going to pass the buck and stick with the "American Stitches doesn't exist anymore story". Stay tuned for me comments on the web!"

Please note that "John" was an employee at American Stitches. For all I know he could have been part owner with Carter.

[spddmnjay]

Hey man, sorry to hear about this. We had American Stitches do a wheel for us a few years ago, and the work was top notch, and they had great customer service.

Unfortunately, there are no options when the bank steps in. When its locked down, its locked down, and the bank gets usually liquidates everything and the biggest bills get paid first. We've had dealings with companies that have gone bankrupt somewhere along the way, and its a nightmare that doesn't end well. That response you got from Carter is about it, even if he could get your wheel, he could probably get nailed for theft - the bank now owns it.

Your best bet would be to try to get in touch with the bank and see what they could do for you.

Hey Craig...I totally hear what you are saying...

I just wanted to make sure that all members know about this company. Noone needs to get burnt from this point forward!

Thanks for your comments :thumbsup:

[67velle]

THAT SUCKS!!!!!! Spread the word!!!!!!!

[ProTouring442]

Dang... now who am I going to get to wrap my wheel?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Derek69SS]

That response you got from Carter is about it, even if he could get your wheel, he could probably get nailed for theft - the bank now owns it.What gives the bank the right to "steal" the customers' parts?

[7TSS]

Sorry to hear what happenned. My friend went through the same thing only it was a local business. If they received it and did not start any work on it then it doesn't belong to the bank if you can prove ownership. If they did start to work on it, they're owed money on it and the bank has some claim to it. The problem was that the burden of proof is on you unfortunately. Sometimes hard to prove especially since you're far away.

[spddmnjay]

Sorry to hear what happenned. My friend went through the same thing only it was a local business. If they received it and did not start any work on it then it doesn't belong to the bank if you can prove ownership. If they did start to work on it, they're owed money on it and the bank has some claim to it. The problem was that the burden of proof is on you unfortunately. Sometimes hard to prove especially since you're far away.

They had not yet started work on it because they were too busy. I was in no rush and therefore was waiting for them to get back to me. The only way to tell that the steering wheel and shifter boot are mine is by the box I shipped them in. I didn't have my name on either item so it's easy for anyone to say it's theirs instead of mine.

[ProTouring442]

They had not yet started work on it because they were too busy. I was in no rush and therefore was waiting for them to get back to me. The only way to tell that the steering wheel and shifter boot are mine is by the box I shipped them in. I didn't have my name on either item so it's easy for anyone to say it's theirs instead of mine.


Yes, but it's not exactly likely that someone is going to call them up, and guess at what they might have, to try and get your stuff.

I would definitley get in touch with the bank. A good description of the parts should do the trick, though you may have to wait a bit to get them.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[spddmnjay]

I FOUND MY SHIPPING RECEIPT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHIFTER BOOT!!!!!

Here are the details from Canada Post:

Item Number: CX139483545CA


Product Type: Expedited USA


Destination Address:

American Stitches

4420 Grisham Dr.

Rowlett, TX

75088


Date 2007/01/08
12:43
ROWLETT, TX
Item successfully delivered to Receiver


2007/01/08
Item has been received at the delivery office in the destination country


2006/12/31
14:40
MISSISSAUGA, ON
Item accepted and entered into sortation plant


2006/12/27
20:59
LLOYDMINSTER, AB
Item accepted at the Post office


I will be emailing this information to Carter (owner of American Stitches now Craft Customs) to prove that he is a scumbag!!

[spddmnjay]

I find it interesting that Carter suggests that he knew nothing of the shipment and didn't receive it...but the shipping receipt clearly indicates that he did.

Did I mention SCUMBAG???

[907rs]

Have you tried to contact the bank yet?

[spddmnjay]

Have you tried to contact the bank yet?

I've just notified the authorities in Texas and they're on it. I'll keep all posted.

Cheers
Jason

[Rhino]

I find it interesting that Carter suggests that he knew nothing of the shipment and didn't receive it...but the shipping receipt clearly indicates that he did.

Did I mention SCUMBAG???
I've been in your shoes, and it's not a fun place to be. With that said, you mentioned that John was an employee that you were working with. I'd venture to say it's very possible that Carter had no knowledge of the piece. I understand this may be a difficult time, but calling the guy a scumbag on a non-related forum will get you nowhere. The bank is obviously in control of the American Stitches assets. Surely you can find someone there who can work with you. Legally, this truly is out of Carters hands... you need to work with the bank now.

It should be noted that prior to 5 minutes ago I had no knowledge from either side, I'm simply basing this opinion off of what I've read in this thread and previous work in similar situations. I hope things work out for the best.

[spddmnjay]

I quoted Carter's email to me in a previous post, "...I have
never persoanally seen your steering wheel or gear boot, and new nothing of
it until you contacted me after the business was already closed..." To me this suggests that he is lying about it IMHO.

I didn't mention that during one of our very first telephone conversations Carter suggested that he knew about the shifter boot and steering wheel. He also wondered why the shifter boot was sent? I guess it was my assumption from his email comment above that he was guilty especially once I provided the shipping receipt.

It was also my understanding that there were only two employees of the company, Carter and John. So in my mind it would be very difficult to receive a shipment and not know about it.

Sure I could give him the benefit of the doubt but it is way to easy for him to suggest that he nothing of it...and that is exactly what he has done. I suspect that it is due to my physical location on the globe, the Great White North.

This has been a very good learning lesson for myself and I will conduct my internet business much more carefully from now on.

I am happy to have warned others of this company and hopefully alleviate any potential problems by doing business with them.

Cheers
Jason