Beware ,American Cycle Fabrication – Paul and Denise Friebus

[craig (DE)]

Paul contacted me a couple of times and said he is actually working on my bike. I asked for pictures several times and "surprise" nada. No longer contacting me at all, total radio silence. The problem for me is having to spend a couple of grand to go down there and talk to him in person, but I am going to have to period.
If anyone see's him in person please say "HI" to him from Ty
I would also like to thank the people on the boards for the PM's of support and information, much appreciated.

Paul is usually at the Oley meet every year so could be a good time to say hello!

[beaumonts]

Did anyone see Paul or Denise at the OLEY meet this year? Still trying to set up a time for my brother's to go down and "meet" Paul and Denise to recover my cash and DAH. They do not return calls or texts etc. I still can't believe how a person can change into to such a shyster in that short of a time.

[kitabel]

I have had only good conversation with Paul (no business transacted) and bear him no ill will. My remarks are conjecture only, I have no idea what happened.

UK police once called this "the embezzler's dilemma".
"I never meant to steal anything, I just used the money while dealing with my problem (bail bond, illness, whiskey, cocaine, ex-wife, slow horses) and always meant to pay it back - so it's not like I committed a crime or anything. I kept embezzling money to buy lottery tickets, Ponzi shares, chain letters, and how-to-make-money-in-real-estate books, but so far that's not working. Why are you looking at me like that, I just told you what happened?".

A visit? That's only going to work if he wants you to accuse him and ask him to do something that (in my opinion) he can't do: finish the project while you're standing there, and pay you back.
If not, when you get there he's not there, even if he answers the phone. The police are not going to arrest him for not talking to you, or search the place without a warrant. Actual police remark: "this is a civil matter, you need a lawyer".

A warning: you are allowed to be in his shop if he wants you there. If not, the police will make you leave to the point of arresting you for "simple trespass". Leaving under protest, then returning without permission is a Class A misdemeanor (maximum 1 year sentence) in New York.

[craig (DE)]

Did anyone see Paul or Denise at the OLEY meet this year? Still trying to set up a time for my brother's to go down and "meet" Paul and Denise to recover my cash and DAH. They do not return calls or texts etc. I still can't believe how a person can change into to such a shyster in that short of a time.

I did not see them at Oley this year.

[beaumonts]

Thank you Craig.

[Jerry Wieland]

They were not there a year ago either because I was looking for them for a friend. Jerry

Did anyone see Paul or Denise at the OLEY meet this year? Still trying to set up a time for my brother's to go down and "meet" Paul and Denise to recover my cash and DAH. They do not return calls or texts etc. I still can't believe how a person can change into to such a shyster in that short of a time.

[kitabel]

The County Clerk where his shop is located may do a computer search to see if anyone is suing him (his name, her name, shop name as the defendant). It's public record, the question is "do they do it by phone".
Not sure where to get bankruptcy filing?

[beaumonts]

Thank you.

[NCriding]

American Cycle Fab is in business, about a week ago, I got my 36 VLD bottom end back after 23 months. He estimated it would take 9 months, as he liked to do several identical motors in a batch.

As they rarely answer the phone or e-mail, it was necessary to Fed Ex a letter demanding a response or I'd take legal action. That got the conversation started. It was stressful, but now that I have it back I'm happy with Paul's work and his bill was thorough but fair. Paul has too much work in progress, I believe he is challenged with deciding his priorities each day. I feel he is a good person, he's just overwhelmed and like all of us, not getting any younger. He has no experienced help that I can ascertain, wish I was in a position to work with him for several months to help him get caught up, and learn from him.

Paul only did the bottom end, as I intend to assemble the top end myself, if that matters.

[kitabel]

"he liked to do several identical motors in a batch"
To me, this is good business practice - IF the customers know about it.
Yet another example of "good technician, poor administrator". Not everyone who can perform quality work can make & keep a schedule.
What would I do in his place? Try to identify some clerical or non-technical work that's being done by staff now - but can be outsourced. His wife etc. may be doing taxes, book keeping, inventory control - but she's more valuable in the shop because she know the business.
Next: an inventory of all incomplete jobs by date, and a "honey-do" list of what gets done when, and notify the owners.
Hint: if you write a customer, and tell the truth, and ask "do you want it back?" and he doesn't answer any future complaint of his is weakened. The more reasonable you look, the better he chances of not losing a customer, and winning in Court.

[craig (DE)]

Glad to hear you finally got your bottom end back! I would be very worried if promised in 9 months and it took 2 years! I know Paul does quality work but seems to lack in everyday business practices.

[exeric]

I replied to this thread earlier, and I was not as sympathetic to the victim as I should have been. We go to specialists because we don't have the equipment, tooling, or expertise to do complex, specialized tasks. We go to them with the expectation of professional, competent, timely service. I think the blind faith comes from the customer, and the provider has the obligation to deliver. Some customers have unreasonable expectations, and demands and that has to be tough for a businessman; but a clear, and perhaps documented statement should get the deal across. I just had this happen with a valve job I had done by a shop in my town. He has a good reputation, and I picked Summer because that is a down time in Florida. He didn't do a real valve job, and did a half assed lapp job that was not only expensive, but supremely disappointing because I don't have the equipment, or expertise to do it on my own. My only recourse is to buy all of this top end machine stuff for my own use and do my own work. I hate that I can't get this done by people that know what they are doing.

[T. Cotten]

[QUOTE=exeric;181964.... I hate that I can't get this done by people that know what they are doing...[/QUOTE]

Mebbe you got to the crux of the biscuit, Eric!

I don't want to do anything for you either.

...Cotten

[Twister the fitter]

Boy you said it "ALL" here Eric ! I just had a similar experience. $1,000.00 bill and the bike is worse than when it went there !!!

[exeric]

Mebbe you got to the crux of the biscuit, Eric!

I don't want to do anything for you either.

...Cotten

Stop mumbling; I can't hear you.