So, I bought a used Vortech kit from Iron-Mike. See the following link:

https://g35driver.com/forums/forced-...rtech-kit.html

We agreed on a price of $3860 shipped via Paypal. Ok, cool. I send three payments via Paypal; $1000 on 5/28/09, $2000 on 5/30/09, and $860 on 6/1/09. (I know. I'm a dumbass.)

So, he tells me that the supercharger is at a west coast performance shop having the upgraded impeller installed. No biggie. Also, the intercooler piping and bracket were at the polisher getting polished. Again, no biggie. Well, after getting the same stories after a MONTH, I tell him that if I do not start receiving parts, I'm going to dispute the charges to Paypal. Ok. He agrees to start sending parts, but still doesn't have the supercharger or IC piping. No biggie.

On 7/14/09, I receive the minor parts; injectors, bracket, oil cooler core, boost limiter valve, fuel pump, fuel regulator, spark plugs, oil sandwich plate, magnetic drain plug, and 3/8" tap.

Ok, cool. I'm starting to feel better at this point.

He tells me that he's still waiting to have the impeller installed and that he's still waiting on the polishing. WTF. Apparently, the shop only has ONE person that installs impellers. Whatever. I tell him to get it back from them, and that I'd install the impeller. And he said he'd try and get the polished stuff finished at the polisher.

On 7/30/09, the "remainder" of the parts arrive. This should be the IC, IC piping, blower, oil pan, E-Manage ultimate, plug-n-play harness, pulleys, etc. So, I open up the first box with the blower:



Packaging FAIL!!! He couldn't install the compressor housing, so he just lays it in there with the fragile impeller out in the open. See a problem with this picture?:



Yup, a good 1/3 of the blades are bent! Bent/out of balance impeller blades + 60k RPM = shrapnel.

So, I start to look closer at everything else. No oil pan. No E-manage. No harness. No air filter. No main drive belt. Missing numerous bolts, spacers, pulley. Not to mention this "polished" compressor housing??? Does this look polished to you? (RareJDM harness cover pictured for comparison purposes)



Sure doesn't look polished to me.

So, TWO MONTHS after purchasing a polished, "complete" supercharger kit, I got CRAP.

Ok. So, he insured the box with the blower for $1500. But, he packed it himself. So, UPS will not honor a damage claim.

We both agree that the best thing to do is refund my money. Only one problem: he already spent it. He says that he'll do the best he can to get my money back as soon as possible. He says it could take a month or so.

Here we are, already a month later, and I have ONLY received $140 in compensation.

Mike, I don't care if you have to get a credit card, sell some blood or kidneys, or get a signature loan, you still owe me $3720.

Anyone on the board work at a legal office? That's the next step because I have been EXTREMELY patient and waiting over three months to receive a kit OR my money is BEYOND ridiculous.

9/1/2009........Update:

He sent me $200 via Paypal.

New balance: $3520

Good luck on getting **** straitened out Jerome. This sucks ***, he seems like a careless person.

DUUUUUUDE!!!!! F this guy!!!

lets take this b*tch down!!!! i def didnt lose as much as you but i can totally support your case.

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

also, after the thread i created, he def lost his Rep on Driver...
hes trying to sell other junk goods on other g35 sites.

http://g35nyc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26070
(thanks to jayy for the BLAST. lol.)

Wonder how his cheerleaders will defend him on this one...sorry for your experience!

Sorry to hear about what happened to you.

The packaging was definitely careless
and I would expect someone to return my $$$
as fast as I paid it.

I will talk with the other mods/admins and see what can be done.

not this guy again ! i seen him selling stuff on gfrenzy lately ! they even know he is a scammer

Now, in Mike's defense, he has made NUMEROUS legit transactions with headlight mods and other things. That's why I gave him a fair chance to return my money. I've been patient, and let him have ample time to collect the funds. That's why I didn't post this right away. I didn't want to destroy his reputation to a point that he wouldn't be able to make several more legit transactions, to help get my money back.

I wouldn't even go as far as to call him a scammer. Howevever, he has failed miserably on this transaction.

Glex25, thank you. I appreciate any and all effort you guys put forth on this situation.

Bottom line, Mike, you shouldn't have spent MY money before the transaction was complete. I know, I'm an idiot for sending the full amount right away. But, it shouldn't have come to this. I gave you EVERY chance and a VERY reasonable time frame to deliver a refund.

Man, this is pretty sh!tty. Unfortunately marketplace transactions come down to trust and it's not so easy to trust someone you've never done business with.

My apologies if this was already mentioned, but can you put in a dispute through paypal? You obviously deserve a refund or at least the proper parts...

Paypal will not accept disputes after 45 days.

Is the funding source for your paypal account your bank or a credit card? If so bring them into the matter and see what they can do for you. I have my amex card for big purchase just for that reason, if it is not right they do not ask question; they make it right.

I also tried that. It's a little difficult, since the CC company sees Paypal as the Payee... I originally opened a dispute with them. But, they only gave a week to provide additional information / work things out. Then, they closed the dispute...

Wow....this looks bad! Mike knew what kinda condition the Vortech unit was in when he sent it....there's no defense for this kinda bull ****. (again) It might cost a little more to make this right but I'd send the unit to Vortech and have them replace the broken/warn parts so what you'll get back will be almost like new. I had my doubts before but it's time we quit doing business with Iron Mike, he should be so no one else gets screwed!
Gary

Right now, I'm just holding all of the parts as motive to get my money back. If/when it comes to getting rid of the parts, we'll go from there. Someone may end up getting a GOOD deal on a partial Vortech kit.

wow that packing job is horrible ..