Beware Mekanix Custom Works/Vert Outfitters/Clinton Wong Burnaby, BC

[91Cruiser]

Been a longtime member of MUD and excited to join the Landcruiser club. Looks like a great forum for everything Landcruiser. I own a 74 FJ40 and 91 HDJ80. I didn't intend for my first post to be about a negative experience with a Landcruiser business but feel people should know so they can make an educated decision about doing business with this person.

I was recommended to Clinton by a friend that has done business with him in the past. I ordered an intercooler and stainless exhaust from him last fall for my 91 HDJ80. Cost was almost $3000. I reached out to him over a month ago and asked for either a refund or to ship me the parts. He said no problem refunding the parts. It has been over a month - no refund, no parts and is ignoring my attempts to contact him. I have called, left messages, sent texts and emails weekly with no response. Being out $3000 is a lot of money! Unfortunately, living in the states my options for recourse appear to be limited.

 

[Shayne]

Bureau of Consumer Protection

The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that

www.ftc.gov

 

[91Cruiser]

Thank you. I have also submitted a complaint with the BB. I will pursue this also

 

[91Cruiser]

I guess applying some pressure and making this public made a difference. Just received a refund 5 weeks after asking and never receiving a response from him

 

[Dalton_98]

DO NOT get your vehicle serviced or order parts from Vert Outfitters. They held my vehicle hostage for months. Would not refund me. Emails, calls, and in person visits changed nothing with the owner Clinton. Had to threaten legal action to get my vehicle back.

 

[Clinton V]

This is cross posted from Mud.

I was just made aware of this thread, and I have to say, Steve, that it's a sad state of affairs that you'd decide to put me on blast on every forum available, and refuse to accept any part of the blame for this situation at all.

So let's recap.

Our business was the victim of a significant fraud/ theft/ trust violation by our former service advisor, Troy, who was boldly stealing/ skimming deposits, payments and parts from the business to fuel his addictions.

During the time that Steve is refering to, we were right in the middle of all of this, and trying to get to the bottom of it.

I'd explained this to many, many people, customers and vendors alike and if I forgot to tell you the whole sorid story, then I apologize.

But let's be clear here.

You bought parts from me in the summer or perhaps earlier.

Through a mutual friend, they were going to be delivered to you in Colorado on his way back though town.

In the fall, many, many months after the initial purchase, you changed your mind on the whole thing and as I was told, were going to sell your cruiser because you were worried about emission standards.

You then wanted a refund. Well past any reasonable refund time period.

As you were a friend of a friend, I agreed to refund you your money once you decided what you were doing with the truck.

We spoke on it at least once or twice in the following months when you made the decision to not go ahead with the parts, but again, this was waaaayyyyyyyyyy after a regular 30 -90 day return window.

Then we had our situation above with Troy and came out of January in bad financial shape.

So with him gone, our bank accounts unsiezed, your money was returned.

And we ate the credit card transaction charges both ways. You may have lost a bit on exchange, but you got your money back.

And even through this all, you decide to go keyboard warrior and shit on me.

I've been doing business in this field for nearly two decades and this is probably the first such post about me, and of course on every forum.

The situation with Jordan is different.
To be clear as well; his vehicle nwas NEVER "hostage". I offered it back at any time; here's the keys. It was always here, always available for you to take.

Regrettably, Troy stole nearly $2000 from Jordan, which I, (Vert) ate and have to reconcile. I also let Jordan take his vehicle away, leaving the original, signed scope of work left unpaid. In all, we are out thousands on that job too. Lesson learned by us, and it's not Jordan's fault.

So tell me again who's the scammer? 20 years, one Troy and now suddenly I'm shady?

I/ we welcome any real, discussion that's not just piling on and name calling.

 

[Shayne]

Must admit I feel a little sympathy here as I'm almost 2 years into a life sentence because somebody did something with my boat without my knowledge or consent when I was on holiday about 1000 miles away .

I'm in court next month facing a maximum penalty of a fine but I'm going to beg them to send me to prison and be done with it .

Its easy to dig yourself deeper Vert . Accept Troy shafted you and so priorities became vague , try to see it from the customers point of view and accept everyone but Troy suffered as a result of the mess he made .

Going at loggerheads won't fix a thing , ain't no winners just victims , some of whom have better understanding of the circumstances and consequences than others .

 

[91Cruiser]

There usually are two sides to a story. Unfortunately, in this case the other side is not representing the facts accurately. Obvious that I am not the only customer he has done this to.

Here are the facts. I purchased the parts August 14th and made arrangements for a friend to bring the parts back with him which unfortunately didn’t happen. No decision was made to sell my Landcruiser until the very beginning of this year. I called Clinton January 6th and asked if he would consider refunding the parts. I had NO expectation that he would offer a refund and was expecting to arrange to have the parts shipped. He said he would refund the money and would send the money to me by the end of the week. The end of the week came and past with no refund.

We never once spoke after January 6th. That is the only conversation that I recall having with you since ordering the parts in August. After not receiving the refund as promised, I called several times, left messages and sent an email with no response. After over 4 weeks passed with no refund and NO communication from Clinton, I rightfully assumed that I was not getting a refund or the parts. I finally received a refund on February 11th a day after posting this. I have documentation to prove all of this and verify the dates. You may have issued a refund prior to the 11th, but I never saw it in my account until the 11th and had no idea a refund had been issued.

The bottom line is if you had made any effort to contact me directly and let me know what your intentions were and what was going on with your business, this all could have been avoided. There was no name calling by me – I am just telling the story straight. I am sorry you supposedly had an issue with an employee and theft but it doesn’t excuse the need to communicate and take care of your customers.