I just didn't know the etiquette of the board. Thanks guys, like I say maybe this will help someone else.
I will not call the man's name, but I will try to give enough hints that if you come across him, you will know.
Bought an old Oliver backhoe. Knew the power steering leaked. Couple of months after I got it, I set about fixing it up. No one local seemed willing to tackle the leaky steering gear, so I did a search on the internet. Came across a guy in Texas that specializes in water pumps and steering boxes for antique cars, but does tractor steering assemblies as well. I gave him a call, and he assured me he could fix whatever the problem was. And as he had 40 years exeperience,
it would be no problem. I shipped my gear and the pump to him.
A month went by, and I heard nothing from him. When I got him on the phone, he said it was indeed finished. So, I asked him how much was it, he told me and assured me that he would ship my stuff as so as he received payment. I watched my bank account and saw the check clear.
Two weeks went by, and no parts. I called him, and he said he didn't have my address. Even though it was on the check, and the envelope, and my crate, and he had my e-mail and phone numbers! But, I gave him the address. Two weeks go by, no parts. I called him again. He acts surprised. Sayd UPS must have lost your parts. I asked him for the tracking number, which took him two days for him to email to me. The number he supplied was phony, and was for a shipping receipt made out 10 days prior to him saying he didn't have my address. UPS said it matched a bulk shipper, but that number had never been put in the system.
Meanwhile, I came acrooss a web site that pretty much called this man a crook.
I called the fellow again to tell him this. He says, well, I got to drive clean across Lubbock to get to the UPS depot to inquire about it.
2 days go by, I call him again. He says UPS indeed had the parts, and the crate was damaged, so he was waiting on them to return the parts to him so he could repackage them. By this my patience has worn thin. I promise him that I will call around and find out how I can get him to do right.
Well, he finally sends me a legit tracking number. Great. Parts arrive, and I put them on my machine. They actually work. But, the third time I go to use my backhoe, the steeing sector and pump start to leak again. I was ------!
Called him and demanded my money back. Of course he said he couldn't do that. I told him, well I will call your local DA and see what is what. He says you have to give me a chance to make it right, plus he would reimburse me the shipping cost. Well, against my better judgement, I ship the parts to him again. Two weeks go by, and I call him again. He says, I only found a seeping gasket. I tell him, no, it is leaking out the shaft seal. He says, oh? So, another week goes by, I call him again. He says it's finished, I gave you a new pump, it is a little different, but it will bolt right up. And I had to put a sleeve in your steering gear cause the shaft was scored. Butm I am finishing up the pump bracket right now, and will ship everything out tomorrow. Once again, I tell him to email the tracking number.
Needless to say, 2 weeks goes by, no parts. I call his shop, and there is a recording that he is in the hospital. I start calling every two days. Finally got him on his cell and he says he is still in the hospital. To which I say, sorry to hear that, but you should shipped my stuff out 2 weeks ago, so you being sick is a moot point! He says, well you gotta wait till I get out.
A couple of weeks pass, and naturally, no parts. Call him again. He says, I am finishing it up now.
And sure enough, he emails me a legit tracking number.
Well, the pump was much different, and the way he modified my bracket, I had to start all over and make a new one. The steering valve assembly was clocked wrong. I had to take it loose, and straighten that out.
But, it is on, and right now, seems to be working. I am just ------ that I sent him everything in March, and finally have it working ( I think) in October!
Sorry this was so long, but this is my story and I am sticking to it!
