Bob clark restoration

jay7711 · May 6, 2018

Over 18 months ago I sent my Tractor to Bob Clark. This tractor belonged to my Wife's grandfather who was a farmer in CA. since the 1930. This tractor has been in her family since the late 1940's. It is a tractor that has so much family memories. It is very important to my family especially my mother in law who's father this belonged to. Below are a list of facts.:

1. I was told it would take 1 year for a total restoration. Its been over 18 month, and no tractor. Not even a photo.
2. In 2018 there has been no communication with Bob after email and phone call.
3. In 2017 Emails and calls have been very few. Just broken promises.
4. I've asked for photos, updates, and never have receive 1 photo.
5. I've paid 90 percent upfront in cash.
6. I'm out cash, I'm without a tractor, I'm out of excuses to tell my family. I"m disappointed and as of today I've been taken by Bob, and his lack to delivery a promise. If anyone out there is a friend of his please tell him to call me, and get me any updates on when I will get my tractor back to my family.

_Mark_ · May 6, 2018

That sucks!!Must be stressful,i never understand how people can steal or be dishonest.

Oldiron29 · May 6, 2018

I don't think he is stealing or being dishonest, would think you could get him on the phone. I think he took on to much work and is backed up. He is making sheet metal for lots of kinds of tractors. Know one else is doing that type of work anymore. I had order fenders from him and got what I paid for. I know he runs things in batches so there is less set up time. If you are waiting for special parts it may be six months till it goes into production to get that part made. Not everything is sitting on a shelf.

JoeM(GA) · May 6, 2018

Sounds like it?s time for a visit to see in person what is or isn?t happening

_Mark_ · May 6, 2018

Maybe could have phrased that better,don't know him.But by not responding,taking 90% of the money up front.Doesn't make you look like a honest person. My main point in the world today.How do people scam or sell something that's junk?Where are the honest people at.

Bret4207 · May 6, 2018

Have you sent any registered letters? Gone to see what's up in person?

rrlund · May 6, 2018

I had that happen with two body shops that had the fenders,hood and grill for one of my tractors for a total of two and a half years. I finally brought the stuff home and had it done and painted in two weeks. Never again. If I can't do it myself,it'll sit right here until it rusts in to the ground. I absolutely HATE having to depend on somebody else to get things done.

Traditional Farmer · May 6, 2018

What boat did you just get off of yesterday? If what you said was what was happening Mr Clark would be more than glad to talk about it.Fellow not far from me was running a
"restoration" business I know of several people he scammed several thousand$ out of.

Determined · May 6, 2018

Google is your friend, use it.

Took me less than a minute to find his website and a newspaper article on him.

Being in his 80's health might be an issue.

His son John might be a better bet to find out what is happening.

Failing that look up Clark in the Fenton phone directory listings
bound to find a number for someone related to him that can give you some information.

Traditional Farmer · May 6, 2018

Or as the saying goes Young crooks will eventually turn into Old crooks,I don't care how old he is there is no excuse not communicating with the poster.

DoubleO7 · May 6, 2018

(quoted from post at 10:41:46 05/06/18) Google is your friend, use it.

Took me less than a minute to find his website and a newspaper article on him.

Being in his 80's health might be an issue.

His son John might be a better bet to find out what is happening.

Failing that look up Clark in the Fenton phone directory listings
bound to find a number for someone related to him that can give you some information.

Bob Clark Restorations has a website:
www.unstyledfenders.com/

He is also "nnalert" here on YT, look up his postings and you will find the same phone and address as his website.
Has a facebook page too with same info.
Address is in Harrison, MI, not Fenton, MI.

JMOR · May 6, 2018

for Jay's sake, I hope Clark is honest outfit, because anyone who pays 90% up front is just asking to be taken to the cleaners!

Mike M · May 6, 2018

Assuming he is in good health.

farmerjohn · May 6, 2018

Link does not work.

kcm.MN · May 6, 2018

Worked fine for me. Try this one.

http://www.unstyledfenders.com/

Traditional Farmer · May 6, 2018

Unless he's dead or in a coma he'd still be able use a phone or someone could use one for him.

BarnyardEngineering · May 7, 2018

(quoted from post at 16:00:19 05/06/18) Unless he's dead or in a coma he'd still be able use a phone or someone could use one for him.

If nobody else had any interest or involvement in the business they wouldn't know enough to answer the phone or check his email if he's incapacitated.

I would just go there and find out what's going on. Show up on a Tuesday afternoon or something. If it's that important it's worth taking a day off work and spending a few bucks on gas.

First order of business, get the tractor back. Show up with truck and trailer, or get the guy who trucked it there for you to meet you there. Again if the tractor is that important, paying to have it hauled back home is worth the cost.

Second order of business, the money. Bring a copy of the paperwork with you. If they won't give you the money back worst case you can get a judgement against them in small claims court.

DoubleO7 · May 13, 2018

O.P. joined this site in April 2016
The first and only posts they ever made (2 years later) are all spammed over five other sections of this forum.
A bunch of us reply with guesses, suggestions and questions.

No further response from O.P. so maybe the matter is really not too important after all ?

riveroadrat · May 22, 2018

I know some people have their bills paid automatically even after they passed on. Sometimes for months if no one is checking up on them.

bobinmi. · May 24, 2018

As some of you know I have been in and out of the hospital since last fall and have gotten way behind. My wife
has tried to help with keeping the work coming in that they can do. The more involved work I do or at least
over see. A couple of times callers were very rude to my wife, she will no longer take calls.

As time has passed I am getting better and just this last month gone to Les Seuer, Minnesota. and Baraboo, WI.
to deliver sheetmetal and meet with people in person that have items ordered.

Some of you mentioned taking full or partial payment is wrong. Non-payment from men that come before are to
blame for that. I made parts that sat on shelves for months waiting to be picked up, never happened.

We do work here that most can't or will not do, if a job turns out to take longer it it makes everyone else
late. I have never been able to walk on water, nor have i seen anyone else. I am behind in work and putting in
6-7 days a week trying to get caught up plus setting up work for this next fall.

All I can say is that I am tyring my best to make everyone happy.

Thank you, Bob

bobinmi. · May 24, 2018

(quoted from post at 08:05:57 05/06/18) Or as the saying goes Young crooks will eventually turn into Old crooks,I don't care how old he is there is no excuse not communicating with the poster.

Hope you will never get old and end up in the hospital.

DoubleO7 · May 24, 2018

Your troubles are unfortunate and many of us certainly wish you a speedy and uninterupted recovery back to 100%.

However, you have read this thread, and had to notice the lack of communication mentioned several times.

You would be rude also if you paid someone several hundred or several thousand up front to do a job and get no response.

To ignore them because they were "rude" is , well not right.

oldtanker · May 24, 2018

(quoted from post at 17:34:38 05/24/18)
Your troubles are unfortunate and many of us certainly wish you a speedy and uninterupted recovery back to 100%.

However, you have read this thread, and had to notice the lack of communication mentioned several times.

You would be rude also if you paid someone several hundred or several thousand up front to do a job and get no response.

To ignore them because they were "rude" is , well not right.

Yea gotta wonder just how rude it would be if the wife got served? Lack on communication had this been I would have resulted in the legal guys taking over!

Rick

RedMF40 · May 24, 2018

I'd be interested in a response regarding this specific customer's tractor. I understand falling behind but this is a business relationship. I'm sympathetic to those who are ailing, but I can't accept that as a reason for something not being delivered that was promised and paid for. You mentioned trying to "make everyone happy." Give up on that idea. In the interest of trying to be helpful, try this:

Re-organize your priorities. If it's unrealistic to deliver this customer his completed tractor, give him the tractor and money paid. Look at similar customers and re-evaluate their situations. It's better to go to them and explain what's happening. Some will still be willing to wait, others maybe not. In any case there will be some communication. That will benefit everyone.

Maybe there's a part of your business that you can extract more revenue from on a consistent basis and it's not dependent on long-term commitments? Focus on that.

If you have someone you can delegate authority to, now would be a good time to do that. If your wife is fielding phone calls it may be the case that you simply have too much work for your operation and you have to cut back--even if it means giving up work you already accepted. In general customers are willing to accept some kind of explanation or compromise. They may not like it but it's better than silence on the other end of the phone.

Hobo,NC · May 24, 2018

nnalert I ask for a deposit sometimes I don't like to ask but sometimes you have to so I understand that... OK why I don't like to ask for a deposit once you get a deposit it puts them to the front of the line you got there money there is NO EXCUSES that can be dreamed up to not get the job done YOU GOT THE MONEY WHAT MAKES THE WHEELS TURN... If you can not get the job done send the money back and tell them to send the money back when you are ready to get'er done...

This also is along the line of warranty work warranty work comes first you already got there money they go to the front of the line...

I may be way wrong and should not get involved maybe your wife should not either unless shes another excuse to use for not getting the job done...

bobinmi. · May 25, 2018

(quoted from post at 19:20:08 05/24/18)
nnalert I ask for a deposit sometimes I don't like to ask but sometimes you have to so I understand that... OK why I don't like to ask for a deposit once you get a deposit it puts them to the front of the line you got there money there is NO EXCUSES that can be dreamed up to not get the job done YOU GOT THE MONEY WHAT MAKES THE WHEELS TURN... If you can not get the job done send the money back and tell them to send the money back when you are ready to get'er done...

This also is along the line of warranty work warranty work comes first you already got there money they go to the front of the line...

I may be way wrong and should not get involved maybe your wife should not either unless shes another excuse to use for not getting the job done...

I think you have made a good statement about involvement

True a large amount was taken down, part of that was to purchase parts for his tractor and also payment for fenders and side curtains for an O-6, I will not talk about amounts on the internet but those of you that are in tune with what Orchard metal costs you will understand.

We are in contact with the client.

Thanks, Bob

bobinmi. · May 25, 2018

When you are in ICU you pretty much don't lay in bed on the phone. 63 days in hospital, a total of 93 days in recovery facility. not exactly my idea of a good time. Hope you never get ill, you can never totally plan for it.

Bob

Hobo,NC · May 25, 2018

I understand... Sometimes it comes down to I am doing the best I can if its not good enoufh then its just not good enoufh it will just have to be accepted its the best I can do BTDT...

Get'er done I wish the best for all...

riveroadrat · May 25, 2018

Ricky Nelson, Garden Party, Lyrics
… No one recognized me, I didn't look the same
But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
People came from miles around, everyone was there

1948CaseVAI · May 25, 2018

(quoted from post at 15:50:30 05/06/18) Assuming he is in good health.

His health is not the issue and it is not the problem of the customer who thinks he may have been scammed. I don't care what the status is. Even if he is dead someone should be responsible for making restitution to the original poster and for shipping the tractor back home. At the least someone should be communicating with the customer. I would go for a visit and if not satisfied would get a lawyer. Hoping the poster has some things in writing!

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