Buyer Beware of Grasshopper Custom Paint

laleach3 · 06-24-2007, 12:01 PM

I found this company online and after communicating with owner, Phil Gordon, and seeing him linked to half a dozen forums, I sent him a complete stock bodywork set to paint. He gave me a price and a turn around time. After he recieved the bodywork, he gave me a new price (higher than the one quoted) and told me if I didn't like it, he would ship it all back to me. He did offer some explanation about not thinking the bodywork included so many pieces (even though I origionally told him "complete set"). Anyway, I agreed to the price increase in order to avoid losing shipping time, shipping charges, finding a new painter, etc.

Origionally, the turn around time was approximately 26 days. He said, he had a number of bikes ahead of mine, so it would be a week until he could start on it... So that was the end of March. It's now the end of June. I spoke with the owner several times, hearing all kinds of excuses and explanations, with the most current one being that he was in a racing accident and tore off his elbow. My sympathies to the "alleged" accident, but my parts should have been finished long ago. I spoke with his girlfriend two weeks ago and she told me everything had been painted, but not clear coated. She agreed to ship it all back to me "as is" and call me with confirmation. She never called. Last week on Monday, I got a text message from Phil telling me my parts were finally shipping. To date, I have still recieved nothing.

Conclusion: Grasshopper has my new "06 complete bodywork set and tank. They cashed a check for $500.00 and I have absolutely nothing. Not to mention the fact that it is now almost July and I have not been able to ride. Not only that, I have no bodywork and no tank!

I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone....so beware!

CBRAWR · 06-24-2007, 03:52 PM

Budo · 06-24-2007, 07:16 PM

I have a catalyst race tail on order with Phil as well. Although i am going through the wait as well, i wouldn't go as far as to say DON'T business with him. And he really did crash and tore off a chunk of his elbow, i've seen the X-rays to prove it. He's recovering right now and should get back up to speed soon. He hasn't posted on the 675.net forum lately, and i can understand the reason.

Don't get me wrong, i'm sure there are better ways to handle this issue... But I'm not one to rush someone who's been through a horrible crash...

I can understand that you're probably more ticked off cuz you can't ride your bike though...

I hope all goes well in the end.

mikeym · 06-24-2007, 07:19 PM

www.empiregp.com

if you get your bodywork back bob will hook you up with whatever you need done. I have seen his work firsthand and its top notch and affordable... if you go that way, tell him mikeym sent you

sorry about your situation

good luck getting things sorted out

~mikeym

leemajaz · 06-24-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRAWR

werd yo.

RxNinja · 06-25-2007, 12:09 PM

sounds like 'hopper had to much work on his hands. hope he can pull it around. as i was going to send him my 250 for a paint job, now im in the need of a cage to drive. can't afford it now.

kevinwilly · 06-25-2007, 01:16 PM

Yeah, Phil broke off the end of his humerous (the upper arm bone) right where his elbow should be.

It's pretty grizzly. If you want, i can send you some pictures of the x-rays.

I bought my bike off Phil. He's a good guy. Just please be patient and i'm sure he'll get around to getting to your stuff. He's working without one of his arms right now, though.

RxNinja · 06-26-2007, 11:02 AM

i don't doubt the accident at all. i talked to him for a lil bit about my bike. but didn't know anyone that has got there bikes painted by him. kind of curious on detail and end result. other then the bikes on his page.

Budo · 06-28-2007, 01:10 AM

If you go to www.triumph675.net, you'll see some of his work... Just have to search around a bit... ;)

laleach3 · 07-02-2007, 11:05 AM

It is true that he crashed and broke off his elbow. I saw the xrays. I have a business and I know how quickly things can get out of control when something like that happens and I am not unsymathetic to that.

My problems with Phil, started long before his crash. I should have had my bike parts back long ago. This is my first experience with him, and it hasn't been good, in fact, I would classify it as a NIGHTMARE!!!

The work that he has done looks very nice in my opinion, and I was excited to see what he would do with my pieces. At this point, it doesn't look like I am ever going to see anything. I wouldn't suggest even thinking about sending him anything until he gets his act together. Maybe he took more work than he should have...maybe he isn't dedicating enough time to his painting business...maybe he crashes too much... As a consumer, I shouldn't have to be concerned with the details of his life and business! I also think that there comes a point in time, when you know, as a business owner, that you have a customer that has been neglected and wronged so much, that you put things aside and make good with that customer the best that you can, immediately. I guess if you have 10 customers that fit into this category all at the same time, you are in big trouble! Of course, I don't know if this is the case, since there is no communication.

He text messaged me on June 18th, saying that he was shipping my pieces. To date, I still have nothing. I have tried to contact him since then and do not get any response. No tracking numbers, nothing. I ordered a new gas tank on Thursday of last week and am looking for new glass. I think I might try painting it myself, in an effort to get back on the road quickly.

ducwho · 07-02-2007, 05:55 PM

I don't understand why someone would take on more work than they can handle. If your plate is full, manage your time better, tell the customer to expect a longer turnaround time, or just don't take on the job at all. Moreover, the money should be in your hands if no work has been done to it for weeks, accident or not (good luck on a recovery). While the accident sucks, cashing a check and holding onto the money for months is inexcusable.

MHSNA · 07-12-2007, 04:12 PM

I don't know what this guys payment terms are, however when you purchase things/service over the internet etc.. It's better to do so with your credit card to an SSL server. That way when there is a problem you can dispute the transaction for incomplete service with your credit card company. IMO.
Good luck.

laleach3 · 07-16-2007, 02:56 PM

Today, with still none of my parts being shipped back to me and no money being returned, I filed a formal complaint with the District Attorney's office against Phil Gordon and Grasshopper Custom Paint. I made more attempts to contact Phil with no success. I have also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau requesting that settlement be made. I have also filed a civil action suit with the district justice office and will have to fly from Pennsylvania to Kansas to appear for this hearing. What a pain in the ass...

Doing business online...is it worth it?

I find it hard to believe that I am the only one that has been frauded by this company. Hopefully, this investigation will bring this business to an end and prevent this from happening to anyone else.

mike honcho · 07-16-2007, 04:17 PM

"Dont send your bike across country to be painted, you're asking for trouble. The painter is going to ask for money before sending the parts back. After sending them, you will be stuck with whatever was done. Trying to sue someone out of state is a nightmare." -Grashopr

You should have taken his own advice!

lownuff · 07-17-2007, 12:57 AM

Grasshopr always seemed like a good guy... shame about his accident, i think that prolly has something to do with all of this...