The truth once and for all

[Ribz80]

OK boys and girls I am tired.  I am tired of having people bring this swap up who dont know the story and only get one sided half truths.  I have been a good boy and kept this information off Bnet.  I have been asked for months by Admins and mods to air my dirty laundry and try to have cack and steph banned.  Frankly I didnt have the time or energy.  But too often i have people who dont know me, never met me, talk crap about me because of misinformation from this event.  So here is the whole story, I put it here so it couldnt be deleted.  I am going to try and keep this as civil as possible.  But if it gets ugly and I never post here again I really dont care.  None of this was manipulated by me accept for the persons name from AIM was changed to NAME.  All information can be colaborated by saved convos. ÂÂÂ

Only prior information needed would be why people like Holst make comments that "he doesnt know how to work on cars".  I have done a lot of work on my car MYSELF.  But I also have had a lot of help like Woody who did the suspension swap and alL i did was hand him tools and pace nervously.  That doesnt mean I dont know how to work on a car.  When I dont know how to do something I try it, but if its beyond me I watch the first time.  A few years ago I tore down my 3.1 to put in race heads and a cam.  I learned the bottom end was poop and was devastated I wasted my time.  I put the car back together and it still ran.  At the time I had to borrow money from my folks to get a new engine.  As part of the deal they said no more working on the car in their drive way. ÂÂÂ

My new title under my name says it all.  I have met some great people on this board that I see regularly.  They can vouche for my character and have known me for years.  Then there are many that dont know me that talk big on a car forum.  Those who know me know I talk and act the same way in person.  So if you have never met me and dont like me on a car forum, I could care less.  You can't be liked by everyone.


RIBZ80:  Man this could be good:)
name:  what?
RIBZ80:  cack and steph
name:  They are idiots, just ignore them.
RIBZ80:  you see the thread?
name:  yeah
RIBZ80:  you have been gone for 6 months
name:  wish I could have posted before it was locked
RIBZ80:  you missed alot
name:  im sure I did
RIBZ80:  basically there mistake is going to cost them business and perhaps tonight be BANNED
name:  Nah, they wont be banned.  They are idiots, but they do know their stuff and are valuable for the community.  They just need to be kept in check. ÂÂÂ
name:  I'd vote for probation
RIBZ80:  The admins wanted them banned when they learned of this story 3 months ago.  But they wanted me to post the story and let them make an attack and then ban them
name:  hehehe
RIBZ80:  I wouldnt be so sure about the banning
RIBZ80:  This was a big shakeup
RIBZ80:  not cute Bnet tiff ####
name:  everyone gets so worked up over a bunch of keyboard warriors talking big over the internet.  Everyone knows Steph and Erich are dinks. ÂÂÂ
RIBZ80:  they really tried to #### me and in turn they ####ed geoff.  So Geoff got on the phone to JC, and Aaron and everyone else when he needed help
name:  Well JC's opinion cant really be brought into play.  Obviously his current dealings and issues with them would make him quite biased.
RIBZ80:  no this wasnt the internet, they came to do the swap and money about $1g was involved
name:  Oh I believe they tried to screw you.  I wouldnt put it past them for one second. They've done it with Mike and I in a few different ways.
RIBZ80:  I STILL dont have my car back and running and its largely due to their negligence
RIBZ80:  this one as baaad hehe
name:  But I also believe it should be left in private and not tarnish the community.  Erich just needs to learn to shut the hell up.
name:  What happened?
RIBZ80:  yeah but thats the thing
RIBZ80:  JC wanted me to post and trash them
RIBZ80:  but guess what
name:  Nah, thats the low thing to do.
RIBZ80:  I kept it off the board and only freinds know
name:  JC is extremely biased.
RIBZ80:  but he was DUMB, to bring it up
name:  yeah, he is.  I tell him he's a moron everytime I see him
RIBZ80:  cuz he thinks he is in the right some how since he is in La la land
RIBZ80:  even though I saved every convo
RIBZ80:  and Geoff has a saved convo
name:  so what happened?
RIBZ80:  and they are tards
name:  spill it already
RIBZ80:  OK I had a new GM auto tranny
RIBZ80:  it blew after 12k miles
RIBZ80:  Shady Detroit dealer said BS to Gm and they refused to cover it
name:  yeah I remember that
RIBZ80:  So it looked like another 2k for another auto
RIBZ80:  i was like #### that
RIBZ80:  and looked up Steph
RIBZ80:  she told me how much #### would cost
RIBZ80:  I kept track of it
RIBZ80:  i told her the only place we could do it was my school garage structure
RIBZ80:  Kids have worked on their cars there before, one kid did an engine swap last year
RIBZ80:  we had a list of all the things to bring, all saved in the convos.  The garage even had power outlets
RIBZ80:  so they come
RIBZ80:  right off the bat Steph forgot the axles
RIBZ80:  they brought the wrong shifter
RIBZ80:  fine whatever right
RIBZ80:  it turned out security was not happy with us
RIBZ80:  it looked like a bomb went off
name:  haha
RIBZ80:  Mr confident said he could do this swap in half a day
name:  I could
RIBZ80:  and so secutiry was pissed but said as long as it looks like a car by the morning
RIBZ80:  ya with me?
name:  yup
RIBZ80:  oh it gets bad:)
RIBZ80:  OK first the ####### forgets jack stands
RIBZ80:  luckily I have great freinds, my freind Ryan lends them some
RIBZ80:  then captain confident is running into trouble
RIBZ80:  he has bent more then one trans seal since he is finessing it in with a 2x4 hehehe
RIBZ80:  so he is like #### it and trys wrestling the tranny up anyway
RIBZ80:  but he just isnt lining it up
RIBZ80:  he is wrestling with it FOREVER
RIBZ80:  so guess what
RIBZ80:  My boy Ryan is so nice on a sunday he is helping him out
RIBZ80:  after 3 HOURS he finally got it ####in bolted up
RIBZ80:  its startin to get late
RIBZ80:  I had ordered KYBS for the front
RIBZ80:  steph assembled them
RIBZ80:  well its late now like 1am and guess what
name:  ?
RIBZ80:  she puts them on the car to learn they are two L's
RIBZ80:  OOPS
name:  hahaha
RIBZ80:  box's were marked L and R
RIBZ80:  but error in packing
RIBZ80:  who's fault would you make this?  ( you will learn they blamed me heheheh)
RIBZ80:  Steph is now so frustrated its late.
RIBZ80:  I tried to do the nice decent thing
RIBZ80:  she was exhuasted
RIBZ80:  if Cack had his way they would stay another day or two get the right parts from a JY, half ### things AND get it done
RIBZ80:  but again I tried to be nice
RIBZ80:  keep in mind I needed this car in 5 days to take me 600 miles home
RIBZ80:  but instead I said listen she is exhausted
RIBZ80:  this sucks but I will go with my girl in her car home, and you can come back rested in 2 weeks and finish with the right parts?
RIBZ80:  thats nice right?
RIBZ80:  ya with me?
name:  yup
RIBZ80:  ok
RIBZ80:  so they agree
RIBZ80:  I put them up for the night
RIBZ80:  offer to make em breakfast, they decline
RIBZ80:  on a side note one of my freinds had manta pulleys for the 3100.  I orchestrated a deal and Cack was thrilled, paid em cash the next day
RIBZ80:  so they leave, I go on spring break with the GT in the garage with wheels on, no brakes, and with a fair bit more work to be done weeks later
RIBZ80:  so here is where it gets GOOOOOD:)
RIBZ80:  sorry this is so long by the way;)
RIBZ80:  I get an email from Erich, the first I had hear from him in days
RIBZ80:  It was a run down of all the "costs"
name:  its ok
RIBZ80:  Just about everything looked right.  I had a slight issue with two things
name:  And what was the total?
RIBZ80:  the so called NICE or excellent shift plate
RIBZ80:  it had BURN mars on it
RIBZ80:  fine right for say 5-10 bucks
RIBZ80:  he charged me 20
name:  why were they changing shifters and plates?  Were you converting it to a 5 speed?
RIBZ80:  yeah
name:  ahh, ok.  Makes much more sense now
RIBZ80:  this is a 5spd swap
name:  Yeah thats definately a two day job.  Even Aaron took 9 hours to do it.
RIBZ80:  but the bill overall was nearly 200 more then was expected
RIBZ80:  then I found out why
name:  why?
RIBZ80:  first talks with steph I saved
RIBZ80:  THEY had the tranny
RIBZ80:  low miles
RIBZ80:  agreed $250
RIBZ80:  well guess what
RIBZ80:  it didnt work so now we need a tranny.....Geoff comes to the rescue
name:  ouch
RIBZ80:  Geoff found a tranny and met them at his yard
RIBZ80:  VERY nice of him
RIBZ80:  Geoff is one of my best freinds mind you
RIBZ80:  he is not out to make money on me...cack tries to come off freind like, or to help you
name:  they are both all about the money.  Erich and Steph.
RIBZ80:  Well Geoff had told me they paid $65 for the tranny HE found
RIBZ80:  so thats what I budgted for
name:  They should pay for the new tranny regardless, but keep going....
RIBZ80:  They didnt know I knew, so they tried and charge me $250 and think I didnt notice
RIBZ80:  so I was nice
RIBZ80:  I didnt accuse
RIBZ80:  I just replied..I thought the tranny Geoff found, you paid $65 for...where is the $250 from
RIBZ80:  then the #### hit the fan
RIBZ80:  Steph got pissed at him and me, was yelling in his hear and to Geoff that I was "nickel and diming them".  They are anti semites, and even though I am not a jew, they like to make it something like that
RIBZ80:  so he replied
RIBZ80:  that what I paid only covers so much and that now he wants to "take back " hubs and bearings I bought from him and said he is now resfusing to put on my brake lines
RIBZ80:  pretty ####in petty
RIBZ80:  at the same time Steph has now IMed Geoff
RIBZ80:  saying she is refusing to finish the car
RIBZ80:  let him be stranded and pay a mechanic was the jist
RIBZ80:  so geoff saved that too:)
RIBZ80:  you ready for where it gets really gross?
name:  yuppers
RIBZ80:  you member my Freind Ryan?
name:  yeah
RIBZ80:  the kid who helped him for hours?
RIBZ80:  when I wasnt there Ryan told him about the 5spd swap he did in his 5.0
RIBZ80:  Cack found out he still had his CPU and offered him $55 for it
RIBZ80:  Ryan got the CPU and gave it to cack
RIBZ80:  now I had no idea this transaction took place
RIBZ80:  So imagine my surprise when I got back and they were gone when Ryan asked about cack and the $55
RIBZ80:  So email cack after our debate about payment
RIBZ80:  at this point he had $450 of my money, which covered all parts including the tranny at $65 NOT 250
RIBZ80:  cack says YOU pay for it, it will cover our gas for the trip
RIBZ80:  so I am now furious
RIBZ80:  not only is he ####in me
RIBZ80:  he ####ed a freind who saved his ###
RIBZ80:  you see why I would get pissed?
RIBZ80:  but it gets worse:)
name:  how?
RIBZ80:  he blamed me for anything that went wrong.  he said I didnt have all the parts on hand.  The axles as he had said, but he didnt know that I had saved the convo stating Steph would bring them.  he also tried to blame the two left struts on me.  How can that be?  Steph even assembled them without knowing
RIBZ80:  he said how ####ed up the garage was.  yes it sucked that security was pissed but why shouldh e care.  I was the one who got $50 fine!!! it wasnt cold and it was dry. ÂÂÂ
RIBZ80:  so that may be the only fault I am willing to bear
RIBZ80:  so skip ahead geoff takes over the project
RIBZ80:  he gets me a free tow across the street so security will be happy. ÂÂÂ
RIBZ80:  in 5 feet of towing I hear a horrible sound
RIBZ80:  it was the subframe
RIBZ80:  in their rush he only put on two bolts
RIBZ80:  but it was ok
RIBZ80:  geoff found so many things wrong
RIBZ80:  Cack broke an engine mount
RIBZ80:  he was ghetto riggin the engine at such an angle to get the tranny to bolt up it cracked the mount
RIBZ80:  steph broke the ignition
RIBZ80:  she bolted the steering wheel back up and never plugged it back in
RIBZ80:  they got the wrong mounts
RIBZ80:  so we had to stop workin
RIBZ80:  and wait a week to go to the JY and start again
RIBZ80:  meanwhile i got the R strut from tire rack
RIBZ80:  all this work and the car wont start
RIBZ80:  goeff goes into the column and found the probs with all the things she ####ed up
RIBZ80:  car starts but has clutch chatter
RIBZ80:  cack put in a JY flywheel, sounds like he didnt even tighten it to spec
RIBZ80:  so all that work and the tranny has to be pulled
RIBZ80:  so now more weeks go by
RIBZ80:  can you see how ####ty this is?
RIBZ80:  so of course cack only got the money for the parts and didnt get the other half for labor.
RIBZ80:  so now the car gets towed to Chazz's
RIBZ80:  where woody had done his swap
RIBZ80:  we now have a new subframe and flywheel
RIBZ80:  woody gets the tranny in like 45mins
RIBZ80:  as opposed to cack and his 3 hours
RIBZ80:  with the right pipe was able to get the tran seal which cack ruined 2 trying the wrong way
RIBZ80:  did the big brakes upgrade
RIBZ80:  car runs and then clank, new axle is shot
RIBZ80:  weird
RIBZ80:  order another one
RIBZ80:  get it
RIBZ80:  100ft, clank
RIBZ80:  axle chewed again
RIBZ80:  now what?
RIBZ80:  turns out Cack the EXPERT
RIBZ80:  didnt know that the rear engine mount is marked AUTO
RIBZ80:  therefore we need MANUAL
RIBZ80:  Geoff finds the mount
RIBZ80:  order another axle
RIBZ80:  the axle came in about 10 days ago
RIBZ80:  but I had an emergency.  Geoff started a new job so I didnt want him to worry about the car right now so I flew home for my emergency
name:  k
RIBZ80:  so to sum it up
name:  So you still havent gotten it back?
RIBZ80:  all the car needs is the axle and mount put in and an alignment
RIBZ80:  but I havent driven the car since january
name:  I know that feeling all too well.
RIBZ80:  they say I am a cheap jew and how they were shafted
RIBZ80:  and I know the truth
RIBZ80:  if they wanted gas money I had 1800 cash for the swap
RIBZ80:  anything they needed I could get them
RIBZ80:  but they never asked for expenses
RIBZ80:  I dont take kindly to bait and switch
RIBZ80:  the tranny was 65
RIBZ80:  what they did was shady
RIBZ80:  if they said hey its 65, but could you give us 250 to make up for gas
RIBZ80:  would have been done in a heartbeat
name:  Perhaps.  Some markup on JY parts is to be expected, especially if they pulled it themselves. ÂÂÂ
name:  I wouldnt expect THAT much of a markup though.
name:  Sounds like they used you to learn how to do the swap to me.
RIBZ80:  yeah but he claimed to be god.  telling me to learn how to work on cars.  Yet he broke more things then he got right
RIBZ80:  I tore apart my first 3.1 AND  got it back together and it ran
RIBZ80:  I came to him cuz I was out of my league and had no tools at school
RIBZ80:  from start to finish he ####ed me and made it out that I wronged them
RIBZ80:  how can I forgive him making a deal with a freind of mine and stiffing him?
RIBZ80:  I paid Ryan the $55 and didnt tell him it came from me.....he might not have accepted it
name:  yeah thats pretty ####ty.  I'd atleast get the $55 out of him
RIBZ80:  he refused
name:  so how exactly did woody get screwed?  aside from having to fix the cacks mistakes...
name:  woody lose any money or anything?
RIBZ80:  woody has so much time in it
RIBZ80:  hours and hours
RIBZ80:  to make it up to him as a surprise gift I bougth him an aluminum racing jack
RIBZ80:  I gave him about $70 for gas, and fill him up now and then
RIBZ80:  but he was pissed on my behalf for them ####in me
RIBZ80:  and get this
RIBZ80:  she spoke to him a bit back and claimed I fired them and they were willing to finish.  Little did she know he saved the convo where she said she refused to and let him pay a mechanic hehe
RIBZ80:  So now you know pretty much the whole story:)
name:  yeah she can be rather two faced
RIBZ80:  oh she is the ring leader even cack admitted it
name:  Well, atleast the final outcome should be good.  Sucks that you guys got screwed in the end though.  Seems like alot of it was ego's not wanting to admit they were wrong or couldnt do something, but its no excuse.
RIBZ80:  only place I admit sucked on my part was security getting pissed
RIBZ80:  but I dont think its that valid of a gripe since I had to pay for it
RIBZ80:  How can he blame me for two L's?
RIBZ80:  and the axles?  I have the convo...it was their brake down in communication that screwed it up
name:  #### happens.  Even if they tossed the stock R side on and finished the tranny it wouldnt have been a problem
RIBZ80:  also the GREAT shift cables I paid so much for?  One of em was so stiff it couldnt be used
RIBZ80:  in the end my car is going to be amazing.  Thanks to geoff it is all done right
RIBZ80:  and my brothers 300zx was given to me
RIBZ80:  so the GT isnt in that big of a rush anymore hhee


OK, the summary. ÂÂÂ I am an adult so let me take some of the blame. ÂÂÂ I was nieve about the parking structure. ÂÂÂ All the times I saw people do big car projects at school turned out to be under the old more lax security. ÂÂÂ But I heard an engine swap went down and all the kid got was a fine. ÂÂÂ I checked for plugs and found them, but MY FAULT the one I parked next to didnt work, the rest did. ÂÂÂ Could I have been more accomidating to Cack and Steph? ÂÂÂ Possibly, I offered them food drink, and a place to sleep. ÂÂÂ Everything they needed was spelled out and agreed too. ÂÂÂ If they wanted gas money that would have been no problem......but looking back I should have offered. ÂÂÂ To this day the two of them have accepted NO responsibilty, and frankly adults should. ÂÂÂ Lastly they whined that they "lost money" by missing out on ebay auctions to come do the swap. ÂÂÂ ÂÂÂ That is a sab story. ÂÂÂ They had other projects and it was only a 1 day thing.   It was their choice to come help me out.Also I paid them half and was going to pay more.  Frankly they didnt even come close to finishing.  I thought about giving them a bit more still, but other insisted they would be furious "if you give them one more penny".    Do I owe them anything?

ÂÂÂ   ÂÂÂ No, they drilled some good holes for the swap, and did come from Chicago and worked all night, that I appreciate. ÂÂÂ

What do I hate most?  They tried to screw a freind of mine, who actually helped them for hours.......that is as shady as it gets.  The shift plate I bought I was over charged, they kept the brake pads I paid for, the one cable couldnt be used, they broke an engine mount, the messed up the ignition, they got the wrong mount, they gave me the wrong shifter arm, forgot the axles.....they got more things wrong then they got right. Yet all cack did was tell me I need to "learn how to work on cars".  Every time I have worked on my car things came out right. Woody and I were out in the cold trying to sort all their messups.  Can you imagine all that work and it wouldnt start?  WE found that Steph didnt plug in the steering column and messed up the linkage to the ignition.  Finally the car starts.  Guess what, the clutch chatters and makes HORRIBLE noises.  So all that work only for Geoff to tell me the tranny that just went in needs to come back out.  So I go through all this and the two of them want to act like they got shafted?  They got $450 out of me for parts which if you look at what I got is plenty......they are NOT the victims here, I am tired of hearing anything different.


In the end I paid Chazz to put in mount and axle.  I flew in to detroit where Scott (McGavin) picked me up and drove me to the car. I then drove it home 600 miles after waiting 9 months for it.  The help of Chazz, Scott, and Geoff saved the day and they are truely awesome people. ÂÂÂ

Today I have worked out many of the issues from the swap, much of it on my OWN.  This whole experience was devastating.  I was trying to graduate college and running around to get my finals printed and didnt have my car.  It was also a strain for my then girlfreind who I had to rely on her transportation.  But the way my car is today it was all worth it.

[HeartBeatKid]

THATS MESSED UP!!!complete and utter BS now they are MONEY HUNGRY!
J ive met you in person many many times, ive bought parts from you
hell you even took me in a ride in the red beast
ps PINKY! lol sorry had to add that
i must aree things did get out of hand , they messed a #### load of things up
in all honesty i would never trust those 2 to work on my car EVER
J your a great person to deal with and im happy to call you a car friend
i would have never know for you to get pissed off

im happy everything is good now and just sue there ##### for pain and suffering lol jk

[Guest]

This is typical of them. I would never do business with them.

[spacecadetz26]

I never claimed to know everything about this swap as this would have been my first attempt.

I didnt realize taking a 3 hour nap on a couch was letting us sleep in your place for the night.

I spent $90 on a hotel room in Kalamazoo after I pulled the $110 transmission ($65 plus the core and taxes), did you offer to pay it? Its a 5 hour drive from Chicago to Detroit.

I would have been more inclined to finish this swap but you were SO worried about your momo shifter knob and momo pedals you were not interested in seeing your car run again.

There may have been power outlets in the garage but where there any within 100ft of where we were working on your car?

Whose fault was the axles? After you repeatedly told me you were just going to buy new W41 axles the last day before we leave you tell me I NEED to bring them. Well guess what, Geoffs junkyard was fresh out.

I would have gotten all the parts for your swap but you wanted to sort out the pieces to get the cheapest price... I told you it would have costed at LEAST $900-1000 but you wanted it for the neighborhood of $700. I do not buy this story of shifter cables being bad because they came from a 70k mile GTZ. And I told you I was going to give you another shifter plate, but obviously you didnt hear me and I dont see how a shifter plate has anything to do with your car running again.  And you cannot blame me for anything being "unplugged" as this was not completed. The flywheel you said you were going to get a new one but left it on us to bring you a core and you still could never get one.

I am not mad that you posted this because I have been expecting it for a while. The only thing I am mad about is the unsatisfactory job I did on your car because of the surrondings and lack of parts.  
And I was there when Erich got the computer from your friend... And since this isnt in writing you, you will get away with it, but let yourself think that if it makes you feel better.

I really could care less what anyone thinks of me, I did what I could in 14 hours. Half of which was spent driving around Detroit.

[Ribz80]

The only reason you needed a hotel room in Kzoo was because the tranny you were supplying went south last minute.  You needed to get the tranny from Geoff in Kzoo.  If you wanted money for the hotel you are a big girl, add it to the bill or DISCUSS it with me.  You dont get to whine about it after the fact. ÂÂÂ

I went to Chicago from Detroit to get to your place, took 3 hours....lets not make you sound like the victim here again.  It took longer because of a detour to get a tranny LAST minute.


I was more interested in a shift knob then getting my car running?  That makes no sense.  You knew I needed the car to RUN in order to get it home for spring break.  The knob and pedals are details and i was able to put them on myself, no rocket science

Your arguement for the axles is purely false, I have the convos saved.  W41 axles were NEVER mentioned.  I was going to get them myself, you are right.  But I didnt have a car and relied on other people.  At a certain point I could not get them and I have the IM where you said OK AND THAT YOU HAD SOME to bring. ÂÂÂ

We had all parts worked out.  Price was only an issue on things like a flywheel which you might as well buy.  Every part was covered in our conversations.  If it was something I could not get you would say you had them on hand or would get them before arriving.  I would not have let you come if not every part we needed was sorted though an agreement that it would be brought by you.

You also seem to be making up the figure 700, since eevn in our first talks we were at 800+.   The shift cable was too stiff ask Geoff and Chazz.  I had plenty of money to do this swap right.  I am not here to short change people.  Its how you went about things.  You complained about money a week after you left.   No agreements were made about hotels or gas...you griped way after the fact.   If you needed money for anything like that just be up front about it.   INstead I felt you were padding the bill with things like the tranny being more and things like that.  It was how you went about things that made me not want to give you more money.   Thats the thing I wasnt nickel and diming or trying to buy rims.   It was about how you went about wanting that extra money.  


The power outlets were far but I parked next to one, I told you it was my bad luck and oops that the one next to us did not work.  But it proved not to have much of an effect since you were able to charge your power tools anyway.

Yes the surroundings werent ideal, but what was so bad?   You had a roof over your head and it wasnt cold.  Security made more of an issue then I had planned.  But again big whoop, I paid the fine, I had to deal with them after you left. ÂÂÂ

Lastly you have no excuse for the computer deal made with Ryan.  It was a freind and a deal was made without my knowledge.  You left without paying him. ÂÂÂ

So thats that, I am trying to see your arguements.  I frabkly sort of agree with how the parking garage was an issue.  But parts being an issue I dont agree with you because I have the convos saved.  All parts were covered as an agreement that since I was unable to get them with my lack of transportation you would bring them.  It says it clearly from you how you had it in stock and it wouldnt be a problem.

[ErichZ26]

I was not going to start this thread out here, but I have to say this was t he worst experience EVER on Beretta.net dealing with someone who wants to get their car done to save their ### after misfortunes.   I also took this as a challenge I regret that this was not done for someone more worthy(fortunate?)  

The working of the deal were such that you were paying for new parts, in fact you made a big deal out of this and were to purchase at your local stores OR order them online.    You made decisions to order your struts, brake lines.   There were many numbers going back and forth based on "adding" stuff to the swap.
Reality is that you broke your transmission by drop shifting your car.   The dealer would not repair your warranty transmission because you went in with a car looking like a race car driver with a tachometer mounted on the dash.  

To add to Stephanie’s post. This $65 transmission you talk of that Geoff got was pulled to save time that was limited by your sudden neeed to get this done and my spare not put together.   We needed the mounts from the junkyard engine as we were out of them and GM no longer sells.  

This engine mount problem,  was it a new mount we purchased or a mount that was broken when dealer slapped this back together to be towed off to the parking garage?  We have heard mixed experiences with the 3rd mount being needed for the 5spd swap.

A Parking garage is not much of a garage! You had us working in, right by the main entrance, with traffic whizzing by us, it was nothing less than a circus.  Your friends did a swap upstairs!  We had to do it downstairs in front of the security gate because there was no way of getting your car up there.   I  love hearing these stories about how your buying people lunch, dinner,  etc.   Reality, working out in the public parking garage with 1 person who must remain at all times to keep an eye on your stuff in near downtown  Detroit did not give us the luxury.   By the time it came time to install the trans I was a bit exhausted.  

Its good (for you) that people from Beretta.net feel sorry for you and stepped up to complete a job I was disgusted with completing.   I was disgusted that I had to make the decision not to go on.

You WANT me banned from Beretta.net?   Probation?  Not touching your wanker?  

There was no overzealous bill padding and this email I sent you upon our return.  We included parts that you were not able to locate in Detroit or were needed to complete this.   We made no attempt to extort money from you.  
t
I was going over the list, we have all reciepts.

brake upgrade  (Rotors/Pads/Calipers/knuckles/knuckle bolts &nuts) $130
Wheel Bearings $40
flywheel bolts  $20 (6)
flywheel $25
Synchromesh Trans Fluid  $22 (3)
5spd Trans $250
Shift plate  $20
Shifter $15
Shift cables $40
Pedals $30

Other Misc stuff
Brake Fluid  $3.30
Engine Degreaser $2.30
2 solderless connectors $2.30
Threadlock  $6.00
Antisieze  $6.30
more  ?

This is an approximate



Labor $400


Do you know about cars?   Model cars maybe.  I have never been impressed with your abilities, from what we saw, and what we hear you dance around the car yapping with Momo between your legs.   You “babiedâ€Â

[ErichZ26]

You did not want to pay for parts like flywheel?  Why?  There was nothing wrong with it?  Axles were to come from YOU in detroit, otherwise we have got them here in Chicago or used the used ones.  Again you were worried about your Momo.

You were the one whining about a $65 trans that did not cost us just $65

You were to take money owed to us and pay your friend Ryan.  This was said before leaving to return to Chicago.

[Ribz80]

Quote (ErichZ26 @ Dec. 23 2004,15:24)I was not going to start this thread out here, but I have to say this was t he worst experience EVER on Beretta.net dealing with someone who wants to get their car done to save their ### after misfortunes.  I also took this as a challenge I regret that this was not done for someone more worthy(fortunate?) ÂÂÂ

The working of the deal were such that you were paying for new parts, in fact you made a big deal out of this and were to purchase at your local stores OR order them online.   You made decisions to order your struts, brake lines.  There were many numbers going back and forth based on "adding" stuff to the swap.
Reality is that you broke your transmission by drop shifting your car.  The dealer would not repair your warranty transmission because you went in with a car looking like a race car driver with a tachometer mounted on the dash. ÂÂÂ

To add to Stephanie’s post. This $65 transmission you talk of that Geoff got was pulled to save time that was limited by your sudden neeed to get this done and my spare not put together.  We needed the mounts from the junkyard engine as we were out of them and GM no longer sells. ÂÂÂ

This engine mount problem,  was it a new mount we purchased or a mount that was broken when dealer slapped this back together to be towed off to the parking garage?  We have heard mixed experiences with the 3rd mount being needed for the 5spd swap.

A Parking garage is not much of a garage! You had us working in, right by the main entrance, with traffic whizzing by us, it was nothing less than a circus.  Your friends did a swap upstairs!  We had to do it downstairs in front of the security gate because there was no way of getting your car up there.  I  love hearing these stories about how your buying people lunch, dinner,  etc.  Reality, working out in the public parking garage with 1 person who must remain at all times to keep an eye on your stuff in near downtown  Detroit did not give us the luxury.  By the time it came time to install the trans I was a bit exhausted. ÂÂÂ

Its good (for you) that people from Beretta.net feel sorry for you and stepped up to complete a job I was disgusted with completing.  I was disgusted that I had to make the decision not to go on.

You WANT me banned from Beretta.net?  Probation?  Not touching your wanker? ÂÂÂ

There was no overzealous bill padding and this email I sent you upon our return.  We included parts that you were not able to locate in Detroit or were needed to complete this.  We made no attempt to extort money from you. ÂÂÂ
t
I was going over the list, we have all reciepts.

brake upgrade  (Rotors/Pads/Calipers/knuckles/knuckle bolts &nuts) $130
Wheel Bearings $40
flywheel bolts  $20 (6)
flywheel $25
Synchromesh Trans Fluid  $22 (3)
5spd Trans $250
Shift plate  $20
Shifter $15
Shift cables $40
Pedals $30

Other Misc stuff
Brake Fluid  $3.30
Engine Degreaser $2.30
2 solderless connectors $2.30
Threadlock  $6.00
Antisieze  $6.30
more  ?

This is an approximate



Labor $400


Do you know about cars?  Model cars maybe.  I have never been impressed with your abilities, from what we saw, and what we hear you dance around the car yapping with Momo between your legs.  You “babiedâ€Â

[Ribz80]

Quote (ErichZ26 @ Dec. 23 2004,15:33)You did not want to pay for parts like flywheel?  Why?  There was nothing wrong with it?  Axles were to come from YOU in detroit, otherwise we have got them here in Chicago or used the used ones.  Again you were worried about your Momo.

You were the one whining about a $65 trans that did not cost us just $65

You were to take money owed to us and pay your friend Ryan.  This was said before leaving to return to Chicago.
Wrong wrong wrong lie lie.   You are much for fun then Steph.   The payment of Ryan was never discussed.  I spoke to  him and learned of the deal after you left.  So thats a lie.  You said yourself you sent me the bill, the conversation about me paying Ryan took place then.  

Axles were spose to come from me in Detroit?    You are forgeting there was time before you come down.  I was trying to get parts but it wasnt possible.  So YOUR girlfreind said you had some and it would be no problem to get them.  I have the convo with her.   The problem is most convos were between her and I.   So your points are flat out wrong since they were never discussed between you and I.   You need to get your facts straight first.

[ErichZ26]

I never killed a THM125/3T40 in my Pontiac's, one had more miles than yours and i drove them in extreme conditions.
You are hard on your car

I am not buying this mount theory of yours.

It was a public garage and there were a lot of cars whizzing by, but you would not know, you were busy most of the time.
High traffic by car and pedestrian, the guards were not able to keep an eye on OUR tools.   What was your worry?  stealing your car? your fugly wheels?

I'd say a GTP would be an upgrade to a 91 Beretta GT...maybe even your relatives non turbo nissan Z.

I'd say you were taking advantage of me, while we did see your problem as not being able to drive the car home and we were your last resort(other than wrecker) Where were these friends before?  Maybe we were asked to do this so you could stick it to me 1 more time.    

Thank god my GTZ is soo slow, those near bald ### tires you sold me fit well.   Of course i could do Ribz Racing and only race when its cold out, then talk about 60ft's.  Did you see my "half assed" Z26's 60ft?

[ErichZ26]

You having fun with this?  

You were to pay for the EEC out of the money from this swap, now you change the story because the job was unable to get done.   I can only imagine what you told Ryan.

We/I had axles on your end because you specifically wanted new ones.  You would want anything we brought as cores, which was not needed because we could use your auto axles as cores.   There was NO request from us for NEW or usable axles for this swap. NONE!

Here is the key "RIBZ80:  but the bill overall was nearly 200 more then was expected"

You did not get a billed for parts that you were buying from Detroit, and you added parts to the list to install(no mention of the stainless brake lines).   You also did not feel obligated to contribute money for flywheel, and other parts you wanted to take as cores.  

I posted what i was to charge you.

[Ribz80]

Quote (ErichZ26 @ Dec. 23 2004,16:08)I never killed a THM125/3T40 in my Pontiac's, one had more miles than yours and i drove them in extreme conditions.
You are hard on your car

I am not buying this mount theory of yours.

It was a public garage and there were a lot of cars whizzing by, but you would not know, you were busy most of the time.
High traffic by car and pedestrian, the guards were not able to keep an eye on OUR tools.  What was your worry?  stealing your car? your fugly wheels?

I'd say a GTP would be an upgrade to a 91 Beretta GT...maybe even your relatives non turbo nissan Z.

I'd say you were taking advantage of me, while we did see your problem as not being able to drive the car home and we were your last resort(other than wrecker) Where were these friends before?  Maybe we were asked to do this so you could stick it to me 1 more time.  ÂÂÂ

Thank god my GTZ is soo slow, those near bald ### tires you sold me fit well.  Of course i could do Ribz Racing and only race when its cold out, then talk about 60ft's.  Did you see my "half assed" Z26's 60ft?
Duh of course I was hard on my first tranny.  I had over 80 runs at Englishtown.  I am fine with it lasting 150k.  The second one was a GM "rebuild" and it lasted 11k and never went to the track.....so if you are such a mechanically inclined person explain how if I beat up the first one at the track it lasted 10x longer then 2nd.


Of course I was "busy: time.  I had final projects and classes as I was trying to GRADUATE.  There was no worry about anything getting stolen, it was a private garage.


My "relatives non turbo Z" lol.   That car is special, you wouldnt know about that.  It was my relatives and was given to me, a truely selfless thing.   My name is on the title as of June and I have been driving it regularly for a few months now.  That car is worth more then every single one you own put together and has a way of drawing crowds and will do very well in car shows this summer.   One time I went to michigan and tried draggin on the S03's on a 40 degree day and ran 16.3 with 2.860's.....it was fun.


You took advantage of me.  You marked up prices for things you either got for free cuz you buy in bulk or just jacked up the price in general.  I was the one without a car for 9 months becasue of all the things left from you touching my car.  Every dealing I have had with you I get the short end then you claim to be the victim.  I didnt go to my "freinds" first because they had work and school and LIVES.   You make yourself outto be the expert and this is your business.   I went to you first, look where it got me.   You spent hours doing things that when it was geoffs turn did in minutes.

Haha my near balding tires, you are so full of it.   You saw them when you picked them up and didnt say a word.  You knew you were getting a lot for your money or you wouldnt have driven down.   I paid 650 for the tires alone and had one summer on them, you got wheels and tires for 300.....plenty of tread.

Ribz racing?   I have over 40 slips with 2.2x 60 ft times on half worn all seasons.  I also have some nice trophies under my belt, so once again dont talk trash about that either.

[Ribz80]

Quote (ErichZ26 @ Dec. 23 2004,16:21)You having fun with this? ÂÂÂ

You were to pay for the EEC out of the money from this swap, now you change the story because the job was unable to get done.  I can only imagine what you told Ryan.

We/I had axles on your end because you specifically wanted new ones.  You would want anything we brought as cores, which was not needed because we could use your auto axles as cores.  There was NO request from us for NEW or usable axles for this swap. NONE!

Here is the key "RIBZ80:  but the bill overall was nearly 200 more then was expected"

You did not get a billed for parts that you were buying from Detroit, and you added parts to the list to install(no mention of the stainless brake lines).  You also did not feel obligated to contribute money for flywheel, and other parts you wanted to take as cores. ÂÂÂ

I posted what i was to charge you.
Of course I am having fun with this since atleast its out in the open instead of 17 year old strangers from Bfest you talk to making referceses to this incident to me. ÂÂÂ

The story was never changed.  You are right you told me to pay for it.  You told me after I came to you saying where is Ryans money when I learned the transaction ever took place.  I didn ttalk to him and hear of it till days after you left.  Ryan-that guy who did your swap, is he still around, he is giving me money for my computer.  That was the first I heard of it as you did this transaction when I was not present.  If you were correct and I was spose to pay him, did you say to him, Jamie will pay you as part of my fee to him...nope you didnt since you are lying about all this or your memory is off.   I happen to have an excellent memory.


I preffered new any time I could get it.  Once it was not possible for me to get new in time Steph said she had axles on hand, END of story.

Yes it was 200 dollars more then I expected because we were no longer using the LOW MILE tranny you had wanted to at $250.  I had the extra $200, it was the way you went about wanting it...dont you get that?

I kept the flywheel which chattered and I was going to give it back to you as a core. ÂÂÂ Once other peope began working on my car and saw you and steph had refused to finish and wanted to leave me with my back up against the wall I felt I no longer owe you anything. ÂÂÂ You guys thought you left me no way out and I would have to bring my car to a mechanic. ÂÂÂ Those hubs you sold me had to be replaced with NEW ones ask geoff. ÂÂÂ I had to get ANOTHER shift cable since one of yours was bad. ÂÂÂ And the brake pads I paid for you took with you. ÂÂÂ I still have the wrong shift lever in my car even though from the first convo Steph said she has N body shorter shifters..once again I did NOT get what was agreed upon.  So I paid for things like the flywheel and cores by having to pay again for those items that needed to be sorted. ÂÂÂ THE END, the truth shall set you free!

[Guest]

Bottom line is this.. there are two sides to every story at LEAST... and none of us are going to ever know what really happened just by reading your posts, and Erich and Stephs posts. I've heard Geoffs side of it too...

Erich is a real character... I've known my fair share of people like this. You are either going to really like Erich or really hate him I guess, because it takes a certain personality to get along with him. He says whatever he feels and doesn't give a crap about what other people think. That pisses some people off. If you can deal with it though, he can be a very good friend. Everybody talks about Erich and Steph, the ripoff artists.. total a$$holes these people... they take your money and run. They never do anything to help anyone. I've had my fights with Erich too -- bad ones.

BUT> Somewhere along the way I realized that they really are good people, just misunderstood. I don't see Erich and Steph too much, especially now that I moved farther away. We aren't butt buddies or anything. When I do hang out with them, they are the best friends you could ask for.
>These two came over to my house for a housewarming party and since they heard I had needed a dehumidifier for my basement badly, went and bought me a really nice one! Along with several other things they dropped off.
>They knew I needed a set of struts for my 96 base... They found brand new ones at the junkyard and bought em for me. GAVE them to me.
>My fiance and I go out to eat with them and they've paid countless times, didn't let me pay.
>My moms 01 Alero 3400 sprung an intake gasket leak.. Erich and Steph call me up and say "Need some extra hands? We'll come over and help!" It was cold out and its not a hard job but you can get it done a hell of a lot quicker with some extra hands... they came over and we knocked the job out in two hours or so. When it was done they jumped in their car and took off, barely gave me a chance to say thanks.

These are only a couple of instances where Erich/Steph have helped me out. I feel like -I- am the one taking advantage of them half the time.
But oh boy! Steph and Erich.. what a bunch of A$$HOLES.. ban them from the board!

Now, even putting that whole thing aside, my problem with you is that I've seen your kind before. I know plenty of guys like you. You don't know how to work on cars very good, you aren't INEPT, but cmon, lets be honest here. Yet, even though you're no mechanic, you want to be a CAR GUY. You race your automatic Beretta around with a big ol' tach... then something breaks-- and its your FRIENDS to the rescue. I've been this friend many times, I know how this goes. I've spent many a night in someones 30 degree garage or a 7-11 parking lot changing an alternator or replacing a CV shaft for a buddy. A buddy who doesn't call me again for months until he needs a favor again.

The real reason I sympathize with Erich and Steph is I can totally picture that whole ordeal. You, the tightwad who wants to pay them to do the swap, but expects everything to go perfectly and wants the whole thing to be DIRT CHEAP. I can totally picture how frustrating it would be in that situation, working on your car in some cold Detroit parking garage, bad luck on top of bad luck, wrong parts, tightwad owner who paces back and forth nervously, wondering whats going on and why isn't his car done yet? After all, you've provided an ample budget for the swap and the greatest of working conditions, right?

I guess I'll say this though. I think I'm a very good person to my friends, and have bent over backwards for people and gotten continually used and abused. It's not often that you will find people who will do things for you in return. Value those friends. I will say this about Geoff Morrow. He's one of those friends. I know Erich and Geoff don't get along, but they are both good people to me. I was there when Geoff had to get up at 6am to drive all the way to Detroit with a tow truck to help your sorry a$$. I know he did a LOT of work on your car. That's because he's a good guy. Geoff picked up an exhaust system I bought over in Michigan and drove it over to Chicago for me, during a short trip he was on. I've been very fortunate to meet several people on BerettaNet over these years who really do have a good heart and will help out others at the drop of a hat. I hope you realize this.

Ok I'm done for now.

[Guest]

Welp, that's quite a read!  I guess I'll add my 2 cents:

Erich and Steph:

I think you made a very poor business call with this one.  If Steph knew "nothing about this swap", she should not have been talking with Ribz about it.  If this swap wasn't something you'd done before, driving out of state to attempt it on a Sunday (when most yards and stores are closed), when there is a deadline to finish it is a VERY bad idea.  It also appears to me that you didn't research the swap completely before you agreed to do it (the motor mount issue with it breaking axles)  You guys of ALL people should know how the "simple" little jobs can turn into an all-dayer.  I think you made a mistake letting Ribz supply any of the parts and that you should have insisted on providing the essental items to your swap (the struts wasn't a biggie - worst case you put the old ones back in).  You also didn't get any terms in writing (i.e. - who is providing what and who is responsible if something doesn't work).

It was a case were you thought you could do something, every possible thing went wrong, and you had no backup plan.  It was a mistake, it happens, and I think that's all that needs to be said.


Ribz:

ÂÂÂ I think you made a mistake as well by not getting everything in writing as well (and AIM's don't count - I'm talking a firm "we're doing and providing this" e-mail). ÂÂÂ I think you should have planned on it taking more time then you'd thought, and had some sort of backup plan as well. ÂÂÂ Also, I don't think you understand that just because Erich pays one thing for a tranny, doesn't mean you pay the same amount. ÂÂÂ And just because he gets some part for free, doesn't mean it doesn't have value and that he can't charge you for it. ÂÂÂ I mark up my parts as well, becuase it takes my time to locate and remove them. ÂÂÂ Erich is just trying to make money, as we all are - I don't see how he was trying to "screw" you by asking the same amount for the tranny. ÂÂÂ Had you not known what he paid, you wouldn't have had a problem.  Also, being mad at Erich for "having problems getting the tranny in" is NOT fair at all.  Sometimes, things just go wrong - you can do something 100 times and the 101st time it'll take you 5 times as long as it did the last 100 times.  There's a very VERY big difference between "not knowing what your doing" and "things not going right"


I think things went as worse as they possibley could for both sides.  Both sides were inexperianced and it showed.  Your lucky now adays if something goes like it's supposed to, so always plan on it not - especailly if it's out of state and/or time critical (Ask Jim Metz about the problems we had with his swap!  Certianly didn't go like I thought it would, but we got it fixed and got him home on time!)

I think we can prolly put an end to this "He said, She said" and just agree that it was bad times for all