Professional Trim And Upholstery
Ripoff, stoled, lied, has stolen from others also

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter requesting help from any and all possible organizations (see c/c below) in order to recover my money.

It pains me to think that if I write a check for $500 and it were a bad check I could go to jail that day. But when a business takes the same check, cashes it, spends the money and has nothing to show for it, I have to take the business to court and hope I get my money back. This is not right and I will try to push for a new bill to change this practice

Let me bring to your attention my problem with a business located in Brandon, Florida. I have gone through the judicial process for over 2 1/2 half years now. Where in Small Claims Court I was awarded a $2000. Judgment, but I have never received any payment from the business/sole proprietor. There should be a law that makes the business pay upon final judgment. Yet I have lost well over $3800 trying to get my money back. The current laws protect a business owner or sole proprietor from ever having to pay any order a court has rendered. Sure I can put a lien on the business, garnish wages or just let it go. But this is not right. I am a retired Vet that has worked hard for my money and when a person or business gives false documents in the court of law and lies to the court. There is no justice there at all. This man has stolen my money and put undue stress on my life.

This is my complaint:

(December 1998)
Initially, for the restoration of my car, a 1959 Studebaker Lark (my grandparents car that was given to me), I went to Custom Classic Inc to contract the paint and bodywork. While there, I ask the owner, if he could recommend a upholstery shop. I was directed to a shop just next door to his. (Professional Trim & Upholstery) The owner of the body shop said it would be good to keep the car in the same area for easy access. (keep easy access in mind)

4 January 1999
I spoke with Mr. Tim Boyle (owner) of Professional Trim & Upholstery, who said, Bring the car in so I can give you an estimate for the work.

12 January 1999
I had the car towed to Custom Classic Inc where Mr. Boyle came over from his shop and gave me a $3000 estimate to upholster the complete interior in original body cloth. This would include the following items:

Carpet, carpet pad, firewall padding and board, front/back dash w/padding, headliner, wind lace pads, door panels, rebuilt seat frames, new padding, upholstery for all interior.

During the initial request for the upholstery work, I provided reference books, pictures of seat patterns, addresses for material, and also described the material pattern to Mr. Boyle. As on the receipt I would be paying for a Complete Interior, Original Body Cloth. Mr. Boyle states he requested a deposit. On my receipt the deposit was paid in full 03/01/99 via check # 2106 $500.00 with $1900 paid via checks and cash to the sum of $2400 leaving a balance of $600.

All these monies were paid over a 5 month period.initially I requested he order material samples that I might choose from. To this day I have never seen any swatch, samples or pictures. He states the material was placed on hold and because that kind of material was so old it had to be kept in refrigerated storage to keep it from deteriorating.

I don't know about you but I would not want material that had to be stored in cold storage to be put into my project car just to watch it deteriorate. New remanufactured material is available from a list of suppliers that I provided. To me it does not cost anything to put something on hold.

Material will always be there and yet my money is totally gone. I can understand work not being done until the body shop starts or finishes their work. However, not having any samples, materials or proof of material purchased is uncalled for and I like most consumers would like to see something for my money.

13 July
This all started when I had originally asked Mr. Boyle for a $500 refund from the $2600, which he would get back in about two weeks. This was to get the my car out of the performance shop, as stated earlier, into the body shop and his shop. But Mr. Boyle said; The money was gone because my girlfriend (Teresa Ayers) was filing bankruptcy that cost $1500. Everything was in her name. I ask him if it would cause a problem with his business. He said NO. It was that comment that prompted me to ask for a total refund and started me looking into court records where I found over 90 court records against the business, Mr. Boyle, and his ex-wife, nothing was found on his girlfriend.

Mr. Boyle states I changed my mind on material he had to reorder to my desire. The only change I thought about making was to place a fold down arm-rest in the back seat, some throw pillows, and a front and back dash cover to protect the new upholstery. I have never changed the pattern selection from the Original Body cloth. Earlier he stated put on hold so I ask you which is it? The car was available to Mr. Boyle for 10 months.

Again Mr. Boyle says, I went to the body shop sometime in Oct 1999 to pull the interior out of the vehicle. Remember now, the body shop has not done any work yet either. Another statement from Mr. Boyle as to why he was not working on the interior and or material was ordered is: I did not want his interior to be completed and laying around in my shop for several months. So you tell me does he have material or not? No material. No receipts.

October 1999, (a full 10 months)
No work had been accomplished at this point. The Studebaker was towed to Precision Engineered Performance Inc. There, work was done on the front suspension, breaks, and exhaust system. Both the body shop and upholstery shop was kept informed on the status of the car, to include pictures.

10 June
Contact with Better Business Bureau with no results

07 August
Sheriff Detective Joe Tasto was even told by Mr. Boyle that the material had been purchased and is now stored in a separate warehouse. Yet at a meeting between all three parties Mr. Boyle walked into his shop area, pulled out two bolts of fabric, and said that is what he ordered. (a dark blue with diagonal lines and a black vinyl), they were not original material. According to the Sheriff it is not fraud or theft and Det Joe Tasto could not make an arrest. I was instructed by Detective Joe Tasto (PH# 813-247-8584) to file a civil case through small claims court and to keep him informed on the outcome.

10 August
During Small Claims court, Mr. Boyle made reference to no refund of deposit monies used to purchase materials. That's fine, so where is my $1900 I had paid beyond the deposit of $500? Also where is the material, receipt, return receipt for material refunded? While working with Mr. Boyle on this matter he has done every thing possible to stonewall my refund. Also stating I will give you your money back the same way you gave it to me in payments over a year Even in mediation Mr. Boyle was given a chance to refund $1800, but refused.
Another statement by Mr. Boyle was that he stored my car for a period of time and was charging me for that too. (Remember above easy access) Again this person and/or business has not stored my vehicle, research to find materials, ordered said materials, stored said materials that were said ordered, or worked on my car. He has never called me as to the inquiring about where the car was so he could start on it. This is because I kept him informed at all times. Now this is the result.

04 December
Final Judgment Against Defendant for $2000 to be paid NLT 60 day from date above (04 February).

They are days you can find me parked near his business from 7am 8am with a sign I made (8' X 4') that states;
CONSUMER ALERT!
Tim Boyle (dba)
Professional Trim & Upholstery
1018 W. Brandon, Blvd. Brandon, Fl 33510
Has refused to refund any of my $2400 /-
Check court cases before you do any business
.
I have supporting documents attached to prove my claim.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Anthony

Incl's
Professional Trim & Upholstery receipts (12 Jan 99)
Map location of Professional Trim & Upholstery
Cashed checks (deposit $500 and payments)
Mr. Boyle personal, business, and court information
Better Business Bureau letters
Small Claims Court and Mediation papers
Small Claims Judgment
Car information
Channel 8 News could not help
Channel 13 News could not help
Custom Classic receipt body work agreement
Precision Engineered Performance receipt new front end
Suppliers to order parts, cloth material,

C/c

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
218 May Building
Tallahassee, Fl 32399
Contacted with no resolution

Better Business Bureau
5830 142nd Ave, North Suit B
PO Box 7950
Clearwater, Fl 33758-7950
Contacted with no resolution

Hillsborough County Sheriff Dept
Det. Joe Testo
Brandon, Fl 33510
Contacted with no resolution

Channel 8
905 E Jackson
Tampa, Florida 33607
Contacted with no resolution

Channel 10
11450 Gandy Blvd N.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33702

Channel 13
3213 W Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33606
Contacted with no resolution

Dick Greco
Mayor of Tampa,
306 E Jackson 33602
Tampa, Florida 2747360

Attorney General Office
ATTN: Ciceil Trainer Victim's Services
2002 N. Lois Ave
Tampa, Florida
Contacted with no resolution

Federal Trade Commission
Atlanta Regional Office
60 Forsyth St.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

US Attorney
400 Tampa St N.
Tampa, Florida 33602
Contacted with no resolution

Rep. Lesley Miller
P.O. Box 5993
Tampa, Florida 33675

U.S. Senator Connie Mack
600 n. Westshore Blvd. Suite 602
Tampa, Florida 33609

Jeb Bush
Office of the Governor
The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Company: Professional Trim And Upholstery
Country: USA
State: Florida
City: Brandon
Address: 1018 W. Brandon, Blvd
Phone: 8136534660

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