Gabriel Gonzales/"Rotary Performance Plus" screwed me (long).
10-06-04, 04:08 AM
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Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Gabriel Gonzales/"Rotary Performance Plus" screwed me (long).
Brace yourself folks; this is gonna be looooong (and interesting) read. I don’t want to leave ANYTHING out.
I was completely fucked over by Gabriel Gonzales, owner of “Rotary Performance Plus” located on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street><st1:address>1034 W. 20<SUP>th</SUP> Street</st1:address></st1:Street>, behind Marco’s Precision. I paid him the amount of $2,300 as well as provided him with a wiring harness, rotor housings, TCS valve, fuel pulsation damper, etc. and nearly 2 YEARS later, he has nothing to show for it but lies, empty promises, excuses, a big ******* dent, a missing turbo timer, and a mess of other **** he’s responsible for. Here’s THE story:
Around October 2002 my motor finally blew at 136k miles. I met Gabriel through a good friend who recommended him to me for my motor rebuild. I also noticed that the Houston RX-7 Club President Keith Hanna (DrKilljoy) had his car over there for motor work so I figured that a mechanic who is good enough for him is good enough me (well, as some of you may know, Gabriel ended up ******* him over too). Now, Gabriel visited me at my parent’s home (where I had the car towed to after the motor went) and informed me that BOTH rotors and housings were toast. He offered his services and we negotiated on pricing and such. Gabriel and I agreed on a set price of $2,300 for him to rebuild my motor and I would provide the rotor housings. The problem was I didn’t have the full amount at the time (Nov. 2003) but he still insisted to have the car towed from my house to his shop until I can get the cash. I really didn’t see a problem as my parent’s could’ve really used the driveway space. By December 2002, my car was in the possession of Gabriel Gonzales at his shop, “Rotary Performance Plus”.
The car sat there untouched until March 2003 when I paid him the amount in FULL; $1,500 in the form of cashiers check, $700 cash. Shortly after that, I give him the housings At this point; one would expect Gabe to go ahead and buy the rebuild kit from Mazda and get to work. Nope. He stalled for about 6 months, not doing ****, allowing my car to be broken into and damaged among other things. I would constantly ride his *** asking him about the status of my vehicle. He never returned calls, stood me up constantly by never showing up to the shop when he would tell me to go, worked under absolutely filthy conditions (my car was beyond dirty), and the list goes on…
Pics of how he had the interior:
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benn...7/DSC00824.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00825.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00827.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00831.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00822.JPG
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
After he FINALLY closed my motor around January of 2004, the motor just sat in the garage for another 2 months. He then asked for a wiring harness since, according to him, mine was beyond repair. I bought one. After his employee Julian (NOT Gabriel) FINALLY got the motor into the car around March of 2004, he would constantly find things wrong with the engine. I ended up buying a new TCS valve, pulsation damper, and a LOT of little things for the engine that were, again according to Gabriel, broken.
He hasn’t touched my car since June 2004.
In August 2004, I lost it. I asked him what the **** was the hold up and pretty much got in his face. After two years, all I’ve got is a big ******* crater on my car (see below) and a car/motor that’s in pieces. He didn’t have anything to say as usual so to cool me down, he gave me another and FINAL date when I could pick up my car: <st1:date Year="2004" Day="13" Month="9">September 13, 2004</st1:date>. I gave him a last chance before I finally take his *** to court.
Now at this point, I started considering litigation if he didn’t pull through. I remembered that I needed to get a receipt for the $2,300 I paid him to rebuild my motor. Before you think, “What kinda dumbfuck doesn’t get a receipt for that much money?” Honestly, he promised he’d give me one once the work was done and I believed him at the time (back in early 2003).
When I asked for one this passed August, he threatened in broken English, “Don’ keep pushing me for a receipt, man. Jus’ don,” while getting in my face. I actually was pretty excited. I was waiting for a chance to beat this little runt down, but I stood down. After arguing back and forth, he flat out refused to provide me with a receipt! What kinda business is this guy running? Gabe also said that he won’t pay for the damage to the car that occurred while the car was in his possession nor will he pay for any unfinished work on the motor if I were to take the car to someone else due to his not doing the work. Honestly, I think he's going to try to put a lien on my car eventhough he is indebted to me.
<o:p></o:p>
September 13 came and I went up there and guess what? The car was still in the same place and probably never even looked at. Enoughs, enough.
In the year and 10 months that my FD was down and at Gabriel’s “shop” the following things happened to my car:
1) The entire gauge cluster and HVAC controls were ripped out for no reason. I didn’t ask nor did I give him permission to take out anything inside of the car. The week before, I took out the center shifter console to experiment with re-painting the panels because the factory paint was worn. I came back and opened the car door to find the HVAC controls on the floor, under the passenger side seat and the gauge cluster sticking up and uninstalled. He also shattered my gauge cluster hood which had a very slight crack in it (about an inch long). When I asked him why my interior was fucked with, Gabriel told me he wanted to compare the painted shifter console piece with the rest to see if they match up. I didn’t think much of it seeing as how was I was going to paint them anyway. He just saved me the hassle! This happened April of 2003 btw. Now my gauge cluster sits like this: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00823.JPG
<o:p></o:p>
To this day, he hasn’t given me an honest explanation as to why they were taken out, but just recently I was able to find out on my own. Read on….
2) My Apex turbo timer disappeared. I had my turbo timer mounted right above the shifter, where the HVAC controls and the center console meet. See pic:
See the little hole I drilled? Where'd the turbo timer go?
This is why my interior was ripped out. Honestly, I didn’t notice my turbo timer was missing until a couple of months ago. I asked Gabriel where my turbo timer and initially he accused me of taking it.
After calling him on his bullshit, Gabriel recanted and assured me that he’d replace it. Well, months and a whole lot of “it’s on its way from Puerto Rico” later, I still ain’t got ****. He told me a “former employer” who was into shady stuff took it. Oh the irony.
3) My drivers side window was smashed open and the driver’s side seat was stolen overnight after he told me numerous times that my car was safe inside the garage. Another lie. He’s since then, however, replaced the window and seat but that’s beside the point. Honestly, I really wouldn’t be surprised if he stole it himself.
4) My driver’s side door is broken. No, not the door handle, the door itself. It seems to be jammed and doesn’t want to open. After a friend and I took apart the door handle, everything looked to be fine. Julian, Gabe’s employee who in all honesty is a real cool guy, has to take apart the entire door panel just to get the door open! It worked fine when I dropped the car off….TWO ******* YEARS AGO.
5) Two of my BRAND NEW BBS wheels were scratched, one of them to ****. I don't know how he managed to do that. Gabe offered to take them to his “friend” to have them fixed. Another lie.
Pics: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00821.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00820.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00828.JPG
6) Various dings on the door and hood, as well as the MOTHER OF ALL DENTS.
This past July, Gabriel left the car outside while it was storming in <st1:City><st1:place>Houston</st1:place></st1:City>. I came up to the shop under the impression that he had finished the car. Gabriel told me that the car would be finished by then so I was pretty stoked. Not only had my car not been touched since I last saw him (about 2 weeks prior to), there was the biggest ******* dent on the rear fender, above the wheel on the drivers side.
My jaw hit the floor. I was ******* irate. I called him and, surprise, he didn’t answer his phone. The very next day, I showed up at his ******* job (Carmax near 59) and honestly, I had every intention of kicking his teeth in. When he was paged to the front, Gabriel looked nervous. I kept my cool and let him try to explain himself. Turns out the incredible winds due to the storm caused a piece of a tree trunk to fall off and onto my car the previous week. First of all, the car should’ve been finished a LONG time before that was allowed to happen. Second, why wasn’t I notified as soon as the car was damaged? Of course, Gabriel had no answer and just at me with a dumb look on his face. What could he say? Again, he assured me everything will be taken care of.
The shack Gabriel works out of (and that he pays rent for I believe) is behind a “legitimate” mechanic business which employs a paint and body man. Gabriel told me that he’d have him do the body work. At first, I refused because I wanted to take the car to be repaired at a body shop of my choosing, but for the sake of getting my car back faster and avoiding litigation, I agreed to let his body man fix the damages. 3 and a half months later, the only thing his “body man” did was pull at the dent a bit and never touched it again. Notice a pattern here?
Another pic of MOAD: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00817.JPG
Hood ding: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00838.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00839.JPG
7) Gabriel would use my car as a table to eat lunch on. Un-*******-believable.
I've also heard of a lot of other times where he completely disrespected my property. I've even heard from Keith that his hood was kept on the roof of my car when Gabriel worked on his car!
<o:p></o:p>
Now, I know you’re asking yourself, “Why didn’t he take his car out of the shop earlier?” Well, it’s simple really. I wanted to avoid throwing myself into a legal mess with Gabriel. I’m currently in college and figured I’d just put up with his horseshit in order to avoid going into a costly and timely court battle with this loser. Well, now I have no other choice. Gabriel Gonzales is holding my car hostage and I’m not about to sit by and let this ***** do this. I’ve heard of other stories where Gabriel’s fucked people over and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this LIAR do it to someone else. I’m picking up my car in tomorrow from that hellhole and probably having it towed to the REAL Rotary Performance or something. Oh and Gabriel constantly talks crap about other shops such as Atkins, Pineapple, RP, among others. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!
Anyway, I just really had to vent. Anyone have any advice? Any and all would be appreciated. Oh and all these photos were taken on August 7, 2004. As of October 6, 2004 the car has not been worked on by the "body man" nor Gabriel Gonzales at "Rotary Performance Plus",
Thanks for your time,
Vic
I was completely fucked over by Gabriel Gonzales, owner of “Rotary Performance Plus” located on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street><st1:address>1034 W. 20<SUP>th</SUP> Street</st1:address></st1:Street>, behind Marco’s Precision. I paid him the amount of $2,300 as well as provided him with a wiring harness, rotor housings, TCS valve, fuel pulsation damper, etc. and nearly 2 YEARS later, he has nothing to show for it but lies, empty promises, excuses, a big ******* dent, a missing turbo timer, and a mess of other **** he’s responsible for. Here’s THE story:
Around October 2002 my motor finally blew at 136k miles. I met Gabriel through a good friend who recommended him to me for my motor rebuild. I also noticed that the Houston RX-7 Club President Keith Hanna (DrKilljoy) had his car over there for motor work so I figured that a mechanic who is good enough for him is good enough me (well, as some of you may know, Gabriel ended up ******* him over too). Now, Gabriel visited me at my parent’s home (where I had the car towed to after the motor went) and informed me that BOTH rotors and housings were toast. He offered his services and we negotiated on pricing and such. Gabriel and I agreed on a set price of $2,300 for him to rebuild my motor and I would provide the rotor housings. The problem was I didn’t have the full amount at the time (Nov. 2003) but he still insisted to have the car towed from my house to his shop until I can get the cash. I really didn’t see a problem as my parent’s could’ve really used the driveway space. By December 2002, my car was in the possession of Gabriel Gonzales at his shop, “Rotary Performance Plus”.
The car sat there untouched until March 2003 when I paid him the amount in FULL; $1,500 in the form of cashiers check, $700 cash. Shortly after that, I give him the housings At this point; one would expect Gabe to go ahead and buy the rebuild kit from Mazda and get to work. Nope. He stalled for about 6 months, not doing ****, allowing my car to be broken into and damaged among other things. I would constantly ride his *** asking him about the status of my vehicle. He never returned calls, stood me up constantly by never showing up to the shop when he would tell me to go, worked under absolutely filthy conditions (my car was beyond dirty), and the list goes on…
Pics of how he had the interior:
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benn...7/DSC00824.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00825.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00827.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00831.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00822.JPG
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
After he FINALLY closed my motor around January of 2004, the motor just sat in the garage for another 2 months. He then asked for a wiring harness since, according to him, mine was beyond repair. I bought one. After his employee Julian (NOT Gabriel) FINALLY got the motor into the car around March of 2004, he would constantly find things wrong with the engine. I ended up buying a new TCS valve, pulsation damper, and a LOT of little things for the engine that were, again according to Gabriel, broken.
He hasn’t touched my car since June 2004.
In August 2004, I lost it. I asked him what the **** was the hold up and pretty much got in his face. After two years, all I’ve got is a big ******* crater on my car (see below) and a car/motor that’s in pieces. He didn’t have anything to say as usual so to cool me down, he gave me another and FINAL date when I could pick up my car: <st1:date Year="2004" Day="13" Month="9">September 13, 2004</st1:date>. I gave him a last chance before I finally take his *** to court.
Now at this point, I started considering litigation if he didn’t pull through. I remembered that I needed to get a receipt for the $2,300 I paid him to rebuild my motor. Before you think, “What kinda dumbfuck doesn’t get a receipt for that much money?” Honestly, he promised he’d give me one once the work was done and I believed him at the time (back in early 2003).
When I asked for one this passed August, he threatened in broken English, “Don’ keep pushing me for a receipt, man. Jus’ don,” while getting in my face. I actually was pretty excited. I was waiting for a chance to beat this little runt down, but I stood down. After arguing back and forth, he flat out refused to provide me with a receipt! What kinda business is this guy running? Gabe also said that he won’t pay for the damage to the car that occurred while the car was in his possession nor will he pay for any unfinished work on the motor if I were to take the car to someone else due to his not doing the work. Honestly, I think he's going to try to put a lien on my car eventhough he is indebted to me.
<o:p></o:p>
September 13 came and I went up there and guess what? The car was still in the same place and probably never even looked at. Enoughs, enough.
In the year and 10 months that my FD was down and at Gabriel’s “shop” the following things happened to my car:
1) The entire gauge cluster and HVAC controls were ripped out for no reason. I didn’t ask nor did I give him permission to take out anything inside of the car. The week before, I took out the center shifter console to experiment with re-painting the panels because the factory paint was worn. I came back and opened the car door to find the HVAC controls on the floor, under the passenger side seat and the gauge cluster sticking up and uninstalled. He also shattered my gauge cluster hood which had a very slight crack in it (about an inch long). When I asked him why my interior was fucked with, Gabriel told me he wanted to compare the painted shifter console piece with the rest to see if they match up. I didn’t think much of it seeing as how was I was going to paint them anyway. He just saved me the hassle! This happened April of 2003 btw. Now my gauge cluster sits like this: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00823.JPG
<o:p></o:p>
To this day, he hasn’t given me an honest explanation as to why they were taken out, but just recently I was able to find out on my own. Read on….
2) My Apex turbo timer disappeared. I had my turbo timer mounted right above the shifter, where the HVAC controls and the center console meet. See pic:
See the little hole I drilled? Where'd the turbo timer go?
This is why my interior was ripped out. Honestly, I didn’t notice my turbo timer was missing until a couple of months ago. I asked Gabriel where my turbo timer and initially he accused me of taking it.
After calling him on his bullshit, Gabriel recanted and assured me that he’d replace it. Well, months and a whole lot of “it’s on its way from Puerto Rico” later, I still ain’t got ****. He told me a “former employer” who was into shady stuff took it. Oh the irony. 3) My drivers side window was smashed open and the driver’s side seat was stolen overnight after he told me numerous times that my car was safe inside the garage. Another lie. He’s since then, however, replaced the window and seat but that’s beside the point. Honestly, I really wouldn’t be surprised if he stole it himself.
4) My driver’s side door is broken. No, not the door handle, the door itself. It seems to be jammed and doesn’t want to open. After a friend and I took apart the door handle, everything looked to be fine. Julian, Gabe’s employee who in all honesty is a real cool guy, has to take apart the entire door panel just to get the door open! It worked fine when I dropped the car off….TWO ******* YEARS AGO.
5) Two of my BRAND NEW BBS wheels were scratched, one of them to ****. I don't know how he managed to do that. Gabe offered to take them to his “friend” to have them fixed. Another lie.
Pics: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00821.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00820.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00828.JPG
6) Various dings on the door and hood, as well as the MOTHER OF ALL DENTS.
This past July, Gabriel left the car outside while it was storming in <st1:City><st1:place>Houston</st1:place></st1:City>. I came up to the shop under the impression that he had finished the car. Gabriel told me that the car would be finished by then so I was pretty stoked. Not only had my car not been touched since I last saw him (about 2 weeks prior to), there was the biggest ******* dent on the rear fender, above the wheel on the drivers side.
My jaw hit the floor. I was ******* irate. I called him and, surprise, he didn’t answer his phone. The very next day, I showed up at his ******* job (Carmax near 59) and honestly, I had every intention of kicking his teeth in. When he was paged to the front, Gabriel looked nervous. I kept my cool and let him try to explain himself. Turns out the incredible winds due to the storm caused a piece of a tree trunk to fall off and onto my car the previous week. First of all, the car should’ve been finished a LONG time before that was allowed to happen. Second, why wasn’t I notified as soon as the car was damaged? Of course, Gabriel had no answer and just at me with a dumb look on his face. What could he say? Again, he assured me everything will be taken care of.
The shack Gabriel works out of (and that he pays rent for I believe) is behind a “legitimate” mechanic business which employs a paint and body man. Gabriel told me that he’d have him do the body work. At first, I refused because I wanted to take the car to be repaired at a body shop of my choosing, but for the sake of getting my car back faster and avoiding litigation, I agreed to let his body man fix the damages. 3 and a half months later, the only thing his “body man” did was pull at the dent a bit and never touched it again. Notice a pattern here?
Another pic of MOAD: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00817.JPG
Hood ding: http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00838.JPG
http://www.houston-imports.com/~benny/Vic_RX7/DSC00839.JPG
7) Gabriel would use my car as a table to eat lunch on. Un-*******-believable.
I've also heard of a lot of other times where he completely disrespected my property. I've even heard from Keith that his hood was kept on the roof of my car when Gabriel worked on his car!
<o:p></o:p>
Now, I know you’re asking yourself, “Why didn’t he take his car out of the shop earlier?” Well, it’s simple really. I wanted to avoid throwing myself into a legal mess with Gabriel. I’m currently in college and figured I’d just put up with his horseshit in order to avoid going into a costly and timely court battle with this loser. Well, now I have no other choice. Gabriel Gonzales is holding my car hostage and I’m not about to sit by and let this ***** do this. I’ve heard of other stories where Gabriel’s fucked people over and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this LIAR do it to someone else. I’m picking up my car in tomorrow from that hellhole and probably having it towed to the REAL Rotary Performance or something. Oh and Gabriel constantly talks crap about other shops such as Atkins, Pineapple, RP, among others. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!
Anyway, I just really had to vent. Anyone have any advice? Any and all would be appreciated. Oh and all these photos were taken on August 7, 2004. As of October 6, 2004 the car has not been worked on by the "body man" nor Gabriel Gonzales at "Rotary Performance Plus",
Thanks for your time,
Vic
Last edited by DrKillJoY; 10-06-04 at 06:39 PM.
10-06-04, 05:19 AM
#2
You need to sue him for the cost of replacing the car man. It looks to me as if it were almost if not completely totalled. From the body damage, to cost of replacing/cleaning the entire interior. Not to mention rebuild of engine and replacing of turbo timer. Your whole car is pretty much fucked. When you do sue him, make sure you hit him hard enough to really hurt. Even put him out of business if you can.
10-06-04, 05:34 AM
#3
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Regarding the abuse to your car,. I've seen similar treatment from other shops, some that are considered 'pro' (e.g. parts in boxes in the back seats, scratching up the car, swapping/selling parts they don't own). It's disgusting. I'm sorry it happened to you. 
Regarding legal recourse: the first thing you need to do is stop asking for advice on forums, and hire a lawyer.
Get someone you trust, maybe through your parents. People change their tune when you start throwing around serious repercussions.
Regarding legal recourse: the first thing you need to do is stop asking for advice on forums, and hire a lawyer.
Get someone you trust, maybe through your parents. People change their tune when you start throwing around serious repercussions.
10-06-04, 07:39 AM
#4
Administrator
wow... Looks like I'm not the only one this has happened to... sorry about the loss Vic.
I have pics that are nearly identical to the pics of the hatch area of your car.
I have pics that are nearly identical to the pics of the hatch area of your car.
Last edited by DrKillJoY; 10-06-04 at 11:04 AM.
10-06-04, 08:08 AM
#5
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I'm sorry too Vic...
But I'm glad you finally came out and said something. I know we've talked a few times (a LONG time ago) about it and you never felt you needed/wanted to voice your opinion openly and I respected that and always kept your identity and car private. I knew what you had told me, I had seen it with my own eyes when I did business with him. And I'm thankful you're finally sharing, because I'm tired of being harassed about how "I'm" making up stories, "I'm" wrong, "I'm" this...maybe someday (although I'm doubtful) this individual will go away or "at least" attempt to make retributions for his fatal errors and be a legitimate business man.
That's why when I was extorted that night (about 8-9pm) about my car (either come tonight and pay this price in CASH or tomorrow it will go up to this...) I called the cops and had them escort me to get the car.
I hope that you have better luck than I did if you pursue the legal aspect. Because for me, since he "USED" receipts, etc from the business he works behind, I was not able to go after him and refused to go after the shop owner because Marco Sr. never did anything except treat me kind & respectably and his son (and other family members) were great club members AND none of them ever touched my vehicle. So I just chalked it up to a very BAD experience and the car still sits in my driveway unusable (even though "technically" I was told the engine was rebuilt twice & it was perfect)
Good luck and if you need any of my stuff, I still have all the pics & event logs documented fully. Rest assurred what comes around goes around...maybe not today, tomorrow or the next...but eventually he will get his for what he's done to others...life is good that way.
That's why when I was extorted that night (about 8-9pm) about my car (either come tonight and pay this price in CASH or tomorrow it will go up to this...) I called the cops and had them escort me to get the car.
I hope that you have better luck than I did if you pursue the legal aspect. Because for me, since he "USED" receipts, etc from the business he works behind, I was not able to go after him and refused to go after the shop owner because Marco Sr. never did anything except treat me kind & respectably and his son (and other family members) were great club members AND none of them ever touched my vehicle. So I just chalked it up to a very BAD experience and the car still sits in my driveway unusable (even though "technically" I was told the engine was rebuilt twice & it was perfect)
Good luck and if you need any of my stuff, I still have all the pics & event logs documented fully. Rest assurred what comes around goes around...maybe not today, tomorrow or the next...but eventually he will get his for what he's done to others...life is good that way.
10-06-04, 10:49 AM
#7
Spanking Pcars
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Originally Posted by DrKilljoy
Your going to have a tough time suiing old Gabriel because he (RPP) is not a licensed business in Texas.
You don't have to have a licensed business to be sued.
You you sue the person and anybody else related to the business that had to do with your damages.
Vick, please explain how this came about.
Photos and no story???? Come on, we want to hear all about it.
Sorry about the bad experience.
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10-06-04, 12:16 PM
#9
il Cosa Nostra e vivo!!
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What type of repair was the shop suppose to do???
Does the shop carry a general liability (property damage) insurance policy??
Do you have comprehensive insurance benefits on your policy??
Does the shop carry a general liability (property damage) insurance policy??
Do you have comprehensive insurance benefits on your policy??
10-06-04, 01:17 PM
#10
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Originally Posted by a7r
Regarding legal recourse: the first thing you need to do is stop asking for advice on forums, and hire a lawyer. Get someone you trust, maybe through your parents. People change their tune when you start throwing around serious repercussions.
Get someone you trust, maybe through your parents. People change their tune when you start throwing around serious repercussions.The reason I posted this is was to get my story out really not so much to get advice although any advice would be appreciated.
Originally Posted by DrKilljoy
wow... Looks like I'm not the only one this has happened to... sorry about the loss Vic.
I have pics that are nearly identical to the pics of the hatch area of your car.
I have pics that are nearly identical to the pics of the hatch area of your car.
Can you repost the story you posted on Houston Imports about Gabriel screwing you in this thread?
I just don't understand Gabriel. He had a chance to have a monopoly over rotary work in Houston when he started working on your car. If he would've done the job right, you would've put him down in the rotary scene and the Houston RX-7 Club. Instead, he decided to **** you over, ******* himself over in the long run, just to get rid of a shitty motor. Unbelievable.
Originally Posted by biomedgirl
But I'm glad you finally came out and said something. I know we've talked a few times (a LONG time ago) about it and you never felt you needed/wanted to voice your opinion openly and I respected that and always kept your identity and car private. I knew what you had told me, I had seen it with my own eyes when I did business with him. And I'm thankful you're finally sharing, because I'm tired of being harassed about how "I'm" making up stories, "I'm" wrong, "I'm" this...maybe someday (although I'm doubtful) this individual will go away or "at least" attempt to make retributions for his fatal errors and be a legitimate business man.
That's why when I was extorted that night (about 8-9pm) about my car (either come tonight and pay this price in CASH or tomorrow it will go up to this...) I called the cops and had them escort me to get the car.
I hope that you have better luck than I did if you pursue the legal aspect. Because for me, since he "USED" receipts, etc from the business he works behind, I was not able to go after him and refused to go after the shop owner because Marco Sr. never did anything except treat me kind & respectably and his son (and other family members) were great club members AND none of them ever touched my vehicle. So I just chalked it up to a very BAD experience and the car still sits in my driveway unusable (even though "technically" I was told the engine was rebuilt twice & it was perfect)
Good luck and if you need any of my stuff, I still have all the pics & event logs documented fully. Rest assurred what comes around goes around...maybe not today, tomorrow or the next...but eventually he will get his for what he's done to others...life is good that way.
That's why when I was extorted that night (about 8-9pm) about my car (either come tonight and pay this price in CASH or tomorrow it will go up to this...) I called the cops and had them escort me to get the car.
I hope that you have better luck than I did if you pursue the legal aspect. Because for me, since he "USED" receipts, etc from the business he works behind, I was not able to go after him and refused to go after the shop owner because Marco Sr. never did anything except treat me kind & respectably and his son (and other family members) were great club members AND none of them ever touched my vehicle. So I just chalked it up to a very BAD experience and the car still sits in my driveway unusable (even though "technically" I was told the engine was rebuilt twice & it was perfect)
Good luck and if you need any of my stuff, I still have all the pics & event logs documented fully. Rest assurred what comes around goes around...maybe not today, tomorrow or the next...but eventually he will get his for what he's done to others...life is good that way.
Julian, you're better than working for that snake. Abandon Gabriel before he pulls you down with him and Aaron agrees with me.
Originally Posted by RedBaronII
Vick, please explain how this came about.
Photos and no story???? Come on, we want to hear all about it.
Photos and no story???? Come on, we want to hear all about it.
Originally Posted by areXseven
What type of repair was the shop suppose to do???
Does the shop carry a general liability (property damage) insurance policy??
Do you have comprehensive insurance benefits on your policy??
Does the shop carry a general liability (property damage) insurance policy??
Do you have comprehensive insurance benefits on your policy??
I'm sure Marco's precision has insurance, but Gabriel's **** shack doesn't have any sort of insurance policy let alone a business license. I'm currently getting counsel from my lawyer on various ways we can stick it to him.
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
10-06-04, 01:39 PM
#12
Administrator
At this point I won't rehash my part of the story. (However it can easily be found by searching this forum section)
Only because I was practically begged (or warned, you take your pick) by the parties involved to stop talking about them on the internet.
My wish at this point is if the other people who have come to me personally and shared with me their stories would speak up like you have decided to do Vick.
I agree with you, I had the chance to meet Julian and Aaron (I think that was them) in Ennis. they were hanging around with GG in the pits. They seem like a nice guys and appear to be doing what they are doing for the right reasons. Just like GG did back in early 2002 when I first met him. However his business associations with GG, taint and tarnish his image in my mind the longer they continue to operate in conjunction with each other.
BTW - Aaron posts on this forum as well as T04Needy just a FYI.
Only because I was practically begged (or warned, you take your pick) by the parties involved to stop talking about them on the internet.
My wish at this point is if the other people who have come to me personally and shared with me their stories would speak up like you have decided to do Vick.
I agree with you, I had the chance to meet Julian and Aaron (I think that was them) in Ennis. they were hanging around with GG in the pits. They seem like a nice guys and appear to be doing what they are doing for the right reasons. Just like GG did back in early 2002 when I first met him. However his business associations with GG, taint and tarnish his image in my mind the longer they continue to operate in conjunction with each other.
BTW - Aaron posts on this forum as well as T04Needy just a FYI.
10-06-04, 02:00 PM
#13
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Well, I found the quote and I'll be more than happy to post it again.
http://www.houston-imports.com/forum...d.php?t=107211
I'll never be intimidated by that little snot. You can take that to the bank.
Originally Posted by DrKillJoy
Greetings all,
Here is my side.
Originally, the owner approached me in efforts to spread his repuatation as a rotary shop in Houston. He stated that he could help me build an impressive ported engine, in return I would assist him in spreading the word about his shop as well as display a windsheild banner or stickers for his shop etc.
About 3 weeks later I was involved in a motorcycle accident in which I broke my back and was laid up for several months. With this terrible turn of events, I was faced with a decision, knowing that I could not maintain multiple vehicles nor could I actually build my own engine (I was in very immobible back brace for 6 months) I opted to request the owner to just build me the engine. In return I would trade him 3 vehicles + an small unspecified amount cash in exchange for an engine and installation.
I did never wanted a discount (over what was discussed), I wanted the owner to honor the original (notarized) agreement. I wound up paying 3 vehicles + over $2000 in cash, rather than 3 vehicles + 400-600 in parts.
Aside from the over 5 months of cat and mouse trying to get the work done, none of the replacement parts were approved by me therefore increasing my final price by over double the original quoted parts price.
Upon the final pickup of my car, I was offered an ultimatum to pay XX dollars now or pay XXXX dollars later or a mechanics lein would be placed against the vehicle. This was after the original failed engine was replaced. Weird I was able to take the car with the "water leak engine" at no additional charge, but when that engine had to be replaced the cost increase dramatically. This increase was largley due to the parts that were "replaced" without my approval. Funny, those should have been replaced, when I left with the first engine.
I agree with your painted remark, however there was dirt and rust on the bottom of the motor as well as signs that the oil pan on the "failed" motor had never been pulled. This was a clear sign the motor was pulled from a donor car and placed into mine. This swap (rather than replacement) was further confirmed by the water seal failure (1 gallon of coolant for every 25-30 miles) This was known by the owner before I left the shop. I was told that the "seals had to set".
(Followup - Upon disassembly of the motor, it was determined that with less than 2900 miles on the engine the parts that was no way, the "new" parts could have been new, due to wear and carbon deposits.)
Police were obtained on my (2) visits for reasons of my safety. The owner's "freinds" who were at the shop spoke derogatory and threatening remarks in spanish (PR) assuming that a stupid white gringo like myself had no clue of what they were saying. Funny thing is growing up in Pasadena and spending half my life around hispanic freinds I can understand quite a bit of the language. While I might have missed a few words here and there, the threats towards myself and my girlfreind were clear.
I hope this helps, please note.. that in my opinion this is episode over with and done. While Gabriel has done a respectable job of leaving me and the club alone, sometimes he has clients that feel they need to speak up in his defense. While I support your right to support him, you must also support my right to state my case. I bet I have much more documented agreements between him and I supportimg my case than his.
Honestly, the only reason a civil suit was not pursued was because he is/was not legally registered as business in the State of Texas nor the City of Houston (at that time) and therefore my matter would have been a civil suit against him personally. It was far less stressful and cost efficient (due to my accident and injuries) to cut my losses and move on than try to squeeze blood from a turnip. (old southern saying)
The only time I care to engage in conversation reguarding that is when I have been approached by individuals who are considering using him as their shop.
In these cases I offer them my story. Offer them my factual proof, such as the pictures of my car at his shop, in varous states of repair or disrepair. As well as a statement by a Mazda dealer and a delaer alternative stating that the repairs to the engine in their opinion were not what they were represented as what they were stated to be.
I never engaged in a broad-based attempt to sabotage his business, nor did I "threaten" to damage his business other than let him know that in no way would I ever recommend his shop or work to others.
I did advise him that I would not recommend him to club members nor would I let him advertise on our websites (owned by me) or would he be allowed to advertise at club meetings (private club to which I am the majority elected president)
That's my story. Nothing more / nothing less. If anyone wants to see the motor, the internals or the rest of the problems, I invite them to contact me directly.
in the immortal words of Forrest Gump.. "that's all I have to say about that."
Here is my side.
Originally, the owner approached me in efforts to spread his repuatation as a rotary shop in Houston. He stated that he could help me build an impressive ported engine, in return I would assist him in spreading the word about his shop as well as display a windsheild banner or stickers for his shop etc.
About 3 weeks later I was involved in a motorcycle accident in which I broke my back and was laid up for several months. With this terrible turn of events, I was faced with a decision, knowing that I could not maintain multiple vehicles nor could I actually build my own engine (I was in very immobible back brace for 6 months) I opted to request the owner to just build me the engine. In return I would trade him 3 vehicles + an small unspecified amount cash in exchange for an engine and installation.
I did never wanted a discount (over what was discussed), I wanted the owner to honor the original (notarized) agreement. I wound up paying 3 vehicles + over $2000 in cash, rather than 3 vehicles + 400-600 in parts.
Aside from the over 5 months of cat and mouse trying to get the work done, none of the replacement parts were approved by me therefore increasing my final price by over double the original quoted parts price.
Upon the final pickup of my car, I was offered an ultimatum to pay XX dollars now or pay XXXX dollars later or a mechanics lein would be placed against the vehicle. This was after the original failed engine was replaced. Weird I was able to take the car with the "water leak engine" at no additional charge, but when that engine had to be replaced the cost increase dramatically. This increase was largley due to the parts that were "replaced" without my approval. Funny, those should have been replaced, when I left with the first engine.
I agree with your painted remark, however there was dirt and rust on the bottom of the motor as well as signs that the oil pan on the "failed" motor had never been pulled. This was a clear sign the motor was pulled from a donor car and placed into mine. This swap (rather than replacement) was further confirmed by the water seal failure (1 gallon of coolant for every 25-30 miles) This was known by the owner before I left the shop. I was told that the "seals had to set".
(Followup - Upon disassembly of the motor, it was determined that with less than 2900 miles on the engine the parts that was no way, the "new" parts could have been new, due to wear and carbon deposits.)
Police were obtained on my (2) visits for reasons of my safety. The owner's "freinds" who were at the shop spoke derogatory and threatening remarks in spanish (PR) assuming that a stupid white gringo like myself had no clue of what they were saying. Funny thing is growing up in Pasadena and spending half my life around hispanic freinds I can understand quite a bit of the language. While I might have missed a few words here and there, the threats towards myself and my girlfreind were clear.
I hope this helps, please note.. that in my opinion this is episode over with and done. While Gabriel has done a respectable job of leaving me and the club alone, sometimes he has clients that feel they need to speak up in his defense. While I support your right to support him, you must also support my right to state my case. I bet I have much more documented agreements between him and I supportimg my case than his.
Honestly, the only reason a civil suit was not pursued was because he is/was not legally registered as business in the State of Texas nor the City of Houston (at that time) and therefore my matter would have been a civil suit against him personally. It was far less stressful and cost efficient (due to my accident and injuries) to cut my losses and move on than try to squeeze blood from a turnip. (old southern saying)
The only time I care to engage in conversation reguarding that is when I have been approached by individuals who are considering using him as their shop.
In these cases I offer them my story. Offer them my factual proof, such as the pictures of my car at his shop, in varous states of repair or disrepair. As well as a statement by a Mazda dealer and a delaer alternative stating that the repairs to the engine in their opinion were not what they were represented as what they were stated to be.
I never engaged in a broad-based attempt to sabotage his business, nor did I "threaten" to damage his business other than let him know that in no way would I ever recommend his shop or work to others.
I did advise him that I would not recommend him to club members nor would I let him advertise on our websites (owned by me) or would he be allowed to advertise at club meetings (private club to which I am the majority elected president)
That's my story. Nothing more / nothing less. If anyone wants to see the motor, the internals or the rest of the problems, I invite them to contact me directly.
in the immortal words of Forrest Gump.. "that's all I have to say about that."
I'll never be intimidated by that little snot. You can take that to the bank.
10-06-04, 02:34 PM
#15
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I'll never be intimidated by that little snot. You can take that to the bank.[/QUOTE]
PLEASE be careful, I have had threats made on my being and property while (again, not in English) to the point where I had to involve the police and seriously contemplate having a restraining order placed against him and his friends. One MAJOR thing that has worried me to the day is that I stupidly gave him the factory key to my car...guess what, I didn't get the factory key back - I got a duplicate AND of course he knows where I live. But you can rest assurred that in my dealings with the police I made all of that information available & well known, so that if ANYTHING ever happened, there was a notation already made.
Like it was told to me several times in my dealing with him...we do business a little different in my country. I took that to mean extortion, physical threats, lying cheating and stealing were a common practice. Which is what always infruiated me the most (and still does until this day) that people like this can exist in the US and do business, while those of us who make an honest, decent living and try to be good people get shafted. It's not fair (yes, I know life is not fair) but I refuse to stoop to such levels and associate myself with that type of behaivor.
I've even been told by "a friend" of his what he's done wrong & this and that while my car was there. Of course, they will never fess up and say what they did, because they still have deals together, but the fact is I know what I was told. Just like with you, I knew what you told me. However, just because no one has ever come forth until now, I had to swallow the burden of being a "lot" of nasty things, which is fine with me because I know my life, virtues, and the fact that karma does indeed prevail over time.
I'm not sure how many people remember this:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=169982
But it's a synopsis of what I had to endure.
My heart & support goes out to you...because even now the sight, sound or ideation of that individual strikes fury in my soul, like you can't imagine.
PLEASE be careful, I have had threats made on my being and property while (again, not in English) to the point where I had to involve the police and seriously contemplate having a restraining order placed against him and his friends. One MAJOR thing that has worried me to the day is that I stupidly gave him the factory key to my car...guess what, I didn't get the factory key back - I got a duplicate AND of course he knows where I live. But you can rest assurred that in my dealings with the police I made all of that information available & well known, so that if ANYTHING ever happened, there was a notation already made.
Like it was told to me several times in my dealing with him...we do business a little different in my country. I took that to mean extortion, physical threats, lying cheating and stealing were a common practice. Which is what always infruiated me the most (and still does until this day) that people like this can exist in the US and do business, while those of us who make an honest, decent living and try to be good people get shafted. It's not fair (yes, I know life is not fair) but I refuse to stoop to such levels and associate myself with that type of behaivor.
I've even been told by "a friend" of his what he's done wrong & this and that while my car was there. Of course, they will never fess up and say what they did, because they still have deals together, but the fact is I know what I was told. Just like with you, I knew what you told me. However, just because no one has ever come forth until now, I had to swallow the burden of being a "lot" of nasty things, which is fine with me because I know my life, virtues, and the fact that karma does indeed prevail over time.
I'm not sure how many people remember this:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=169982
But it's a synopsis of what I had to endure.
My heart & support goes out to you...because even now the sight, sound or ideation of that individual strikes fury in my soul, like you can't imagine.
10-06-04, 02:41 PM
#16
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[QUOTE=Vick] "I agree that Marco Sr. and Jr. as well as his younger brother have been nothing but nice to me. I'd also like to say that Julian, Gabe's employee, is a really great guy whose done nothing but try to help me. In fact, in the past year, I've only seen Julian work on my car and never Gabriel! Gabriel doesn't even pay Julian, he's only working for him for experience.
Julian, you're better than working for that snake. Abandon Gabriel before he pulls you down with him and Aaron agrees with me. "
Now, my .02 on this. If these are the guys I met at a club meeting a couple months ago...I TOTALLY agree with you. As frustrated as I was with their presence and desire to spread this god-awful business....they seemed like decent guys. And although I didn't say it to them, I did say it to two "trusted" club members that they need to get out and try it on their own. It may be hard, but if they stay on the up and up they'll go far, but if they stay on the course they want to follow now....they're headed for disaster. There is absolutely no way that I would ever trust anyone associated with RPP (I mean come on...even the name is a rip off)....LOL, because of the so called "owner".
I really hope if they have the drive and desire they can see their way to their own thing and do it on the up and up. But to me, right now they seem blinded by the "talk" of what RPP can be. History is SLOWLY proving what RPP really is.
Julian, you're better than working for that snake. Abandon Gabriel before he pulls you down with him and Aaron agrees with me. "
Now, my .02 on this. If these are the guys I met at a club meeting a couple months ago...I TOTALLY agree with you. As frustrated as I was with their presence and desire to spread this god-awful business....they seemed like decent guys. And although I didn't say it to them, I did say it to two "trusted" club members that they need to get out and try it on their own. It may be hard, but if they stay on the up and up they'll go far, but if they stay on the course they want to follow now....they're headed for disaster. There is absolutely no way that I would ever trust anyone associated with RPP (I mean come on...even the name is a rip off)....LOL, because of the so called "owner".
I really hope if they have the drive and desire they can see their way to their own thing and do it on the up and up. But to me, right now they seem blinded by the "talk" of what RPP can be. History is SLOWLY proving what RPP really is.
10-06-04, 05:05 PM
#18
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Originally Posted by rotarygod
Nice people aren't necessarily the nicest to work with. Just because someone is nice doesn't mean they are good at business. Negligence and abuse is just inexcusable when someone is trying to conduct themselves in a business manner.
It should be noted that Gabriel makes it a point to act as if you're his friend. He always would ask me about my family, school, etc. when I just wanted to for him to finish my car. I've told him soo many times, "You and the car are my business, nothing else."
Biomedgirl- I just won't allow myself to be intimidated by him or his cronies. That's all I'm going to say...
As for Julian, I agree 100%. I like him. I consider him to be my friend even though he does work for a crooked mechanic who screwed me out of my car for 2 years.
He always tells me that he'd rather not get involved with the people Gabriel does "work" for and that he only does mechanical work as to learn more about the rotary engine. Sooner or later he's going to have realize that the bad business Gabriel practices is going to reflect bad on him. I think he's being pretty naive, frankly.
10-06-04, 06:04 PM
#19
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Just posted a link to this on rec.autos.rotary. I'm pretty sure that there are at least a few there living in Texas who wouldn't mind a heads-up.
10-06-04, 06:32 PM
#21
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I woulda beat hte tar out of him for doing that to my car. How ******* hard is it to do a simple task. And if you can't do it then give up! My buddy fixes two or three FD's a month doing complete engine and drivetrain rebuilds and enven porting. And your car comes out nicer and cleaner than when you left it.
10-06-04, 06:33 PM
#22
i just want to know how you managed NOT to beat this guys skull in all the times you confronted him. if that was me i would have seriously shattered his jaw... you just dont treat cars like that man
10-06-04, 06:43 PM
#23
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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I really don't know how I kept my cool either, heh. I'm actually known as a hot head by my friends. I just didn't want any problems and beating his *** would lessen the chances of me getting my car back sooner. I did yell at him though, numerous times.
10-06-04, 07:26 PM
#25
let us know what happens tomorrow. you are going to his 'shop' and just towing the car home right? you should have done this right after you gave him his second chance, but you probably already know this. im so disgusted by this, this thread pisses me off errrr