Need some "legal" advice about getting engine parts returned....

[unstable bob gable]

OK, as some of you vintage members know, I had the parts to build a 396 ci LT1 w/ Dominion heads. Bret Bauer, of Bauer Racing engines was spearheading the project, and over time things such as Bret not liking the head design, lack of $$$$, changes in plans, my wife getting cancer and passing away, etc, lead to me pulling the plug on the project and telling Bret I'd come to get my parts. Bret and I were pretty good friends, and he offered to try and sell the stuff for me. I said "great," since he was an established engine shop, and I didn't have to travel 4.5 hours to get my stuff. Well, he'd occasionally tell me of an offer, but then the guy would back out or such. And time went by, and I haven't heard from him, and now I can text/call 'till I'm blue in the face and I get nothing. His family owns a wine shop, and I've called there a few times and spoke to his father, who I was also close to. I've had his father tell me he'd talk to Bret "in a few days," and tell him to call me. I checked with his father to see if I still have the right cell number, and his father said I do. Well, I didn't hear from Bret earlier thie week, so I texted him and told him if I don't hear from him by Friday, I'm getting legal action. Now, I know I can tell my lawer about it, but what I'd like to know is if I can call the cops in his town to have them look into this. I know I can drive to his shop, but he used to have banker's hours there, and I don't know his home address. So, anybody have any ideas?

[LTb1ow]

Start documenting everything and try to find documentation on everything you had said/done in the past.

Odds are, you will never recoup the money or heads sadly enough.

[BonzoHansen]

go for a ride. if you don't have some sort of paper trail not sure what you can do legally.

[sweetbmxrider]

Tell Mr. V to get you some contact info and go from there.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

Start documenting everything and try to find documentation on everything you had said/done in the past.

Odds are, you will never recoup the money or heads sadly enough.

This, and maybe call the local PD and see if they can do anything for you.

[HardcoreZ28]

Keep me informed with what you do because I'm about to go through the same thing with my plating guy and the gas tank from my latest project. Been leaving messages for 12 weeks with no reply however when I had someone else call he answered the phone.

[Blackbirdws6]

+1 on documenting as much as you can. Start at the beginning and even include phone call attempts/phone records. If you haven't already done so, I would send him a certified letter stating your request and if no arrangements are made within say 5 business days, you will be taking legal action.

[elle]

Go there in person. Unless you have paperwork and records you're screwed. Cops have plenty more to do than worry about than a parts squabble. Really sux that no one can be trusted anymore. Good luck-

[V]

I would recommend filing in small claims court. That way you'll either get a judgement against him if he fails to show, or if he does show, he'll have to explain himself to the judge. Once a judgement is made, you can place a lein on his property or issue an information subpoena which will provide you all his asset information and allow you to collect the value of the parts.

If I have some free time, I will see what info I can dig up on him as well. For some odd reason I feel I've looked for him before.



EDIT:
Heres his home address and a phone number for it...
Bret Bauer, approx age: 35,
Kit Bauer
607-732-3470
25 Woodland Park, Pine City, NY,
Chemung County, NY -14871
email: bretbauer@hotmail.com

...and some relatives...
Jon C Bauer(father) age 70
Carl A Bauer
Kathryn A Bauer
Mary C Bauer
Sandra F Bauer

and yes, from pics I came across in my quick search now, I know I DID search for this guy at one point in time for someone.

[sweetbmxrider]

I think it was for Jerzlt1 Josh....he had a mishap way back when....

[69BirdX]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

I think it was for Jerzlt1 Josh....he had a mishap way back when....

I do vaguely remeber that. I know josh had some kind of trouble with a shop.

Call a lawyer and get their advice.

[BonzoHansen]

I was talking to johnny b. tonight and we figured it out. Your heads are in stickboy's camaro.