So I got an e-mail from my aunt last night giving me suggestions on what to do:

"Unfortunately, I'm not sure there is much that you can do to get your money back. I would try 3 things, however:

1) Call the California attorney general's office and talk to someone in their consumer fraud division. They may have heard about this guy and may also have some suggestions about what you can do to try to collect from him. At the very least you can make a report about him so that others might be alerted about his scam.

2) It might be worthwhile to contact a California lawyer who deals with consumer protection issues. I don't know any off hand, but I would start by contacting the California State Bar (the have a website with referrals) to see if anyone is listed in this subject area (and if they have an office in the Bay Area). If they do, the lawyer might be willing to talk you for no charge. You will also want to ask the lawyer if he or she works on a "contingency" basis -- meaing that they won't charge you for the work they do unless they get money back for you.

3) Try contacting Consumer's Union in San Francisco. They are the legal branch of the same group that puts out the magazine Consumer Reports. I worked for them as an "extern" the summer between my first and second years in law school. They used to represent people in class action litigation that had a broad impact on consumers and may be willling to take on your case. Even if they won't represent you, they may have some other suggestions about how to try to get some relief. You may also want to ask them about individual attroneys who might be willing to take on your case."

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me! But I'll see what happens with each of these. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Aaron

 

why California??

1) i would bet you that the Cali consumer fraud division has never heard of John - he's a great guy and before this has never had a problem so i am sure he wont be listed. don't know what they can do outside cali

2) a "contingency" basis - i doubt any lawyer would take the case for such a small amount

3) class action litigation?? i'm sure john is only screwing three or four people so this wont help

John is in MA and i honestly don't think a lawyer would take the case for such a small amount

i can't beleive i even have to suggest this but what you need to do is file a small claims case in MA or do what i do when someone owes me money - keep calling him

 

California should have no jurisdiction anyways.... you card was processed through John's bank in MA.

John

 

I'm really surprised to see this thread and the troubles some have had... I've known John for several years and he's always been a stand-up kind of guy. That said, bad things happen in people's lives, and no matter how well our intentions may be, sometimes life plots to bend us over and give us a good Rogering.

I wish John luck in getting all of this sorted. There's not much worse in life than finding out the person you've devoted your love and life too has devoted theirs elsewhere (but walking in on it is an image that you can never erase from your mind... I know, I've been there, didn't even get a T-shirt!)

 

Why California? because I live in california..

1) I just directly quoted the e-mail, she doesn't know the history of him or anything, I just asked her questions and she answered them.

2) I know I lawyer won't.. but it doesn't hurt to call and ask.

3) Actually I bet it's a little more than 3 or 4 people, some people may just not be fessing up. And if it's even like 6 people, with money as much as $1000.. it may be worth something to try and see what we can do.

And I know about filing a small claims case. But, like you said, it's not worth me flying all the way to MA to file a case and "fight" it in MA. I just asked my aunt for suggestions and she's giving them to me. Maybe I can't tell over the net, but there's no reason to get defensive (if you are) because someone asked me to post up what she said, so she did. And I posted it to give some ideas, and also to see if anyone else had any ideas.

I'm not trying to piss anyone off, if I have. Just trying to provide some ways that COULD help solve this. Sorry for the misunderstanding ..

Aaron

 

It's just that the "possible solutions" you posted are pretty much inappropriate for the situation and are not useful. There is no scam. It's a guy with a regular job who does some work on the side whose life went to shit. He apparently has an inability to execute the side business at this point and may or may not have the ability to pay you back. No Consumer's Union, California Attorney General, or out of state attorney is going to give you any more than lip service.

I still think that your best bets are to stay after him and to continue to insist that you want your stuff or your money. If he doesn't have the money to get you your stuff, you will pretty much have to wait until he does. It's not a good situation but you can't get blood from a turnip.

 

I understand, like I said, someone asked me to post what my aunt said.. so I did. Also, like I said, she doesn't know the entire situation, I just gave her a quick over view. I'm not saying hes a bad person or anything of that nature. I think he never had bad intentions. I was just simply relaying information. Sorry for the commotion I caused..

Aaron

 

problem is that John should post and let folks know what's up - it's only getting worse

his life my suck but no need to make others (his customer's) suck too

 

I agree. I would expect the same from them if they were family or friend.

No to play the other side of the field - if what happened to him, happened to me, I would likely be in prison for homicide (her, not him). But, I would make sure everyone knew what was going on, make it right with them (may take a while selling my cigarette rations to bubba), etc..

 

too.

This is a case where no news is BAD news.