build a bandit Classic Discount Automotive Restoration Has anybody had a positive experience??? Fairview, North Carolina
Look I will preface this by stating that I am not a customer of Build-A-Bandit / Classic Discount Automotive Restoration I originally came across them on ebay about a year and a half ago. They post auctions for a Professional custom built 77-81 Trans Am. After watching a few auctions and seeing their 100% positive ebay feedback, I called them to inquire about having a 1979 Tran Am built for me.
I spoke with Bob and was given a price structure and time frame Once I heard from him that the payment structure and timeline would result in them having all the money, basically upfront, did I back off and start to do some real research!
If you do a google search on Build-A-Bandit / Classic Discount Automotive Restoration in Fairview NC you will find a bunch of complaints from angry people who have posted their experiences and frustration. Most of them have posted
follow up postings stating that they were taken care of and are now happy. To me, this seems very funny how can someone be so frustrated and angry enough to post online - and then basically retract the comments later? So I took it upon myself to research a little further. I directly contacted a few people who left positive feedback for them on ebay asking if they had any experiences (positive or negative).
The results of my research are scary! I emailed 5 ebay users who left positive feedback for Build-A-Bandit (ebay user: eck0211 ) 3 of 5 responded. Of all 3 people I spoke with NOBODY had gotten a vehicle!
The 1st guy told me how after sending them more money and then no response from them that he flew there unannounced and wanted to see his car he said he was shown his supposed car and it was scary ,it had dirt in the
paint from being painted out in an open shop with no paint booth and scary bad cars all over the place. He demanded, and was promised, a full refund as of 2 weeks ago he was still waiting! His exact words in regard to doing business
with them were: RUN
The 2nd guy was also promised a full refund after Build-A-Bandit asked for and missed several time extensions. He is still
waiting.
The 3rd guy should have had his car 2 months ago he was recently told that it should be ready by the first week in April.. we will see!
In summation, I would assume, based on everybody Ive spoken with, that Build-A-Bandit is not to be trusted. I believe that they only promise refunds after frustrated customers come forward or post a negative comment online. That they promise refunds ONLY in exchange for removing or posting positive follow up comments. Think about it You give them $10k - $20k and wait a year or so and then finally believe you will never get a car they dont answer your inquiries and youve left them positive feedback already. So you go to one of the numerous feedback sites and post your frustration they see that and offer you a refund in exchange for posting a positive follow up. You dont want to lose your money. So you do so only problem is that other people are left unaware of your experience AND I have yet to speak with ANYONE who has actually gotten a REFUND! to quote one of their customers RUN!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
tawidow
Acworth,Georgia,
USA
No one I know of has had a positive experience with these criminals
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 07, 2012
Hi. To my knowledge, there is not a single person on the planet that has had a positive experience with this company. A few have managed to get something resembling cars many, many, MANY months later than promised and after many, many, MANY broken promises and lies. Most, if not all, of those cars require immediate work or work within a year to the tune of $1000's. That would include new paint to fix the bubbles that appear or remove the fingerprints and dirt. Some of the cars don't even drive off the lot. Most of us, myself included are still waiting.
I've been waiting for a full refund from Bob Mcelreath for 6 months now. He's promised me one. I even had a contract. He's quoted two different time frames on the same policy for full refunds to widows (that me) Both policies expired many months ago. Bob refuses all contact. He refuses contact for most of his customers. Those he does deem worthy are just given empty promises and lies.
He and his crew are disgusting excuses of human beings. He has no problem stealing $15,000 from a widow and children who are grieving the loss of their husband or father. If you are considering buying anything from this man just keep that fact in mind.
I have spoken with several men that have bought cars that were "finished" in Bob's mind (instead of the majority of us who thought we were paying for a car to be completed within 10-12 months). One didn't even have the drive train hooked up and was missing several pieces.
Bottom line is RUN as fast as you can away from this thief!