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German Classics, Inc. Christian Lappe, Owner claims Destroyed, Possibly in Possession of Stolen BMW, deceiving disabled US Marine Veteran Cumming, Georgia
Legal action taken Dec. 2018. Ongoing: I hired German Classics, Inc., owned and operated by Chistian Lappe, during May-June of 2015 to complete restoration on my White 1987 BMW 325is Coupe. After an extensive search, I found Mr. Lappe online, advertising his business as Classic European Auto Restoration Specialists.
After his inspection and approval, he agreed to full completion of my BMW. From June 2015 to Oct. 2018, I paid Mr. Lappe and his company to complete my BMW. After continuous contacts and payments, I informed Mr. Lappe that after 3 years on my car, I wanted to pay him all that I owed him, and pick up my BMW. Mr. Lappe got very upset and reminded me that I paid his company to fully complete the car, then refused to allow me to pick up my own car, even with full payment.
I once again had to remind him of the time involved and my intentions, which then we agreed I would pick up my BMW by Oct.17, 2018. During the first week of Oct. 2018, I contacted Mr. Lappe as to when I would come there to get my car, with a flatbed if necessary. He finally contacted me informing me that my BMW had been destroyed by fire while in his possession, that it was up to me to find out where it was, and that he would not be responsible for it.
I then contacted Forsyth County, GA Sheriff's Dept. and got no help. From there, I went to the Forsyth County, GA Government Office to find out how to file a complaint action and lawsuit against German Classics, Inc., only to find out from a Mr. Lewis Reed from Forsyth County Code Enforcement, that Mr. Lappe and German Classics, Inc. are unlicensed, prohibited from operation, and may even have fake business credentials.
Photo of the owner Christian Lappe / German Classics, Inc.
I was then assured by Mr. Reed that Mr. Lappe and his company would be fined, reprimanded, and the business would be shut down, to include moving the possible decoy classic cars from his property, and that I would be kept posted by him as a Forsyth County, GA Code Enforcement Officer. That never happened.
I never heard back from Mr. Reed or the Forsyth County Code Enforcement Bureau, even after multiple attempts to make recontact. I went back to the Forsyth County Sherrif's Dept., upset about what had occurred, only to be threatened with prosecution if I bothered Mr. Lappe, who is still operating an illegal, unlicensed business. Mr. Lappe lied about the destruction of my BMW, and to this day, I have no idea of it's present location.
I fully believe he is still in possession of my BMW, or has sold it for substantial profit. I have taken, and am still pursuing legal action, but with a large amount of my money lost, an immediate qualified attorney is very difficult. I lost my $500.00 down payment and another $5000.00 more paid directly to Mr. Lappe, also additional payments for all parts needed, as well as annual costs for insurance on my BMW, vehicle registration, smog, lost/destroyed personalized license plate, etc.
Ivory White 1987 BMW 325is 5 speed 2 Door Coupe, Burgundy Interior
The main thing is that Mr. Lappe kept my BMW, and all I was told by the Forsyth County Sherrif's Dept., as well as the Police Dept. was that a stolen vehicle report would be useless if the car could not be located. I lost my BMW, as well as all of my money. Though I am a former U.S. Marine, even with a disability, I was throughly reminded that to pursue Mr. Lappe in any other way would ultimately result in my imprisonment.
This so-called business is located at: German Classics, Inc. Owner: Christian Lappe 805 Dahlonega Street Cumming, GA 30040 Tel: (678) 592-7972 possible: (770) 455-3232 (other disconnected) DO NOT ATTEMPT VEHICLE REPAIR OR SERVICE HERE. YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
13 Updates & Rebuttals
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
Done with what? I'm the one waiting on attorney response!
#14Author of original report
Thu, February 14, 2019
You got so much to say, send me an attorney list, and if I can afford that one before my disability rating increase, I might even get you some kind of finders fee when it does. I still want to know what it is you're done with?
The Dog
United StatesI'm Done!
#14Consumer Comment
Tue, February 05, 2019
John, I've tried to help you and steer you in the direction which might work. I've given you suggestions on how to proceed but you refuse the help. I don't know who this guy is who you are referencing. What I do know, based on what YOU claim, is YOU think they ran off with your car.
Assuming it's just as you say it is, this guy is not going to pop up and give you your car. You need to do some work to try to find him and the car. I've tried to help you in that regard and have given you suggestions. He's not going to come to you...you need to find him. It's that simple! I wish you well!
John
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
To Commentor "The Dog": Thanx for the law lesson. When is Mr. Lappe going to just call me a liar, instead of hiring you as his mouthpiece?
#14Author of original report
Tue, February 05, 2019
I don't have the time to go back and forth (rant, as you put it) with you, or prove anything to you because I don't know you and I don't give a #%&%# who you are.
You run off with the mouth in form of written words and say that I "rant," as you put it. Where is Mr. Lappe, and why don't you just call me a liar. Just state that what I reported is truly false in every way, shape, and form. Just say that man is a liar.
The Dog
United StatesYou Make No Sense, John!
#14Consumer Comment
Tue, February 05, 2019
Still playing the "you must work for them" game because you didn't like my first post about YOU seeking a legal solution to this, eh? How sad! Let me give you some more suggestions, then you can rant even more. Find out from an authority on such things how much the car was actually worth at the time of the loss. Total up how much you paid them and received nothing for. In that way, you can put a dollar figure on your loss.
Was this car covered by insurance? If you own a home, check with them to see if it could be covered as an antique. Do you have the VIN? If so, there are various places on the web where you can check to see if that VIN is still active. You might need to pay for that. Do a corporations check with the State of Georgia and find out the principals of the business including the Registered Agent.
Do a cross check of the names to see if they are involved in other businesses. I would contact the Georgia DMV and let them know. Maybe they can check their records to see if the car has been re-registered. BE CERTAIN you are actually on the OFFICIAL Georgia DMV website and NOT a company trying to trick you into thinking they are them. As I said earlier, if there's enough money in this, a private attorney would be willing to represent you on a contingent fee basis.
I assume you know what that means. I'm talking about a practicing attorney YOU hire and NOT the State's Attorney. You may also wish to see if this guy owns any property either in Georgia or anywhere else. The point is trying to find out if he has any assets from which you can obtain a judgement. I would hold off on pursuing any kind of criminal action because what counts the most is you getting your money.
In summary what I am suggesting is you put an actual dollar figure on your losses; find out where this guy is now; find out if he has any assets upon which you can levy. If you can do that homework in advance, your case would look a bit more attractive to an attorney to take on a contigent fee basis.
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
To Commentor "Betty Interesting": This went to Magistrate Court unsettled with the amount put in writing, and admitted to. You give me money for a state court attorney since you're involved now.
#14Author of original report
Mon, February 04, 2019
Whoever you are, read the 1st sentence of the Rip-off Report. You want details, give me state attorney, up-front fee money and I'll give them to you.
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
To the Commenting Person, Whoever you are: Can you lend me enough cash for an good attorney, I'm kind of strapped right now, and I think YOU and me both know why!
#14Author of original report
Mon, February 04, 2019
That speaks for itself. Now I am just "Shooting My Mouth Off."
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
Direct Comment To "The Dog": You left a comment about me shooting my mouth off. I shot my mouth off enough to save a 1970's date Volkswagen owner from becoming one of YOU and Lappe's victims.
#14Author of original report
Mon, February 04, 2019
Earlier, when I was ignorant enough to trust Mr. Lappe, I made the mistake of telling a friend I see from time to time, who is also a veteran and a driver for the VAMC, Atlanta in Decatur, GA. He wanted restoration work done on a 1970's date Volkswagen that he kept up for quite some time. I really shot my mouth off when I told him that I knew the "owner" of the company that was doing my BMW, not an employee or mechanic. Dumb mistake.
I should have known something was wrong when Mr. Lappe had employees quit on him and he claimed that he needed to hire more skilled personnel. When I ran into him, he wanted to see my BMW and actually thought I had my car back nice and complete and had just forgotten about him. I then, shot my mouth off again and told him the whole story of what happened to me, and why I didn't even have a car anymore, let alone a restored Classic BMW 3 Series.
One thing I didn't think about that he told me was, if Mr. Lappe had my BMW for a legnth of time, gotten it complete, and it came out better than he anticipated, he probably destroyed it to keep me from having it, if he could not, which would explain his refusal to turn my car back over to me, and then sold the parts left to hide it. That's something I never thought of, but maybe us dumb Marines just aren't that devious.
He taught me something when I " Shot My Mouth Off" and made sure he didn't take his Volkswagen to Mr. Lappe before he saw my completed BMW. Wherever it is.
The Dog
United StatesBetty Interesting
#14Consumer Comment
Mon, February 04, 2019
All thru your diatribes about this alleged matter, you have convieniently side stepped possible real legal actions you can take. Instead, it's rant after rant about how somebody who disagrees with you "must work for them" and mouthing off about about how you must think violence will solve your problems with this place.
There's no doubt, much more to this matter than you are alluding to and it would seem your generally miserable attitude to the world is a barrier to you getting things done. I've seen cases like this before and it's really quite sad. I have suggested to you the steps to take as a start in possibly legally resolving this matter and making you whole.
Those steps are very real and certainly available to you, if only you would partake of them. If medication is a factor in your life, I would highly suggest you discuss your mental make up with your doctor. I'm not being nasty here as I'm a PTSD sufferer myself and see the signs when it's getting the best of me. I wish you well.
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
Whoever you are, YOU must work together with the thief, and YOU must be the one that now has my BMW!
#14Author of original report
Sun, February 03, 2019
Whoever this person is, they seem to have an extreme interest in my Rip-off Report against this business scam in Cumming, GA
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
Comment to whomever made statements against my Rip-off Report against German Classics, Inc. and it's Owner, Christian Lappe
#14Author of original report
Sun, February 03, 2019
I do not give a #@% about one thing you say, whoever the heck you are, because you are simply ignorant, meaninless, mouth. For all I know, you don't want me to shoot off my mouth because he probably sold you my car. Well, how does my BMW drive? Don't you just LOVE it!! I did too, for a while. And you can stoop as low as you'd like about me being a Marine or not, If you're not sure, just ask Christian Lappe, the man who waited on my VA Disabilty check to come, so the likes of you could drive off with, or part out my car out, if that's what you two did with it when you stole it. The only thing you know about the U.S. Marine Corps is how to spell it, and Chritian Lappe probably taught you that while you were flat bedding my car, if that's what you did with it. Anybody you want to put in front if me, with any type or level of clout, I keep my credentials on me 24/7. I don't know who you are, and I don't care who you are because the only "mouth" all mighty here is YOU. In the meantime, you just keep on running your mouth and defending your partner in crime. If you 2 didn't work together, you wouldn't have such a big interest in this Rip-off Report, and attempting to downplay me. So go ahead, spit it out, how long have you 2 been running your scam?
The Dog
United StatesIn Other Words, YOU Were Shooting Your Mouth Off!
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, February 02, 2019
Again, being a Marine has NOTHING to do with this! Shooting off one's mouth, making threats of violence is childish and dangerous. Being a Marine, if that's true, you should know better. You know I hit the nail very directly and squarely on the head...so much so that you have no intelligent rebuttal.
That's why you resorted to the very immature "you must work for them" innuendo. There can be a legal solution for you in this matter, if only you would seek said solution. Shooting off your mouth about violence or threats of course will cause local law enforcement to sit up and take notice and warn you against such stupidity.
Strength under control is the mark of a Marine. Sadly you miss the mark with your self admitted running off at the mouth.
John L. Roper Jr.
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States
Rebuttal Response to Rip-off Report #1472671 on German Classics, Inc.
#14Author of original report
Sat, February 02, 2019
According to the submitted rebuttal, "Being a Marine has nothing to do with this." It has more to do with it than you will ever know, whoever you are. My extreme anger while communicating with Forsyth County law enforcement caused me to describe some things I was taught while on active duty that involved high explosives. Even though I may now be disabled, some of them took me quite seriously. PS: To whoever wrote the rebuttal. Where is my BMW? Do now have it?
The Dog
United StatesBeing a Marine Has NOTHING To Do With This!
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, February 02, 2019
I am familiar with cases such as this and I'm a bit puzzled by a few things. First off, being a Marine has NOTHING to do with this! Secondly, I cannot imagine ANY law enforcement officer saying anything such as you pursuing this guy would result in YOUR arrest! At this point, as per your own timeline description, this is a CIVIL matter. You entrusted this business with your car. Therefore it's up to them to take care of your property. Of course, depending on how an investigation transpires, there could be some criminal activity, however, this would initially appear to be a civil matter with you having the right to be made whole by civil court process. This depends on whether the guy has any insurance or ability to pay a judgement should a decision of that nature be lodged in your favor. Reality is he is probably judgement proof and yes, you could be out all your money. What you will need to do is find this guy and do an asset search. I would run this past several lawyers in that area. Someone may be agreeable to handle the case on a contingent fee basis but only if he/she thinks there's enough money in it and if it is even collectible.