Complaint Review: Joe Manchel

This all began when I hired a local sign company to build me channel letter signs for a customer. Turns out he contracted joe to produce these signs.  After months of no sign and excuses by the local guy, i contacted Joe directly.  He said the sign company was screwing him and he hadn't been paid.   I being waaay too trusting, sent him my personal money and a final check for the signs from the customer. 

Lies continued for another month or two and finally joe said it's ready and will ship tomorrow.   Another month goes by and finally Caleb (his son maybe) returned my call and said to contact the shipping company to set up delivery.  I did that, and paid the trucking company (again my own money).  They charged my card and then nothing.  I then contacted them to find out what happened.   They said they tried to pickup and it wasn't ready.  They would continue trying to pickup the sign and be in touch asap.  

Well I called them today and joe changed the shipping address and used my shipping to send another customer their sign!!  I contacted them and they gave me an ear full about their experience with Joe. Joe will not return my calls, he's blocked my cell number and won't respond to emails.

At this point all I want is my sign or my money back.  If I have to drive to Alabama to get it, I will.  He did cash a check we sent him,  so he has broken federal law with commerce across state lines. My customer is opening a business with no sign and I look like crap.  Do not send this man any money.  You're better off buying lottery tickets. I will update as soon as anything new happens.