A couple of months ago, after speaking to the owner of Graham's Music, Monty Graham, about buying a specially customized drum kit for my fiance, my children went to his store to order it.
Monty sold us a used kit that he had in the store for $180 cash and told us he would have to order the custom wrap to change the color to what she wanted. He pulled up a web site and eventually Ebay, where we found the exact color and amount of wrap we wanted, I handed him an additional $100 to cover the order and shipping. He turned the computer towards him and pretended to make the order. He then told us the wrap would be in on the upcoming Tuesday (this was on a Friday) and that he would have the drums ready for pick up on August 5th.
On August 3rd, I sent him a text and left a voicemail to confirm we were good to go. No response until the morning of the due date when he sent me a text stating " Sorry for the delay. Let (left)my phone at store Sunday (the day after I started texting and calling) just got it back. Drums are sealed and sanded. Sent wrong color yellow, (We had ordered Kool Aid Green as it was the color of her dad's set back in the 60's)."
He followed with another text right after it stating "Ill call when done and deliver for you.Again Im sorry for inconvenience"
I called and left messages again starting on the 6th asking what date we could expect to get te drums. After numerous emails, texts and voicemails I finally went to his store. On the way in, I was interupted by a phone call from a guy that owed me money from an unfinished job and we argued over the phone. By the time I was done with my call, I was late for an appointment and had to leave before speaking to Monty... but noticed that our drum set was nowhere to be found. even in his workspace which is visible from the front door. They weren't there at all.
The next day, I received a voicemail from Monty telling me that if I came to the Happy's Flea Market (where his booth is located) I would be arrested as he was a staff member and could bar me from the property. After speaking with the manager of the building, I was told that statement was untrue and that they had merely paid Monty Graham to do some side work and I was welcome on the property.
After more texts and messages, he promised a refund on Tuesday, then Friday. Still no refund.
He finally left another voicemail saying that he didn't have the drums yet because his wife was leaving him and his employee/partner had left him with no notice for another opportunity. He didn't realize that I knew the kid still worked there.
A few days later... after more unreturned texts, messages and emails I got a text from Monty saying "Come by the office between 4:30-5:00 saturday and I will come to office to refund your money to avoid drama. Sorry if I woke you" It was 7:35 in the morning...
Saturday came and he didn't show at the office. Avoiding more time wasted, I went home.
Here we are... almost 2 months later. No refund and the drums are nowhere to be found. He stopped returnng messages at all and my dughters are literally in tears over it. We paid for a gift for their mother that was very special in the fact that she had been wanting it for the entire 13 years we have been together. This wasn't just a gift... it was special and this guy ruined it, by essentially robbing 3 kids and their dad.
I have text. email and phone records as well as my daughters' eye witness accounts as proof that everything I'm saying is 100% fact.
I am currently pursuing criminal action (Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses is a felony in Virginia over $200) and possibly a civil suit, wherein I will ask for the $280 plus court costs, attorneys fees and maybe even pain and suffering compensation to my three daughters as they are heartbroken.
Monty Graham and Graham's music... avoid that place and the owner like a dirty toilet seat in a crack house.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#2Author of original report
Sat, November 15, 2014
So... I finally get a call from Officer Dillon from the Roanoke City PD, who said he had spoken to Monty and that Monty claimed my refund has been there the whole time waiting for me. This was on a Tuesday. He told the officer that I could come by the office of the flea market to get my money Saturday. I asked why I needed to wait until Saturday if my money was there now and he just laughed saying "Beats me.".
I do as I was told and go to Happy's Flea Market the following Saturday and head to the office. There, I spoke to Harvey...the manager and he called Monty's booth three times. Monty wouldn't come to the front. Finally, Harvey, out of his own pocket paid me the refund of $280 and said he would try to get it back from Monty later. Monty Graham didn't even come to pay the refund face to face.
I spoke to some other vendors that tell me they have had similar experiences with Graham's Music as well. One vendor, another music shop, claimed he gave Graham's several instruments to sell for him on consignment. After not hearing anything for a few weeks, he went to see Monty and found that all of his stuff was gone, but Monty had no money or explanation. Monty ended up giving him other instruments to try and sell to get his money back.
Tonight, I listed one of the CBG guitars I got from Monty and expalined in the ad that I had it repaired because the original buidler didn't do such great work. This was the truth and I never mentioned Monty's name in the ad. Nonetheless, an hour later, I am being harrassed by Monty online and he is posting under my ad calling me a thief and a liar. Making up stories as he goes and ripping people off. This guy is a crook and delusional idiot.
Either way, even though someone had to loan it to him... I finally got my refund.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#3Author of original report
Sun, September 21, 2014
LOL! You said he didn't drive a Blazer to try to convince consumers that I was lying about the ad! Hahaha... you are pathetic. The ad is STLL legit. I proved that in my last post.
Doesn't matter if it is a Blazer, a G20 Van or a Camaro... still, my general statement was true. So, I was wrong about the model. He was still posting the ad I said he did, and I proved it.
Doesn't really matter if you still own part of the business or not, you owned it when we got ripped off, so unless you have a Bill of Sale signed between you and the purchaser that releases you of all liability (meaning you screwed someone and the new buyer agreed to take the heat when they sue him), then you are still legally liable. As a matter of fact, after further thought, I'm convinced that you and your partner conspired to obtain this money under false pretense.
Since you CLEARLY have no understanding of the law, let me explain your BS story about me stalking you and cussing you, lol.
Stalking consists of a lot more than someone pulling into your driveway and questioning you about money you took from them without delivering a product (theft). Stalking is a consitant record of a person following you around, calling at what is considered a rate of harrassment, leaving threatening voicemails or written threats, showing up at your home after being told not to, coming to your place of business without just cause and so on. I would post the actual legal definition, but I'm worried it may make your lil' head explode.
Cursing you? Originally you said I was there, cursing Monty. Now YOU'RE the victim? Get your story straight. You have no proof (voicemails, emails, texts, recorded video or otherwise) of me cursing and threatening you or anyone else. You know it and so do I... because it never happened.
As far as it being illegal for me to pull into your driveway. Wrong again guy. Your property had no signs posted in regards to "Private Property", "No Trespassing", "No Solicitors" or otherwise. Trust me, I looked before I pulled in. Therefore, There is nothing I did wrong. Furthermore, to even have a person charged with criminal trespass, you must send them a notice, in writing (with proof that you did, such as a certified mail receipt, and proof that they received it, such as a "Signature Required" card). That notice must inform them that they are not allowed on your property and that if they do come there, you will attempt to have them charged with criminal trespass. You should also know that a judge will often not even hear the case if the person was there in an attempt to collect a debt... as I was.
Now that you are all caught on your lessons, let's get to the point that you continually ask me to post more proof, while posting NONE of your own. I don't need to post more, you have proven me to be telling the truth every time you peck your little fingers on that keyboard, guy. I have asked you several times to post ANY proof of your little middleschool allegation of name dropping... and you won't. You can't, because it doesn't exist.
I have asked you to post ANY PROOF that proves ANY of the false allegations you made... and again, you won't. You can't. It doesn't exist. Just like the wrap you guys claim to have ordered never existed, because you never ordered it. Right? Of course I am right. You know how I know I'm right? Because none of your stories ever match up. I bust you out on EVERY SINGLE LOAD OF CRAP you post.
You know what is REALLY weird? If you have no access to email, Facebook or anything else in regards to the store... how did you know about this report? That is funny... I suppose you just randomly check this site for complaints against your company? That seems like someone looking over their shoulder because they have a habit of screwing people over. So, which one is it, guy?
Yeah, you are certainly a coward. You posted my name first thing like a punk, yet don't have the guts to post your own... right, Monty? You would crap your little panties if I showed up where you claim you are this weekend. You think I'm stupid? You claim I'm stalking you, yet invite me to a confrontation in a public place so you can make it look like I came there for trouble.
I also find it odd that you are posting as a consumer, not as the owner, which you were at the the time of this theft.
Not going to post here anymore? Figures... you get called out and proven to be the liar and coward that you are, so you take your ball (or lack of) and go home. Like I said, I'll post your name and info soon enough. Not to mention, it will be on the court documents anyway. Have fun working on your van outside in the gravel parking lot of the place you claim not to be part of anymore (that makes a lot of sense). lol.
***NOTE*** This owner, nor the other, have yet to pay my family the refund that they have already admitted they owe.
DudeGuy
Roanoke,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, September 21, 2014
You claimed he drives a Blazer, I said that is not true. There is no law against talking to someone, there is alaw against stalking and cussing someone, look it up it is considered a threat to do so. Your first email was sent on the 3rd of August, not the 10th. By the 10th I was out of it, no access to emails, off the Facebook page, away from Google+, all of it. I still maintain that the video you supposedly took of you stalking me does not exist, proove me wrong and post it - I'm still waiting. Again, I am at Happy's fixing my van over this current weekend if you really think I'm a coward and won't talk to you face to face. I'm not responding anymore, say what you want.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#5Author of original report
Sat, September 20, 2014
So, you mean to tell me that the pics in this link aren't your store? Posted September 4th. Oh yeah, replied to it and got a response, verifying it was from Monty's store. So... either it was Monty or YOU. Which one guy?
roanoke.craigslist.org/bar/4609390813.html
The ad now says "'85 Chevy". Lol... you're a joke. Not to mention, pretty defensive when I said it was just some FYI for your boss.
Also, check up on the laws guy... nothing illegal about me pulling into your driveway, never exiting the vehicle, asking you a couple of questions and leaving. HOWEVER, you continue to rack 'em up.
Something that I have to wonder, Monty claims in his RECORDED voicemails (still on my phone) that you guys never got my emails, yet you claim that is how you got my name. Not to mention that the email was sent on August 10th, yet you claim that you left when Marty said you did on or before August 5th! If you no longer worked there, how on earth did you see that email? LOL!! More DOCUMENTED PROOF that you are a blatant liar!
You won't post your name, because you are either Monty or a scared kid behind a keyboard that can dish it out but can't take it. That's o.k. Your name is reversable by address (which I have) and business records (which I will subpeona). I'll post YOUR real name soon enough (as you bravely BS posted mine) and make you famous.
Seriously kid, stop while you're ahead. You are digging your own hole deeper and deeper. Thanks for literally handing me evidence though, I'm sure Monty will appreciate that as well. You already posted here that you "sold out" your part of the business (proving that you were part owner of the store when our money was taken) and this makes you legally liable. See you in court.
***NOTE*** Even though these two owners have my PayPal info (in the email he just confirmed he got), and claims to have my money waiting for me (previous load of crap, I mean post)... we have still received no refund.
DudeGuy
Roanoke,#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, September 20, 2014
You are full of it, Monty doesn't even own a blazer. Post your proof video already, I'm still waiting for that. Being that I don't own any part of the store I DON'T have your email address. The only thing I know about you is your name yet you took things far enough to find out where I live. Your name showed up on the email you sent (around the 3rd of August I believe) to the store, I never invited you to follow me into private property. Quite seriously, post your video (if it even exists). I'll GIVE you my IP address if you really want to check it, I'll even give you my MAC address, I have signed you up for nothing.
As far as being a coward, I'll be at Happy's ALL this weekend fixing my van. I'll be in the gravel parking lot down the side up towards the front of the building if you really want to talk to me. It's a Chevy G20, I'll be there all of Saturday, and Sunday. As far as posting my personal information, you've lost your mind.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#7Author of original report
Fri, September 19, 2014
You are past the point of ridiculous with your lies and false allegations. Look... if you have no proof to back up ANYTHING you spew, then simply go away. You complain that you were "pulled" into this, yet you VOLUNTARILY came here to post this BS, you VOLUNTARILY come back over and over and you VOLUNTARILY lie to protect Monty Graham.
You claim to have left the company (booth at a flea market) when he claimed you had "abandoned" him (August 5th), yet you were there as late as August 10th or 11th teaching lessons!
You have yet to post ANY proof to the stuff you have posted and have yet to respond to ANY of the PROOF I have posted. No one has EVER posted your name here and you surely won't do that either because you are a coward and a liar. Period.
Every time you post here, you make yourself and your employer/partner look stupid. You claim to have "sold out" of the business, yet post no proof of sale (which would have been required to legally dissolve a business partnership). It intriques me that your partner could afford to buy your part of the business as he has recently been on Craigslist trying to find someone he can trade instruments to for tires to fit his 1987 Blazer, lol. He obviously can't afford a $280 refund either...
Post ANYTHING to back up your false claims of namedropping, harrassing you and/or your partner or ANYTHING you have claimed. If you don't, you are simply committing slander and libel. At this point, you have stopped being amusing and become harrassing and defaming of character. I have proof and facts to back up everything I have posted here. When this hits court and this crook is held accountable, it will be much more expensive and much more inconvenient as YOU will be required to testify under oath, wherein I will present proof to the court that you are nothing more than a liar, a crook and you will be committing purgery.
While you are sitting there, thinking about what kind of BS you are posting next, since you have admitted to owning part of the business that screwed me and my kids at the time I handed you guys cash (with a sales receipt) think about the fact that YOU will now be named in this suit as you were part owner.
I'm done playing this stupid game with you on here, if my refund hasn't been posted to my PayPal account by the time General District Court opens on Monday morning, YOU will be sued personally as an owner of the business that robbed us. These posts will be used as evidence that you were an owner at the time of the purchase. If you have ANY doubt as to whether are going to be held just as liable as Monty Graham, you should check out the laws in Virginia concerning this. You will be a gravely disappointed kid. You might want to use some of that buyout money to get yourself a good attorney.
If you choose to handle this situation like a man, instead of a child hiding behind a keyboard, you claim to have my email address. Contact me and do what's right.
Oh yeah, someone should also inform you and your partner that signing other people up for adult sites and such by using their emails or other contact info (thinking you're being funny) isn't only childish, it is a federal offense and can be traced by following the IP address of the computer and user that actually did it. See, you boys are apparently not real bright. Even if you discard the hard drive that it was done from, the fact that you visited other sites from the same computer will be enough to trace it and eventually charge and convict the perpetrator with the appropriate crime. Not an accusation... just a little FYI. ;)
If your next action and/or correspondence isn't an effort to make this theft right, I would be very careful as to what comes out of your little keyboard fingers next.
***NOTE*** As of this post, we have STILL not received a refund or an effort of any kind from the owner posting here to make it right.
DudeGuy
Roanoke,#8UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, September 19, 2014
Post the video that you are talking about, please. All that will do is show you following me, recording me without consent, and ranting about Monty. I assure you, this is not Monty. Your name is on your email address guy. You put names out first, by the way. I am not fabricating anything. You are putting words in my mouth. As far as headlights, all I could see was your hood. You were too close for me to see the actual headlights that are mounted to the front of your van. Please quit lying about me, quit misquoting me, and don't ever follow me home again. I am telling you right now, I sold out of the store. I do not work the store, I do not have any ownership in the store. Quit trying that.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#9Author of original report
Fri, September 19, 2014
This guy's most recent post/rebuttal has proven my point.
Just more rambling nonsense and lies that I can, again, discount and pick apart with actual facts.
He claims I followed him so closely that he couldn't see my headlights. Lol! For one, it was broad daylight at roughly 4PM in the afternoon... so, my headlights? Hahaha! Second, if you notice someone following you for three streets (I literally saw him turning into his driveway and turned in, there was no three streets to follow him) to the point that you can't see their headlights, why would you go home instead of a police station or a public place? Almost a comical attempt at a lie.
Here's the kicker... the whole interaction was RECORDED on my camera phone, proving this clown's entire account is lie.
But wait... there's more! He claims I "pulled" him into this, yet, if you read this entire RipOff Report... his name was NEVER mentioned. AT ALL. However, he was quick to mention my real name in his first rebuttal. That is particularly interesting as he never knew my last name. That is strange, huh?
Do you really want to do business with a guy that shares your personal information with others like this? No.
He also claimed that he didn't work there when Monty claimed he had left... yet he WAS there, teaching lessons, on as recent as August 10th and 11th which was AFTER I pulled into his driveway and chatted with him. It is a recorded (on camera and by student accounts, as well as a message on my voicemail that I still have from MONTY). Ha! More of your lies exposed by actual fact.
Also, simply re-read his rebuttal. No response to my proof that it was due on August 5th (not several weeks as he claimed) and no names to back up his childish "name dropping" story.
I can go on all day picking this guy's story apart as I have a mountain of proof by way of recordings, receipt and photos. Not to mention the eye witness accounts of my 7, 11 and 12 year old children. Not to mention, I suspect that this supposed "former employee" is actually Monty himself. That or a very delusional young man that needs help.
Either way, it becomes more clear every time this guy posts another lie that I am telling the truth and these guys are still lying instead of simply giving me my refund.
You, the consmer, are reading the facts and my proof is here. Posted for you to see. Again, avoid these guys like a used needle laying in an airport restroom.
***NOTE*** No refund has been mad, nor any attempt by Monty Graham to make this right. I am now pursuing legal remedy.
DudeGuy
Roanoke,#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, September 19, 2014
Jeremy followed me, so closely I couldn't see his headlights, down 3 roads and up my driveway. As far as 'I asked you why you quit and you looked at me, stunned, and said "Uh, I didn't. I still teach lessons there". Your exact words.' is a complete misquote. He asked me if I had quit and I said that I sold out and was leaving to look for other work and that currently I'm giving guitar lessons instead of working at the store. As far as him not pressing the matter, he sat in his van for 10 minutes cussing Monty after I told him that I wasn't in it. As far as the cigar boxes, he was back in the store checking on them within a couple of days of placing the order. I honestly wanted to stay out of this but he keeps misquoting me.
Mad Dad
Vinton,#11Author of original report
Thu, September 18, 2014
Wow... So let me pick this so called "former" employee's lie apart with facts one piece at a time, instead of just rambling as he did.
First of a, I didn't go into the store 2 days after the order expecting it to be. That would be ridiculous. However, "several weeks" to wrap a drum set? Who is wrapping them? Ray Charles? The due date agreed on was August 5th, not several weeks, as I will prove with screen shots of a text conversation between myself and Monty.
Next, yes, I did see you turn into your street (which you failed to mention is right down the street from my own residence and I pass your house EVERY day)... But something else YOU forgot to mention was that I simply asked if you knew what was going on with my order as I could not get in touch with your boss. You said you didn't know and I didn't press. I asked you why you quit and you looked at me, stunned, and said "Uh, I didn't. I still teach lessons there". Your exact words. I apologized for bothering you and left. Even though I live up the street, I haven't came by or talked to you AT ALL since. Correct?
You were, in fact, there teaching lessons to a young lady when I came in there a few days later. Maybe you wisened up and left after that, but after he said you abandoned him... you WERE still there.
Now, back to this inconvenient (for you) truth crap... I still have several voicemails from Monty on my phone. I haven't transfered them to my computer yet, so for now I will quote the first of them:
August 6th at 9:07 am EST from Monty to me: " Hey bud, it's Monty. I'm sorry I haven't got back with you any sooner. My wife's wanting to get a seperation and I haven't been staying at my house and my partner just abruptly quit to pursue other things. Your wrap should be here tomorrow and I'm sorry they sent the wrong thing, but like I said in my text they are ready to go. Bud, I apologize but I have not got one email or any texts, so anyway, everything's fine... just in a bit of a bind with a lot in my lap. But your drums are fine, I don't want to just slap them together. The (inaudible), the hardware an everything needs to be cleaned up or it's just not going to turn out like it should. Ummm, like I said as far as getting them and all, don't worry about getting your buddy to do it, I can deliver them and help you get em set up. Feel free to call me back if you need to but I just wanted to let you know what's going on. I assure you I'll be on it. I have no other projets going on but your drum set, so when the wrap gets here, if I have to pull a couple of all nighters, whatever it takes, I'll get em done. Just don't get discouraged Bud, they're gonna look great. Thanks."
There are two more rambling loads of crap from Monty stinking up my voicemail too but they take forever to type, so for now this one makes my point.
As far as me "name dropping" people I don't even know... First, didnt realize this was middle school, but I'll bite. Who? PLEASE, name them so I can prove that is BS too. Now is your chance to post ONE fact. I'll be over here, holding my breath.
My kids and I paid for these drums in cash on July 23, 2014. TWO MONTHS ago. The photos attached and Monty's half ended response will prove that not only were the drums due on August 5, 2014 (not several weeks as you claim in your story), but also that they were late and he had no honest answers as to why.
As far as your claims about getting guitars for almost nothing to sell for charities that "do not exist", that is a blatant lie as I still have the pieces of crap right here. Both fell apart after being played twice. $125 is hardly almost nothing for a cigar box attached to a "First Act" WalMart neck with some "Harmony" pick ups half heartedly bolted in. You should also examine the definitions of slander and libel before making up another story rearding situations you know nothing about.
To defend your friend and boss from someone making up false claims is honorable, to make up lies or spread untrue facts about a situation involving me and my kids isn't. It's cowardly and wrong.
I should note that, as of today, I have heard nothing from Monty and not recieved a dime of this refund he supposedly has waiting for me, even though I sent him my PayPal address via email to send payment. Nice try though.
Enjoy the FACTS I attached to this comment. I have plenty more by way of voicemail if you still aren't convinced. Cheers...
DudeGuy
Roanoke,#12UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, September 18, 2014
The man attempting to report on Graham's Music neglected to mention the fact that he came in only a couple of days after placing his order when he was told it would be several weeks, which he had done before when ordering guitars for a charity that did not exist. This man followed me to my house in an attempt to intimidate me. He tried to chew my a*s over something that I didn't have any business in, I DON'T work there and he still thinks that I do. The drums being wrapped were NOT being wrapped at the store, that is something Monty handles at his home as much work that does cannot be done at the flea market.
Monty has had his money waiting for him to show but the man has not come to get it. He ordered guitars to sell for a charity (so he got them cheap) then turned around and put them on Craigslist without any mention of any charity anywhere in his ads. He has sent nasty emails and texts trying to rush the job and isn't happy with the fact that things take time. He did the same with the guitars, after being told 2 weeks he was in 2 days later to see if they were done, I am a witniss to this personally, he is pushy and rude.
I don't think it is right for a liar to call somebody a liar and drag someone else into it while getting the facts all wrong. I can't think of anyone who would take lightly somebody FOLLOWING them home. If anything, RIPOFF REPORT on this guy, Jeremy Meador. He is a liar and will say anything to gain simpathy and take advantage of someone. He will name drop and it isn't even people he knows (personal witniss to this). Apparently he thinks it is alright to follow somebody home to attemp intimidation tactics.
All it takes is one person to say one bad thing to make you look bad, even though the entire time I was there we had hundreds of happy customers that couldn't say anything bad about the store. I'm not even trying to take Monty's side on this, it's just that Jeremy is wrong and putting me back into it and I don't appreciate that.