Truck not running, blown engine. Got a replacement that is 1 year newer & ALL related aftermarket components (bolt on type accessories) that I wanted from the old truck were not to convey. Buyer mostly just wanted the transmission.
Sold truck approx 9 months ago.
Buyer shows up faster than I wanted, has flatbed with winch. In a hasty run, "we" (all of us... me + buyer & his pals) removed grill guard, headache rack &... I think one or two other items. I recorded video on phone (& sent to him via text so we both have a record of this transaction) stating I would track down the title (again, he shows up faster than I was able to reasonably accommodate) & trade that out for the other components:
- Side step bars
- LED fog lights (Rigid brand, best in the business), D.O.T. approved, replacements for factory location.
- Aftermarket tail lights (LED)
- Aftermarket headlights (Dodge / Ram is notorious for shitty headlights & tail lights)
- Curt trailer brake controller
- Swing out side step (for access to the truck box; step bars noted above were only long enough for front & back doors on crew cab)
Moving ahead to August & I notified him I had the title & was coming up in around 2 weeks or so (when I could get a friend to help me peel off all sorts of parts as noted above). Had a couple of delays & eventually it was like 20 odd days or so after that "I'm gonna get up thataways soon" when we actually make it up there.
. . .
Day prior to trip, he says "My Dad will be there, not me."
I finally get to the shithole of Mart with my friend (E of Wacko, a 2½ hour drive for me) where the truck is supposed to be @ his Dad's shop & find the truck has been stripped of all sorts of stuff - not a surprise, it's not mine anymore. What he did NOT tell me is the truck was now heavily overgrown in weeds & Dad says "Yeah, I told him to letcha know it was high in the brush. I cain't do nothin' 'bout that"
The front wheels were off (& maybe the back; couldn't see them), no reasonable way to drag the truck forward or even lift it so I have reasonable access to the step / Nerf bars or single swing out step, headlights & tail lights are gone, the brake controller is gone, the LED fogs are gone (& in a text he says "The foglights didn't work" to which I responded "They are / were Rigid - lifetime warranty & could have been repaired if that's true") & as much as I wanted to say it, I left out "hey, fucknut..."
All together, it's close to $ 1,000.00 in parts if full retail, not even including the labor.
Now, stay with me here - I'm already ahead of y'all that are saying "Shit, if you win he's probably judgment proof under generally being a deadbeat & shitty human. Isn't living in Mart penalty enough?"
From reading HF / Shaggy-B / Shaggy-H / Surly all these years, I'm thinking the 1st thing is make a roux.
1. Then: Send formal sounding text telling him my request for compensation or for the parts & that he @ least meet me in Temple (more than ½ on my end) to hand over the goodies or full $$ on material alone.
2. If I am ignored or maybe even get a "suck it" response, send strongly worded letter via certified mail (to the address where pops has his shitty workshop). Explain my request / demands & reasons why.
3. If fully ignored from there & having been returned a receipt of letter, file in JP Court.
4. ???
5. Profit.
...if Small claims, can I drag his ass down here to Hays County? Do I have to drive up there to visit with the fine officers of the court system in McClennan County? Because obviously I would much rather have the venue down here with me.
So, what sayeth thee, Opinionated Court of Shaggravation?