Beware Mekanix Custom Works/Vert Outfitters/Clinton Wong Burnaby ,BC

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Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Threads
43
Messages
116
Location
Greensboro. GA
I know people hate posts that bash businesses so I will just share my experience so you can decide if you want risk doing business with this person. I was recommended to Clinton by a friend that has done business with him in the past. I ordered an intercooler and stainless exhaust from him last fall for my 91 HDJ80. Cost was almost $3000. I reached out to him over a month ago and asked for either a refund or to ship me the parts. He said no problem refunding the parts. It has been over a month - no refund, no parts and is ignoring my attempts to contact him. I have called, left messages, sent texts and emails weekly with no response. Being out $3000 is a lot of money! Unfortunately, living in the states my options for recourse appear to be limited.
 
For what it's worth, we seem to have a few internet schemers here. Not anywhere on the entire Mekanix site is there
any reference to a person. No one. No where. Same with Vert Outfitters. HUGE RED FLAG!!
If I was closer, and I'm on Vancouver Island it's too expensive to go there, I'd drive over for you and ask.
I think I saw someone in Burnaby with a old mine truck electrified? Is this the same outfit?

I gotta ask, looking at those prices what the hell made you even find let alone order from these guys??
The US is full of guys from this forum supplying anything you need, or was it the lure of saving $35% on the dollars?
 
It is the same guy that converted a land cruiser mine truck to electric. It was the lure of saving on exchange rate however that sure backfired. Actually talked to the guy several times on the phone including almost 6 weeks ago when he said he would refund the money. Then went dark on me
 
BTW, if you want SS exhaust and intercooler stuff look to Australia.
PDI makes the best intercoolers on the market, IMO.
Factory 4x4 Exhaust make full SS. I had to check and edit, prices are UP! Still doubt you could buy equivalent close to home.
I have their 3" exhaust dump, it's primo! I am lucky enough to be able to make my own, but couldn't have done it as well
without that dump. Mine's a 12HT but no matter.


 
I guess applying some pressure and making this public made a difference. Just received a refund 5 weeks after asking and never receiving a response from him
Glad to hear it. I’m certain he got wind of this from someone. Looks like I screwed up my links. Here
is the second one.

 
I've dealt with Vert Outfitters, this is a shady and dishonest operation. I've been waiting to see if other reviews have come up online, I knew there would be eventually; all the good reviews they have online are from their inner circle. I've created an account on this forum for the sole purpose of warning others, like all the people in this forum mentioned Vert Outfitters will rip you off and ghost you, only go to this shop if you want headaches, to lose money, and for your vehicle to not be repaired.
 
It is the same guy that converted a land cruiser mine truck to electric. It was the lure of saving on exchange rate however that sure backfired. Actually talked to the guy several times on the phone including almost 6 weeks ago when he said he would refund the money. Then went dark on me
Same here. They held my vehicle hostage for months. Would not refund me. Emails, calls, and in person visits changed nothing. Had to threaten legal action to get my vehicle back.
 
I was just made aware of this thread, and I have to say, Steve, that it's a sad state of affairs that you'd decide to put me on blast on every forum available, and refuse to accept any part of the blame for this situation at all.

So let's recap.

Our business was the victim of a significant fraud/ theft/ trust violation by our former service advisor, Troy, who was boldly stealing/ skimming deposits, payments and parts from the business to fuel his addictions.

During the time that Steve is refering to, we were right in the middle of all of this, and trying to get to the bottom of it.

I'd explained this to many, many people, customers and vendors alike and if I forgot to tell you the whole sorid story, then I apologize.

But let's be clear here.

You bought parts from me in the summer or perhaps earlier.

Through a mutual friend, they were going to be delivered to you in Colorado on his way back though town.

In the fall, many, many months after the initial purchase, you changed your mind on the whole thing and, as I was told, were going to sell your cruiser because you were worried about emission standards.

You then wanted a refund. Well past any reasonable refund time period.

As you were a friend of a friend, I agreed to refund your money once you decided what you were doing with the truck.

We spoke on it at least once or twice in the following months when you made the decision to not go ahead with the parts, but again, this was waaaayyyyyyyyyy after a regular 30 -90 day return window.

Then we had our situation above with Troy and came out of January in bad financial shape.

So with him gone, our bank accounts were unsiezed, and your money was returned.

And we ate the credit card transaction charges both ways. You may have lost a bit on exchange, but you got your money back.

And even through this all, you decide to go keyboard warrior and s*** on me.

I've been doing business in this field for nearly two decades and this is probably the first such post about me, and of course, on every forum.

The situation with Jordan is different.
To be clear as well; his vehicle was NEVER "hostage". I offered it back at any time; here's the keys. It was always here, always available for you to take. We were open every day 8-5.

Regrettably, Troy stole nearly $2000 from Jordan, which I, (Vert) ate and have to reconcile. I also let Jordan take his vehicle away, leaving the original, signed scope of work left unpaid. In all, we are out thousands on that job too. Lesson learned by us, and it's not Jordan's fault.

So tell me again who's the scammer? 20 years and one Troy and now suddenly I'm shady? Who is actually out money here? What's next? A full Doxing?

I/ we welcome any real, discussion that's not just piling on and name calling. If you don't like the prices on the website, then don't buy. Simple.

Thanks for listening.
 
Always 2 sides to every story, thanks for the clarifications. ATEB went through a very similar situation many years ago with their service advisor. He finally ended up in jail in Australia.
 
There usually are two sides to a story. Unfortunately, in this case the other side is not representing the facts accurately. Obvious that I am not the only customer he has done this to.

Here are the facts. I purchased the parts August 14th and made arrangements for a friend to bring the parts back with him which unfortunately didn’t happen. No decision was made to sell my Landcruiser until the very beginning of this year. I called Clinton January 6th and asked if he would consider refunding the parts. I had NO expectation that he would offer a refund and was expecting to arrange to have the parts shipped. He said he would refund the money and would send the money to me by the end of the week. The end of the week came and past with no refund.

We never once spoke after January 6th. That is the only conversation that I recall having with you since ordering the parts in August. After not receiving the refund as promised, I called several times, left messages and sent an email with no response. After over 4 weeks passed with no refund and NO communication from Clinton, I rightfully assumed that I was not getting a refund or the parts. I finally received a refund on February 11th a day after posting this. I have documentation to prove all of this and verify the dates. You may have issued a refund prior to the 11th, but I never saw it in my account until the 11th and had no idea a refund had been issued.

The bottom line is if you had made any effort to contact me directly and let me know what your intentions were and what was going on with your business, this all could have been avoided. There was no name calling by me – I am just telling the story straight. I am sorry you supposedly had an issue with an employee and theft but it doesn’t excuse the need to communicate and take care of your customers.
 

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