RIP OFF: Strelka Built Performance Products

[BlueDragon]

This is not a thread to complain or run someone down... however, I "purchased" a set of custom valve covers from Mark Strelka of Strelka Built Performance Products.

3,4,5 months went by and no valve covers. I called left a message... no answer, no reply. 6 months go by... I email. AGAIN, no answer. Next step was to leave a threatening email (The man had over $400 of my money). Finally I got a reply.

He stated that he had been down on his luck and his wife had been ill. Now, I am a hard working man who works hard for his money. However broke I was, I am a Christian man as well... and he told me he could pay me back in another month. I regret agreeing.

It's been over 2 years and NO VALVE COVERS and NO MONEY. He has completely ignored my emails and phone messages.

Like I said this is not meant to be a complaint or run down his business....(maybe just a little... like I said I am out $400). I am just checking to see if anyone else has done business with this man or been treated this way?

If so, I highly recommend NOT doing business with him.

[Lowend]

Charge-back the credit card??

[BlueDragon]

No he did not charge back the credit card.

[buickfunnycar.com]

No he did not charge back the credit card.

No...Brett's saying you should have called the CC company and had the charges reversed.

[BlueDragon]

Oh.. yeah. I guess I didn't think of that.

It's 2 years later... is that still possible?

[BlueDragon]

Actually, I guess I didn't know you could even do that. Don't use Credit Cards that often.

I would be very interested in knowing if I can still do that?

[LateNight72]

I do not believe so. I think for most it's 45 day limit..

[wmhjr]

Sorry to say, but you're not the first person complaining about Strelka. On some Pontiac boards, it's come up a bunch of times.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Sorry to say, but you're not the first person complaining about Strelka. On some Pontiac boards, it's come up a bunch of times.

website for this bozo...?

[BlueDragon]

Here you go:

http://www.strelkabuilt.com/

[68Formula]

Since he's using Arnie's name as an endorsement, I'd recommend contacting him so he can disassociate himself. With any luck, maybe that will get Strelka's attention.

http://www.arniebeswick.com/

[BlueDragon]

Great idea... and I did just that. THANKS!

[buickfunnycar.com]

Here you go:

http://www.strelkabuilt.com/

link doesn't work for me...at least here at work.

[wmhjr]

It was live yesterday. I wonder if the message to Arnie got him to force the site down until references to Arnie are removed?

[6'9"Witha69]

Still up, still shows Arnie.

[derekf]

Wierd - both here and at work, the page is not found (error 404).

[wmhjr]

It's dead here also. And it's dead via Verizon wireless (cellular). Are you sure you don't have it cached?

[bigvegan]

Stick a fork in it, it's done.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Check in over at performance years. There are a few folks there in the same boat. But, slowly but surely they are getting their covers. I got a pair from him when he first started out. Very nice work. He's a nice guy just got over welmed withthe response for his product then had some personal/family issues. But some have been getting theirs.

[wmhjr]

Check in over at performance years. There are a few folks there in the same boat. But, slowly but surely they are getting their covers. I got a pair from him when he first started out. Very nice work. He's a nice guy just got over welmed withthe response for his product then had some personal/family issues. But some have been getting theirs.

I've heard he's a nice guy too, but the length of time his "personal issues" have gone on can't be excused. During that time, he took new orders but still didn't fill old orders. It's unfortunate because I understand some of his stuff was good, but his reputation was tarnished forever.

[68Formula]

Here you go:

http://www.strelkabuilt.com/

Interesting... worked yesterday, not today.

[6'9"Witha69]

Are you sure you don't have it cached?
Must have. Cleared it out and now I'm 404 too.

[brans72]

404 here also.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I've heard he's a nice guy too, but the length of time his "personal issues" have gone on can't be excused. During that time, he took new orders but still didn't fill old orders. It's unfortunate because I understand some of his stuff was good, but his reputation was tarnished forever.


I agree. And it's a shame. He did make some nice covers. Here are t he ones he did for me.

[Josh69]

I was close to ordering a set from him, but got the same run-around trying to get ahold of him then got the same story when I did. Glad I held off, I feel your pain....seems to go with the territory when building a hot rod.

[Lowend]

Yep - website is gone.
It's worth trying to chargeback

[ZZ430]

60 days is about it for a charge-back.

:machine:

[BlueDragon]

Thanks guys for all the advice and help. I did send Arnie a personal message that day... apparently it worked. I haven't heard a word from anyone about getting my money back but it's good to know he won't be ripping anyone else off.

[Roadrage David]

Get them from http://www.tinindianperformance.com/ they make the best ones nearly a halve inch thick and with there rubber metal core gasgets they are the bisenis.....

[wmhjr]

Yup. I've got them on my build. They are really really nice, and you can get them in whatever height you need. They'll never ever leak or warp. Only three down sides. They aren't cheap, they aren't light, many spark plug wire looms won't fit, and they're a little bulky. But, I wouldn't trade them!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/29March2009GTO012-1.jpg

[6'9"Witha69]

only three down sides.
1.
they aren't cheap, 2.
they aren't light, 3.
many spark plug wire looms won't fit, 4.
and they're a little bulky.

Just giving ya a hard time!

[wmhjr]

Doh! Now I can't even count. It's gotta be my meds.

[Roadrage David]

these are mine:1st::smoke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkLQXSygmQM

[ADaughen]

I do not believe so. I think for most it's 45 day limit..

90 days tops on *most* credit cards to dispute charges. Charges being illegal/unauthorized charges, or item wasn't delivered, or that the item delivered wasn't what was ordered, etc.

If you are waiting on a custom part, you can state to your credit card company you pre-paid/ordered, with the expectation to get the product in X amount of time and it has not arrived. The CC company still has the option of denying the chargeback due to the amount of time, but you might have a chance, if the manager you talk to is sympathetic...:fingersx:

FWIW, they will ask you to resolve the situation with the manufacturer, which is when you explain they stalled for XX months when you could have exercised your right to do a chargeback.


I used to work for a large CC company back in college...

Good luck.

[CliffS]

Check in over at performance years. There are a few folks there in the same boat. But, slowly but surely they are getting their covers. I got a pair from him when he first started out. Very nice work. He's a nice guy just got over welmed withthe response for his product then had some personal/family issues. But some have been getting theirs.

I also got a pair when he first started out, nice job. Paid through Paypal back then. But two years is way too long. Any luck on the Performance years board?

[79PonchoUK]

I think taking your money for 2 years makes you well within your rights to make this a complaint.

It's a shame this happens so often - as a business owner myself i could never rip anyone off, not everybody carries such a concience or the guilt emotion though.

Good luck with it.

[funbnme]

How about trying to call the local police in his area? At least to get details on how to file charges for theft. No bones about it...he stole your money. The credit card company route most likely won't work...it's way too long.

Try to put together a list of people that he hasn't delivered products too. If a bunch of people call at the same time, that should get his (and the local authorities) attention. Make sure you have some type of documentation that you paid for the items and any emails you sent or that he replied to.

I wouldn't take it lying down. Try to make his life hard until he either delivers your product or gives you back the money.

[PT_79_TA_461]

wow, so im not the only one he screwed over. i put in an order in 07 and iv been geting the same story as all you guys. August 2010 now and i got a phone call from him on the machine. wonder what he wants. ill keep you all posted. maybe hes had a change of heart.....

[BonzoHansen]

I do not believe so. I think for most it's 45 day limit..

can't hurt to call & ask. product not delivered yet