To the Volvo community:

I need some help in dealing with Volvowerks and I also want to warn anyone who is planning to do business with Volvowerks.

I signed a restoration contract with Volvowerks on July 16, 2004. The contract said that Volvowerks would purchase a P1800 E for me and restore it to like factory condition in approx. 120 days. By the time of the purchase of the car by Volvowerks, Volvowerks would give a clear title to me. They were very eager to get the contract signed and told me that they had just purchased an 1800 E (1972) in Texas, which they wanted to restore for me.

8 weeks, many phone calls from my side and many unfulfilled promises (about sending me details about the car, about sending me leather and paint samples etc.), I had a discussion with "Chris" and "Bob" about installing an audio system. They asked me to pay 1000 Dollars up front to buy the audio system without being able to tell me what they actually planned to buy. As a payment method they asked to transfer the money via Western Union to a private person named "Richard Lowe", because Volvowerks was "consolidating their bank accounts" and would not be able to receive money into a regular bank account for 4 weeks. By that time I got very nervous about their financial situation and therefore asked them to fax me the title of the car. What they faxed me was a "vehicle transfer and reassignement form" for a Volvo 1800 E from 1970 which they had purchased in California on June 6 2004. When I asked them were the title was, they told me that there was no title but that I would have to apply for a lost title. Not only were they presenting me a car that had nothing to do with the car we had talked about for 10 weeks, they also were not able to present any clear title to me!

That was my last phone conversation with them on September 2, 2004. Since then I have tried to reach them every day and left messages on their answering machine. They have not returned any of my calls and today I discovered that their phone is disconnected.

I am now assuming that they went bankrupt and I am trying to figure out, what to do to get the 7,300 Dollars back that I had already payed. Do you have any idea what to do, who to involve, or how to find out whether this company still exists?

I appreciate any lead! You can reach me at: Alibaba1973@gmx.de

Andre

To all customers of VolvoWerks:

I have been in contact with some of you regarding the situation with VolvoWerks, and I drove down to their shop in San Jose this morning.
The front door and front window had been boarded up with sheets of plywood, and a sign painted on the sheet covering the door said "Open from 10AM to 5PM".

It was ~10:10 when I arrived, and I didn't wait around. There was no one around to ask if they were still doing business, so I left the store.

But my assessment is that they may have disappeared, and with it, all the money that we have deposited for our restorations.

I think it may be time to begin to pursue legal action, but civil action may not be sufficient. Since Volvowerks accepted on the order of thousands of dollars from each individual customer, you would normally seek recourse in a small claims courts. But if the total of all of the money paid to Volvowerks amounts to tens of thousands, this may trigger some criminal threshold.

It may be prudent for all of us to pool our resources and go after Volvowerks together, as in a class action suit. Except the amount of money involved could result in the ability to pursue criminal procedings against them.
Also, I have read that Volvowerks was not a licensed company, which may mean they are also not incorporated. If they are not, then the individuals have no corporate shield, and are individually liable.

Those interested in at least start the process of engaging in a group effort to recover our money can contact me at my personal email address, lacerdad@sbcglobal.net

Dr Doom

Count me in. I am at jeff.longley@tristargroup.net. I have one heck of an incriminating file.

You need to contact the Better Business Bureau in the state they were operating in. Your local BBB can get you the number you need, I'm certain.
Also plan on contacting the state's Department of Consumer Protection or equivalent bureau of the state government. These folks would have info about the business's license, tax number, etc and may know whether there has in fact been a bankruptcy filing or other action against or by this company.

Don't assume the worst yet, but it does sound pretty dismal. Either way, there are appropriate small claims courts (your best bet I think) and higher civil courts if needed.

Good luck!
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 230K, 88 744GLE- 220K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 94 855GLT 189K

Andre and I have spoken already, but I have been working with Volvowerks as well since March of this year with no car or refund yet ( Bertone V8 project ). Alot of promises... none ever kept. I know that there are others that have been taken, including other members here. ( Some for engines or other stuff )

My e-mail is stevef@dfwaudi.com if anyone wants to contact me directly.

Steve