I've been very patient with the owner of CP-Performance, Derek Dawson. His shop is located in Columbia, Missouri. He used to be an ebay seller, and I purchased a third gen specific dual 3" exhaust from him, with some modifications specific to my car. I have a welder and would fit and finish the exhaust once I got it, but for the price I would have his shop do the majority of the work. I paid via paypal.

I gave him a lot of time to finish the exhaust because I'm patient and he stated he and his wife were having medical issues. I'm not in a big rush and the medical issues came first, so i gave him more time. In March 2006 paypal investigated Derek Dawson and rules in my favor, and refunded $91.82. He owes me $648.18. I'm sure his paypal account was split between many people because his ebay account as well as his wifes ebay account were closed.

He wont answer my calls at his shop, His home phone goes directly to machine, and my emails go unreplied to. In fact, his email address has changed 4 times since I started communicating with him.

Since stealing my money, he's had the audacity not only to buy a new project car, but also open a second shop in the Lake of the Ozarks for marine applications. If anyone in MO lives near this shop, avoid this crook like the plague.

Located in Columbia, MO
I-70 Millersburg Exit (137), South service road 1/2 mile west.
573-474-8500

Here's a link to a guy who got bent over by him on ebay, typical behavior for Derek: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533933

 

I got a reply from CP-performance this morning in email. He's under the impression that paypal has refunded all of my money when they shutdown his account. I can understand why he'd think that, because more than what he owed me was probably taken. If it was an honest mistake on his part and he makes it right I'll post an update. Attached is proof from my paypal resolution center of how much was paid and how much I got back from the dispute.

 

This guy sounds like a scam artist. Anytime some one starts bringing personal problems into business you know they are Fing with you. If he can't operate his business do to medical issuses he should refund your money right away. Also most scam artist dirt bag types are hard to contact, because they owe alot of people money. I say if he doesn't give your money back go down there in person, maybe bring some friends and make this guy feel real uncomfortable, I think he will pay then they like easy victims.

 

Or - just find out his home address, drive your F-Body up about 3:30 in the morning and REV it with no exhaust from the Cats back.

When he eventually comes out - tell him you want your damn money, or you'll come by every night, lol.

Heck if the cops get called, just file a theft complaint.

 

Yeah that's a long drive though, He's in Missouri and I'm in Florida. I may call the police, though, see if I can file a police report remotely for theft. I got a new email from him today stating his lawyer says hes not financially liable for my money since he filed bankruptcy in March or something. I was never offered any non-exempt property though to settle the debt and I don't know what chapter he filed under. Either way he knows he owes me, and he's morally responsible. I'm not a bank or credit union, I'm a mistreated customer.

 

Committ fraud and then declare bankrupcy, doesnt work that way. Ask for number of lawyer handling case, the lawyer is supposed to send you a letter in case you want to dispute in court. If you were not notified you are still owed the money. I think you maybe able to file at your local courthouse in small claims court. Alot of people think you have to file in there area, not always true. If you get a judgement, then call a collection agency near him. They normally get the 5% collection fee plus 10%. But you dont have to worry.

 

Yeah, I was just being funny there...

And that's right - money or no, it sounds like fraud to me. I'm just worried what 'business' he'll start up next.

I'm thinking 'fraud' because he obviously never intended to provide the parts. Meaning - if he has them in stock like he claimed on Ebay, he could have shipped them to you when he got payment. On the other hand - if he didn't have them in stock and said he did, and took your money anyway, that seems like fraud to me. Not sure a collection agency would approach him after a recent bankruptcy.

And whoah - wait a minute.. You bought it from his company? Did he or the business file bankruptcy? That may make a significant difference. They are two separate entities. If his business did - well the Ebay picture below shows *HE* sold it to you. If he personally filed, well then I'd approach this from the standpoint that the business ripped you off.... Something to check into, perhaps

I guess - it's a good dang reason to go with business that has been around for a while, but it's a shame - stuff like this makes it hard on newer legit guys who are just looking to do a fair business.


Good luck with it man

PS:

Oh and that web site seems to be up still.. Interesting... This guy, right? http://www.cp-performance.com/index.html

Did you try the local Better Business Bureau yet too? It can't possibly hurt... They can't really do anything, but a bad mark with the local BBB can mean lost customers.

 

Yes i already filed with BBB and the internet fraud center, but nothing came of either complaints. I told him I'd post this on a new automotve/marine performance web forum until I got money or $650 worth of sellable merchandise from him and he's starting to work with me. We'll seee what happens. I know a lot of forums.

 

Sounds to me like you got scammed by PayPal not so much by Cp Performance. We purchased a Mustang 4.6 PI intake from him and everything went smoothly, I'm sorry this transaction didn't. Sadly enough PayPal probably cashed in your money. They stole 560 dollars from my dad who never got it back. Hopefully he works this one out with you, but honestly when PayPal's involved the money never stacks right.

 

Paypal didn't jerk me around with an exhaust system that as 'almost done!' for 6 months but was probably never started, Paypal didn't give me constant excuses and delays, and they aren't trying to squirm out of a moral obligation to refund my money. My money left my bank account and was confirmed accepted into Derek's account. I don't care about Paypal, once Derek has my money, he needs to deliver, or refund. Period. Paypal is a non-issue. If Paypal stole Derek's account, money, or whatever it's not my problem. Derek's account wasn't closed for 7 months after the transaction took place. My $740 was in Derek's possesion for 7 months before he has Paypal problems.

 

That would make sense then, yeah Derek owes you a refund.