Hero Restoration

On 7/14/2023 at 11:14 PM, Poka said:

Don’t think it it physical work - think more to do with having to work long hours after most employees left/let go in order to keep up combined with the emotional stress when one sees which way the business is going, not able to pay bills, see one’s operation just crumble to pieces after spent so much time and effort to built it. That would be my guess 

In no specific order.  These three observations today are very much how I feel. Am I not in this for cash, it was the fame. The cash is in flipping books, but for me it was straight labor, and the plus or minuses that go with it. I put in the hours, but it wasn't enough, there was more missing.

All I wanted was time. I understand that that might be an unreasonable request considering how much time is already gone by, but I wanted nothing more. I didn't go into this for cash, it's needed, but my drive was the work. I saw an opportunity to build something, and I took a chance.

On 7/14/2023 at 7:52 PM, Dr. Balls said:

Gustave Dore's (the engraver) work was so in demand in the 19th century, in order for him to keep up with demand and produce artwork on time, he had employed 40 different artists to create a production line to pump out his engravings - and he oversaw the entire process as to never sacrifice the quality of his work.

That was a time where people's vocation was important to them, and they took pride in what they produced. Things are very different in 2023, and people even more so - like you had said. If you are going to create an assembly line of restoration experts (which I also think is a good idea), you probably have to have everything on-site and constantly overseen. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but finding the people who are passionate enough about it, happy with the pay and the personal satisfaction of working all the time makes that pretty challenging. The unfortunate part is that the theory of the assembly line process seems to have been executed using other people's money and books. Despite Wall Street doing shenanigans like this, for the small guy - I think it might be a little harder to do.

Dr Balls, I remember when you first showed up on the boards. Love 💕 hate would be my description. You can be so insightful, and other times, well......

Yes, I had a dream, and it turned into a nightmare. NJ was a mistake, and on part because it was my creation. Once I made the choice, the rest was doomed based on the person making that choice. Not a day goes by I don't regret staying the small guy on the wrong side of the continent. My inability or motivation to be there in New Jersey on hand, day to day was clearly a mistake. Even if I had, it still could have been a mistake. Once New Jersey opened, and it was a mistake, then every decision I made after that couldn't be right because it was based on a mistake.

Please Believe me when I say I'm regretting that now. I feel like the hulk with his name on top of his back crushing him, the responsibility overwhelming, the weight of it all more than I can bear. I've tried everything I can think of, but no one really seems to care. That's business, and I get that. I am trying to salvage what is left, but this thread has more of a negative impact than I think anyone realizes.  I'm not talking about for me. We're way beyond that, it's a miracle that my artery hasn't constricted enough that I'm just dead. That's just life, and in fact that was one of my hopes of building a larger company, so one person dying didn't mean the end of a business.

I'm talking about the customers, the collectors, the people that have had books since they were a kid. They are in a panic, not because I'm slow, but because others created animosity to the point they think they have something to worry about. Do they have to worry about getting their books back? No.! Do they have to worry about me moving at the speed of molasses, yes. That is my hole, I have way more books than I should for one person, I move way slower than I should for one person, and I made all the wrong decisions along the way. Decisions so now that I've got this endless boxes of books, all the while still having to do the day-to-day to make sure the wheels keep turning.

There is no help that doesn't costs money, and I didn't manage the money well enough. I was hoping for Henry Ford Restoration dream, and I dreamed too hard and too fast. All I want now is time to get things right, but it's not working out that way. Whether it's inflation, bad economy, getting screwed by others, or just plan out frustration, I picked the wrong time to get stuck behind and be by myself. I had a chance to make a difference and I blew it. 

Now I have no choice but to resign from CGC as a dealer, and facilitator. Due to time, I am forced into a corner, if I had more time I could do more, but I can't expect more time from others.

So it is with great sadness, that the end of Hero Restoration is coming. While I understand the concern, I have every reason to return everyone's books, and no incentive to keep them, having wealth that doesn't belong to me was never a thought. I am still pressing daily, but I don't know why.

To use the play on words to indicate I am not trying is otherwise unfair.

Understanding is not a requisite for cooperation, but it's being required of me nonetheless

. Whether I'm too slow, I don't have it together enough to be productive, is irrelevant. My intention is always been steady, it has always been about the customer, and I will do everything I can to do what I need to do. It is very unusual and unexpected to be asked to just stop and return and not finish. I never wanted to let a book go out the door not it's best, and as part of the reason why I have had books too long.

All I ask for is what for most don't want to give; more time. More trust, more confidence, but that has changed overnight.

To think that I just will keep the books to myself seems absurd to me. I didn't draw attention to myself for that reason, I just wanted to be known for caring about the hobby, and trying to do something that was available to everyone, and almost every book.

I either dreamed and unreasonable dream, or I just did it completely wrong. I have no idea which it is, or a combination of the two, but I will not try again. If I can do this as a hobby, I'll be happy. As a business, I have no business doing it.

While I haven't actually announced it yet, There's no way I can be a CGC dealer and facilitator, but my reasons I will keep to myself.

It wasn't supposed to be the Dealers job to figure out the grade of a book. I feel the dealer should get rewarded for the sales, not overburdened with expenses and lack of support. Everything's changed since 2009, I almost feel like a dinosaur already.

When I once revelled in the satisfaction of others increasing their value of their books, now all I see is the machine turning, and the disappointment when it doesn't. I had hoped to create a team so efficient that even the most complicated work could cost less, but I was foolish. Too much time to train, too much risk that it will not pan out long term.

I am doing everything I can for those who are willing to wait, to fulfill my responsibility. I can't help those who rush to change plans, make demands, and disregard the terms for no reason other than it being a small company. Not different terms, not unusual or new, just terms just in case. I could not find the solution. I cannot comply with what is expected , and do not have the resources for such an event of mass requests.

Those demands along with the destructive terminology used in social media has forced Hero Restoration into irreversible insolvency. I'm not saying it wasn't headed that way anyways, but if there was any chance of saving it, it's now over based on social media.

I blame everybody, and nobody at the same time. All I had to do was stay under a rock and I would be fine. I thought I could be the next Bill Sorell, but instead I'm just being matched up with con artist and scammers. It's a nightmare. I won't have to worry about retrying again,as I am a senior and this was my one shot.

My time is limited and........ I just want to enjoy life while I can.

I am sorry, I never wanted the clients to be involved in any way with the risk of being in business. It is with absolute despair and sadness, that Hero Restoration LLC will have to file chapter 7, if only to prove that the right thing is being done to the end. A trustee can take care of this now, see that those who are not whole made whole if possible. It is out of my control, the choice has been taken away from me now. The process has began to take form.

The panic that this thread has caused has created an avalanche of request that I cannot comply with. Everyone wants to be first, and that's more than just a couple of dozen. I know it seems simple, and maybe it is. It is not simple for me, I am going as fast as I can, and working as hard as I can. After 9 months of 7 days a week, 16 hour days and 2 heart attacks, I don't have it in me anymore, especially by myself., Down time is literally essential.

If I don't have down time, then I'm just plain down. I don't mean to make anyone wait any longer than they have to, it troubles me every day. I could probably do better if I was all knowing, but I am not so I do the best I can.

I really don't have much more to say, and I'm really not interested in negative comments. The filing will make sure everyone's books are returned, and that due process is being done. That is my only motivation for filing, otherwise I accept the consequences of the  ending. I struggled to say goodbye to the hobby, there are people who still believe in me and still want me to finish the work I started or was going to start. For those people who are willing to wait, I will continue the work, but I do not expect it to be a full-time endeavor.

Maybe it was never meant to be that way, maybe I was trying to build something that could not be built. Maybe I just was the wrong person to try to build it, but if you don't try you never know, nand now I do. 😔

On 7/14/2023 at 9:36 AM, Tec-Tac-Toe said:

Are scans of the raw comic books in question available pre- and post-HR?

Edit: I had missed the post where HR said that although he has photos of the comic books when submitted he will not show (Edit 2) them to not waste time.

Thus, my inquiry is squished.

Besides, if you can beleive after all I have dedicated to preserving books, left one order in the rain for 6 months, than beating a dead horse, I am.

On 7/14/2023 at 9:36 AM, Tec-Tac-Toe said:

Are scans of the raw comic books in question available pre- and post-HR?

Edit: I had missed the post where HR said that although he has photos of the comic books when submitted he will not show (Edit 2) them to not waste time.

Thus, my inquiry is squished.

I can't get into that account right now, Lee had access to most of that then. But, once you think I am a liar, the pictures will only cause a change in attack, so why waste my time?

On 7/14/2023 at 9:26 AM, skypinkblu said:

I asked before, how long you had his books?

I don't know, Jaclyn kept track of that.

On 7/14/2023 at 9:20 AM, wiparker824 said:

Okay, so did you also send him his money back since you’re admitting to not performing the service he paid for? Or did you just use it to buy more baby chickens?

More chickens.

On 7/14/2023 at 8:51 AM, Steven Valdez said:

Yes, and I'm in no hurry to make your acquaintance.

And for that sir, I am thankful.

On 7/14/2023 at 8:56 AM, wolvie said:

I could continue ....forever , but this dead horse is beat 

Based on the daily neurotic emails to the office manager and I, I doubt you will not continue.

On 7/14/2023 at 8:51 AM, Steven Valdez said:

Right, because nothing is your fault -- not ever.

I never said that, and plenty of the opposite.

On 7/13/2023 at 10:46 PM, wolvie said:

I agree ,  nothing was done, they were left to gather moisture, flop around wherever , ...

and possibly out of spite , and my constant emails .....intentional or just outright negligent ? ....I'll hope the latter .

In hindsight, I wish.

On 7/13/2023 at 10:42 PM, Black_Adam said:

I don't think any work was done and, based on the owner of the comics' post and the graders notes, one could even suspect the comics had been intentionally damaged before submission to CGC.

When books come that fluct up, the other techs don't touch them. They were waiting for me, and he made his choice, not I.

Just for those that are wondering. Again, Too be VERY clear, I never wanted my personal health to be know, so this isn't me looking for excuses. I am just tired of hearing  "supposedly", or "Allegedly". 

*1. in·farct

*2 is·che·mi·a

an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.

 

*3 What causes peri infarct ischemia?

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. Blood clot. The plaques that develop in atherosclerosis can rupture, causing a blood clot. The clot might block an artery and lead to sudden, severe myocardial ischemia, resulting in a heart attack.

 

This is why a stent won't work, and I need to clock out for a bypass.

 

On 6/30/2023 at 7:22 AM, Cat said:

What are they doing if so many books are reverting after the first attempted pressing? 

First, customer service answering the call is communicating a general message, without first hand knowledge about pressing. Some books are prone to this affect due to the type of paper. The other issue is because of our examples, it easy to assume those results can be achieved on all types of paper, with same reaction. We usually don't receive 9.4's with one finger dent. We get 8.0's, with the expectation of 9.6. Heavy creasing can come out, revert, and repeat, but that is because it's not about just improving the book, it's about it defect being gone. Modern black covers especially behave this way.

On 6/30/2023 at 7:19 AM, brute_nm said:

I am also in this boat.  I have 2x outstanding invoices with Hero for pressing/cleaning/submit to CGC.  One invoice is from Sept 2022 (40 weeks) and the other is from Nov 2022 (33 weeks).

• ASM 41
• Action 276
• FF 39
• New Gods 1

I reached out in Feb 2023 for refund (and request my books back) and Jaclyn gave me the standard "terms and conditions" response

@Hero Restoration, are you able to locate these books and return them to me please?  At this point, I am willing to eat the cost for cleaning/pressing/grading that I've already paid you (i.e., I'm not asking for refund) - I just want the books back.  These were HRC Invoice # 3223 and 3311 if that helps at all.

Been in contact since 11 this morning, and we got this covered.

Derek's a nice guy, and has been very understanding and supportive. Except for days when I receive over 20 emails, it is usually the easiest way to reach me.

I also altered the phone system to get in touch with me as well.

On 6/24/2023 at 3:33 PM, quicksilver said:

So finish the Tec # 29, and send it out with the Actions 40 hours or so in…I can live with that.

You should email me so we can iron out the details.

On 6/24/2023 at 2:02 PM, wombat said:

You invest profits back in to your business. You invest personal funds. You find investors. Or do what you did. You used all the money customers sent you to expand. And here you are. If that were not true you would at least be able to offer substantial refunds to every customer. 

Disagree, you're only considering a fraction of a variable, in a group of several variables. 

On 6/24/2023 at 8:56 PM, ttfitz said:

To be perfectly frank, while there were jokes that Microchip was you on a second account, I would say it seems like two different people posting under the Hero Restoration name. Half of your responses have me say, "This guy has had it rough, but he seems to see what he's been doing wrong, I hope he manages to get it together" and half have me thinking, "Wow, this guy is a complete @ss."

You would do well to try and expand on the former and shrink dramatically on the latter.

I don't know who microchip is. It's not me, but be or have been a client, or has been in my shoes. 

If I had a shill, you would know it. It's not like my alter ego is going to do a better job at this. Lol I can never say the right thing no matter what my screen name is

On 6/24/2023 at 1:49 PM, wombat said:

And this right here is why the pitchforks are out. You took the money and used it for something else. And now you can't get it back. And you think you are the victim and everyone else is a wolf. How dare people not fund your delusional business aspirations. 

Okay, it seems as though your post have no interest in being constructive. The funds went exactly toward to completion of the work. In hindsight,what I probably should have done is hired a CEO, and then just done all the restoration myself. In all honesty, that's the only way I can even break even based on how much I charge versus how long it takes me to do the book. It takes me too long to do the book, because to get the results in every task takes me longer than someone who is qualified for very specific skill. My methods didn't work, obviously, but my intentions were to get work done faster, and cost less to do. Training. Training labor has to come from somewhere, it's not free anymore these days.

On 6/24/2023 at 12:41 PM, ttfitz said:

I think if you read thru this thread carefully, you'd find that there were people supporting you and giving you the benefit of the doubt who changed their minds after some of your attacks against people who had 5-figure books with you and had paid thousands for work that hadn't been done for multiple years, along with your "sure you can have your books back but NO REFUNDS". The attitude you have adopted here has not helped your case, particularly the refund stance. I get that you can't afford to pay everyone back right on the spot, but if you were really concerned with your reputation you would have expressed some attempt to make things right at some point.

I have, to cover all the different types of responses to my attempts is another long post. Please don't assume that just because I have a fail safe setup that that's my default. 

On 6/24/2023 at 9:45 AM, NP_Gresham said:

Yes for $3.2 K and years of my time, I get no communication for years, my book cracked out of the slab and maybe just maybe….

I get my book back.

I hope that UPS ground didn’t set you back too much

Is it wishful thinking to think the label might be included?

Yes, money well spent, sorry for YOUR inconvenience

Label is included. If I regain control, I should have only the amount of work I can handle. I have made changes already , but it was too late for the older clients.and trust. I'm still willing to do your book. Or find some other way to make it right.

About 3 years ago, I realized extensive page work on 64 pages was jamming me up. Not long after that, I stop accepting those, even partial page work. and cover work only. I kept making changes like that, but it was too late. The help I trained was expected to accelerate production of resto exponential failed, right when it was suppose to succeed.

Others have mentioned this, so I will say that I just had a dream. 

An entrepreneur, a title I probably don't deserve, has to take some risks. I figured no one had done this yet in comics, so why not try. I wanted to be the largest company is it's kind. 

Besides the obvious others have stated, only an optimist would think it was doable. 

Going from independent contractor to a small company required more of my time, and new challenged and responsibilities. The pressure for payroll along caused lost sleep.

Resto funds went to training help, that seemed the best way to catch up, while finding the right specialist for each task.

One person can do a pretty good job, but you can't be terrific at everything, and even if you are some of those tasks take much longer to do. I groomed a color touch artist that had the potential to be better than anyone has ever seen, but life changes and hers did and comic books just was not a priority for her anymore.

So if I could do it all over again would I just do it differently or not do it at all? I think it would be the latter, the expansion pushed me into a place of CEO, and I hated it. Seriously, it's like fight club, except I don't have the experience, or the demeanor. So it really only compounded my problem because I had to spend less time on restoration and more on management, constantly watching my back.

Then I had too many eggs in one basket, a lot was invested in training  the market was strong then. Then a series of bad luck, choices, and market change was too much.and then that's about the end of that story. Now I'm stuck in this hole the size of Crater lake, and I would drop dead from exhaustion before I could ever get it to be full again while doing know work to cover expenses. Then would companies can freeze your accounts on a whim, that's the final nail. Never again, it's just me, Barry, and maybe someone who can handle customer service.

One thing I never did was mix business and personal income. I took a normal check like everybody else, and many times I was not the highest paid person in the group. More  hours was a must, and if Hero couldn't afford it, I took less and leveraged cards.My life is very lean, so What I did earn  enough I was able to buy a few things, but when things got tough for the company I gave it all up. Not only did I sell my Harley to pay for company expenses, but I sold it at a 60% loss and it was. I mean I loved that Harley.

In the grand scope, possessions aren't important to me, and it's true I don't have any and neither does the business.

If you want to know where the money went, it all went right back in the business, my losses on 272 k was so high, I had to dumb it down.

It's it's a lean company now. Just enough to keep going so that I can at least finish what I started. There are days I think after I get my health together I can start again, and then there are days where I think it's hopeless and nobody will ever do business with me again. Oh no! This looks like it's too long It better not delete and disappear. Dang it.

On 6/24/2023 at 7:53 AM, jaybuck43 said:

O boy. I’m sure my generosity will only come back to bite me in the rear, but eh.

Heros, as a practicing attorney, i can tell you several things. 1) your understanding of libel is off by a country mile (this is coming from an attorney who has successfully won defamation cases as high as the state Supreme Court). 2) You are doing yourself no personal, legal, or health favors with your responses so far.

My guess is you’re overwhelmed and not thinking straight so let me help you out. Here should be your next steps. 1) publicly post you’re going to follow my plan. 2) begin organizing all of your current customers from first received to most recently received. 3) once you have all their information, start with the oldest and reach out to them. Be contrite, apologize for the delay, and give them the option. Give them a reasonable estimate of how long the work will take. Ask them “I can return your book(s) or it will take between 6-9 months for me to finish. Which would you prefer?” Tell them that you will wait 7 business days for a reply and if none is received you will return their books in whatever state they are currently in, including half finished. 4) If they tell you to wait, great. If they don’t respond or tell you to send back, pack them up and return them. Do this as quickly as possible. 5) Rinse and repeat until you’ve cleared out the backlog. 6) this process should take no more than a week. Use a master letter where you can just replace the name and estimate of time, it will make your life easier.

Given the value of books here, it’s starting to get into serious legal territory. Based on the values shown here and the length of time things have gone on, a competent attorney can easily Pierce the corporate veil. Not only that, there’s also the risk of criminal liability for theft by conversion (if a person makes a demand for their property back and you ignore or refuse to return it, it does rise to the level of theft). Even a low grade purple label AF 15 is several thousand dollars these days. Now multiply that by how many other books and you’re talking felony charges. In Oregon for example, the theft of something valued at $1,000 or more is a C level felony with consequences of up to $125,000 in financial penalties and or up to 5 years in prison. Each $1,000+ book would be its own charge.

Good luck with everything. People here have been extremely patient and supportive and I would hope you appreciate that.

Thanks for the advice. I was planning something similar. One mistake I have been making is trying too get work done first, then ship. 

I am concerned based on past experience that those who will wait will want a time estimate, or put a cap on it. That would be okay, but I am in a very big hole as a result of the downsizing, and not much revenue. Any date I offer is sure to be wrong, and my current reputation is in that state. That's just pressing, the restores are to big to estimate accurately. 

I had a volunteer last weekend help with shipping, and he may help this week too. I don't feel good about free help, especially if they are busy too, but I humbly appreciate it.

Your plan requires more work than I can do quick enough, but hopefully in time to prevent the other issue you mentioned. I don't want to be know for that.

Hard for me to see the support, but I think that's just a result of what I have been going through. At this point, I expect more punches than hand shakes.

To be clear, I am not trying to keep anyone's book from them. Quick silvers books are disassembled, and with little space, I wanted to wait till I could box those up safely, and account for everything. 

I do get off course easily, I really don't like talking about it, for me, conditions like ADHD are very private info. It doesn't take much, and I always have to many projects started at once.

I would very much like  to continue my work, I was hoping to do it until I due, as retiring did an unlikely future option.

It's likely I am stepping down as a dealer and facilitator, really tired of doing large figures with a company that acts like they do.

For the record, I am so close to done on QS 29, it eats away at my soul.

The actions are still ugly, but I have over 40 hrs on each of those so far. Hard to quit on books you are in the middle of, very hard.

On 6/24/2023 at 12:41 AM, DougC said:

 

Although contrite this probably took a lot of effort if not resolve and is actually a good step to moving forward. The next step I would assume is a blanket email to all customers asking directly if they want their books returned (without refund) or to continue being "worked" on. Once all books have been returned to those that have requested it, work can continue on those that decided to stay.

I am serious when I say the above statement probably took a lot, given your previous statements.

Edit: never mind, I retract the above; you are not the victim in this that has come to terms with bad decisions, you are the perpetrator that has preyed on people and refuse to understand why they are finally fighting back.

See, all it took was one response, and you switched back to the other side before I realized my knee jerk reaction, and could delete it  Oh well.

I never insisted I was the victim, although it does feel like that at  times, but I believe the real victims are clients that have to suffer because I am under attack.  The attacks against me over time have made me cynical, I see that now. I think it's just time to call it, and fold. The clients that are already aware, and willing to stick it out will get their work done eventually. Only thing I can do for everyone else is a professional wind down, and wind up. I will let the attorneys take it from here.

On 6/24/2023 at 12:41 AM, DougC said:

 

Although contrite this probably took a lot of effort if not resolve and is actually a good step to moving forward. The next step I would assume is a blanket email to all customers asking directly if they want their books returned (without refund) or to continue being "worked" on. Once all books have been returned to those that have requested it, work can continue on those that decided to stay.

I am serious when I say the above statement probably took a lot, given your previous statements.

Yep that just about covers it. Goodbye everyone. It's likely my exile will be complete by Monday.

On 6/24/2023 at 12:16 AM, DougC said:

Posted below is something that was brought up privately as well as being discussed on another forum. Take all of this with an iceberg of salt as I do not know the exact time frames but please verify with the wayback machine a snapshot of the Terms and Conditions that customers potentially agreed to when attempting to purchase service:

These are specific from the website on 9/28/2020

These are pretty cut/paste boiler plate and do not change really for the next couple of years, there is a minor graphical change as the website was updated.

The major change occurred on 03/28/203 were we see the "current" NO REFUNDS SUCKA! terms and conditions. This is also the exact same date that the new authorized representative (changed from Mike in 11/22) filed the paperwork for dissolution: Business Entity Filing Records - 113157499.

Changing T&S then trying to hold customers hostage under the new terms isn't legal, but we all know by now that they money is long gone.

Here are some meme's..

 

Gosh, you really are a giant . Seriously, as a paralegal you must have worked for a civil attorney. Those working both side jerks rip you off and give you nothing, but more headaches.

Whatever it is you're trying to point out is moot. Nobody has respect for terms, contracts,or  reading them first. Doesn't matter if they've changed over time, if you don't respect it them you don't respect it and the only way you do is if it's a company that can enforce it. So it really doesn't matter what the term say, apparently you can cancel a purchase at any time, for any reason and expect a full refund and in a timely manner. And at the other party doesn't comply. Then you just find a workaround like a charge back right? Take the law on your own hands. Isn't that what you're doing now? The terms and agreement was never meant to be a hard stand. All I did was try to take the experience and knowledge from bigger and older companies. Who've gone through it already and prepare myself just in case. It doesn't matter in the end, nobody reads them. Nobody respects them. You've already proven as a retired paralegal, the law doesn't matter to you, only how you can get around it, right?  You think I just come up with these terms out of thin air? Where is the real smoking gun? That question of course was rhetorical, as I am pretty sure you do not care about trying to fry a fish bigger than yourself. Kudos to you for picking on the little guy. 👍

I made mistakes, and I am very sorry. I tried to build a company that could run without me, so that these concerns wouldn't continue to come up and cause the concern it is causing now. It was selfish of me wanting to build something big enough that I could be remembered after. I'm gone for doing something good. I realize that now. Dust in the wind, that's what I should have been happy with.