HERO RESTORATION - BOOKS NOT BEING RETURNED 20 20

[Black_Adam]

On 6/22/2023 at 10:44 AM, cbalroman said:

All this "pay total up front before any work is done" is crazy.  Reminds me of a story my mother in law told me.  She lives in the mountains and her neighborhood street is dirt.  She and her neighbors have an HOA that covers road maintance, mainly for snow plowing in the winter.  One summer the HOA decided it would be a good idea to have the street graveled and then sealed.  The crew that the HOA hired started the work of laying the gravel, and the HOA went ahead and paid the full invoice before the seal was put down.  Needless to say the crew "disappeared" after the check cleared and all that loose gravel they put down eventually washed away.  

Any contractor asking for full payment before any work is done is telegraphing they have problems with cash flow, which is a huge red flag that this is not a contractor you want to do business with.   

[FlyingDonut]

On 6/21/2023 at 10:32 AM, Steviehuv66 said:

I received my FF #5 back from Heroes Restoration yesterday after requesting the book to be returned since the end of April.

I purchased the book raw in 2015 at the NYC Big Apple Con.  The book has trim on the upper left corner which was fully disclosed to me when I purchased it.  I had the book graded by CGC and it came back in a purple label 5.5 with the only restoration being the trimmed corner.
 

In May 2022, I mailed the book to Mike at Heroes Restoration after discussing the potential of raising the grade after a he performed a full restoration to the book.  I had used Heroes Restoration twice before and found them to be professional. I paid 2k for the services upfront as is required by Heroes. 

In 2023, after reading and hearing about Mikes health issues and the financial downturn of his company,  I asked for the book and a refund to be made to me. He had not yet cracked the holder to work on the book.

I was told getting the book returned and a refund are two different matters. He referred me to the Terms of Agreement concerning a refund. 
 

I have not received a refund but I am happy to have the book back.

So you're not getting your $2K back?

Not entirely sure that stealing $2K of a customer's money because you haven't started working on a project after 16 months is the greatest marketing/new business effort for a struggling small firm. Not for nothing, but people on this board are extremely influential in the very small world of high end comic book restoration. I'm quite sure that no one here is going to use Hero Restoration's services ever again, and if asked, I will be saying "hey, don't use these guys."

[Flanders82]

On 6/22/2023 at 1:25 PM, FlyingDonut said:

I'm quite sure that no one here is going to use Hero Restoration's services ever again, and if asked, I will be saying "hey, don't use these guys."

Maybe someone should send a memo to ComicTom, since he's promoted their services multiple times in the past. It might be time for him to make another video cautioning his viewers about this business.

Edited June 22, 2023 by Flanders82

[Steviehuv66]

On 6/22/2023 at 4:25 PM, FlyingDonut said:

So you're not getting your $2K back?

Not entirely sure that stealing $2K of a customer's money because you haven't started working on a project after 16 months is the greatest marketing/new business effort for a struggling small firm. Not for nothing, but people on this board are extremely influential in the very small world of high end comic book restoration. I'm quite sure that no one here is going to use Hero Restoration's services ever again, and if asked, I will be saying "hey, don't use these guys."

Thanks for your comment.  I’ve asked this guy several times to refund me along with the book being returned.  He’s a bit of a wise guy telling me to check the Terms of Agreement.  It’s very unprofessional to say the least.  I’m not happy about it but I’m not sure how to proceed with recouping my 2k.  Advice is welcomed!

[Dr. Balls]

On 6/22/2023 at 3:12 PM, Steviehuv66 said:

Thanks for your comment.  I’ve asked this guy several times to refund me along with the book being returned.  He’s a bit of a wise guy telling me to check the Terms of Agreement.  It’s very unprofessional to say the least.  I’m not happy about it but I’m not sure how to proceed with recouping my 2k.  Advice is welcomed!

I’m not a lawyer, but in my personal experience (1st and 2nd hand) the amount of absorbing $2k will be less than the time and money (time being the operative word here) spent trying to collect it.

[Gaard]

Yeah, but if he wins...

 

[BlowUpTheMoon]

On 6/22/2023 at 4:39 PM, Flanders82 said:

Maybe someone should send a memo to ComicTom, since he's promoted their services multiple times in the past. It might be time for him to make another video cautioning his viewers about this business.

Go for it!   Take the ball and run with it. 

[FlyingDonut]

On 6/22/2023 at 5:15 PM, Dr. Balls said:

I’m not a lawyer, but in my personal experience (1st and 2nd hand) the amount of absorbing $2k will be less than the time and money (time being the operative word here) spent trying to collect it.

The amount of paying OUT $2K will be less than the business lost in keeping it.

[Dr. Balls]

On 6/22/2023 at 3:43 PM, FlyingDonut said:

The amount of paying OUT $2K will be less than the business lost in keeping it.

Oh man, you are not kidding about that.

[CAHokie]

You guys have been so nice about this, especially if he is getting snarky about having your money and expensive books. Are people just afraid to confront him because he has threatened to put their book at the back? 

Has anyone at least consulted an attorney?

Has anyone contacted consumer protection with the Attorney General of the state the business is in? 
 

 

[rumrunner71]

On 6/22/2023 at 5:43 PM, FlyingDonut said:

The amount of paying OUT $2K will be less than the business lost in keeping it.

Pretty sure that business is lost already, regardless of the 2k

[CAHokie]

@Hero Restoration Did you ship NP’s book back on Tuesday?

[badback83]

On 6/22/2023 at 6:20 PM, CAHokie said:

@Hero Restoration Did you ship NP’s book back on Tuesday?

I’m sure we both know the answer to that question.

[ExNihilo]

On 6/22/2023 at 3:33 PM, DocHoppus182 said:

I’m sure we both know the answer to that question.

Probably the 2nd quickest business to torpedo their reputation this week only after OceanGate.

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by ExNihilo

[Dr. Balls]

On 6/22/2023 at 4:39 PM, ExNihilo said:

Probably the 2nd quickest business to torpedo their reputation this week only after OceanGate.

 

Too soon! Too soon!

[Timmay]

On 6/22/2023 at 5:12 PM, Steviehuv66 said:

Thanks for your comment.  I’ve asked this guy several times to refund me along with the book being returned.  He’s a bit of a wise guy telling me to check the Terms of Agreement.  It’s very unprofessional to say the least.  I’m not happy about it but I’m not sure how to proceed with recouping my 2k.  Advice is welcomed!

Road trip 

[Bird]

On 6/22/2023 at 7:01 PM, Timmay said:

Road trip 

yes, getting in a car would be an option...I am not a tough guy and not suggesting getting physical but the personal touch may be required

Edited June 22, 2023 by Bird

[Lightning55]

On 6/22/2023 at 4:16 PM, Black_Adam said:

Any contractor asking for full payment before any work is done is telegraphing they have problems with cash flow, which is a huge red flag that this is not a contractor you want to do business with.   

Doesn't CGC require full payment up front? We should avoid them?

[badback83]

This guy sucks, that’s a nice way of putting it.

[wombat]

On 6/22/2023 at 7:53 PM, Lightning55 said:

Doesn't CGC require full payment up front? We should avoid them?

There are.................................similarities.