HERO RESTORATION - BOOKS NOT BEING RETURNED 20 20

[Poutine]

On 7/14/2023 at 4:33 PM, L'Angelo Misterioso said:

Turns out sucking your thumb and reading comics doesnt qualify as business expertise

Damn, guess I should try something else

[wolvie]

On 7/14/2023 at 3:02 PM, Lazyboy said:

So they weren't touched, but a split magically appeared that's his fault?

Did you see the pictures of his 11 short boxes, what they look like  .......yes , yes it happened there , they were fragile 

Edited July 14, 2023 by wolvie

[seanlinc]

Well this thread just reiterates that for once I made a good decision by deciding to learn how to press my own books. But also I'll add that though hero has certainly not presented himself very well in this conversation he did actually have a great idea by if I understand it right making book restoration into an assembly line type process. The problem seemed to be the human element of the equation and also the same thing I learned years ago when I went with a start up business, that you need money in the bank to be able to absorb whatever unforseen difficulties arise.

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/14/2023 at 5:35 PM, seanlinc said:

He did actually have a great idea by if I understand it right making book restoration into an assembly line type process. The problem seemed to be the human element of the equation

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.

[thehumantorch]

On 7/14/2023 at 11:39 AM, Steven Valdez said:

I was more surprised that a guy ironing comics in his garage would even have a COO who was a different person.

I think we should try to be fair about this. 

He is a skilled restoration expert with years of experience and I believe he spent a lot of money purchasing equipment and opening a second office.  He's not some fly by night scammer drawn in by easy profits. he's someone who wants to do this, paid his dues, and I believe had good intentions.  To me this situation is tragic on many levels.

[shadroch]

He had people working on both coasts, so he obviously wasn't supervising each aspect of every job.  It sounds like he ended up training his competition.

[bc]

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.

+1

But the implied upfront labor load is huge. You'd need significant capital funding to even think about venturing into this business model. It would be nearly impossible to self-fund this hobby-turned-business venture without compromising basic business ethics due to resource constraints.

-bc

 

[mattn792]

On 7/14/2023 at 7:02 PM, thehumantorch said:

I think we should try to be fair about this. 

He is a skilled restoration expert with years of experience and I believe he spent a lot of money purchasing equipment and opening a second office.  He's not some fly by night scammer drawn in by easy profits. he's someone who wants to do this, paid his dues, and I believe had good intentions.  To me this situation is tragic on many levels.

Make no mistake, he was drawn in by the fallacy of easy profits.

[Steven Valdez]

On 7/15/2023 at 7:23 AM, shadroch said:

 what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

What if it cripples you?

[Steven Valdez]

On 7/15/2023 at 8:47 AM, Dr. Balls said:

I'm not trying to be purposefully insensitive here, but what kind of strenuous physical work is involved in doing restoration on a comic book?

Those Giant-Size X-Men are pretty heavy.

[Poka]

On 7/15/2023 at 6:47 AM, Dr. Balls said:

I'm not trying to be purposefully insensitive here, but what kind of strenuous physical work is involved in doing restoration on a comic book?

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 

[wiparker824]

On 7/14/2023 at 3:47 PM, Dr. Balls said:

I'm not trying to be purposefully insensitive here, but what kind of strenuous physical work is involved in doing restoration on a comic book?

I don’t know but it definitely seems less strenuous than trying to maintain a chicken coop. 

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/14/2023 at 9:17 PM, wiparker824 said:

I don’t know but it definitely seems less strenuous than trying to maintain a chicken coop. 

My wife has chickens - it is 100% less strenuous than tending to chickens.

[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. 😔

 

 

[Tec-Tac-Toe]

On 7/15/2023 at 3:44 AM, Hero Restoration said:

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.

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. 😔

 

 

Mike, I'll just note, in a lighthearted manner despite the extremely serious nature of this issue, that NJ is never a mistake, at least for me, because I was raised there with incredibly loving parents that I love immensely and miss beyond all measure and an incredible older sister that I also love immensely.

[CGC Mike]

I have removed all of the latest posts that hinted around a physical confrontation.  If you quoted said posts, your post was removed as well.  It's one thing to randomly joke about Phil's parking lot once in a while.  This type of posting is listed #1 in the types of behaviors that will be moderated and we take this very serious, as it also  carries the strongest action regarding posting restrictions or a permanent ban if deemed serious enough.  Keep this in mind going forward.

There was 1 of those quotes in Mike's post which I have edited out, as his post contained no unacceptable comments, and was a very important one for this thread.

 

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/15/2023 at 1:44 AM, Hero Restoration said:

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. 😔

 

 

You're not wrong, Mike - I enjoy being positive and sharing thoughts. I enjoy doing some ribbing. And, at times, I can be judgmental. We're all human, and depending on what is going on in any particular day in our lives, people might be more humorous one day or more judgmental the next.

If I am quick to judge and someone refutes what I say, I'll be the first one to say I'm sorry or admit I was wrong right here in front of everyone - there are few things that I will relentlessly die on the hill of. That's who I am, and I probably have a few less friends because of it, but that's ok - because in an environment like what we have here on the Boards, I think it's important to just be who we are - this is a unique place compared to other hobby communities.

That was a wonderfully insightful post. I enjoyed reading it in the sense of it's reflection. I never choose to dislike someone who is honest in their discussions, even if it's a topic I disagree with. I'm going to wish you well at this point, I hope you find a way out of this stressful situation, and I hope everyone involved can work their way through everything that's happened.

Edited July 15, 2023 by Dr. Balls

[mattn792]

Just a brief recap of on of your many misdeeds @Hero Restoration - you openly admitted to doing no work on one customer’s books, sending them to CGC in less than ideal condition, and flippantly stated you spent his money on chickens instead of refunding him for work you didn’t perform.

Your tale of woe rings completely hollow.

[Nick Furious]

On 7/15/2023 at 2:44 AM, Hero Restoration said:

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.

The solution is so simple and always has been.  The money is spent and gone so it's not part of the equation.  Those demanding their books back should get them back.  In whatever condition or state of work they are in.  Those willing to stick it out in hopes of getting the work they paid for should have that option.  That's the two options available to you that you can offer your customers.  It's really pretty simple, no need to make it all complex and convoluted.  Your backlog of work will drop significantly just by sending books back to those who chose that option.  Just give people the choice and quit trying to make the choice for them.  

Edited July 15, 2023 by Nick Furious

[shadroch]

Nowhere in your tale of woe did I notice an apology. Not for the people whose books you still have, nor for all the money you took and spent without doing the service you agreed to. Any sliver of sympathy I might have felt evaporated with your nasty replies.  

You've somehow convinced yourself you are the victim here. 

Newsflash- You are the perpetrator, not the victim.   Return the books, sell whatever you need to to make your victims whole and crawl under a rock.